HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 01.04.2005MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL
January 4, 2005
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, was held in the
Council Chambers and called to order by President Gay Easton at 6:30 p.m. on January 4, 2005.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Dick Fritzler
Kate Stevenson
Gay Easton
Jennifer Johnson
Doug Poehls (6:35 p.m.)
Mark Mace
Daniel Dart
John Oakes
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
President Easton led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
President Easton asked the council to observe a moment of silence.
MINUTES:
Motion by Alderwoman Stevenson to approve the minutes of the special council meeting of
December 17, 2004, as presented, seconded by Alderman Dart. All eight aldermen/women present
voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.
Motion by Alderwoman Johnson to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December
21, 2004, as presented, seconded by Alderman Oakes. All eight aldermen/women present voted aye.
Motion carried 8-0.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Montana Department of Commerce: Letter of December 15, 2004 regarding TSEP grant
competition;
Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board: Letter of December 118, 2004 regarding nominations for
the Annnal Eugene Carroll Historic Preservation Award.
Cable Montana: Service Reports for November 2004.
PUBLIC HEARING: CTEP application - review proposals for CTEP funds from the
Montana Department of Transportation.
President Easton opened the public hearing.
Cal Cumin presented information on the CTEP application. The purpose of the public hearing is to
receive, consider, and review applications for Laurel's share of the CTEP money from the Federal
Highways, as channeled through the Montana Department of Transportation. Laurel is currently
eligible for about $218,500. In order to receive that money, Laurel or any applicant has to come up
with a 13.42 pement match. Projects eligible under this program include: facilities for pedestrian
and bicycles including educational programs; acquisition of scenic easements and historic sites;
scenic or historic highway programs; landscaping and beautification of transportation facilities;
historic preservation of transportation related facilities to include rehabilitation and operation;
preservation of abandoned railroad corridors; control or removal of outdoor advertising;
archaeological planning and research directly related to transportation systems; environmental
mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff or reduce vehicle-caused wildlife
mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity; or establishing transportation museums. Any
projects have to be in one of these categories, and more detailed information can be seen on the
website at: http://www.mdt.state.mt.us/ctep/ctep_activities.shtmt. This is the beginning of a
complicated and involved process by which the city will obtain this money. The City of Laurel has
not used the project since the South Pond Project was completed. The Chamber of Commerce
visitor center was also a CTEP project. Since it has not been used recently, the city accumulated
$194,000, with the 2003 monies increasing the total to $218,000.
President Easton asked three times if there were any proponents.
Council Minutes of January 4, 2005
Cal Cumin distributed information regarding the City of Laurel 2005 CTEP Project for sidewalks
and signage. A copy is attached to these minutes. Cai stated that the city would like to consider
application for CTEP projects made up of sidewalk repairs, improvement, and renovation and some
signage. Cal explained the four projects. The First Street sidewalk is the first project. The total cost
of the funding is $272,908, the proposed SID would fund $137;908, CTEP would provide $100,000,
and the city would provide $35,000. The second project for consideration is the Thomson Park north
side sidewalk. The total amount of the project is $89,210. Preliminary engineering is $2,500 and
construction engineering is $5,610, with CTEP funding of $81,100. The third proposed project is
the south side pedestrian access and signage improvements near 4th Street where it intersects 1st
Avenue South. The total amount of the project is $52,571. Preliminary engineering is $1,750,
construction engineering is $3,030, and the proposed CTEP funding is $48,400. The total amount of
the fourth proposed project of Nutting Park sidewalk is $23,377. The preliminary engineering is
$750 and the construction engineering is $1,375. The total project cost of the four projects is
$438,066. The city's contribution is $50,015, including engineering costs that are not being
contracted out and the $35,000 cash. In order to receive the $218,500 in CTEP monies, the city is
required to provide $29,323. The total CTEP grant is $218,500 and the total for the SID is
$137,908; consequently, for the four projects, the city would be short $62,643. The CTEP money
runs out before the Nutting Park project could be completed. Cai stated that it is up to the city
council and the city staff to figure out Which one of these projects to do and how to do it. The costs
for the proposed projects are based on the figures presented by the public works director at a recent
council workshop, and Cai integrated the CTEP project money into it.
Alderwoman Johnson asked for clarification of the south side pedestrian access and signage project.
Cai explained that 720 feet of five-foot wide sidewalk would be installed at a cost of $4,320; 288
feet of curb and gutter would be removed and replaced at a cost of $5,472; an $8,000 pedestrian
crossing would be installed; and a city sign, estimated to cost $30,000, would be installed. The
engineering cost is $4,779, with a total of $52,571 for the project The access would be located right
where 4th Street enters and the improvements on Town Pump end, from that point going just a little
bit down 1st Avenue South, about ten feet, then it tums around the comer and goes down into 4th
Street. The sign would be placed on the first initial five or ten feet of South 1st Avenue. It does not
involve Town Pump property, but it does involve railroad right of way. One of the factors of this
particular project is that Cenex is currently working with the railroad to try to bring a road up on
Cenex property west of the railroad tracks to provide a better access on to it, and that would come
out at 4th Street. This is a project that the city could delay and wait until Cenex comes up with their
project and the highway department approves it. Cai wanted the projects presented at the public
hearing so the city can decide what to do. Cai mentioned that this is a long process with a lot of
paperwork, and the council needed to make a decision regarding the projects at the next meeting.
