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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 10.10.2006 MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP OCTOBER 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 6:34 p.n~ on October 10, 2006. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: x Dick Fritzler x Kate Hart x Gay Easton Jennifer Johnson _x_ Doug Poehls x Mark Mace _x_ Chuck Dickerson _x_ Norm Stamper OTHERS PRESENT: Perry Asher Mark Richards Jared Schoch, Johnson Controls Public lnnut (three-minute limiO: Citizens may address the Council regarding any item of City business not on the agend~ The duration for an inch'vidual 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 Police Denartment: · Presentation on tasers The presentation on tasers has been rescheduled to a future date. Johnson Controls nresentation: Jared Sehoch, of Johnson Controls, stated that copies of the contract were previously distributed to the council for review. They want to apply a few updates of word changes and a little more transparency to the contract. In addition to the base contract, Jared stated that four schedules are included in the contract: Scope of Work Schedule; Assured Performance Guarantee Schedule; Services Schedule; and Price and Payment T~.,s Schedule. The base contract includes the terms and conditions of the contract. The first schedule is like any other construction contract with the scope of work, and the fourth schedule has the price and payment terms, which are normal construction project contracts. Schedules 2 and 3 make this contract different. Schedule 2 is the Assured Performance Guarantee Schedule and Schedule 3 is the Services Schedule. The water meter project and the improvements to the facilities would use the savings to fund the majority of the project, with a little bit of capital as well. The second and third schedules make this a performance contract. The second schedule descn'hes what Johnson Controls will guarantee, how much they will guarantee, and how they will do it based on industry standards that are approved by the Depmiment of Energy. That is so critical because the guarantee says that, if the savings are not there as they are measured monthly, quarterly, or annually, Johnson Controls will have to pay the delta to make the city whole so the city can make the payments. That is what makes this non-appropriated debt versus appropriated debt. This is debt that the city can take out to finance a project and does not affect the city's debt load or bond rating. As a result of that, Jarcd wanted to explain those sections of the contract. Council Workshop Minutes of October 10, 2006 Jared explained that the price of the project has actually dropped. Johnson Controls has included a $36,601 credit in the contract. The contract's payment terms in Schedule 4 include the price paid as the work is completed, and a credit paragraph has been included in the contract. Since the public utilities department has already replaced 120 meters, Johnson Controls owes the city for the value of that number of meters. By the time the contract is actually appmvad by the council and signed, the number ofmcters installed by the city will increase. The number will be deten-nined on the day the contract is signed and the number ofmetcrs that would be installed going forward would be firm. Jared stated that the city is handling the financing and talking to the State about that part of the project. Jared asked the council for any questions and stated that Mayor Olson has emphasized the need to ensure that the council understands the project. Jared will review the contract with Larry McCann page-by-page to make sure the contract is clearly understood because it is so important fi.om an obligation perspective. The resolution approving the contract with Johnson Controls will be on the council agenda on October 17th. Administrative Assistant: · Resolution- Johnson Controls contract Perry stated he and Larry have reviewed the contract and he is comfortable with the contract, and it will help complete a project that would have been very difficult to do otherwise and which is needed badly. The resolution will be on the council agenda on October 17th. · City of Laurel website Perry gave a preview of the new city website to the council. The website is not up yet because of a problem in getting the new website linked the city's new URL. The address for the new website will he www.laureLmt.gov. There was discussion regarding including the location of the mission statement on the home page and the "Hometown Pride ~ City Wide" phrase. Executive review: · Veterans' Cemetery update A resolution of suppor~ for the Veterans' Cemetery was distributed to the council and will be on the council agenda on October 17th. Mayor Olson stated that a resolution approving the appropriation for the actual payment of the cemetery land needs to be drafted. When the budget came forward, there was no appropriation for this particular item, and a resolution is needed for the appropriation. The budget amendment resolution to appropriate fimding for the cemetery lend purchase will be on the council agenda on October 17th. Mayor Olson stated that the November 7* ballot issue for up to one mill levy for the Veterans' Cemetery is a county-wide consideration and he thinks it is a worthwhile venture. Dick Fritzler stated that the mill levy has to be approved first. After that is approved, the State legislature has to approve the method of funding. Commissioner Kennedy has already has this in line to go before the legislature in January. The one mill levy would take care of the maintenance of the cemetery and the construction of the cemetery will he Federal grant money. Commissioner Kennedy has made our senators and congressman aware of this in order to get the fimding for the construction. Airport Road is another issue, as the county Wants to continue the mad straight across to Buffalo Trail. Dick informed Commissioner Kennedy when the council passed the resolution, and he will watch for the resolution on the Yellowstone County