HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 10.24.2006 MINUTES
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
OCTOBER 24, 2006 1:40 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT:
Perry Asher
Jan Faught
Rick Musson
Mark Richards
Cai Cumin
Mary Embleton
Scott Wilm
Steve Klotz
Sam Painter (1:52 p.r~)
Steve led the meeting.
Draft Council Workshop Agenda - October 31~ 2006
Laurel Ambulance Service
· Presentation to Thom Vanghan
Jan removed the item from the council workshop agenda. A reception for Thom Vaughan will be held
tonight.
Police Department:
· Resolution - Highway Traffic Safety Office Contract #2007-23-01-18, 2007-02-18 Laurel STEP
The contract, which is for DUI and soatbelt enforcement, will be on the council workshop agenda on
October 31 ~t.
· Brookwood Subdivision
Mark received a letter today from the Department of Transportation regarding additional standards it
wants to require for Brookwood Subdivision. Cai and Mark will discuss the issue. Cai stated that
Brookwood Subdivision was already approved by the County Commissioners and additional
requirements cannot be made.
· Ordinance amending Ordinance No. O06-06
The ordinance is needed to amend the setback to porches in Ordinance No. O06-06. The ordinance will
be on the council workshop agenda on October 31~t.
Public Utilities Department:
· Resolution- surplus equipment of 4,000-gallon pump
Mary suggested that the city declare a list of surplus items instead of doing the items one at a time. The
surplus items must be advertised and auctioned off to the public. The resolution for the pump will be
removed from this workshop agenda, and a resolution and list of surplus items will be presented soon.
Administrative Assistant:
Pcn'y mentioned the issue with Jim Haar and High Tech Construction at the site of United Bank by
ACE Hardware. The temporary trailer to house the bank was set in the 8-foot setback. There was a
lengthy discussion regarding the situation. Jim Haar and Chuck Dickerson contacted Mayor Olsorr
High Tech Construction wants the issue on the next council agenda. According to the zoning ordinance,
an application for a variance would be needed to address the issue and only the city council can grant a
variance. Mark stated that the issue is time or money, depending on whether an application for a
Departmeat Head Meeting Minutes of Octobo' 24, 2006
variance is submitted or the trailer is moved. Cal stated that the issue would have to go through the
Planning Board, advertisement requirements would need to be met, and the variance request would be
presented to the city council. The timefxame for that process would be six to eight weeks or more. A
hardship is required for a variance, and there is no hardship here. Perry stated that it is unlikely that the
council would grant the variance request. A temporary use permit would not allow the trailer in the
setback either. Steve stated that, in Sam's opinion, the issue should not be allowed at city council until
it has gone through the proper process. Perry stated that anyone can speak at a council meeting under
citizen input. Mark asked if the contractor realizes that they are asking the city to negate the Laurel
Municipal Code for their convenience. The item will not be on the council agenda unless F~ny is
directed to so by the mayor.
Executive review:
· Resolution No. R06-116: A resolution of the City Council approving the Performance Contract
by and between the City of Laurel and Johnson Controls, Inc. (Delayed 10/17/2006)
Discussion regarding scheduling a meeting with Johnson Controls on Tuesday, October 31st, at 3:00
p.m. Mayor Oison, Perry, Mary, and Sam will attend the meeting. Steve cannot attend the meeting.
Discussion regarding submitt,'~m~ questions for Johnson Controls. Questions should be submitted to
Perry by Thursday, October 26 . Perry will forward the questions to Jared Schoch so he can prepare
answers for the meeting on October 31't.
