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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 03.13.2007 MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MARCH 13, 2007 6:30 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS A Council Workshop was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Ken Olson at 6:30 p.m. on March 13, 2007. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: x Emelie Eaton x Kate Hart x Gay Enston x Vonda Hotchkiss _x__ Doug Poehls _x_ Mark Mace _x_ Chuck Dickerson _x_ Norm Stamper OTHERS PRESENT: Sam Painter Perry Asher Mary Embleton Jan Faught Rick Musson Larry McCann Carl Anderson, Morrlson-Maierle Dave Mumford, City of Billings Chris Veis, City of Billings A1 Towlerton, City of Billings Josh Middleton, Laurel Public Schools April Thorsen, Laurel Public Schools Public Innut (three-minute limit): Citizens may address the Council regarding any item of City business not on the agenda~ The duration for an individual 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. Josh Middleton: Safe to School Josh presented a couple items for the council's consideration regarding traffic patterns and safe mutes. The first issue has to do with the reconfiguration of schools for next year. West School will have the first and second grades, Graft School will have the third and fourth grades, and the Middle School will consist of the fifth through eighth grades. The school is requesting the council to consider allowing Sixth Street to be a throughway from Washington Avenue to Eighth Avenue. There are currently three four-way stops there, and the school is requesting installing stop signs at all the other north/south avenues. Sixth Street is already a bus mute for transporting West School students, but they anticipate heavier traffic with this reconfiguration. Safety is the first and foremost item of request for the council's consideration with the increased foot, bike, and vehicle traffic. Making Sixth Street a safe mute would be a benefit for all citizens. Josh recently met with the city engineers and the mayor, and the costs involved were discussed. The city requested that the school complete a traffic study this spring, and the school has already contracted with ENgineering, Inc. to do that study. The city's expense would be the stop signs and the placement of the signs. Josh distn'buted a written request for the Sixth Street throughway. When the study has been completed and has been reviewed by the city, a formal recommendation will be presented to the council. Josh recommended that the stop signs should be installed during the summer, prior to August, so that drivers can adapt to the new traffic pattern. Striping for the crosswalks would be needed along Sixth Street. Counoil Workshop Minutes of March 13, 2007 Gay Easton asked regarding bus routes and suggested that the bus route and pedestrian walk for children should not be on the same street. Josh stated that it makes sense for the traffic to be on Sixth Street bemuse the three schools are located on that corridor and parents will send children on that route because of the stop signs and crosswalks. Gay suggested that Maryland Lane has a good base and was built for heavy traffic, especially buses with air brakes. There was further discussion. Josh stated that the school will doits part to educate parents and students about the changes. Josh presented some traffic issues regarding Aviation and Technology Week, which is scheduled for May 7-10th. Jack Bayne and Dmaun Kerns are coordinating the event but were unable to attend this meeting. Joab distributed two maps and a list of requests for the City of Laurel during this event. He explained the requests for street closures needed in order to accommodate the aireratt and displays that will land in Thomson Park. Between 10,000 and 14,000 students from Montana and Wyoming will attend the event. The school's transportation department is lining up the bus parking to make that flow as easily as poss~le. In the past, the North School site where Ricci's is building was used for bus parking, but that is no longer available. Josh explained the requests for barricades, street closures, a bus unloading zone, port-a-pots and garbage cans. Dmann or Jack will present additional information to the council soon. Doug suggested using the Grace B~le Church lot on East Maryland Lane and Washington Avenue for bus parking. Chief Musson, who is on the committee, stated that First Avenue is designated for student drop-offonly. The Grace Bible Church property is the designated bus parking area. If it is muddy, Washington Avenue and part of Maryland Lane will be used for bus parking. Mayor Olson stated that Jack Bayne and Drnann Kerns do a great job with this event. Dave Mumford and Chris "Shoots" Veis: Cily of Btllinon Water Plant informafitm Chris Veis, a City of Billings Council Member, Dave Mumford, the Public Works Director, and A1 Towlerton, who works at the Water Treatment Plant, attended the council workshop. Mr. Veis stated that the City of Billings recently received a completed twenty-year report on the Water and Wastewater Master Plan for the City of Billings. The report includes about $275 million worth of inl~astmeture investment for the City of Bilhngs for the next twenty years. He explained that the City of Billings wanted to open the dialogue to give the City of Laurel an idea of where it is going and what it is doing. Billings is going to put a