HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 01.10.2006 MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSHOP
JANUARY 10, 2006 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 January 10, 2006.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
x Dick Fritzler
x Kate Hart
_x_ Gay Easton
x Jennifer Johnson (7:27 p.m.)
_x_ Doug Poehls
_x_ Mark Mace
x Chuck Dickerson
_x_ Norm Stamper
OTHERS PRESENT:
Sam Painter, Attorney
Rick Musson, Police Chief
Mary Embleton, Clerk-Treasurer
Jan Faught, Ambulance Director
Scott Wilm, Assistant Fire Chief
David and Sarah Firebaugh
Bart Haskell, Teclmieal Edge
Kurt Markegard
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 lnlmt is limited to three minute~ Whde all comments are welcome, the Council will not take action
on any item not on the agenda.
· None
Technical Edge Consultinm Presentation of web page development and e-mail optionn
· Mayor Olson introduced Bart Haskell of Technical Edge Consulting.
· Bart mentioned that Technical Edge Consulting has worked with the City of Laurel for about
five years.
· Bart gave a PowerPoint presentation and showed the overall background of the technology
structure of the City of Laurel's computer system.
· The systern has two primary functions:
o E-mail, which is hosted by Yellowstone County
o Web page, which needs professional web site design
· Bart explained the changes in domain name.
o The city's current domain name is ci. laurel.mt.us.
o The city's web site is at mylaurel, com.
o Effective January 1, 2006, the State of Montana has changed its domain to mt.gov and
would prefer that all government agencies change domains accordingly.
o The City of Laurel's domain would change to laurel, mt.gov.
· Bart explained the current structure of the city's network.
o The city receives Internet service through SummitNct and Yellowstone County hosts
the e-mail service.
· Two disadvantages are:
Council Workshop Minutes of January 10, 2006
o There is no firewall between the city's network and SummitNet.
o SummitNet has allocated a limited number oflP addresses to the City of Laurel.
The CJIN system at the police department has to be connected to the State.
Bart explained that Technical Edge Consulting does not do web design, and the city needs a
professional person to design and monitor the city's web site.
Bart's presentation included the following explanations:
o E-mail server
· Limitations of current structure - mail and web site
· Control of e-mail functions
· Limited remote access to e-mail
· No central contact lists
· No central calendars (shared calendar)
· Advantages of Exchange Server
· Shared calendar
· Shared contacts
· Shared tasks
Public contacts
· Remote access to e-mail
· Quotas
· Additional addresses
o Alias accounts: i.e. information~laureLmt.gov.
· Outlook web access
· Internal management
· Disadvantages of Exchange Server
· Maintenance
· Updates
· Backups
· Additional cost
Exchange Server Cost
· Dell Server Hardware
· MS Exchange Server
· Configuration/Install Exchange
Network Stmeture/Remote Access
· Limitations of current structure
· Limited remote access
· IP Range Limitation
· Privacy of Network
Options
· Maintain current technology
· Completely separate networks
· Enhance current structure
O
$3,000
$2,300
$4,200
· Interact Service Providers (ISP) - Cable Montana or Qwest
· SummitNet blocks certain websites.
· Intelligent Firewall - restrict access for some employees and allow access for
other eniployees
· City could control all functions.
Advantages of Separate Network - ISP/Firewall
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Council Workshop Minutes of January 10, 2006
· Easily managed remote connectivity
· Multiple IP network
· Content filter
· Additional virus scanning at lirewall level
· Additional spy ware scanning at firewall level
· Imruaion prevention
· Potential user reporting
o Disadvantages
· Potential unavailability of city, county, state, and federal resources
· Difficult file transfer and resource sharing between the city and the police
department
· Must maintain separate backup
· Potential antivirus issues
o Estimated costs
· Flrewall box $1,750
· Hi-speed $ 40 - $60/month
· Reconfigure network $2,700
· Enhance current structure
,, Maintain structure through SummitNet
o SummitNet is still in control
o Remote connectivity- SummitNet
o Content filter
o SummitNet protection
o Multiple IP network
o Maintain all internal contacts to the State
o Maintain all existing functionality
* Disadvantages
o Remote connectivity
o More detailed security
o Content filter
o Certain sites unavailable
· Estimated cost
o Basic firewall $ 650
o Reconfigure network $2,100
· Discussion regarding the web site, the tirewall, and the answer for the city's current usage.