Commissioner's agenda. Another issue is Laurel's cemetery. Steve has put a 2 Council Workshop Minutes of October 10, 2006 $250,000 sprinkler system in the CIP, and it will be reviewed along with the other items in the CIP. The master plan for the cemetery is also an issue. Interstate Engineering informed Dick that it would cost $12,000 to do the master plan, but he does not think that is adequate. A budget amendment will be needed to do the master plan. · Resolution- Support for the Veterans, Cemetery The resolution will be on the council agenda on October 17, 2006. Review of draft council agenda for October 17~ 2006: · Public Hearings: o Ordinance No. 006-08: Ordinance amending Section 12.28 of the Laurel Municipal Code eliminating the previous established Park Committee; and replacing the committee with a newly-created and appointed Park Board; and providing specific duties and responsibilities for the newly-created Park Board; and to establish restricted hours for use of"Kids Kingdom" in Kiwanis Park. (First reading - 09/19/2006) o Ordinance No. 006-09: Ordinance amending Section 2.68.100 of the Laurel Municipal Code, amending the Judge's salary. (First reading - 09/19/2006) o Ordinance No. O06-10: Ordinance emending the official zoning map of the City of Laurel, Montana, to change the zoning of Northeast One Quarter of Section 2, Township 2 South, Range 24 East, PMM, also known as Brookwood Subdivision, fi.om Agricultural-Open Space and Unzoned to Residential Tracts. (First reading - 09/19/2006) Mark Richards stated that no comments have been received regarding Brookwood Subdivision. Announcements_: Mayor Olson mentioned that a council meeting is scheduled on November 7th, which is Election Day. He asked the council to consider scheduling that council meeting on Wednesday, November 8th. A public hearing is set for that meeting and should be scheduled so the public can attend without a conflict. The council meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 8t~. Mark Mace reported on the League of Cities and Towns Conference in West Yellowstone last week. Mark and Mary Embleton attended a session on bonding presented by MaeNan Ellingson. MaeNan seems to be genuinely interested in Laurel and has scheduled a time with Mayor Olson to preview some of Laurel's issues. One issue is to look at funding to get some services to the south side of Main Street to beautify the railroad tracks. Mark spoke to a representative of a non-profit organization that does homeland security assessments to determine how smaller cities fit with homeland security. The organization completes an assessment for a city and leaves the information with the city at the conclusion of the assessment. The assessment is done with Homeland Security funding and there is no cost to the city. Mark thinks that the assessment will be necessary in order to receive future grants. Larry has been addressing the city's concerns with water and homeland security. Mark spoke regarding proposed legislation in CI-97, CI-98, and 1-154. Eminent domain is a big issue because it will change zoning requirements and the ability for cities to function and build for the future. He understands that 1-154 would set planning back a number of years and change the way cities plan for growth. The League of Cities and Towns opposes 1-154. Mayor Olson stated that eminent domain is a blatant attack on all that is good. Mark stated that the League Conference will be in Bozeman in 2007 and Missoula in 2008. Council Workshop Minutes of October I0, 2006 Mark Richards stated th. at he has been looking at eminent domain from a planning issue. Montana's constitution is set up so there would be no way that eminent domain could be used to take from a private party to give to another private party for economic development. Montana's eminent domain is basically set for public function, and public function is not economic development to tip down a neighborhood or houses because something better could go in. Mark thinks the constitutional issue will be brought up as it goes to the State. Mark Mace mentioned an example on Grand Avenue where the City of Billings has been trying to widen the mad and put a turn lane in the center of the street. The engineering department designed a way to widen the street from 8th to 17th, and it was done in sections. There was an area on Grand Avenue where the City of Billings could not obtain the right-of-way from a couple ofbnsinesses. The issue has since been resolved, but it could have ended up in court. Gay stated that, at today's department head meeting, Larry McCann mentioned how the City of Dillon is taking care of the space between the highway and the railroad tracks, which is similar to Laurel. Dillon received a grant through the Federal Transportation System to get this area cleaned up. This might be something the city should research. Mayor Olson will look into it. The Laurel Chamber of Commerce banquet is scheduled for Thursday, October 12th, at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Olson will speak at the banquet and promote the idea that the community as a whole should look for ways to enhance Laurel. He encouraged the council members to attend this function. The South Side Task Force meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 8:00 Chuck asked that, by the next council workshop, the council could be informed as to when the project in the council chambers will be done, including the legs on the council tables. The project was a lot of work and looks nice, but it needs to be completed. Steve Klotz recently informed Mark Mace that MRL has a new lessee for the asphalt plant. The plant will be leased through the mikoad, and some repairs will be needed to fit the new business, which will store road salt. Attendance at the October 17tt~ council meeting: · Doug will not attend the enuncil meeting. Other items: · None The council workshop adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Allen Council Secretary This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Council for the listed workshop agenda items. 4