lot of money into the west end of the city and would like the opportunity to work with Laurel if possible. Dave Mumford stated that the City of Billings just finished a twenty-year master plan. The City of Billings needs to build a second plant on the west end. About $17 million was recently put into the current plant, which will get them through about 60 million gallons a day. The current plant is located on the east end. In order to get water to the west end, they have to keep picking it up. The energy costs of liking water that many times is not very efficient, and there are concerns regarding how to supply water to the city if there are problems with piping in one area. The city is considering building another plant somewhere near 48a~ Street. Before they got too far along, they wanted to have dialog with Laurel to see if the city would have the need for extra water in the future. In July, the City of Billings will begin some studies regarding the following issues: how they get water; if they want to take water out of the river during the high water season and store it in a large reservoir; if they want to take water out of thc river; if they want to drill wells and use ground water; and where to build the new plant. The master plan says that, in order to meet thc demands for growth, the plant needs to be 2 Council Workshop Minutes of March 13, 2007 online and operational within the next ten years. The land will need to be purchased in the next two years. Dave stated that tonight's meeting was really to see if the City of Laurel has any desire to discuss this during the next year to see if the two cities could work together. There was further discussion regarding the proposed $20 million, 17 million-gallon plant, the poss~le locations of the plant, the need for further dialog between the two cities, the condition of the City of Laurel's water treatment plant, and how the Billings Heights receives water. Dave stated that the Heights buys water directly from the City of Billings. The metered water is pumped to the Heights and sold at a bulk rate, which is what would be done with the City of Laurel. Dave stated that the City of Billings does not went to take over Laurel's water system, but it would just be selling bulk water. There was discussion regarding forming a task force to address the possibilities. Carl Anderson, Morrison-Maierle, stated that the Water Facility Plan for the City of Laurel has recently been completed. He explained the condition of the current water treatment facilities. Carl stated that there are components of the treatment system, mainly the intake, that have excess capacity. The chlorine contact basin, a project that was done five to seven years ago, is also in pretty good shape. In the main core of the treatment plant, there are some fairly major issues with the filtration capacities. The plant should be getting a firm capacity of 5 MGD out of the filters, but it gets about half of that. In the Water Facility Plan, Morrison-Maierle recommends an upgrade to the filters first in order to get 5 MGD in capacity to meet current demands. The city is growing and will need additional capacity, which means more filters. The city needs to spend some money on this in the next few years as the plant does not meet DEQ standards with the filters. The sedimentation basins are also in need of an upgrade. The sedimentation basins are fit~y to seventy-year-old concrete. They leak and do not Provide a good mechanism to collect the solids that are deposited in the basins. In the next ten years, Laurel will need to spend a significant mount of money at the plant in order to ensure adequate water supplies for the community of Laurel. Carl was involved in the city's intake project and stated that extra capacity was built into the facility. He stated that the city would have enough capacity in the new intake and the existing intake to serve both communities and Cenex. That is one major component, and he thinks that if there is some sort of a combined plant, it might be of use to both the City of Billings and the City of Laurel. Mayor Olson stated that this is an oppommity for Laurel to consider and further discussion will be held. Perry Asher offered to participate in the process. Executive review: · Resolution - Accept PER for Storm Water Study Mayor Olson stated that Chad Hanson presented the Prelimin~ar~ Engineering Report st the public hearing on February 20t~. The resolution will be on the March 20 council agenda. Ordinance No. O07-01: Ordinance to repeal the current Chapter 16 of the Laurel Municipal Code and to replace with the attached revised and updated Chapter 16 in order to comply with the mandatory changes adopted bythe State of Montana Legislature. First reading. 