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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 06.21.2005MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL June 21; 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 June 21, 2005. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Dick Fritzler Kate Stevenson Gay Easton Jennifer Johnson Doug Poehls Daniel Dart COUNCIL IVIEMBERS ABSENT: Mark Mace 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 regular meeting of Suni 7, 2005, as presented, seconded by Alderman Fritzler. All six aidcrmen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 6-0. CORRESPONDENCE: Laurel High School Pep Club: Letter of May 31, 2005 requesting permission to hold the Homecoming Parade on Friday, September 23, 2005. Laurel Chamber of Commerce: Agenda for June 9, 2005; Minutes of May 26, 2005. Montana League of Cities and Towns: Letter of June 1, 2005 regarding dues. Montana Department of Commerce: Letter of June 6, 2005 regarding Montana Board of Housing meeting on June 14, 2005. PUBLIC HEARING: President Easton stated that there are two public hearings tonight and asked Nathan Tubergen to explain a few things. Nathan explained that the budget process started in February, he met with the department heads in March and April, met with the city council in April and May, and the Preliminary Budget was actually presented in May. The opportunity for public input begins tonight and continues until the budget is adopted on July 19th. There will be some minor changes in the Parking Fund, as the project across the street will not be completed by the end of June and the monies will be carried forward. If the council approves a contract with AMR on this agenda, a budget amendment will be needed to the proposed budget. Any changes will be presented with budget amendments at the council meeting on July 19~'. Nathan asked Mary Embleton to speak regarding the Permissive Health Mill Levy. Mary Embleton stated that the Permissive Medical Levy provision was passed by the 2001 legislature recognizing the fact that runaway inflation with health insurance was causing distress to local governments. The legislature passed a provision to allow additional mills to be levied outside the restrictions of 1-105 to be used only for increases in health insurance premiums. The city has analyzed the increases and levied additional mills since 2001. One of the requirements is that it must be advertised separately from the other budget hearing ads to ensure that the public understands it is an addition to the authorized mills. When the budget was prepared, there was no way to know what the insurance premiums would be, so last year's figures were used in the advertisement. Mary distributed a worksheet that explained the figure that was advertised ($149,200) and the additional $17,570.54 allowed. The city is authorized to levy additional mills to bring in an additional $163,770. Based on the current value, it would be 28.75 mills; however, the mill value will not be received until the first Monday in August, which is August 1st. On the advice of the city attorney, Council Minutes of June 21, 2005 Mary would like to recommend that the city advertise this at the new mill value for the continued public hearing. Mary explained that the city asked for 21.43 mills, valued at $6,067 per mill, in the 2001-2002 budget. In 2002-2003, the city asked for 21.41 mills, which were valued at $58.19 per mill. There was a decrease in premiums that year by switching to a different plan. In 2003-2004, the city asked for 26.04 additional mills, which were valued at $5,615 each. This current year, we asked for 25.67 additional mills, which were valued at $5,696 per mill. This mill levy raises over $100,000 each year and brings relief to the General Fund. At this point, the city does not know for sure how many mills will be necessary. Theoretically with how the laws have been passed and ail the changes the legislature has made in the taxing calculations, the taxable value, or value per mill, should remain about the same from year to year. Them was discussion regarding the total of the monthly and annual insurance premiums, the Insurance Committee's decision to stay with the current plan, ifa decision to change to a lesser plan would affect the additional mill levy, and that voter approval is not required for the mill levy. · Preliminary Budgets for Fiscal Year 2005-2006 for all City Funds. President Easton opened the public hearing. President Easton asked three times if them were any proponents. There were none. President Easton asked three times if there were any opponents. There were none. Motion by Alderman Poehls to continue the public hearing to July 5, 2005, seconded by Alderman Fritzler. Motion carried 6-0. · Additional Mills levied for Permissive Medical Levy Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2005- 2006. President Easton opened the public hearing. President Easton asked three times if there were any proponents. There were none. President Easton asked three times if there were any opponents. Them were none. Motion by Alderman Poehls to continue the public heating to July 5, 2005, seconded by Alderman Dart. Motion carried 6-0. CONSENT ITEMS: · Clerk/Treasurer Financial Statements for the month of May 2005. · Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 0610512005 totaling $138,501.75. · Receiving the Committee Reports into the Record. