HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 09.27.2005 MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
SEPTEMBER 27, 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 September 27, 2005.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
_x_ Dick Fritzler
_x_ Kate Stevenson
_x_ Gay Easton
Jennifer Johnson
_x_ Doug Poehls
x Mark Mace
Daniel Dart
_x_ Norm Stamper
OTHERS PRESENT:
Cal Cumin
Public Input: · None
Executive review:
· Resolution - Budget amendments
o The proposed budget amendments scheduled for public hearing on October 4t~
are'
· Video Arraignment - transfer $13,000 from General Fund reserves to the
CIP Fund for the purchase and installation of the equipment
· Planning Fund - Increase appropriations by $20,000 for professional
services
· Employer Contribution PERS Fund - Increase appropriations by $250 for
council PEPS contributions
· CDBG Park Improvements - Increase appropriations by $7,471 since the
Thomson Park improvements were not completed in the previous fiscal
year
· CIP Fund - $13,000 from the General Fund shows as revenue and then is
also appropriated for the video arraignment equipment.
o Budget/Finance Committee reviewed the budget amendments on September 20th
and authorized it to go to council workshop.
o The public hearing is scheduled for October 4th.
· After the public hearing, the council can either waive the roles and act on
the amendment at that meeting or wait until October 18th to approve the
amendments.
· Resolution - Purchasing Policy
o The purchasing policy was removed from the council workshop agenda and will
be presented at a later date.
Council Workshop Minutes of September 27, 2005
Review of draft council agenda for October 4, 20051
· Public hearings scheduled:
o Ordinance No. 005-07: Ordinance mending the official zoning map of the City
of Laurel, Montana, to change the zoning of Lots 1-6, Block 3, Iron Home Station
Subdivision, an Addition to the City of Laurel, from Residential Limited Multi-
Familyto CommunityCommeroial. (Firstreading-09/O6/2005;PH- 10/04/2005)
· A letter of retraction was received from Robert Robinson and other
petitioners that opposed the zone change on Lots 1-6, Block 3, of Iron
Horse Station Subdivision.
· Mayor Olson stated that legal counsel indicated that since the letter
was received, approval by a super majority of the council is no
long required.
· Dick commented regarding the two commercial lots in this subdivision
that were originally approved by the council.
· At that time, it was thought that the lots would be used for a
convenience store; however, the lots are currently planned for
recreational vehicle storage units.
· Dick thinks that, if the ordinances to allow Granny Flats and
neighborhood convenience stores in residential zones are adopted,
the council would not have control over such issues alter approval
was granted.
o He suggested that Iron Horse Station Subdivision is a prime
example.
o Ordinance No. 005-08: Ordinance amending the official zoning map of the City
of Laurel, Montana, to change the zoning of Lots 1-17, Block 2, Iron Home
Station Subdivision, an Addition to the City of Laurel, from Residential 7500 to
Residential Limited Multi-Family. (First reading - 09/06/2005; PH - 10/04/2005)
o Ordinance No. 005-09: Ordinance amending the zoning ordinance of the City of
Laurel, Montana, to allow additional dwelling units in residential zones by adding
Section 17.08.035 to the Laurel Municipal Code and amending Table 17.16.010
of the Code to reflect same. (First reading- 09/06/2005; PH- 10/04/2005)
o Ordinance No. O05-10: Ordinance amending the zoning ordinance of the City of
Laurel, Montana, to allow neighborhood convenience stores in residential zones
by adding Section 17.08.305 to the Laurel Municipal Code and amending Table
17.16.010 of the Code to reflect same. (First reading - 09/06/2005; PH - 10/04/2005)
o Budget amendments for the following funds: General; City/County Planning;
Employer Contribution - PERS; CDBG - Park Improvements; and Capital
Improvements Fund.
· Laurel Volunteer Fire Deparament - Mid-Year Report
o Chief Terry Ruff is scheduled to present the report at the council meeting on
October 4th.