3 Council Workshop Minutes of March 13, 2007 Mayor Olson stated that the document was distn"outed to the council last Friday. The document was reviewed by the City-County Planning Board and was put in proper form by the city's legal staff. The council will take action on the first reading of the ordinance at a special council meeting immediately following this council workshop. A public hearing will be scheduled for April 3~, and the second reading will follow. Mayor Olson explained that there will be further discussion regarding the ordinance at the next council workshop. Some questions were discussed at today's department head meeting, and those will be addressed and brought to the council. City Planner Mark Richards will be out of town for a week. Mayor Olson encouraged the council to ask Mark questions about the document upon his return. · Ordinance - Policy for street closures Mayor Olson stated that the ordinance provides a policy for street closures for any particular activity other than for transportation of goods and products. The first reading of the ordinance will be on the council agenda on March 20t~. · Ordinance- Cemetery Commission Mayor Olson explained the changes in the ordinance. The Cemetery Commission will consist of the Mayor, two council members appointed by the Mayor and approved by the council, two residents of the city, and two members-at-large. The two members-at-large are needed because the cemetery services an area beyond the city's boundaries and it would be of service to have that representation on the commission. The Cemetery Commission recommended including verbiage that the Mayor appoint the chairman and the rico-chairman, There was discussion regarding the term of office. · Clarification of ward boundaries (Alderman Mace) Mayor Olson stated that staff is still reviewing the issue and the item will be on the March 27th council workshop agenda. · Discussion regarding space issues Mayor Olson stated that the city is currently looking at the Only $1 Store and the former Western Security Bank building to address some space issues. Space concerns and the city's capital facilities program will be discussed with Dr. Kan Weaver and Judy Mathre at the council retreat on March 24th. There was further discussion regarding the space issues, how to determine how much space is needed per employee, which departments could be split and still he efficient, deconstruction and construction ora building, a possible addition to the FAP complex, the costs to purchase and remodel a building, and the city's current and future needs for space. Mayor Olson asked the council to raise the questions at the council retreat. · Maps (Ald~nam Dickerson) Mayor Oison stated that additional review is needed for this item, which will be on the March 27th council workshop agend~ 4 Council Workshop Minutes of March 13, 2007 The mayor reported to the council that the Public Works Director has a medical condition related to his back and had to undergo an outpatient medical procedure recently. He may need additional surgery that would require some time off from work. · Appointments: o Park Board - Amy Pollock (four-year term ending 12/31/2010) The appointment will be on the March 20* council agenda. Ot er items Doug Poehls stated that Ethan Studiner contacted him regarding an Eagle Scout project. Ethan wants to find a place to hold a cross count~ meet in Laurel Doug gave Ethan a city map and a copy of the Bike Ped Plan fi'om 2003. Doug stated that Del Henman contacted him regarding an issue with Mo's Cones. The problem is not moving his business, but the problem is the bond that the city requires for a temporary business. Mr. Henman feels he can meet everything else but he should not be required to put $1,500 up on a building that is portable and on property that already has an established business. He is going to relocate the business to Ricci's lot on the North School lot. It would impede his progress to do business this year; in fact, it probably would stop him from doing business this year. Doug agreed to bring up the issue at the council workshop. Mr. Hanman has started the process through City-County Planning, has paid $300, but has not paid the $1,500 bond. He wants to open the business on April 20* and is up against a timeline. Mr. Henman had asked Doug if the bonding issue could be waived. Chuck asked if this was something that came into effect since the business was set up next to Ricci's. Mayor Oison stated that it is standard procedure for every person that comes into town. Chuck questioned if the bond issue was satisfied when the building was put there. Mayor Olson stated th. at the bond issue was clouded as the business was brought under the auspices that it was Ricci's business. When the plans came forward to move, the plans did not show Mo's Cones going to the new location, clearly showing that there are two separate businesses that are going to be on that lot. Doug stated that he just told Mr. Hanman he would brkng up the issue for discussion. This needs to go through the process for the City-County Planning Board's recommendation. Mayor Olson cautioned the council to look at each case objectively, not subjectively. There are a lot of opportunities for people and the city must make them fair and equitable for all. Mark asked if the same bond is required for the coffee kiosks and everything else, and Mayor Olson stated that is correct. Vonda Hotchkiss commented that the city's alleys and streets are dirty and there is garbage sitting around town, especially in the business district. She asked how to start addressing this issue, about which she feels very strongly. Council Workshop Minutes of March 13, 2007 There was discussion regarding garbage falling out of the garbage truck, the need for the Public Works Department to address tho issue, Bright 'n Beautiful Cleanup on April 28th, scattering of garbage because of tho recent winds, and use of the street sweeper in the spring. Vonda mentioned some questions regarding cremation burials at the cemetery. After a brief discussion, Perry suggested that she contact Cathy in the clerk's office regarding the questions. Emelie Eaton