HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial City Council Minutes 05.31.2005MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL
May 31, 2005
A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, was held in the
Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Ken Olson at 6:35 p.m. on May 31, 2005.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
Dick Fritzler
Kate Stevenson
Jennifer Johnson
Gay Easton
Doug Poehls
Mark Mace
Daniel Dart
RESOLUTION NO. R05-54: A RESOLUTION TO INCREASE NON-RESIDENTIAL
SOLID WASTE RATES.
Motion by Alderman Mace to approve Resolution No. R05-54, seconded by Alderman Dart.
Mayor Olson stated that Resolution No. R05-39, the resolution of intent to increase non-residential
solid waste rates, was approved by the council on May 3, 2005. The public hearing was held on
May 17, 2005. At the public hearing, Public Works Director Steve Klotz proposed an amendment to
the rate schedule; which is included in the rate schedule for approval with Resolution No. R05-54.
The change in the rate schedule is under Volume of Use and reads as follows: (4) "Low volume
users may be assigned a 90-gallon rollout container for pickup once per week. The Public Works
Department shall have sole discretion in determining whether a user qualifies for this category.
Adjustment of the volume of use variable is available pursuant to section (5)."
The amendment to the rate schedule resulted from comments received from the small business
owners prior to and after the public hearing. Steve visited with the twenty-two multi-can
commercial customers regarding the rate increase, but the small users were not contacted
individually.
Mayor Olson stated that before continuing with the council discussion, he would allow comment
from the audience on this issue.
Gerald Barta, owner of Big Sky WoodcraRers at 305 West Main, stated that most of the waste from
his business is natural wood. While at the landfill recently, he saw pallets, tree branches, and old
fencing, and a monthly bum was being done. He could eliminate having two containers and
probably have only a half can for miscellaneous garbage if he could take the excess wood to the
landfill to be burned.
Steve explained the plan to provide a composting option for woodchips and sawdust. A lot of
municipalities that compost sell the compost to local nurseries. Ash provides a good component to
the compost, as it helps balance the compost. The city is currently burning any unpainted wood
products.
Gerald stated that he would like to be able to take advantage of that and disPose his wood products at
the landfill as well.
Steve explained that residents can take garbage to the transfer site at no cost. Most commercial
customers pay by the volume for their waste when they haul it to the landfill. Commercial
customers can dispose of cardboard at no fee because there is no cost to the city. However, the city
charges commercial customers for the additional service if the business goes over what is provided
in the container.
Steve stated that DEQ issues regarding the burn pile make it questionable as to whether burning can
continue. DEQ may put the city into another level of transfer site to allow certain amounts of bum.
Bums are not done once a month, but a controlled burn is done as needed when the pile gets to a
certain size and the fire department is available. Steve is looking at some other options as well.
Them are also some runoff issues with DEQ. The issues are being explored to determine if burning
Special Council Minutes of March 23, 2005
can continue at the container site. That is why he cannot answer all of the questions and there may
be a fee for the service.
Mayor Olson stated that the appeal process is outlined at the end of the rate schedule. The appeal
process would go to the Public Works Committee.
There was discussion regarding non-residents using the garbage containers, the possibility of using
private garbage carriers within the City of Laurel, cost effectiveness of the service, the commemial
and residential fees, possible composting and recycling capabilities at the transfer site, and the need
to report violators to the police department.
Upon approval of the resolution, the rates for the non-residential garbage disposal will increase
annually over a five-year period so that base rates of residential and non-residential users shall be
equal after that time.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion. All six aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion
carried 6-0.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Alderman Poehls to adjourn the council meeting, seconded by Alderman Fritzler.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion. All six aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion
carried 6-0.
There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at
7:02 p.m.
Cin~ecretary
Approved bytheMayorand Passed by the City Coancilofthe City ofLaurel, Montana, this 7m day
of June, 2005.
Attest:
Mary K. F~bleton, Clerk-Treasurer