HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 09.28.2004 MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
SEPTEMBER 28, 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 September 28, 2004.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
_x_ Dick Fritzler
_x_ Kate Stevenson
Gay Easton
_x_ Jennifer Johnson
_x_ Doug Poehls
_x_ Mark Mace
_x_ Daniel Dart
_x_ John Oakes
OTHERS PRESENT:
Larry McCann
Mary Embleton
Sam Painter
Nathan Tubergen
Erl Tufte, Morrison-Maierle
Paul Hutter, AEM
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. While all comments are welcome, the Council will not take action
on any item not on the agenda.
· None
Cell phone contract · Police department cell phones will continue on the Air Tel contract.
· All other cell phones will be included in the two-year contract with Cellular One.
· Resolution will be on the October 5th council agenda.
Credit card - increase limit and review use policy
· In 2000, the city obtained a credit card with a $2,500 limit to use for travel expenses.
· Policy Establishing Use of the City Credit Card was approved at that time.
Mary explained the need to increase the limit and amend the policy.
,, Proposed amendment to the policy would add:
o .41so, for the limitedpurchase of goods in cases when purchase by the credit card is the
most expedient transaction available, subject to approval by the mayor.
· Council members suggested raising the limit to $5,000.
· Resolution will be on the October 5th council agenda.
Change in Disciplinary Policy · Paul Hutter, AEM, explained the necessary change in the Disciplinary Policy.
· Council adopted the Personnel Policy Manual in July 2004.
· MMIA wanted the discipline policy in the Personnel Policy Manual to be more consistent with
other municipalities in the State of Montana.
Council Workshop Minutes of September 28, 2004
· Council needs to adopt the change in the disciplinary policy, which is backed up by the Policy
and Procedures Manual that was adopted in 2000.
· Resolution will be on the October 5th council agenda.
Job Descriptions: Utilit~ Maintenance Worker II and III
· Larry McCann explained the job descriptions.
o Job descriptions were not completed when the systems crew was created.
o Union will bargain wages based on job descriptions.
o The existing Maintenance Worker II and Maintenance Worker III job descriptions were
changed with the following additions:
· Utility Maintenance Worker II job description: "Possession of appropriate CDL
certifications. Maintains a Distribution Certificate as required by DEQ.'
· Utility Maintenance Worker III job description: "Maintains Distribution
Certification and other certifications as required by DEQ."
o City needs the flexibility to use the employees where they are needed.
o DEQ regulations require the systems crew to have a distribution license.
· By union contract, a new employee would have twelve months to get the
certification.
Proposed sewer rate increase
· Nathan Tubergen explained the resolution of intent to increase the sewer rates.
· The timetable for the public hearing, publishing public notices, and mailing of the notice to
utility customers is included in the resohition.
· Nathan reviewed the five-year plan for the sewer rate increases, using Exhibit A attached to the
draft resolution.
o A copy of Exhibit A is attached to these minutes.
· Discussion regarding:
o Agreement between the City of Laurel and Cenex Refinery
o Refinery has 1 O-inch, 6-inch, and 4-inch pipes.
o Larger pipes (10-inch and 6-inch) are used for fire protection and for processed water.
o Need to negotiate flat rate on 4-inch pipes versus current employee basis.
o Raikoad industrial waste agreement to be negotiated between MRL and the City.
· Resolution of intent to increase sewer rates will be on the October 5th council agenda.
Resolution for RFP for a Cemetery Development Study
· Cemetery is asking for council's approval to pursue requests for proposals for a Cemetery
Development Study.
o No request for money at this time.
o Study is budgeted in the 2004-2005 budget.
· The city recently purchased eighteen acres of additional land for the cemetery.
o Three of the acres are on the south and east boundaries, which squared the property off.
o Depending on cost, the study may look at the property as a whole, or it may be done in
two phases.
· A study needs to be completed in order to apply for possible grant monies.
· The city will not fund some projects that might come out of the study.
· Cemetery Commission would look at endowments to finance some projects in the long-range
study.
· The resolution will be on the October 5th council agenda.
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Council Workshop Minutes of September 28, 2004
Mission Statement - Cemetery Commission
· The Cemetery Commission has submitted a Mission Statement for the council's approval.
· Mission Statement was created as a joint effort by the members of the Commission.
· Part of the Mission Statement was taken directly from the Laurel Municipal Code section that
deals with the Cemetery Commission.
· Mission Statement is:
o The purpose of the Laurel Cemetery Commission is to provide direction and
recommend funding to assure the care and beautification to create an atmosphere of
peace, tranquility and beauty for all visitors of the city cemetery guided by the rules and
regulations adopted by the commission and established by resolution of the City
Council.
· The Mission Statement of the Cemetery Commission will be on the October 5th agenda for
council approval.
Executive Review
· Yellowstone City-County Health Board
o Mayor Olson read a letter of resignation from Bud Johnson, effective September 28,
2004.
o Mayor Olson stated that the Health Board has lost a very good member.
o Mayor Olson mentioned that Kate Stevenson has indicated her desire to serve on the
Board of Health.
o Mayor Olson will appoint Kate Stevenson on October 5th.
· Yellowstone City-County Planning Board
o Mayor Olson will appoint Hazel Klein to fill Laurel Haggart's vacancy on the planning
board.
