HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 04.26.2005 MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
APRIL 26, 2005 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 April 26, 2005.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Dick Fritzler _x_ Doug Poehls
x Kate Stevenson x Mark Mace
_x_ Gay Easton _x_ Daniel Dart
_x_ Jennifer Johnson x John Oakes
OTHERS PRESENT:
Sam Painter
Larry McCann
Richard Bamhardt
LuAnn Engh
Mike Zuhoski
Mary Embleton
Steve Klotz
Casey Joyce
Keith Woods
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
Public Utilities Department:
· Resolution - Task Order No. 9, Morrison-Maierle, Inc.
o Task order with Morrison-Maierle to address the off ramp west of town at Golf
Course Road
o Wastewater Facility Plan did not address anything south of Highway 10.
o Engineers will estimate densities in that area and the size of sewer line that would
be needed.
o The impact is on the trunk main replacement project scheduled for September to
make sure everything is sized to handle future needs.
o Change order is for $5,988.
o There has been commercial and industrial interest shown in the location.
· Resolution - Change order for Main Street waterline replacement
o Change order is needed for the ruptured water line, extra temporary water that had
to be supplied to some businesses, and the imported back fill, which was the
largest expense.
o Did not run into contaminated soil, but could not get compaction with what was
dug out of the ground, so new backfill had to be hauled in.
o Total change order is for $24,400.
Council Workshop Minutes of April 26, 2005
State will ask city to pay for extension of the concrete at 3rd Avenue for hydrant
when the overlay is done.
Engineering specs will call for import material and fabric for East Ist Street.
Steve stated that the pm-construction meeting for the Main Street overlay is
scheduled for this Friday.
Public Works Department:
· Playground Equipment Committee
o Citizens, council committee, and staff all recommend the same selection for
equipment.
o Proposed schedule:
· Advertise April 28th in the Billings Gazette and May 4t~ in the Laurel
Outlook
· Open bids on May 10th
· Present at council workshop on May 10th
· Award bids on May 17th
· Material should be on site by June 1st
· Installation should be completed by June 22.
· City crew and maybe volunteers will install the equipment.
Concrete work, gravel, and benches can be done while waiting for
equipment.
· Resolution of intent to raise commercial garbage fees
o Ordinance has been presented to allow adjustment of rates by resolution.
o Resolution needs to be effective by the time the ordinance goes into effect.
o Steve reviewed the rate schedule.
· The base rate is 2.72 cents/gallon for residential versus non-residential at
1.52 cents/gallon.
· 80 pement increase to non-residential rates at 16 percent per year for five
years
o Three options for the volume of use are 1/3 can, 2/3 can, or a full can.
· Rate calculation
· Steve explained the multiple container options.
· Explained multi users that were not charged for usage
· Used school as an example
· Need to phase in over five years as they have highest impact
· Approximately 22 multiple can customers impacted most.
· Steve has met with them.
o Jenny asked if the school would be charged the same during the summer.
· School will have the option of having the city picking up extra cans in
summer.
o Mark asked regarding possible increases at the Billings landfill.
· Current proposed rates do not address increases.
· The Billings landfill does not anticipate increases for the next three years.
o Determination of use
· User can appeal to the Public Works Committee.
o Rates are subject to change upon resolution of the city council.
Council Workshop Minutes of April 26, 2005
o Public hearing will be held on May 17th.
o Mayor asked regarding the response fix>m the 22 muki-can users.
· Steve received feedback from the customers that they understand the
structure and appreciated the contact before council action was taken.
· Users appreciate the other options (cardboard) provided at the container
site.
o John asked regarding the additional revenue $20,000.
· Estimate is conservative because there are too many variables.
o Jenny asked if residential rates/usage is being evaluated.
· Process of reviewing cans has started.
· Average one complaint per block when a container is removed from the
alley.
· Three households should use one can.
o Mayor regarding changing from 300-gallon to 90-gallon containers.
· Capital outlay to make the change is too high to change now.
o Mark commended Steve on research and on work at the container site.
Resolution to approve change orders for court remodel
o Majority of work has been done for some time.
o Delay on window work in the jury room.
o Change Order No. 1 was for modification of plans.
o Change Order No. 2 was for additional work with door locks to get them keyed
the same.
o There was no Change Order No. 3.
o Change Order No. 4 was for additional painting.
Ordinance No. 004-08: Ordinance amending certain sections of Chapter 8 for the
purpose of revising the procedure the City utilizes to establish the nonresidential garbage
fees and rates in the Laurel Municipal Code. Second reading.
o Second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for May 3ra.
HOME Program Report - Case? Jo¥ce
· Casey Joyce stated that the 2003 program was awarded in March 2003, but the program
income from fiscal year 1996 had to be spent first.
· Information was distributed to the council.
· The 1996 list of HOIvlE Program Income Homebuyers included seven households.
o Two households received over $15,000 and are 10-year deferred loans.
o Larger households received a larger amount for their loans.
o The other five households received 5-year deferred loans.
o Current program is at 5-year loans.
· The fiscal year 2003 HOME Program Income Homebuyers includes twelve households.
o 1996 list included one rehab, and the rest cover down payment and closing costs.
o Housing prices range from $75,000 to $110,000.
o Most of the homeowners need assistance with minor repairs, but it is negotiated
with sellers to do the repairs from proceeds of sale.
· Solid Foundations Self-Help Project
o City of Laurel HOME Program funds are being used for down payment and
closing cost assistance.