· Perry Asher and the department heads will discuss the computer network issues further and a
recommendation will be presented to the council soon.
· Mayor Olson thanked Bart for the informative presentation.
Norm Stamper introduced Casey Wheeler, a Boy Scout fi.om Troop 414, who attended this council
meeting as part of his citizenship requirements.
Police Denartment:
· Appointment of police officer- David Firebaugh
o ChiefMusson introduced David Firebaugh and his wife, Sarah.
o David has already completed the academy and has been a police officer in Bridger for
one and one-half years.
o The appointment will be on the council agenda on January 17th.
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Council Workahop Minutes of January 10, 2006
Fire Denartment:
· Resolution - Recommend bid award for vehicle exhaust removal system
o Assistant Fire Chief Scott Wilm presented the information regarding the vehicle
exhaust removal system, which will be funded through the FEMA grant.
o Two bids were received at thc bid opening on Friday, January 6, 2006.
· Boyd B. Cole, dba Superior Systems: Bid amount was $58,379.00 and was
accompanied by a bid bond in the amount of 10 percent of the bid.
· Air Pro: Bid mount was $47,950.00 and was accompanied by a certified
check in the amount of $4,800.00
o The fire department recommends accepting the bid fi.om Air Pro.
o The resolution will be on the council agenda on January 17'.
Clerk/Treasurer:
· Resolution - Proposal from Dorsey & Whitney for sale of GO bonds for pool
o Dorsey & Whitney was contacted regarding the general obligation bonds for the pool
and the park maintenance district.
o If the council decides to proceed with GO bonds for securing the swimming pool or an
aquatics center, Dorsey & Whitney would be the recommended bond counsel.
o The information distributed to the council included Mae Nan Ellingson's suggestion of
the poss~ility to tie the bond issue to build a new aquatics center with the required
maintenance through a park maintenance district, and Dorsey & Whitney is reviewing
the possibility.
o Dan Semmens prepared the draft proposal, and Mary stated that the council could
bring it forward whenever it chose to do so.
o Mayor Olson mentioned that the council tentatively tabled the resolutions for park
maintenance district and the swimming pool.
· There will be an opportunity to advance the issues in the fall of 2006.
· Mayor Olson suggested that the council address this after the budget retreat on
Januar~ 24*.
o The resolution will not be on the council agenda on January 17'.
Attorney:
· Resolution - Request for approval to extend Resolution No. R05-16 Laurel Business Park
Subdivision
o Sam Painter explained that Mayor Olson recently received a letter from the developer
of the Laurel Business Park Subdivision requesting a one-year extension of thc
preliminary plat approval, which was approved February 1, 2005.
o City code provides the city council the authority to grant that extension up to a year
upon request by the developer.
o The request is out of order, as city code requires the developer to first go to the
Planning Board.
o The developer will be directed to send a letter to the Planning Board, attend the
February meeting, and the Planning Board will then make a recommendation to the
council.
o There will not he a resolution on the January 17t~ agenda.
· Resolution - Intent to annex Lots 1 & 2, Block 4A, Laurmac Subdivision Amended
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Council Workshop Minutes of Junuaty 10, 2006
o The resolution of intent is to annex two pieces of land that are wholly surrounded by
the city and are currently served by city services.
o The process is clearly lined out in the resolution.
· Letters were sent to the owners of the property and there has been no response
or objection.
· The law regarding wholly surrounded properties requires the council to pass a
resolution of intent providing notice of intent to annex these properties.
· The city clerk publishes the notices in the paper, and the public has twenty (20)
days to submit comments and objections.
· The council can then pass a resolution of annexation at the following meeting.
o The resolution of intent to annex will be on the council agenda on January 17th.
Administrative Assistant:
· Alternatives for Ambulance Service space issues
o Perry Asher stated that alternatives to resolve some of the space issues for the
ambulance service have been discussed.
o Scott Atwood attended this meeting to explain the possibility of constructing a building
between the present FAP building and the border to the park, which is currently a
parking lot.
· There is enough room there to build a 3,500 to 5,000 square foot.
o Scott presented information to the council.
· In 2002-2003, Scott's office was hired to investigate some possibilities for
expansion and remodeling and eleven options were presented at that time.
· Options included a small basic addition, leasing a temporary building, and
purchasing a nearby building, expansion to the noah, and using space in the
cells at the police department.
