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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Committee Minutes 11.08.2004DRAFT MEMBERS PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT: MINUTES PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 8, 2004 5:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS Gay Easton, Chairman Marvin Carter Lorraine Craig John Oakes Dave Siljestrom Smokey Staudinger Mark Mace Dick Fritzler Cheryll Lund Motion by Smokey Staudinger, second by Dave Siljestrom to accept the minutes for October 12, 2004 meeting. Motion carried. Dave Siljestrom told the board that he planned to stay on the committee just to the end of December and then will resign his position. He is going back to school to complete a degree. Chairman Easton thanked Dave for all of his good work and time put into the committee. DISCUSSION ON RIVERSIDE PARK LEASES AND OTItER PARK USEAGE Gay would like to bring the recommendations from this committee to the Council workshop for their input and direction on how the committee should proceed. He thanked the committee for all of their hard work. Gay stated that he did not attend the last meeting and wanted to point out some concerns that were brought up in regards to the ball fields in Thomson Park. The City mows the outfields, sprays for weeds, they furnish the water, provide garbage pickup, opens and closes the restrooms and cleans them during the summer months. The clubs maintain the concession stand but the city pays for the lights in the field and electricity for the concession stand. The city used to mow the entire field but the Legion ball club wanted to groom the in field themselves, so the city let them. Gay wanted to make sure that the committee understood that the ball clubs asked to do that work themselves. Gay stated that the Little League fields are also mowed by the city, watered by the city, garbage pickup is provided by the city, restrooms are maintained by the city. Gay went on to clarify that the original lease for the Rifle Club in Riverside Park was for one building and an inside range. Later on a "handshake agreement" was made between the Rod and Gun Club and the Rifle Club. Gay pointed out that the Oktoberfest held in Riverside Park this year was a well-attended function and a benefit to the City. But there were many things that were not discussed because of the lateness of the request from the Oktoberfest to use the park. He feels that if they decide to hold the function in Riverside Park next year they need to get all of the clubs and the city together to discuss some of the issues that were overlooked. Gay went on to say that in regards to the Rod and Gun Club questioaing a caretaker, the city has plans to hire a caretaker in the near future. That caretaker will be responsible for maintaining the park only, and will not be involved with any of the clubs. Gay stated that the restrooms in Thomson Park are not going to stay open all of the time, due to vandalism from kids. When someone rents the Park Shelter the bathrooms are open for those patrons only. Gay went on regarding the water well at Riverside Park. There is a water well for watering down at Riverside Park. It was used for both drinking and irrigation water. The State of Montana came through and shut down the well for drinking water. There is a 4" waterline coming from the Water Plant that is attached to the bridge and it furnishes water to all of the facilities year around. The well could be back for irrigation in the future. The other issue that was not addressed was the insurance. Sam Painter, Laurel City Attorney, stated that the City of Laurel is not the only ones concerned about insurance for city owned, public used buildings. The Montana Municipal Insurance Agency is studying the issue and will determine what requirements will be required. Gay stated that the issues and concerns he brought up need to be brought up to the council during their workshop. The committee discussed accountability of water usage in the buildings in Riverside Park; the possibility ofinstalliug water meters in the park buildings; using the existing well to water Riverside Park; and the lights in the Legion Ball field in Thomson Park. It was suggested that letters should be sent to the clubs involved in the parks informing them of what the committee is looking at for the leases and usage of the park. Motion by Marvin Carter, second by Dave Siljestrom, to install water meters in the buildings at Riverside Park. Motion carded 6-0. Discussion on the pumping and cleaning of the septic tank. The City maintains it and pays to have it pumped and cleaned. Motion by Marvin Carter, second by Lorraine Craig, to set the leases for the buildings at Riverside Park to $25 per month. Motion carded 6-0. Motion by Marvin Carter, second by Mark Mace, that the leases for Riverside Park buildings be reviewed each year at a meeting with each club. Motion carded 6-0. It was suggested that the well in Riverside Park needs to be uncapped at the time the water meters are put into the buildings. It was also suggested that the clubs responsibility and the City's responsibility for the buildings and grounds need to be well defined. 2 The committee will discuss Thomas Park and other park facilities that are used by clubs and organizations at the December meeting. In January the committee's recommendations will be studied at the Council Workshop, and taken before the clubs in February. It was discussed that the recommendations of the committee be sent in letterform to each ctub so they can attend the Council Workshop with their input. Mm'yin Carter thanked Dave for Iris work on the committee. The meeting was adjoumed at 6:00 pm. Respectfully submitted, Cheryll Lund, Secretary 3