HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 11.08.2006MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL
November 8, 2006
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, was held in the
Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Ken Olson at 6:30 p.m. on November 8, 2006.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Dick Fritzler
Kate Hart
Doug Poehls
Mark Mace
Chuck Dickerson
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
Gay Easton
Jennifer Johnson
Norm Stamper
OTHER STAFF PRESENT:
Mary Embleton
Sam Painter
Perry Asher
Mayor Olson led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Mayor Olson asked the council to observe a moment of silence.
MINUTES:
Motion by Alderwoman Hart to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 17,
2006, as presented, seconded by Alderman Fritzler. There was no public comment or council
discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All five aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion
carded 5-0.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Montana Department of Environmental Quality: Letter of October 16, 2006 regarding State
Revolving Loan Program.
Montana Engineering and Administration, P.C.: Letter of October 30, 2006 regarding Stormwater
PER.
PUBLIC HEARING:
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 version of the "Utility Rules and Regulations for the City of Laurel". (First
Reading - 10/03/2006)
Mayor Olson asked Mary Embleton to present the staff introduction of the matter to the council.
Mary stated that one purpose for Ordinance No. O06-11 is to provide the authority to modify and
amend the Rules and Regulations Governing the City of Laurel's Public Utilities by resolution when
it is necessary to do so. The second purpose is to change the ability to calculate the usage, which is
currently based on cubic feet, to a unit of measure acceptable by the meter type being used. Since
the city is going into the transition phase right now, there are some meters that register in 1,000
gallons and some that measure in cubic feet. It is necessary to have the system generate bills based
on both types of measurement.
Mayor Olson opened the public hearing.
Mayor Olson asked three times if there were any proponents. There were none.
Mayor Olson asked three times if there were any opponents. There were none.
Council Minutes of November 8, 2006
Mayor Olson closed the public heating.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Claims for the month of October 2006 in the amount of 535,093.42.
A complete listing of the claims and their amounts is on file in the Clerk-Treasurer's Office.
· Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 10/22/2006 totaling $139,868.87.
· Receiving the Committee Reports into the Record.
--Budget/Finance Committee minutes of October 17, 2006 were presented.
--Cemetery Commission minutes of October 19, 2006 were presented.
--Council Workshop minutes of October 31, 2006 were presented.
Motion by Alderman Mace to approve the consent items as presented; seconded by Alderman
Poehls. There was no public comment.
Alderwoman Hart removed item 6.b., Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 10/22/2006 totaling
$139,868.87, from the consent agenda. The item will be considered under Items Removed from the
Consent Agenda.
A vote was taken on the motion. All five aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.
CEREMONIAL CALENDAR: None.
REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: None.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (THREE-MINUTE LIMIT): None.
SCHEDULED MATTERS:
· Confirmation of Appointments.
Police Commission:
Mayor Olson reappointed Mike Michunovich to a three-year term, ending December 31,2009, on
the Police Commission.
Motion by Alderman Poehl~ to approve the reappointment of Mike Michunovich to a three-
year term, ending December 31, 2009, on the Police Commission, seconded by Alderman Mace.
Them was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All five
aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Laurel Volunteer Fire Department:
Mayor Olson apPointed Rlynn Halverson to the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department.
Motion by Alderman Mace to approve the appointment of Rlynn Halverson to the Laurel
Volunteer Fire Department, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. There was no public comment or
council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All five aldermen/women present voted aye.
Motion carried 5-0.
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. Second reading.
Council Minutes of November 8, 2006
Motion by Alderwoman Hart to adopt Ordinance No. 006-08, seconded by Alderman
Fritzler. There was no public comment or council discussion. A roll call vote was taken on the
motion. All five aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.
· Ordinance No. O06-09: Ordinance amending Section 2.68.100 of the Laurel Municipal
Code, amending the Judge's salary. Second reading.
Motion by Alderman Fritzler to adopt Ordinance No. 006-09, seconded by Alderwoman
Hart. There was no public comment or council discussion. A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
All five aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Ordinance No. O06-10: Ordinance amending 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, from
Agricultural-Open Space and Unzoned to Residential Tracts. Second reading.
Motion by Alderman Dickerson to adopt Ordinance No. O06-10, seconded by Alderman
Mace. There was no public comment or council discussion. A roll call vote was taken on the
motion. All five aldermen/Women present voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.
· Ordinance No. O06-12: Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 006-06. First reading.
Motion by Alderman Mace to adopt Ordinance No. O06-12, seconded by Alderman
Dickerson. There was no public comment or council discussion. A roll call vote was taken on the
motion. All five aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.
The public hearing for Ordinance No. O06-12 will be on the council agenda on December 5, 2006.
· 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.