Announcements:
· Doug explained the proposal the task force presented at the Emergency Services
Committee meeting.
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Council Workshop Minutes of September 27, 2005
o Relocation of the ambulance office to the southeast comer of the FAP building is
being proposed and considered.
o The ambulance director and the fire chief need to determine if and how the
ambulances and fire trucks could be rearranged.
o At the Emergency Services Committee meeting, Mike Zuhoski gave information
regarding USDA First Responder grants.
· Discussion regarding the task force
o Mayor Olson requested that a written report come forward as documentation for
the proposal and the revenue sources for the proposed changes.
o With the documentation, the obligation of the task force would be complete.
· Discussion regarding housing dogs for the police department
o The individual that was considering housing the dogs has declined to do so.
o Suggestion to use the garage located next to the Quonset to house the dogs
c) It is a short-term storage issue since most dogs picked up in Laurel are only held
for about 48 hours.
o Mayor Olson stated that the Billings' holding facility has offered to take the dogs
for $25 per dog and $10 per day, for a maximum of $45 for two days.
· This interim offer alleviates the necessity to find a quick solution.
o Options presented by the police chief will be reviewed.
· Discussion regarding the council retreat
o Mayor Olson explained the idea of task forces as compared to committees should
be discussed.
o Certain boards and commissions are required by ordinance, but the overall
structure of committees needs to be reviewed.
o Further discussion will be held at the council retreat in November.
· Alderman Mace's subscription to the small cities website was recently extended, and he
distributed a couple of articles from the website.
o Mayor Olson commented on an article that addressed how individuals in city
government could maintain contact with constituents.
o Discussion regarding:
· Ward meetings
· Availability of Cable Montana to broadcast council meetings to provide
the opportunity for people to become more informed
· Public needs to be informed about the Park Maintenance District
· Mayor Olson reported on the East First Street SID 111 meeting, which was attended by
approximately twenty property owners.
o Debi Meling, Steve Klotz, and Larry McCann attended the meeting to answer
questions regarding the project and SID.
· Mayor Olson updated the council on the progress of the East First Street project.
o In the City of Laurel's Needs Assessment several years ago, citizens indicated
that First Avenue, Eighth Avenue, and East First Street should be priority
projects.
· First Avenue has been completed, Eighth Avenue reconstruction is
scheduled for 2007, and the East First Street project is in progress.
· Cal asked regarding the status of the letter of credit for Iron Home Station Subdivision.
o Mayor Olson stated that the status of the letter of credit is being investigated.
Council Workshop Minutes of S~ptcmbcr 27, 2005
o Cal stated that, at the department head meeting, Mary said a new letter of credit
was being requested and Larry said the city would not release any of the letter of
credit until the entire punch list had been addressed.
o Cal explained that some of the contractors are out 60 days and have nothing to do
with the prime contractor or the developer.
· The paving contractor has over $100,000 out 60 days, and the paving has
been done for two months.
o Cal stated that the city needs to release the money as the purpose of a letter of
credit is to pay offthe work as it is done; the letter of credit is not designed to
cover the whole project until completion, but to make sure the project is done.
Mayor O/son stated concern regarding the faulty curb boxes in this subdivision.
o Cai stated that curb boxes are $5,000 worth of the work.
o If the city charges 120 percent over and above that cost, the city should keep
$6,000 and release the rest.
Mayor Olson questioned the trail of the letter of credit.
o Cal stated that the required letter of credit was det~mdned by the Public Works
Department and the contractor so the amount of money was correct when it was
first set.
o Apparently, a letter of credit was provided and was addressed to Cai, but he never
received it.
o Cal found out about the problem two weeks ago when Stockman Bank called and
asked if he would release it.
Attendance at the October 4th conneil meeting:
· Kate Stevenson will not attend.
Other items:
· None
The council workshop adjourned at 7:10 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.
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