· Resolutions in 2005 Legislature - League of Cities and Towns
o Copies of the proposed resolutions and a written explanation of the changes were
distributed to the council.
o Mayor Olson explained the changes presented at the Legislative Committee meeting in
Helena on September 21st.
· Court relocation project
o Explanation and discussion regarding bringing every change to the council.
o Mayor Olson would like to have the authority to use his discretion on a daily basis
regarding any necessary changes.
o At the end of the construction, a resolution of reconciliation will be submitted to show the
final summary of the cost for the project.
o Mayor Olson would bring any major changes to the council's attention.
o Mayor Olson explained the needed change in the project.
· The original plan did not allow for a wall between the public right-of-way through
the building and the break room.
· Construction of the wall will cost $981.00.
· Additional changes may need to be made.
· Special council meetings could be scheduled for each needed change.
o Sam Painter explained that in these contract documents, the owner has a designated person
to review and sign off on change orders, and it is generally the mayor.
· Sam does not have a problem with these types of issues because the mayor always
has the attorney review them.
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Council Workshop Minutes of September 28, 2004
o
· If the mount projected for the project is pushed, the council will be informed
regarding the extra expenditure of money.
· Sam advised the council that the authority is in the contract documents that were
approved.
Nathan asked if there was a 10% provision for contingency in the contract.
· This would be one way to deal with changes, as long as it stays within the 10%
contingency, which would be about $6,000.
Council concurred that the mayor has the authority to make decisions, as long as the change
is presented to the council at the next meeting.
Resolutions:
Cell phone contract
· Intent to increase sewer rates
· RFP for a Cemetery Development Study
· Increase credit card limit/use policy
· Job descriptions for Utility Maintenance Worker II and III
· Change in discipline policy
Announcements:
· Traffic lights at Main Street and 1~t Avenue
o Doug Poehls read from thc September 21~t council minutes regarding installation of the
traffic signal at the underpass.
o Doug commented that installation of new traffic lights began the same week.
· Retirement Party for Brad Krause
o Party is scheduled on Friday, October 1st, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in City Hall.
o Mayor Olson expressed appreciation for Brad's service to thc City of Laurel.
Attendance at the October 5th council meetin? · Gay Easton will not attend.
· All others will attend.
Other items
· None
The council workshop adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy~Alle~n ~
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.
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EXHIBIT A
SEWER UTILITY SERVICE
REGULAR MONTHLY RATE
In-city users customer base charge .................................................. Per Exhibit A
Outside city users customer base charge ......................................... Per Exhibit A
Plus a consumption charge ~ $2.56 per 100 cu. ft.
Refinery - per agreement between City and Cenex Refinery
RV Dump Station - 8 monthly customer charges ~ ~" and 5/8" meters at base rate plus 8 units
of consumption ~ $2.56 per 100 cubic feet to be billed annually.
Flat rate - out-of-city users - increase per schedule;
i.e. $36.76 on 01/01/05 and $38.76 on 07/01/05, per increase of base rate schedule
Public schools shall be charged on actual use according to the above formula, i.e. base charge
and consumption, for the months of September through June. Summer consumption for July and
August shall be at ten percent (10%) of the average monthly sewer consumption for September
through June.
R.R. industrial waste - to be negotiated between MRL and the City
These rates shall be charged on the total monthly water consumption with the exception of
summer sewer charges for residential customers. The summer residential 10chargesth
monthly shall
be based on an average consumption from approximately October 10th to April . Customers
without an average will be billed a flat rate of one customer charge plus average consumption per
month in proper classification (unit equals 100 cubic ft.).
System Development Fee
No change
R04-107 Sewer Rate Increase
Base Rates-5 Year Plan
CITY OF LAUREL
WASTEWATER BASE RATES - 5 YEAR PLAN
EXHIBIT A
SIZE FACTORS RATE, $ RATE, $ RATE, $ RATE, $ RATE, $ RATE, $
518"-3/4" 1.00 10.57 12.57 15.07 18.07 21.57 25.57
" 1.25 13.21 15.71 18.84 22.59 26.96 31.96
1/4" 1.85 19.55 23.25 27.88 33.43 39.90 47.30
1 112" 2.50 26.43 31.43 37.68 45.18 53.93 63.93
2" 4.00 42.28 50.28 60.28 72.28 86.28 102.28
2 1/2" 6.25 66.06 78.56 94.19 112.94 134.81 159.81
3" 7.50 79.28 94.28 113.03 135.53 161.78 191.78
4" 12.50 132.13 157.13 188.38 225.88 269.63 319.63
6" 25.00 264.25 314.25 376.75 451.75 539.25 639.25
8" 40.00 422.80 502.80 602.80 722.80 862.80 1022.80
10" 60.00 634.20 754.20 904.20 1084.20 1294.20 1534.20
12" 80.00 845.60 1005.60 1205.60 1445.60 1725.60 2045.60
14" 100.00 1057.00 1257.00 1507.00 1807.00 2157.00 2557.00
NOTES[
1. Volume Charge remains at $2.56 per 100 cu.ft, for the 5 year pedod.
2. Base Charge does not include any consumption.
3. Wastewater Base Rates not applicable to standby fire line water meters.
4. Volume Charges based on average water consumption for October-March (6 months)
5. Base Charges will be based on the appropriate meter size for the application or a separate base charge
for each dwelling or business unit.
6. Special Rates for utility customers must be authorized and approved by the City Council.
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