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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 05.25.2004 MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MAY 25, 2004 6:30 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS A Council Workshop was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Ken Olson at 6:30 p.m. on May 25, 2004. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: x Dick Fritzler _x_ Kate Stevenson _x_ Gay Easton x Jennifer Johnson x Doug Poehls x Mark Mace Daniel Dart John Oakes OTHERS PRESENT: Sam Painter Nathan Tubergen Larry McCarm Steve Klotz Jan Faught Public Input (three-minute limit): Citizens may address the Council regarding any item of City business not on the agenda. The duration for an individual speaking under Public Input is limited to three minutes. PVhile all comments are welcome, the Council will not take action on any item not on the agenda. · None Landfill Use Agreement with the Cit~ of Billings · Standard annual agreement to haul solid waste to the Billings landfill · $11.50 per ton · Rates have remained the same for several years. · Annual agreement allows the city to know definite rates for each fiscal year. · Dick questioned how many tons we deliver to the landfill on a weekly/monthly basis. o Steve will look up the mtmber. Arbor Day Grant · Mayor's Arbor Day Proclamation designated April 30th as Arbor Day in the City of Laurel. · Ponderosa Pine tree was planted in Ponderosa Park on April 30th. · Planting was done to adhere to the process necessary to qualify for the grant. · The tree cost $190 and there were in-house labor and equipment costs. · Grant will reimburse $150; we spent $50 to get the $150, as it was a twenty percent (20%) match. · Discussion regarding Tree City, USA program. · Discussion regarding the new trees to be planted on Main Street. · Trees were selected for: Council Workshop Minutes of May 25, 2004 Trees with root systems that would not affect sidewalks Trees that have a mature height that is acceptable in that area Trees that are drought resistant. Trees that require minimal maintenance. Changes to the Residential Tracts Zone involving animal units allowed and timeframe for continuance of non-conforming uses. Public hearing date is set for June 15, 2004. · Dick Fritzler had requested that this item be placed on the agenda. · Issue will affect every residential one-acre tract located in the city's one-mile jurisdiction. · Dick stated that the issue could affect the animals and the health of the people that live in the locations. · Dick suggested that the City of Laurel get a written opinion from the Department of Agriculture regarding the effect this kind of proposed concentration would have on the animals · Dick also suggested obtaining a written opinion from the Department of Health regarding the possible effect the concentration of animals in a small area would have on the health of the people. · Since .one of the complainants in the recent East Maryland issue voiced health concerns, Mark agreed that the issue should be reviewed. · Doug stated that it would be nice to have information to back up the decision. · Mayor will direct staff to have some type of information available to the council. Jean Kerr: Court relocation issue · Jean wanted to have a resolution available regarding the option of a modular building across the street. o She stated that it is not well received and she did not have a resolution because the process has to be that Sam is directed to write up a resolution. · Jean voiced some questions. · She asked when the specs would be written and when the bidding would start. · She is trying to determine how long the 19*/4-hour person would be working. · She questioned what to do as far as Chris being able to keep up with the workload, as she is used to having the assistance ora ~A-time worker, which is 30 hours. o Question as to allowing Chris to work overtime. · Jean stated that it is an issue for which she needs guidance for budgeting. · Jean questioned the length of the timeframe for the remodel project. · Mayor's explanation o Bidding process will determine the timeline. o Mayor will meet with Jean to discuss the work hours needed and any other concerns. · Discussion regarding moving the court before construction begins. o Court needs security and privacy for their offices. o Computers should not be located in the construction area. · Nathan is working with the State on this project. o Goal is to get the architect on board, get the drawings completed, get out to bid and have the bids back by the time the council adopts the budget on July 20th. Council Workshop Minutes of May 25, 2004 c~ Construction schedule should not take a lot of time. o Concern is to get the court moved and make it the most efficient for everyone. · Discussion regarding how much overtime is needed. o Jean will ask Chris to estimate the required number of hours. o Jean will submit the information to Mayor Olson. · Discussion regarding having Sheri work in another location. o Court's computer system is directly tied to the Supreme Court in Helena, and it would not work to put her in a remote location. · Mayor will keep Jean updated as much as possible. Nathan Tubergen: Budget questions · Nathan stated that two major projects are in progress. o One project is affecting the businesses downtown and is going to be disruptive to the traffic flow. · Larry stated that the Railroad Street project started on Monday morning. o Project is located in front of the Big Sky Greenhouse, and the owner is unhappy about it. o Project on Alder Avenue has started, and residents are complaining about it. o The next major project will be in the downtown area, and complaints will be received about that, too. · Discussion regarding the projected timeframes for the o Railroad Street project should be done in a week and a half o Alder Avenue project will continue into July. · Discussion regarding the need for a contact person for the public. o Larry is the contact person. · Discussion regarding the need to update the council regarding the status of the projects. · Discussion regarding providing information to the public in