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of May 17, 2005 were presented. --City-County Planning Board minutes of June 2, 2005 were presented. --Council Workshop minutes of June 14, 2005 were presented. --Insurance Committee minutes of June 8, 2005 were presented. --Swimming Pool Committee minutes of April 14, 2005 were presented. --Swimming Pool Committee minutes of May 12, 2005 were presented. --Tree Board minutes of June 6, 2005 were presented. --Cemetery Commission minutes of June 9, 2005 were presented. Council Minutes of June 21, 2005 President Easton asked if there was any separation of consent items. There was none. Motion by Alderman Dart to approve the consent items as presented, seconded by Alderman PoeMs. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. All six aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 6-0. CEREMONIAL CALENDAR: None. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: None. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (THREE-MINUTE LIMIT): None. SCHEDULED MATTERS: · Confirmation of Appointments. Yellowstone ConservatiOn District: Motion by Alderwoman Johnson to approve the reappointment of Gay Easton to a three-year term ending July 1, 2008, on the Yellowstone Conservation District, seconded by Alderwoman Stevenson. All six aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 6-0. Ward 4 Council seat: President East0n stated that three candidates submitted letters Of interest for the Ward 4 council seat. The candidates are Charles R. White, Lynet White, and Norman J. Stamper. President Easton asked Charles White to make a statement to the council. Charles White has been a Laurel resident for twenty-five years and has owned a concrete business for seven years. Charlie thinks that there are some issues coming down the road. He talks to a lot of people and thinks that the city will be in trouble down the road. He stated that the growth of Laurel is based on what Billings has going on. Charlie stated that there is a lack of communication between the city council, the local newspaper, and the residents of Laurel and people are just angry with what goes on with the council. He mentioned that the infrastructure of this town is stressed by outside development. A lot of people are not opposed to a small tax, like a dollar for motels and such. He thinks the city is going to get Stressed with the police and fire departments and the sewer and water plants~ He said that people are not opposed to it, but residents do not f-md much communication regarding the needs. The quality of the police and tim department is important to him, and he thinks they are under funded to cover this area. Charlie stated that it is important to have communication between city hall and the residents, as people do not seem to get the resources and f'md out the information they want to know. He would like to see the city council and the mayor and everybody extend a little more information to these people to help them understand what is going on. President Easton stated that the council always welcomes any comments, whether negative or positive as government should listen and let the public be heard. President Easton asked Lynet White to make a statement to the coUncil. Charles White stated that Lynet White decided to decline and did not attend the meeting. President East asked Norman Stamper to make a statement to the council. Norman Stamper has been a Laurel resident for ten years. When he moved to Montana to take a job offer in Billings, he came to Laurel and foUnd a nice place to live at the time. His family fell in love with the community and has decided to stay here and make this their home. He agrees with Mr. White that there are some issues to face in the future, and he would love to have the opportUnity to be a part of the future and growth of this community. He has a very strong belief that it is the duty of every citizen to serve their community and their coUntry in some form or another, whether it is public office, with a community service orgardzation, working with the youth in the community, or another oppommity. He has done that and would like to continue to do so in some form or another. For about two years, he has been considering running for public office, whether it be on the city council or on the school board, when his military service is completed. This vacancy has given him the oppommity to move forward and take the opportunity. Norm intends to file for the election for Council Minutes of June 21, 2005 the Ward 4 seat in November. appreciation for their consideration. He thanked the council for the oppommity and expressed President Easton stated that nominations would be taken from the council. Alderman Poehls asked for a paper ballot. Motion by Alderman Poehls to nominate Norman Stamper for the Ward 4 council seat, seconded by Alderwoman Stevenson. Motion carded 6-0. Motion by Alderman Fritzler to nominate Charlie White for the Ward 4 council seat, seconded by Alderman Dart. Motion carded 6-0. The council voted via paper ballots, which were tallied by the clerk-treasurer and the council secretary. Alderwoman Stevenson and Aldermen Easton, Fritzler, Dart, and Poehls voted for Norman Stamper. Alderwoman Johnson voted for Charles White. Motion by Alderman Poehls to appoint Norman Stamper to the Ward 4 council seat to complete the vacancy for the term ending January 2006, seconded by Alderwoman Stevenson. