HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 02.06.2007MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL
February 6, 2007
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 February 6, 2007.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHER STAFF PRESENT:
Emelie Eaton
Kate Hart
Gay Easton
Vonda Hotchkiss
None
Doug Poehls
Mark Mace
Chuck Dickerson
Norm Stamper
Mary Embleton
Sam Painter
Perry Asher
Mayor Ol$on led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Mayor Olson asked the council to observe a moment of silence.
MINUTES:
Motion by Alderman Easton to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 16,
2007, as presented, seconded by Alderwoman Hart. There was no public comment or council
discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All eight aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion
carried 8-0.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Beartooth Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc.: Letter of January 15, 2007 regarding
sponsorship dues for 2007.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Claims for the month of January 2007 in the amotmt of $1,795,072.47.
A complete listing of the claims and their amounts is on file in the Clerk-Treasurer's Office.
· Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 01/14/2007 totaling $138,543.66.
· Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 01/28/2007 totaling $145,805.29.
· Receiving the Committee Reports into the Record.
--Budget/Finance Committee minutes of January 16, 2007 were presented.
--Tree Board minutes of January 10, 2007 were presented.
--Emergency Services Committee minutes of January 22, 2007 were presented.
--Council Workshop minutes of January 30, 2007 were presented.
The mayor asked if there was any separation of consent items. There was none.
Motion by Alderman Mace to approve the consent items as presented, seconded by Alderman
Poehls. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All
eight aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.
CEREMONIAL CALENDAR: None.
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Council Minutes of February 6, 2007
REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: Emergency Services Committee
Alderman Poehls, the chairman of the Emergency Services Committee, updated the council on the
issues currently being reviewed by the committee. One recent issue occurred when all three railroad
crossings on the south side were blocked, an ambulance call was received when all three attendants
were located on the south side. It took over twelve minutes to clear one of the crossings for an
attendant to cross. Alderman Poehls stated that the issue would be pursued with MRL. At a recent
meeting, Chief Musson stated that the railroad cannot legally block a crossing for more than ten
minutes. A ten-minute delay would make a big difference in the fire department's ability to save a
structure or a life in a fire. Further review will be done.
The committee is working on a Vicious dog ordinance. Some information regarding vicious dog
ordinances in other cities is being reviewed. Laurel has a nuisance dog ordinance, but it does not
address a vicious dog.
Alderman Poehls will send a letter to several prospective new members of the Emergency Services
Committee.
Alderman Stamper explained that things are progressing with mutual aid contracts. A mutual aid
agreement with Billings is being reviewed for approval by the Billings City Attorney and should
come forward soon. When that is received, the committee will look at using the same format with
Park City, Joliet, and Molt. There are currently discussions with Cenex on a mutual agreement,
which is different because it is not between two municipalities.
Alderman Poehls encouraged the council to contact him with questions and to submit names of
individuals that might be interested in serving on the Emergency Services Committee. Alderwoman
Eaton will be asked tO consider taking Dick Fritzler's council position on the committee.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (THREE-MINUTE LIMIT): None.
SCHEDULED MATTERS:
Confirmation of Appointments.
Laurel Police Reserves:
Mayor Olson appointed Travis Brewington to the Laurel Police Reserves.
Motion by Aiderwoman Hart to approve the appointment of Travis Brewington to the Laurel
Police Reserves, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. There was no public comment or council
discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All eight aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion
carried 8-0.
Emergency Services Committee:
Motion by Alderman Poehls to approve the appointment of Dick Fritzler to the Emergency
Services Committee, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. There was no public comment or council
discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All eight aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion
carried 8-0.
Ordinance No. O06-15: An ordinance modifying Title 15, Chapter 15.40.130(0 of the
Laurel Mnnicipal Code in order to provide clarity and consistency of the rules
regarding freestanding signs. Second reading.
Motion by Alderman Dickerson to adopt Ordinance No. O06-15, seconded by Alderman
Stamper. There was no public comment or council discussion. A roll Call vote was taken on the
motion. All eight aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.
Resolution No. R07-04: A resolution to adopt an official Schedule of Fees and Charges for
the City of Laurel, repealing all previous resolutions that set fees or charges that conflict with
the schedule attached hereto upon its effective date. (Public hearing held January 2, 2007
and January 16, 2007.) ~
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Council Minutes of February 6, 2007
Motion by Alderman Stamper to approve Resolution No. R07-04, seconded by Alderman
Poehls. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All
eight aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.