Motion by Alderman Poehl~ to delay council action on Resolution NO. R06-116 to the
council meeting on November 21, 2006, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. There was no public
comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All five aldermen/women present
voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Resolution No. R06-119: ResOlution accepting a grant from the Montana Department
of Transportation for monies to be spent on the selective Traffic Enforcement Program
(STEP) and authorizing the Mayor to sign said grant~
Motion by AlderWoman Hart to approve Resolution No. R06-119, seconded by Alderman
Fritzler. There was no public comment or council discussion: A vote was taken on the motion. All
five aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.
· Resolution No. R06-120: A resolution transferring certain Water and Sewer Funds of
the City of Laurel, Montana.
Motion by Alderman Poehls to approve Resolution NO. R06-120, seconded by Alderwoman
Hart. There was no public comment or council discussion.
A vote was taken on the motion. All five aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Olson stated that this action is a step in the right direction for the city to provide funding for
anticipated water and sewer purchases. He thanked the council for its approval of this resolution.
Resolution No. R06-121: A resolution approving a lease agreement between the City of
Laurel and Jennifer Kraft providing for the use of city-owned property.
Motion by Alderwoman Hart to approve Resolution No. R06-121, seconded by Alderman
Fritzler. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All
five aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.
Resolution No. R06-122: Resolution adopting a job description for Court Clerk I.
Council Minutes of November 8, 2006
Motion by Alderman Dickerson to approve Resolution No. R06-122, seconded by Alderman
Poehls. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All
five aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA:
Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 10/22/2006 totaling $139,868.87.
Alderwoman Hart stated that the Payroll Register for PPE 10/22/2006 totaling $139,868.87 should
be amended to $138,325.83.
Motion by Alderman Poehls to approve the amended Payroll Register for PPE 10/22/2006
totaling $138,325.83, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. There was no public comment or council
discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All five aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion
carried 5-0.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (ONE-MINUTE LIMIT): None.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION:
· Review of Monthly Reports: Police, Fire, Ambulance, and Code Enforcement: None.
Alderman Mace mentioned the need to redistrict newly-annexed proPerties, and he wanted tO make
sure the process continued.
Mayor Olson stated that the process of redistricting was last done after the Government Review
Commission twelve years ago, and the city's growth has been substantial since then. Mark Richards
is working on this process.
Alderman Dickerson asked for an update on the web site at the next workshop.
Perry explained that the web page is under the wrong address right now. Bart Haskell, from
Technical Edge Consulting, has been installing the exchange server in city hail this week. When the
exchange server has been installed, Bart will change the address for the city's e-mail addresses and
the URL for the website. Perry is working with Zee Creative to set up a time for some employees to
receive some training.
Alderman Fritzler stated that the Veterans' Cemetery will now become a reality.
Mayor Olson stated that the county and the City of Laurel will enter into negotiations on how the
Veterans' Cemetery will proceed. He thanked Alderman Fritzler for all his work on this issue. The
city will look at providing an easement to the county in the northern part of that section. This has
been a terrible comer with the diversion from a west traffic flow to the south, and extending that
through the city's property to meet up with Buffalo Trail will be great. This is an exciting time for
Laurel. The cost of the road will be paid by the county.
Alderman Fritzler mentioned that activity regarding the Veterans' Cemetery will begin in January.
The sprinkler system is included in the CIP process, and a resolution for the cemetery master plan
will be presented to the council in the near future. After the bid for the master plan is awarded, the
contractor will work with the county and the commission to bring the plans together.
Mayor Olson again recognized Alderman Fritzler's work on the Cemetery Commission.
Alderman Fritzler thanked him and stated that it was everyone's effort.
There was a brief discussion regarding other veterans' cemeteries in Montana.
Alderman Poehls mentioned that at one time the City of Laurel sent a letter to Senator Bums
regarding our north water reservoir issue and some of the other projects that would be a tremendous
benefit to the Yellowstone Valley. He suggested that, in lieu of the results of yesterday's elections,
the council should forward a letter regarding those issues to Jon Tester.
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Council Minutes of November 8, 2006
Mayor Olson agreed and stated that it is time to take an opportunity to invite our representative and
senator to meet with the council. He asked that this item be put on the next council workshop
agenda for council discussion.
There was a brief discussion regarding the status ~of the race between Krayton Kerns and Emilie
Eaton.
Mayor Olson mentioned the Veterans' Day celebration on Saturday, November 11~, at noon at
Veterans' Park. Representation from the Laurel Middle School, the Laurel High School, the VFW,
the American Legion, and the Hometown Pride organization will attend. A flag that was flown over
Iraq will be raised and the fire department will present a salute to the veterans. Commissioner
Kennedy will be invited to attend the ceremony.
UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Alderman Fritzler to adjourn the council meeting, seconded by Alderman Mace.
There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All five
aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carded 5-0.
There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at
7:10 p.m.
Cindy Alleff, Secretary
Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 21 st day
of November, 2006.
Attest:
Mary K.gmbieton, Clerk-Treasurer