· Prices ranged from $56,000 for a small basic addition to $608,000 for full-
blown new construction.
o Perry called Scott recently regarding the new proposal for a stand-alone building for
the ambulance.
· It was determined that 5,000 square feet was needed for the ambulance service
facility.
· However, the two bays do not need to be 1,500 square feet each, as originally
proposed.
· At, er receiving estimates from various contractors, option 12 for a separate
building for the ambulance is estimated to cost $495,000 for a 5,000 square
foot building.
· The size of the building could easily be reduced to approximately 3,500 square
feet.
· The free-standing building would have a wood frame with some brick veneer
and would have its own heating/cooling system.
o Chuck asked regarding use of an existing building, such as the Auto Connection
building, for the ambulance department.
· There was discussion regarding the need for ADA access~ility, change in use
requirements, energy efficiency, building code issues, and structural soundness
of existing buildings.
o Discussion regarding the findings of the Task Force for Ambulance Space.
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Council Workshop Minutes of January 10, 2006
· Perry explained the reasons why the recommendations of the task force could
not be used.
· The ambulances will not fit in a straight line with the current
configuration of the fire tracks and there is not enough width to park the
ambulances at an angle.
· Also, there is a storage issue and not enough space to rearrange the
ambulance office and supply mom.
o Discussion regarding updating the existing FPP building.
· It would be required and costly to bring the FPP building up to code.
o Mayor Olson mentioned the budget meeting on January 24th and decisions regarding
priorities need to be made.
o Mayor Olson thanked Scott for his presentation and stated that the information will be
used to make the final decision.
Resolution - Annexation of Middle School property
o Steve and Perry have reviewed the development agreement, and Sam prepared the
resolution for annexation.
o The school has submitted the building permit application and the plans.
o The resolution will be on the January 17th council agenda.
Executive review:
· Federal Funding Application for Fiscal Year 2007
o Mayor Olson explained the city's opportunity to apply for federal funding for capital
projects.
o For the last two years, the city has sent a list of projects to the federal level to apply for
federal appropriations.
o Two lists were compiled:
· The priority list included the request for $4 million for construction of a new
reservoir north o f town.
· The second list included requests for an appropriation of $600,000 for a new
administration building and requests for street repairs and one water project.
o Sharon Pearson, from Senator Bums' office, sent a new format for this year's
application.
· Fiiteen to twenty questions must be answered in essay form and will be more
specific regarding priorities for the community.
o Perry and the department heads will compile the list this year and prepare a proposal
drat~ by the end of this week.
o There will be opportunity for the council to review it prior to the January 31 st deadline.
Review of draft council a~enda for Januar~ 17~ 2006
· The resolution for the vehicle exhaust removal system will include the recommendation of the
fire department.
· The resolution for retention of bond counsel will not be on the council agenda.
· The two annexation resolutions will be on the council agenda.
· Mayor Olson will add the appointment of Perry Asher to the Insurance Committee on the
January 17th council agenda.
o Mary asked whether the recording secretary for the Insurance Committee should also
be appointed.
o Mayor Oison did not think it was necessary and stated that he would discuss it later.
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CoRncil Workshop Minutes of January 10, 2006
Announcements
· Doug ?oehls asked if any items needed to be addressed by the Emergency Services Committee
on January 23~.
o Since no items were presented, the committee will not meet on January 23'°.
· The January 24* council retreat will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers.
· Jennifer Johnson gave a report on the Mosquito Association meeting.
· Perry asked the council to contact him via his cell phone whenever necessary.
o Since it is his responsibility to solve problems, he will then contact the proper person.
· Mayor Olson thanked Norm for his involvement with the Boy Scout program and his
encouragement for the scouts to attend the council meetings.
· The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board bas requested that the City of Laurel appoint
four members to the board.
o The appointments will be added to the January 17' council agenda.
Attendance at the January 17, 2006 council meeting · Kate and Norm will not attend the meeting.
· Norm will also be unable to attend the meeting on January 24t~.
Other items
· Perry would like opportunities to give tours of the departments within the City of Laurel.
· Perry stated that the department heads will present mid-fiscal year reports to the council soon.
o Each department head will give a verbal presentation of the highlights of their
department and will distribute a detailed written report for the council to review.
o Department heads will present reports to the council every six months.
The council workshop adjoumed at 8:24 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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