HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Services Committee Minutes 01.22.2007 MINUTES
EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMITTEE
JANUARY 22, 2007
5:30 P.M.
Members Present:
Others Present:
Doug Poehls
Norm Stamper
Rick Musson
Scott Wilm
Monte Cherry
Chuck Dickerson
Pat Kimmet
Jan Faught
Dick Fritzler
Terri Cherry
No Public Input
Dog Ordinance
Doug Poehls updated the members on the previous discussion pertaining to the city dog
ordinance. A couple months ago he handed out copies of city ordinances from Laurel
and Helena for reviewing. He said that Monte and Terri Cherry were going to receive a
dog ordinance from a city in Colorado that would be a good example of an ordinance for
the committee to look at. Terri stated she had received it but didn't have it with her to
pass out. She said dogs of a vicious nature, such aspit bulls or rottweilers, should be
trained and certified before they can be licensed in the city. This request should also
pertain to mixed breeds of pit bulls, rottweilers, etc. Monte and Terri mentioned that the
Laurel city dog ordinance says upon a third conviction, the nuisance animal may be
seized and taken by the law enforcement officer, and dealt with. They pointed out a dog
shouldn't be given more than one chance to attack another person or dog. They feel the
owners of a dog should be responsible immediately for their dog, instead of waiting for
three strikes against the dog, which is continuing to be a danger to the community.
Police Chief Musson said the ordinance mentions that upon a third conviction a nuisance
animal may be seized and taken up by any law enforcement. He said a nuisance animal is
also described as one that barks, roams, etc. A question was asked regarding how is a dog
defined as vicious. Are they considered vicious because of their breed? A dog of any
breed can be vicious. Discussion continued regarding a dog of a vicious nature to be
required to be trained and certified. This would be an added responsibility for the city
employee selling the dog license to verify that the dog o£a vicious breed is certified at
the time the owner purchases a dog license. A dog is required to have a dog license when
it is old enough to have its first rabies shot. Would the dog be required to be trained and
certified at the same time?
Chief Musson continued discussion on changes in the city dog ordinance. The ordinance
says an impounded animal must be redeemed within five days. He suggested this be
changed to three days. An impounded animal is held for three days in Billings. After
Laurel holds a dog for three days, the dog can be taken to the Billings animal shelter and
be put up for adoption. Next, the ordinance mentions an impounding fee, and he
suggested that fees be removed from the ordinance because they are listed in the newly
adopted city fee schedule. The section that lists animals that are prohibited in the city
should also list sheep. An animal in heat is required to be confined and an addition to
this paragraph should say inside a building. Much of the time it isn't enough to confine
such an animal to a fenced area. The ordinance states it is unlawful for any person to
willfully and cruelly inflict pain upon or injure any animal. This should include lack of
food, water and shelter; weather related.
Mutual Aid Agreement
Norm Stamper stated that a meeting was held and Darrell McGillen said that the Billings
Fire Chief approved the new Mutual Aid Agreement. Their city attorneys are taking a
final look at it. Cenex had two representatives at the meeting. One area Cenex is not
trained in is structural fire, but they would assist by having added trucks and hoses
available. Cenex will provide a list of what they will need or expect from the city and
another meeting will be scheduled.
New Committee Members
Doug Poehls said Dick Fritzler would continue as a member on the committee. Doug will
send out letters to a list of people who may be interested in serving on the committee.
Them will soon be new members to be sworn in by the council.
Other Items - Emergency at Refinery
Police Chief Musson mentioned the concern the department had when they were called
out to block traffic during an emergency last week at the refinery. An acid spill took
place at the refinery and the police officers had to enter the cont, aminated area to block
traffic on Highway 12. There was discussion whether authority could be given to Cenex
to block off traffic on Highway 12 since they are the first ones aware of the emergency
and the importance of it. Cenex also has proper safety equipment and can probably exit
the refinery to control traffic without entering the contaminated area. Traffic could be
blocked with a Cenex fire truck or service vehicle with lights. The question was asked, if
there was a traffic ac6ident because someone didn't obey the traffic stop~ whd is
responsible. Fire Chief Wilm stated that traffic doesn't stop when the fire department is
on the highway, so they more than likely wouldn't stop for traffic controlled by Cenex.
The sheriff's department and highway patrol are the first responsible to respond to the
jurisdiction of the refinery. However, in a case of an emergency at the refinery, Cenex is
the one most knowledgeable to the extent of the emergency and the fastest to respond to
controlling traffic without anyone entering the contaminated area. Pat Kimmet said these
emergencies don't happen often, but Cenex does have to do work on changing protocol.
Chief Musson stated that Jim Kraft asked him if the city desired to be briefed in case of
an emergency. Rick said they do meet with the LEPC members. It was mentioned that
Homeland Security for Hasmat is available. Pat said Cenex would have activated the
command center if they felt it had been needed. A question was asked, if there are
emergency routes in place with the new school being built or Wal-Mart coming to the
City of Laurel. Yes, the county does have countywide evacuation routes.
Other Item - Railroad Crossings
Ambulance Director, Jan, mentioned a situation that happened last week when all three
railroad crossings were blocked and prevented ambulance attendants who were on call to
respond to an ambulance call from the south side of town. The city ordinance reads that
regulation is railroad crossings are not to be blocked more than ten minutes. The issue of
one crossing being open at all times needs to be addressed. A question was asked,
whether the city has legal right to require this of the railroad. ChiefMusson handed out
the Montana Code Annotated 2005, which included Regulation of Railways, Regulation
of Lighting for Railway Right-of-way Crossings and Establishment of Railroad Quiet
Zones. Alderman Norm Stamper mentioned the disturbance of the train horns during the
council meetings.
Respectfully Submitted,
Neva Hall