the Laurel City Voice and Laurel Outlook. · Discussion regarding the possibility of a tour of the projects during a council work session. · Nathan clarified that a statement he made at the special council meeting on May 19th regarding the $125,000 solid waste vehicle being purchased was incorrect. · Nathan and Larry will meet with the engineer on Wednesday morning. o They will get a draft copy of the sewer rate study. o They want to bring the sewer rate study to the council on June 8th. · Doug asked how to cut $300,000 out of this budget. · Mayor explained that ways to alleviate next year's deficit will be addressed after the budget is adopted. o A special work session will be scheduled on June 30th for Nathan to present some of his ideas. · Nathan explained that he is working on cash flows for the general fund, as well as the water, sewer, and solid waste funds. · Discussion regarding the percentages for salary and benefits and for public safety. · Discussion regarding the safety mill that was passed in Billings. · Doug thanked Nathan for his work. Council Workshop Minutes of May 25, 2004 Executive Review: Council commitment to Insurance and Benefit Committee · Insurance and Benefit Committee has requested that thc council have a representative sit on the committee so that they would have an understanding of how it functions and what its requirements are. Council commitment to the Labor/Management Cooperation Committee Labor/Management Cooperation Committee has requested that the council have a representative on the committee. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from 12:45 to 3:30 p.m. in thc Old Council Chambers. · Explanation of the Labor/Management Cooperation Committee o Committee came out of thc last union negotiations. o The idea of the committee is to pre-address problems. o In that process, the Labor/Management Cooperation Committee was given the responsibility to organize an Insurance Committee. o Labor/Management Cooperation Committee is Currently chaired by Vicky Knudsen, the Labor Mediator for the State of Montana. · Dick will consider participating in one of the opportunities. Big Skf Economic Development Authority representative · BSEDA has requested a representative from the City of Laurel. · Appointment of Jennifer Johnson will be put on thc June 1st council agenda. Swimming Pool Committee · Mayor has asked Gerry Ready, Marvin Carter, Robin Herman, Donna Hirt (YMCA), Steve Klotz, Kate Stevenson (chair), and Cal Cumin. · At the recent joint meeting with the school board, the city offered to include a school board member on the swimming pool committee. · Appointments will be on the June 1 st council agenda. Protocol on Committee versus Board minutes · Mayor Olson stated that the council cannot change minutes of board meetings. · Boards are accountable for their own minutes and the council does not have the authority to change their minutes, which are adopted by the particular committee. · Committee minutes, such as Budget/Finance, Public Works, and Emergency Services, can be reviewed by the council. Laurel Volunteer Fire Department's requests to set off fireworks · Request to set off fireworks on June 1 lth at Riverside Park for the Fire Alliance parade and barbecue. · Request to set off fireworks on July 4th at the Laurel High School football field. · Fire marshal will conduct a full inspection of the site to insure that the locations are safe and suitable. · Request will be on the June 1 st council agenda. 4 Council Workshop Minutes of May 25, 2004 Discussion regarding the need to notify the public when fireworks will be set off in order for people to put their dogs inside. o Suggestion to notif7 Laurel Outlook o Suggestion to put a community announcement on the public cable channel o Mayor will talk to the fire department about it. June 30th council work session · Special council work session is tentatively scheduled for June 30t~, at 5:30 p.m. Resolutions: · R04-__: Landfill Use Agreement with the City of Billings · R04-__: Yellowstone County Air Pollution Control Program (Public hearing is set for June 1, 2004.) · R04-__: Arbor Day Grant Ordinance No. 004-03: An ordinance of the City of Laurel, Montana, to amend and supemede Laurel City Ordinance No. O01-05, and to approve an Interlocal Agreement: (1) between the City of Laurel, Montana, the City of Billings, Montana, and Yellowstone County, Montana, creating a multi-jurisdictional service district named Yellowstone City-County Health Department; and (2) between the City of Laurel, Montana, the City of Billings, Montana, the Town of Broadview, Montana, and Yellowstone County, Montana, creating an Air Pollution Control Program to be administered under the auspices of the Yellowstone City-County Health Department. Second reading. Announcements · Doug Poehls will submit a resignation letter from the City-County Planning Board. o Resignation will be effective on June 4th. o Will bring recommendation to council on June 8th to appoint Renee Studiner · Discussion regarding replacement process o Another applicant has submitted a letter of interest. · Dan Koch wrote a letter of interest in the appointment. o Council must agree on a process. · Sam stated that individuals should fill out an application or write a letter of intent. · Council should then interview the individuals. · Need a majority vote of the council to approve. · Mayor will give the lettem of interest to the council president. Attendance at the June 1st council meetinp All present will attend. Other items · Doug mentioned that Dan Mears contacted him tonight. o Doug stated that the alley issue needed to be on a council workshop agenda. · Issue over the kids parking behind his garage. 5 Council Workshop Minutes of May 25, 2004 o Dan believes there is an alley easement there, and he would like the police officers not to allow the students to park so close to his garage. o Gay stated that Steve Klotz is researching the issue. The council workshop adjourned at 7:34 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Allen Council Secretary NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Council for the listed workshop agenda items.