President Easton asked if there were any Other proponents.
Charlie White, a local concrete contractor, poured the concrete from Town Pump and the curb going
around the sidewalk. About three or four years ago, he talked with the public works director
regarding running the sidewalk there so. it was handicapped accessible and then continuing the
access to the South Pond.
President Easton stated that it could be taken under advisement.
Cai mentioned that the CTEP people in Helena this week indicated that the new standards for ADA
will cost more. Colored approaches and bumps will be required, so the original cost estimates might
increase. At the last session, the Montana legislature passed a regulation requiring that the
administration for any federal grants had to be paid for out of the project's specific monies· The
Montana Department of Transportation, Which already takes 6.6 percent off the top for
administration, has strenuously objected to this new ruling with the Federal Highways Department
and with the State. It has not been worked out and the impact is unknown.
Alderman Mace asked if these would be considered State jobs.
Cai explained that they are State jobs because it is Federal money administered by the State, and all
regulations comply.
President Easton asked if there were any other proponents. There were none·
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Council Minutes of January 4, 2005
President Easton asked three times if there were any opponents. There were none.
President Easton closed the public hearing.
CONSENT ITEMS:
· Claims for the month of December 2004 in the amount of 458,706.33.
A complete listing of the claims and their amounts is on file in the Clerk-Treasurer's Office.
· Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 12/19/2004 totaling $114,911.33.
· Receiving the Committee Reports into the Record.
--Budget/Finance Committee minutes 0fDeccmber 7, 2004 were presented.
--Swimming Pool Committee minutes of December 9, 2004 were presented.
--Public Works Committee minutes of December 13, 2004 were presented.
--Council Workshop minutes of December 28, 2004 were presented.
President Easton asked if there was any separation of consent items. There was none.
Motion by Alderman Mace to approve the consent items as presented, seconded by
Alderwoman Stevenson. Ail eight aldermen/women present Voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.
CEREMONIAL CALENDAR: None.
REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: None.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (THREE-MINUTE LIMIT):
Charlie White suggested a proposal for recycling at the landfill for oil, antifreeze, etc. He has found
some companies that would collect the materials for recycling, and he would like to bring it up at the
next meeting. Park City and the City of Billings provide recycling services.
President Easton stated that the Public Works Committee could consider the recycling proposal and
make a recommendation to the council.
SCHEDULED MATTERS:
· Confirmation of Appointments: None.
Resolution No. R05-01: A resolUtion authorizing the Mayor to sign a contract with
Engineering, Inc., for the provision of construction administration services for the
Urban Highway Pilot Program water line replacement project within the City of
Laurel.
Motion by Alderman Oakes to approve Resolution No. R05-0i, seconded by Alderman
Poehls. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. All eight aldermen/women present voted aye.
Motion carried 8-0.
Resolution No. R04-02: Resolution of the city cOuncil supporting the transfer of city
surplus property to School District No. 7-70 to be used as part of the new middle school
construction project.
Motion by Alderman Poehls to approve Resolution No. R05-02, seconded by Alderman Dart.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion. All eight aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion
carried 8-0.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (ONE-MINUTE LIMIT):
Council Minutes of January 4, 2005
President Easton mentioned that Kurt Markegard has been hired as the Maintenance Superintendent
for the City of Laurel.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION:
· Review of Monthly Reports: Police, Fire; Ambulance, and Code Enforcement: None.
Alderwoman Johnson mentioned that the Local Government Review Commission held its second
meeting on Monday evening. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January l0th, at 7:00 p.m.
in the council chambers.
Alderwoman Johnson received an e-mail from the Economic Development Authority regarding a
free two-day grant workshop at Harvest Church in Billings. The workshop is co-sponsored by the
U.S. Department of Housing Urban Development Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
and Harvest Church in Billings. It is scheduled from 8:00 to 5:00 on January 20th and 21st and is
free. The workshop is for both faith-based and community organizations to receive hands on grant
writing experience and information. The national speaker is the Program Manager at the U.S.
Department of Housing Urban Development Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in
Washington, D.C. Registration information is available at www.harvestweb.net.
Alderman Mace asked the council to contact him regarding suggestions of a caterer for the council
retreat on February 12th.
President Easton thanked the council secretary for updating the Laurel Municipal Code books and
encouraged everyone to bring in the books for the updates.
UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
President Easton adjourned the meeting.
There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at
7:02 p.m.
Attest:
Cindy~y A~ien~. ecretary
Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the city of Laurel, Montana, this 18th day
of January, 2005.
nneth E. O~son, Jr.,
Mary K.~mbleton, Clerk-Treasurer
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