HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 03.22.2005 MINUTES
SPECIAL COUNCIL WORKSHOP
MARCH 22, 2005 6:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
A Special Council Workshop was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor
Ken Olson at 6:30 p.m. on March 22, 2005.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
x Dick Fritzler
_x_ Kate Stevenson
_x_ Gay Easton
_x_ Jennifer Johnson
_x_ Doug Poehls
_x_ Mark Mace
_x_ Daniel Dart
x John Oakes
OTHERS PRESENT:
Nathan Tubergen
Mary Embleton
Terry Ruff
Jean Kerr
Jan Faught
Rick Musson (6:50 p.m.)
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
Budget Presentation: Nathan Tubergen
· Nathan and the department heads presented the budgets for the public safety departments.
Fire Department
· Fire Chief Terry Ruff distributed information regarding the Laurel Volunteer Fire
Department, the fire district contracts, the five-year capital outlay plan, and other
revenues.
o A copy of the information is attached to these minutes.
· Discussion regarding:
o FEMA Grants - LVFD has not received any FEMA grants because the
depamnent is well-equipped compared to other cities that apply for the grants.
o Effect on mills/taxes if the City of Laurel is required to have a partial-paid
department after the 2010 census is completed
o City would need to fund a substantial amount of dollars to fund a partial-paid fire
department.
o Law to increase the requirement for a paid fire department to a population of
10,000 is being considered by the State Legislature.
· Firemen's Relief budget will be presented to the council on May 19th.
Special Council Workshop Minutes of March 22, 2005
Laurel City Court
· Judge Jean Kerr presented information regarding the court.
o Court has seen an increase in violence, DUI's, and MIP's in the city.
o Positive results are being realized from the SRO program.
o Court revenues increased by $49,788.56 last year over the previous year.
· Judge's wages
o Jean suggested that the judge's wages be set by ordinance with a base wage and
increases for longevity.
o State of Montana considers a pm-time position to have a 750 case load.
o Laurel City Court's case load was at 2,435 last year.
· Dan Dm complimented Jean for taking a pro-active approach regarding the judge's
salary.
Ambulance
· Ambulance Director Jan Faught stated that the budget numbers did not change much
from last year to this year, but there are many unknowns.
o An increased population, including elderly people, will produce an increased call
volume.
o Additional equipment is needed in order to answer more calls.
o Double calls are often received, and the ambulance is receiving more third calls.
o New ambulances provide improved safety for crewmembers.
o Crew has opportunity to update skill level, and more equipment is needed to use
those skills.
· Jan stated that the ambulance department still needs additional space.
· Steve Apgar, Wheeled Coach, informed Jan that a 2004 ambulance could be purchased
for about $80,000.
,, Jan mentioned that the main goal is to keep updating equipment as newer technology is
available.
· Discussion regarding:
o BLS versus ALS transporting license
o Majority of ambulance calls are in Yellowstone County and the city may need to
contact the county regarding possible funding.
o Nathan suggested that the city should determine how much money is currently
received from county calls before contacting the county.
Police Department
· Police Chief Rick Musson reviewed the police department budget.
· Discussion regarding:
o Rick was asked to cut the budget by $50,000.
o Overtime costs
· $10,000 of overtime cost is reimbursed through a DUI Grant.
· HIDTA Grant reimburses overtime costs for Officer Pitts.
o Operating supplies were cut $4,000 and fuel costs were cut $550.
· Discussion regarding grants:
o SRO Grant
o MT Board of Crime Control Grant was used to purchase a new patrol car.
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Special Council Workshop Minutes of March 22, 2005
o Motorcycle agreement
o DUI Grants
o HIDTA - $40,000 received for equipment purchases
Discussion regarding personnel cuts:
o Animal control officer was the only non-essential position that could be cut;
however, Rick stressed that there would be a huge gap if this position were cut.
o No personnel cuts were done in the police budget.
FAP Building
o Cut $10,000 for FAP maintenance
o Biggest problem would be if the heating or cooling systems break down
o Insulation project has been completed and should help with utility costs.
Discussion regarding:
o Mandate of patrol time for officers:
· Rick stated that the department does not currently have a mandate.
o School resource officers
· SRO's are hired to be in the schools, but there are times when Rick has to
pull the SRO out of the school for another purpose.
o Communications officer has written grants for the police department
o Video arraignment system is needed for the court and the police department.
· Video arraignment system is the second item on the CIP list.
· Safety and expense issues were discussed.
· Equipment would cost about $23,000.
· Equipment could be used for other training and teleconferencing.
Mayor Olson called for a recess at 8:04 p.m. The council workshop resumed at 8:10 p.m.