3
Council Workshop Minutes of April 26, 2005
o Construction loans are under the USDA Rural Development.
o Three homebuyers closed today, four will close on Wednesday, and another four
will close on Thursday.
o All homebuyers are required to do sweat equity, which will count as a match to
the City of Laurel's HOME Program funds.
o Construction will begin the first of May, and completion is expected by December
2005.
o Participants must contribute 32 hours per week.
Application form
o Position changes for the mayor and city attorney needed to be corrected.
o Planned to assist 28, but the city will exceed that number because the self-help
housing project has eleven participants, and the city has already assisted twelve.
o Will not be any multi-units
o Will not be as much housing rehab, so will move to buyer assistance
o Close out for the project was June 2005, but needs to be extended to March 2006
in order to complete the Self-Help Housing Projects and the match amount
reported to the Department of Commerce.
o City of Laarel HOME Program was awarded $280,000 in March 2003, and funds
were started to be spent in October 2003.
o Beartooth RC&D hold homebuyer classes and assist homebuyers to prepare to
purchase the homes; costs are tracked and counted as match.
o Casey handed out new income guidelines to the council.
o There is $146,867 leftto spendto date.
o Resolution for an amendment to extend the Big Sky EDA agreement to March
2006 will be on the May 3ra council agenda.
Local Government Review Commission - Richard Barnhardt
· Richard introduced the commission members: LuAnn Engh, Kcith Woods, and Doug
Pochls, who is the cx officio member.
· Doug stated that the commission is seeking thc council's opinion ora charter.
· Discussion regarding self-governing versus general powers
o Richard stated that the idea of a charter would need to be "sold" to thc public.
o Richard asked council to explain what self-governing powers are sought in order
to sell it to the public.
o Jenny stated that the publicity of the controversy in Billings may adversely affect
Laurel's attempt.
· Charter would be positive down the road.
· Most of the cities that have adopted charters have not taken on the self-
governing powers.
· Dan would like to have time to think about it and respond in writing.
· Richard stated that the commission is sending letters to other chartered communities.
· Doug agreed to respond in writing and is not sure if there is enough reason to change.
· Richard stated that Laurel is growing and will soon be a 2na class city that needs more
options.
· Mark wants comparisons made with cities of like size and makeup.
· Richard stated that the commission wants to do what is good for the City of Laurel.
Council Workshop Minutes of April 26, 2005
· LuAnn commented regarding the example of a park maintenance district in Iron Horse
Station Subdivision and whether it could be done with a charter.
· Most cities are smaller with charters and some are the same size.
· Richard stated that Dr. Ken Weaver has emphasized that there is no down side to a
charter, but the commission is seeking more information regarding charters.
· Doug asked the council to submit their vision of Laurel in ten years.
o The council should e-mail the information to Doug.
· Mayor presented a history for the council.
o In 1972, the Constitutional Congress was held in Montana.
o Most communities defaulted to general powers, which is option D in MCA.
o Laurel did not elect to do any of the other options in 1972 and was given option
D.
o Laurel's form of government is conducive to the current needs of the city.
o When the city decides to have a city manager, it must be voted on by the people.
o Self-governing vs. general powers is an important question to pose.
o Self-governing can do whatever State does not prohibit by state statute.
o General powers allow doing whatever the State lets you do within the boundaries.
· Sam stated that the resort tax is only for a resort town.
· Richard stated that the commission's studies so far have determined that the current form
of government is working extremely well.
o The commission has no wish to change what is in place.
o If the commission chooses the charter, it would be added to better assist Laurel,
not to change anything.
Executive review:
* Resolution conveying title of City surplus property to School District No. 7-70
o Mayor stated that the description and resolution was there to convey the property
to the school district.
o Gay gave history of Schessler Park.
· Washington and Schessler Parks are not dedicated parks.
· Council procedure regarding agenda items
o According to Ordinance No. 002-33, Mayor is allowed to allow late submittals
for the council agendas if the information is presented to the council one working
day prior to the council meeting.
o Mayor presented for the council's information.
· Appointments:
o Insurance and Benefit Committee: Kurt Markegard as non-union representative
· Kurt replaces Mike Nieskens.
o Laurel Police Reserves: Trevor Kirschenmarm
· Ordinance No. 005-04: An ordinance amending the zoning map of the City of Laurel,
Montana, incorporating Phase One of the Iron Home Station Subdivision, an Addition to
the City of Laurel.
o Second reading is scheduled for the May 3rd council agenda.
· Ordinance No. 005-05: Ordinance amending the zoning map of the City of Laurel,
Montana, relating to the Solid Foundations Subdivision, an Addition to the City of
Laurel.
Council Workshop Minutes of April 26, 2005
o Second reading is scheduled for the May 3rd council agenda.
Review of draft council agenda for May 3, 2005
· Resolution to amend the agreement with Big Sky Economic Development Authority to
extend the HOME Program will be added to the May 3rd council agenda.
Announcements
· YMCA dinner auction is scheduled for May 21 st at the Rod and Gun Club.
· Arbor Day is scheduled for April 29th ~ 1:30 p.m. at Murray Park.
o Dave Murray will present the history of thc park.
Attendance at the May 3rd council meeting · All will attend.
Other items
· Elected Officials Workshop is scheduled for next week, and confirmation of attendance is
needed.
The council workshop adjourned at 7:58 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.
6