Resolution No. R07-05: A resolution of the City Council tO support the acquisition of a
steam locomotive for public display by the City of Laurel.
Motion by Alderman Easton to approve Resolution No. R07-05, seconded by Alderman
Dickerson. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion.
All eight aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.
Resolution No. R07-06: A resolution of the City Council amending the three-year
agreement between the City of Laurel and the Local Union known as Local 316, American
Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, to include a Memorandum
of Understanding regarding an alternate work schedule for police dispatchers.
Motion by Alderman Mace to approve Resolution No. R07-06, seconded by Alderman
Stamper. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All
eight aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.
Resolution No. R07-07: A msolntion approving Amendment No. 2 to the Owner-Engineer
Agreement dated April 19, 2005 (Task Order No. 8) between the City of Laurel and
Morrison-Maierle, Inc. regarding the Wastewater Improvements Project, and authorizing the
Mayor to execute the attached Amendment No. 2 on the City's behalf.
Motion by Alderwoman Hart to approve Resolution No. R07-07, seconded by Alderman
Mace. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All
eight aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carded 8-0.
Resolution No. R07-08: A resolution approving Amendment No. 2 to the Professional
Services Contract dated April 15, 2003 between the City of Laurel and Montana Engineering
and Administration, P.Ci; and authorizing the Mayor to execute the attached Amendment No~
2 on the City's behalf.
Motion by Alderman Poehls to approve Resolution No. R07-08, seconded by Alderman
Dickerson. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion.
All eight aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.
· Resolution No. R07-09: A resolution approving an Encroachment Permit for Thomae
Lumber and authorizing the Mayor to execute such permit on behalf of the City of Laurel.
Motion by Alderman Dickerson to approve Resolution No. R07-09, seconded by Alderman
Mace. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All
eight aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carded 8-0.
Resolution No. R07-10: A resolution of the City Council approving the Maintenance
Agreement by and between the City of Laurel and ENCODE Corporation for service and
maintenance of the control system within the Laurel Safety Complex (FAP Building).
Motion by Alderman Stamper to approve Resolution No. R07-10, seconded by Alderman
Dickerson. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion.
All eight aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 8
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (ONE-MINUTE LIMIT): None.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION:
Alderman Mace stated that it is good to have a full council again.
Review of Monthly Reports: Police, Fire, Ambulance, and Code Enforcement: None.
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Council Minutes of February 6, 2007
Alderman Dickerson asked that the maps on the council tables be put on next week's council
workshop agenda for discussion.
Alderman Easton welcomed the two new members to the council. He recalled that Emelie Eaton
had previously served on the Public Works Committee.
Alderwoman Hart also welcomed the new council members.
Alderwoman Eaton stated that she is glad to be a part of the council and is looking forward to
participating in discussions.
Mayor Olson stated that it is always a pleasure to hear from newly-elected officials and that the
opportunity to serve the community is a wonderful opportunity. He welcomed the two new
members to the council.
Mayor Olson updated the council on last Friday's meeting with Congressman Denny Rehberg.
Aldermen Easton, Poehls, Mace, and Stamper were all present. Also attending were Perry Asher,
Mary Embleton, and Congressman Rehberg's assistant, Randy Vogel. Zada Stamper represented the
YMCA at the meeting.
Discussion at the meeting included the city's requests that were given to Senator Burns last year.
Congressman Rehberg said he would consider the list of requests. The list included: funding for the
Veterans' Cemetery; improvement of infrastructure relating to streets, water, and sewer; an
administration building and space considerations; and the top priority of an additional water
reservoir in the north side of the city. A static water supply would provide for the proposed
Veterans' Cemetery, the present cemetery, and additional growth within the city. Opportunities for
available grants are being reviewed on a website.
Alderman Dickerson added the upcoming vacancy in the Only $1 Store building to the council
workshop agenda on February 13th,
Mayor Olson stated that the council should be aware of all the facets with regard to that building.
Some information was presented at today's department head meeting, and he stated that every detail
should be presented to the council so it is aware of the building and the commitment that would be
required for the building.
UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Alderman Easton to adjourn the council meeting, seconded by Alderwoman Hart.
There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All eight
aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0.
There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at
7:00 p.m.
Cindy Allen~'~, ecretary
Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 20th day
of February, 2007.
/~nn¢l~h E. Ols~n, Jr.,~-'~or
Attest:
Mary K. ~bleton, Clerk-Treasurer'S'""
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