attended the Yellowstone Valley Electric Co-op breakfast this morning. She stated that no legislative concerns were presented and had taken a no stance on several of the issues they were watching. With regard to Laurel, the only thing that was brought up were some proposed bills regarding poles and other utilities being able to use them. In one instance, a community wanted to own the poles and have the utilities rent off of them. Emelie will tbllow up on some information about water and wastewater treatment and bring it to the council if it would benefit Laurel. Emelie recently spoke to an individual who is frustrated because he had followed the "proper procedure" and was not satisfied. She was asked to put this on tho official record. Mr. Darrell Carpenter, who lives at 408 West Second Street (home number is: 628-6452; cell number is 698- 9660) and some neighbors have banded together in their concern regarding potholes and streets. Their particular concern is Second Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues. The issue is that Mr. Carpenter was dissatisfied after following tho proper pmcadure, and ho wanted it to ho on the record so the proper department head can contact him end talk to him at length regarding street issues at their mutual convenience. Perry Ashor stated that he is the city's ombudsman. Ifa citizen gets to the point where they do not feel they are being hoard, he should be their next stop. Perry told the council to contact him at city hall or on his cell phone with questions and concen'ts at any time of the day or night. Review of draft council agenda for March 20~ 2007 There was no discussion. Attendance at the March 20th council meetinu Vonda Hotchkiss will be unable to attend. Announcements There were none. The council workshop adjourned at 7:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Allen Council Secretary NOTE: Thi~ meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Council for the ~ted workshop agenda items. LAUREL PUBLIC SCHOOLS SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 7 and 7-70 OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT ~[~ ~l~"~[,J~ 410 Colorado Avenue ,,,~i~~ Laurel, Montana 59044 (406) 628-8623 (406) 628-8625 Fax To: Laurel City Council From: Josh J. Middleton, Laurel Superintendent Re: 6a Street Throughway Date: March 13, 2007 On behalf of the Laurel Board of Trustees and Laurel School District, I am requesting the City Council to consider and approve a traffic plan that would provide a 6th Street "throughway" between Wa.qhington Avenue and 8th Avenue. The district is reconfiguring its elementary district schools for 20074)8 whereby West will be the school for 1~ and 2°a graders, Graft will be the school for 3rd and 4a graders, and the new middle school will be for 5t~ through 8t~ graders. Because of this change we anticipate increased traffic along 6t~ street between these three points. Right now there are uncontrolled intersections along 6~ street except at 3 points where there are 4 way stops. We request that at all other intersections, stop signs be placed on the north and south avenues allowing for continuous flow of traffic on 6th Street except at the already established 4 way stops. As per city request, a traffic study will be completed by Engineering Inc. at district expense for further consideration. City Council approval would result in the city incurring the expense and placement of signs. Further, both city engineers and district officials agree that this placement be completed early in the summer of 2007 for Laurel citizens to become accustomed to new traffic flow. Most importantly, the district views this change as a safety precaution for student walkers, bikem, and motorists. We appreciate your parmership to insure safety for all. City of Laurel Road Closure, Garbage and Porta Potty Requests Laurel Aviation and Technology Event May 6-11, 2007 Sunday, May 6 or sooner Drop offbardcades at the following locations: May 8- 11, 2007 Streets closed Sixth Street and 1st Avenue Sixth Street and Montana Avenue Sixth Street and Colorado Avenue Sixth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Sixth Street and Wyoming Avenue First Avenue and Eighth Street Eighth Street and the Alley behind the HS Ninth Street and HS Parking Lot HS Parking and Maryland Lane HS Parking Lot and Alley at the end of the practice Field May 9-10: We would like a Bus unloading Zone (using cones) East Side (School and Park side) fi:om Sixth Street to Maryland Lane along First Avenue. This would also require No Parking along First Avenue from Sixth Street to Maryland Lane on the West side. The Busses will be using Washington Avenue fi:om Maryland to 7th Street to Park. Bus Parking signs indicating this location would be helpful. The busses will drop students off on 1st Avenue mm down East Maryland and South on Wyoming and park facing Norhh on Washington Avenue Porta-Potties and Garbage Cans need to be on site by May 9 and May 10. Garbage and porta potties will need to be emptied daily. See map for locations of these items. May 7-11--Remove garbage cans from behind the HS and alley East of the Practice Field Laurel Aviation and Technology ~007 City Requests May 6-11, 2007 STUI~NT PARKING I I Residential Area HIGH Baseball Field re.is ~ouRr Baseball Shelter FOOTBALL STADIUM . Soccer Field '. I 300Gal. GjrbageX3 ~ 1 Port: Potty X 8 ~ I GRAFF 90 Gal. Gprbage X 8 I ADA ~estroom 1 I Handw~sh Station R[ad Closed mEET o · I I