· Resolution: Lease Agreement with Jennifer Kraft for residence at Riverside Park
The lease agreement has been signed, but the council needs to approve the agreement with Jennifer
KraR. All lease agreements must be approved by the council
· Appointments:
Mary questioned whether all volunteer services require appointments by the mayor and council. There
was a lengthy discussion regarding appointments for ambulance reserves, ambulance attendants, and
police reserves and the requirements for workers' compensation. Jan stated that the ambulance reserves
are in training to see if they will become attendants and that all ambulance reserves sign a waiver. Sam
said that waivers do not work. Sam stated that the city needs to do whatever is minimally required for
workers' compensation. Sam questioned if the requirements are in city code. Further review will be
done.
o Yellowstone City-County Health Department: Three-year term ending December 31,
2009
o Police Commission: Reappointment of Mike Michunovich to a three-year term ending
December 31, 2009
o Laurel Volunteer Fire Department: Appointment ofRlynn Halverson as a fireman
Review of draft council agenda for Wednesday, November 8, 2006
· Public Hearing:
o Ordinance No. O06-11: An ordinance modifying Ordinance No. 002-35 to provide the
city council authority to adopt future technical amendments for the previously adopted
"Rules and Regulations Governing Utility Services and Streets for the City of Laurel,
Montana", to clarify that a copy of the current rules shall be available at either the office
of the City Clerk and/or Public Works' Department and to technically amend the current
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2006
version of the "Utility Rules and Regulations for the City of Laurel".
10/03/2006)
The public hearing will be held on November 8t~.
(First Reading-
Discussion:
There was discussion regard a surplus auction. Steve recently gave the auction procedure to Perry.
Department heeds should submit lists of surplus items to Mary so she can compile a complete list. Rick
asked Sam for direction regarding the impounded cars at the police department. The cars should be
edvertised as abandoned property before the city can sell the vehicles. Discussion regarding whether
the cars are abandoned property, seized property, and at what point they become city property so the
city can sell them and keep the money.
Discussion regarding the triangle of property at SE 4th Street and 1~t Avenue South that Wal-Mart
purchased to provide a turn lane for trucks. Wal-Mart planned to fill in an existing five-foot hole and
install a manhole. The State of Montana told Wal-Mart to get a floodplain permit from the City of
Laurel. Steve explained that a floodplain permit cannot be issued since more damage would occur if
that were allowed. MDT does not like to deal with issues regarding the Italian drain. The drainage
issue needs to be redesigned. Steve will contact the State today. Any ADA issues need to be addressed
by Wal-Mart, not the city.
Steve asked Mary for a copy of the specs for the roll-off truck, which needs to be inspected prior to
accepting it later this week.
Rick mentioned an issue with the new coffee business.
Rick gave Sam some letters that were received from Mr. Fergnson today.
Steve told Sam that, in the discussion regarding High Tech Construetior[, he had represented Sam as not
allowing them to circumvent the proper process. Mark asked whether or not the council is apprised of
the proper procedure. Sam stated that it is easy to e-mail the procedure to the council.
Mary asked if anyone plans to attend the MMIA Seminary in Big Timber on November 28t~. RSVPs
should be submitted by November 1a.
Mary asked Perry if he planned to announce the FMLA procedure. Perry could not remember, so Mary
announced that FIVILA is not optional but is required for any employee that will be gone for a length of
time. Department heeds need to notify Perry regarding any situations, and Perry will notify Mary.
Mayor Olson recently directed Pen'y to develop a form that will help with the process. According to the
Policy Manual, FMLA can be invoked for an extended or intermittent time period. Discussion
regarding the HR person. FMLA starts on the day the city writes a letter to the employee.
Discussion regarding light duty and early return to work. Sam stated that the city should work with
IVIMIA regarding hght duty requirements. The policy is in the Personnel Manual, but the process needs
to be defined.
Steve mentioned that the block windows by Cindy's desk are leaking and need to be replaced. The item
was not budgeted, and a budget amendment or trans~r may be needed.
Department Head Meeting Minutes of October 24, 2006
Perry and Mark will attend CTEP training in Missoula on Wednesday.
The CIP meeting was scheduled for Friday fi.om 9:00 a.m. to noon. After a lengthy discussion, it was
agreed to change the meeting to Thursday fi'om 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Mary added a resolution increasing capital reserves for water and sewer to the October 31~t council
workshop agenda. The increases will provide $120,000 per year for each fund.
The meeting adjourned at 2:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary
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