Discussion regarding video arraignment system
o Nathan stated that it would be presented as the first priority at the council
workshop on May 19th.
Rick reviewed the Drag Forfeiture, Federal Equitable Sharing, Police Training, 911
Emergency, and E-911 Emergency Funds.
o Federal Equitable Sharing Fund increases with drug arrests and forfeitures and
can be used to purchase equipment that cannot be included in the budget.
o The HIDTA Program will be presented to the council at a future meeting.
o Telephone users are charged 50 cents per month, with half going into the 911 and
E-911 Emergency Funds.
The 911-Emergency Fund currently has $44,936, and the E-911 Emergency Fund
has $90,000.
o City of Laurel's E-911 Emergency plan is in Helena for approval.
· The 911 and E-911 Ftmds will become one fund when the E-911 plan is
approved.
o Special Revenue Funds have specific guidelines for use.
Nathan thanked the department heads for their presentations.
Special Council Workshop Minutes of March 22, 2005
· Nathan informed the council that a request for additional funds for the sewer portion of
the East First Street project needed to be added to the application.
o Increased gas prices could affect the bids for the project.
· Gay Easton, Mark Mace, and Mayor Olson expressed appreciation for the budget
presentations.
The council workshop adjourned at 8:36 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.
4
UREL VOL UNTEER FIRE
Mr. Mayor and City Council
We are faced with servicing a growing population with unique challenges. At current, we are
unable to meet some of the challenges because of budget issues within the City. in short form,
here are a few items that we would like the council to be aware of.
1. The revenue received through our district contracts is needed desperately to keep up us
ahead of the power curve of firefighfing challenges and growth of our area.
2. We are un-able to receive money through federal grant programs because of the way we
are funded.
3. Every year for the last 4 years, we have attempted to purchase a new truck to meet these
needs. The apprex cost of a new firefighting vehicle will cost between $350,000-
$400,000.
4. Do to the fact that we have been rejected with new equipment; we have re-searched
used equipment and found apparatus that meets our unique needs that is cost
negotiable at $135,000 compared to the $400,000 for a new truck.
5. The estimated amount of revenue income from the districts is approx. $182,000. This
figure is with out the revenue generated from fire billings. This figure is also calculated
having taken into account the fact that the city does not contribute any money to the fire
department.
6. Our fire department, right now, has no reserve pumper. We still rely solely on our 1976
pumper as our mainline pumper for city fire calls. Our newest pumper is 7 years old.
Having a reserve pumperis an ISO requirement. Atthe current time, the fire department
is due for an ISO inspection. We have major concerns as to whether or not our fire
department can keep its current ISO rating of 5. If we were to be inspected tomorrow,
we do not know what it would cost the city taxpayer's insurance premium if we were to
lose our current rating. Any rating above a 5 (1 being the best, 10 the worst) would cost
a dollar amount.
7. Due to the fact that our fire districts are growing in population, and the fact the city is
beginning to annex more and more, we face more and more challenges as a fire
department. We are in desperate need of a new truck to sustain our current level of
service.
8. Currently, we have $40,000 in CIP money. Our major goal is to purchase a new
firefighting vehicle. We have specifications on both a new and used truck. We will also
be selling an aerial ladder truck.
Last, it could be possible that when the next census comes due in 2010 the increase in
residence within the City, could forces the City to go to a par[iai paid Department which
could be as much as $350,000.00 to $500,000.00 a year.
Thank you,
Terry Ruff
Fire Chief
VOLUNTEER £ REDE? TMENT
City of Laurel Agreement For Fire Protection, Suppression, and
Investigations with the following;
3 year contract with F/re District 5 at $10,443.06 for 2005-2006
3 year contract with Fire District 7 at $104,932.76 for 2005-2006
3 year contract with Fire District 8 at $3263.66 for 2005-2006
3 year contract with LUFSA Area at $49,893.91 for 2005-2006
1 year contract with A/.rport Authority at $2607.85 for 2005-2006
1 year contract with Boys and Girls Ranch at $6254.34 for 2005-2006
1 year Yellowstone County Rural Grass Contract at $4200.00 for 2005-2006
Fire Billing as per Resolution No. R03-114 Average yearly projection
Total for 2005-2006 is $181,6.3.1.58
5-Year Capitol Outlay Plan
1. New Urban Interface Pumper
2. Possible Satellite Station East side of town
3. Brush Truck to replace Brush 3
4. 4000 Gallon Water Tender Truck
5. Radio Replacement
Other Revenues
Go after Safety issue Bond or Mills for Emergency Equipment
replacement
Go after Grants through a certified Grant writer