HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Committee Minutes 10.07.2002MEMBERS PRESENT:
OTHERS PRESENT
MINUTES
PUBLIC WORK COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 7, 2002, 5:30 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Gay Easton, Chairman
Mark Mace
John Oakes
Marvin Carter
Lorraine Craig
Ed Steffans
Bill Staudinger
David Siljestrom
Steve Klotz
Cheryll Lund
Jeanette Koch
8th Avenue Lighting District Information
This wili be the 8th Avenue project from W. Main to W. 9th Street.
'Fne poles and installation for this lighting district will be paid for by the state. Homeowners will only
have to pay for the energy costs and maintenance. This is a real benefit for those people that will be in
the lighting district. The cost per year will be about half as much as what it would be if they had to put
pay for the poles and installation.
There are 3 types of poles; metal, fiberglass and wood. Metal poles are probably the best and the most
expensive to go with. Ifa metal pole is hit it can be repaired, in most cases. If fiberglass or wood poles
were used they would have to be replaced, in most cases, if they get hit. Steve is reconumending going
with the metal poles as they would, in the long run, be less expensive.
A new lighting district would have to be established, instead of extending the existing district.
Repairs would be contracted out. A flat rate would be established for maintenance costs to the
customers.
The rates per lights would be assessed by lot area.
Time frame for this project is further out than anticipated.
There are still questions and details to work out on the project such as mailbox and light placements.
Steve will keep the committee updated.
A suggestion was made to pay for maintenance and repairs, as they come up, not as a flat fee to the
energy company. This could end up keeping costs of maintenance down. Steve has looked at that
option.
Solid Waste System Study
Steve went over the Solid Waste System Study Direction list with the committee. (See attached) Instead
of raising the rates when money is needed, the Public Works department is looking at ways to reduce
spending, and/or make changes that would aid in the setting of the overall plan for the direction and
future operation of the solid waste division. They have enlisted the help ora person who does these
studies for a living.
Steve went over the items on the list one by one. These items are all being considered so that the city
may be able to offer better services to the public, with more options, in the future.
At this time the study is still at the point of gathering information. Steve anticipates the study will be
done in 3-4 months.
Unscheduled Matters
Smokey stated that there used to be a sign up for "no parking" between the alley behind the high school
practice field and the house at 804 Pennsylvania. That sign disappeared a few years ago and has never
been replaced. When there are functions at the high school stadium people park along that area. If an
emergency vehicle had to get in for a fire or ambulance call it wouldn't be possible to go down that
alley. Smokey would like to see those signs put back up before there is a major problem.
Steve stated that there are several areas like that being looked at by the Public Works Department. The
Department is also looking at going with a "clear vision triangle" in the near future. Steve will go
check out Smokey's complaint.
Lorraine Craig questioned whether water on the street by Schessler's Ready mix would eventually cause
damage to the street?
Steve stated that it does cause damage. Steve also pointed out that the Schessler's are trying to do some
dust control by watering their property. Steve states that the city is looking at rebuilding that street and
it is on the top of the list on their paving program in Laurel.
Ed Steffans stated that the alley approaches should be repaired and paved throughout the city. Steve
states that they are looking at that through the Solid Waste Study because of the damage done by the
garbage macks going in and out of the alleys.
Ed statesthat the homeowner's should have some respons~blhty' ' ' for the repair of those approaches.
Steve said when they tried to initiate a sidewalk improvements program the approaches were looked at
being included in with the sidewalks. Less than the 51% property owners required were willing to
participate in the sidewalk improvements project.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryll Lund, Secretary
2
CITY HALL
115 W. 1ST ST,
PUB WORKS: 628-4796
WATER OFC: 628-743 i
COURT: 628-1964
FAX: 628-2241
City Of Laurel
P.O. Box 10
Laurel, Montana 59044
DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Public Works Committee
Steve Klotz, Director of Public Works
Solid Waste System Study Direction, 2002
DATE:
October 7, 2002
An initial overview of the current operation of the Solid Waste Division in Public Works
has yielded several areas that require further study. These areas of study will aid in the
setting of the overall plan for the direction and future operation of the Solid Waste
Division and are listed below:
· City Savings by Waste Transfer Costs Reductions, Land-filling.
c~ Transfer site composting.
o Transfer ske metal collection and salvage sale.
o Transfer site tree branch chipper.
o Transfer site container compactor, 10 to 1 ratio.
o City, recycling prograrm
· Operational Savings.
o Route trucks haul to transfer site.
o Compacted containers hauled to landfill.
o Containers assigned for accountable volume.
o Alternative public pick up options.
· Operational Costs Increases.
c> Right-of-way damage repair.
· Capital Outlays for Improved System Efficiency.
o Route trucks.
o Roll-Off/Container trucks.
o Branch Chipper.
o Container Compactor.
· Additional Revenue Sources.
o Container Rental.
o Transfer Ske Fees, Tax assessment option.
o Rate Increase.
City Of Laurel is an EEO Employer
Equal Housing Opportunity