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. All six aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 6-0. President Easton thanked Charlie White for his interest in the vacant council seat. Alderman Fritzler stated that it is terrific that these people came forward to get involved in the city's activities. He encouraged Charlie and Lynet to get involved in city activities by participating on a committee. Alderwoman Johnson mentioned that both Ward 4 council seats will be up for election in November, and she encouraged Charlie to file for the election. City-County Planning Board: President Easton stated that a name was presented for this position, but the individual was not contacted prior to this meeting and the appointment should not be made yet. Motion by Alderman Dart to table the council appointment to the City-County Planning Board to complete the term ending June 30, 2006, seconded by Alderwoman Stevenson. All six aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carded 6-0. Laurel Volunteer Fire Department: Request to set off fireworks at the Laurel football field on July 4, 2005. Motion by Alderman Fritzler to approve the request from the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department to set off fireworks at the Laurel football field on July 4, 2005, seconded by Alderman Poehls. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. All six aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carded 6-0. · Laurel High School Pep Club: Request to hold the Homecoming Parade on Friday, September 23, 2005. Motion by Alderwoman Johnson to approve the request from the Laurel High School Pep Club to hold the Homecoming Parade on Friday, September 23, 2005, seconded by Alderwoman Stevenson. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. All six aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carded 6-0. · Resolution No. R05-$7: Approving an agreement between the City of Laurel and Laidlaw Medical Transportation, Inc. (dba AMR) for Paramedic Intercept Services. 4 Council Minutes of June 21, 2005 Motion by Alderman Dart to approve Resolution No. R05-57, seconded by Alderman Poehls. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. All six aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 6-0. Resolution No. R05-58: Change order No. 1 with Engineering, Inc. for additional services for the West Main St. Water Line Replacement in the amount of $1,800. Motion by Alderman Poehls to approve Resolution No. R05-58, seconded by Alderman Dart. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. All six aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 6-0. Resolution No. R05-59: Approving the renewal of the Blue Select Health Plan. Motion by Alderman Fritzler to approve Resolution No. R05-59, seconded by Alderwoman Stevenson. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. All six aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 6-0. Resolution No. R05-60: A resolution of the City Council to authorize the Mayor to execute a settlement agreement on the City's behalf to resolve the former city attorney's on-going lawsuit against the City and City's former mayor and to further authorize payment of consideration under such agreement. Motion by Alderman Poehls to approve Resolution No. R05-60, seconded by Alderman Dart. Sam Painter stated that the council was present for the discussion at the council workshop. The resolution was prepared for their consideration tonight and lays out the basics of the conditions of the offer. If approved, it will go back to the attorney that is representing and the defendant in the case. The actual settlement agreement is yet to be drafted. Alderman Poehls commented that, even though it galls him that the city would settle, he understands that it is in the best interest of the City of Laurel to settle. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. Alderwoman Stevenson and Aldermen Poehls, Dart, Fritzler, and Easton voted aye. Alderwoman Johnson abstained due to the fact that she is related to one of the parties. Motion carried 5-0. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (ONE-MINUTE LIMIT): None. COUNCIL DISCUSSION: Alderwoman Johnson attended a recent Heritage Trail meeting at Blue Creek School. Residents challenged the county commissioners because of a lack of communication with the residents regarding development of the trail. The joint meeting of the Laurel City Council and the Yellowstone County Commissioners is scheduled for Monday, June 27th, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will begin with a tour of the roads, and dinner and discussion will follow. Alderwoman Johnson suggested that the group should also tour the safety complex so the commissioners can view the need for space for the Laurel Ambulance Service. Alderman Poehls stated that the commissioners need to be aware of the issue, as a proposed satellite station would involve a county park. Alderman Dart stated that "seeing is believing" and the commissioners should view the situation. President Easton stated that a tour of the FAP Complex would be placed On the agenda. Any other agenda items need to be submitted to the council secretary by Wednesday. UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: None. 5 Council Minutes of June 21, 2005 ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Alderwoman Stevenson 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 carded 6-0. There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m. Cindy Allen,~ecretary Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 5th day of July, 2005. Attest: Mary K. F~bleton, Clerk-Treasurer t~n~eth E. Olson, Jr., ~fayor