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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03.20.2007MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL March 20, 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 March 20, 2007. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHER STAFF PRESENT: Emelie Eaton Kate Hart Gay Easton Doug Poehls Mark Mace Chuck Dickerson Norm Stamper Vonda Hotchkiss Mary Embleton Sam Painter Larry McCann Steve Klotz Rick Musson Scott Wilm Jan Faught Eight members of Boy Scout Troop 414 and four leaders attended the council meeting. Olson welcomed them to the meeting and asked a leader to introduce the boy scouts. Mayor Olson asked Troop 414 to lead the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mayor 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 March 6, 2007, as presented, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All seven aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0. Motion by Alderman Poehls to approve the minutes of the special meeting of March 13, 2007, as presented, seconded by Alderman MaCe. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All seven aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0. CORRESPONDENCE: Montana Association of Railroad Passengers Newsletter Cable Montana: Service Reports for January 2007 Local Government Associates, Inc.: Letter of March 2, 2007, regarding the council retreat on March 24, 2007. Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board: Notice of Historic Preservation Roundtable on March 20, 2007 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Great West Engineering: Letter of March 5, 2007 regarding Storm Water System PER. PUBLIC HEARING: None. CONSENT ITEMS: · Clerk/Treasurer Financial Statements for the month of February 2007. · Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 03/11/2007 totaling $133,900.05. · Receiving the Committee Reports into the Record. Council Minutes of March 20, 2007 --Emergency Services Committee minutes of February 26, 2007 were Presented. --Cemetery Commission minutes of February 28, 2007 were presented. --Park Board minutes of March 1, 2007 were presented. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of March 6, 2007 were presented. --City-County Planning Board minutes of March 8, 2007 were presented. --Council Workshop minutes of March 13, 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 Dickerson. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All seven aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0. CEREMONIAL CALENDAR: None. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: None. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (THREE-MINUTE LIMIT): None. SCHEDULED MATTERS: · Confirmation of Appointments. parkBoard: Motion by Alderwoman Hart to approve the Mayor's appointment of Amy Pollock to the Park Board for a four-year term ending December 31, 2010, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. There was no public comment. Alderman Mace stated that Amy Pollock participated in the Kids' Kingdom project in Kiwanis Park. She is a fantastic resource and her enthusiasm and ideas are great. He suggested that the council should consider allowing members on the board that live outside the city limits, as some of those individuals have the drive and expertise needed to benefit the city~ The parks are used by children and parents that live in the surrounding areas, even though they are not paying taxes for the parks. Alderman Mace would like the council to consider using the expertise of individuals that live outside the city boundaries. Mayor Olson stated that a recommendation from the Park Board Would be considered by the council. A vote was taken on the motion to approve the appointment. All seven aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carded 7-0. · Resolution No. R07-19: A resolution adopting the Preliminary Engineering Report from Great West Engineering, Inc., formerly Montana Engineering and Administration, P.C., for a citywide storm water system plan. Motion by Alderwoman Eaton to approve Resolution No. R07-19, seconded by Alderwoman Hart. There was no public comment. Mayor Olson commented on the Preliminary Engineering Report. The PER provides insight into Laurel's history and clearly points out the need to address the city's storm water system plan. The city's ability to absorb rain and storm water must be recognized and will have greater impact with additional asphalt, pavement, and concrete. Mayor Olson stated that the document included several statements indicating the city's need for a mechanism to address the issue of storm water. The storm water issue will be discussed at the next council workshop. A vote was taken on the motion to approve Resolution No. R07-19. present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0. 2 All seven aldermen/women Council Minutes of March 20, 2007 · Ordinance No. 007-02-' Ordinance amending Sections 2.84.010 and 2.84.020 of the Laurel Municipal Code, changing composition of the Cemetery Commission and officer selection process. First reading. Motion by Alderman Stamper to adopt Ordinance No. O07-02, seconded by Alderman Dickerson. There was no public comment or council discussion. A roll Call vote was taken on the motion. All seven aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0. The public hearing of Ordinance No. O07-02 will be on the council agenda on April 17, 2007. Ordinance No. O07-03: Ordinance to regulate street and sidewalk usage and permitting in the City of Laurel. First reading. Motion by Alderman Poehls to adopt Ordinance No. 007-03, seconded by Alderman Mace. There was no public comment or council discussion. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. All seven aldermen/women present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0. The public hearing of Ordinance No. 007-03 will be on the council agenda on April 17, 2007. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (ONE-MINUTE LIMIT): Mayor Olson extended his gratitude to the scout leaders who brought the scouts to the council meeting to have the opportunity to see how government works. COUNCIL DISCUSSION: Alderwoman Eaton attended the Yellowstone Historic Preservation Roundtable meeting today. She was pleased that there were several other members who are outside of Billings and she was impressed with their marketing knowledge and experience in creative ways to obtain funding for projects. Alderwoman Eaton spoke with David Green, who is a planner with the Planning and Community Services Department for the City of Billings. Mr. Green would tike to make a presentation to the city council regarding two areas: demolition of buildings that are considered historic but not documented as such; and redefining Laurel's downtown. When Linda Frickel attended a recent council meeting, she mentioned that other communities seem to be able to redefine and improve the downtown areas. Mr. Green indicated that there might be some funding ideas that Laurel could pursue and he would like to present the information at the April 24th council workshop, Alderman Poehls thought it was a terrific idea and suggested inviting Linda Frickel and the Laurel business owners to attend the meeting to hear ideas to benefit the downtown area. Alderman Dickerson suggested putting an article in the Laurel Outlook on April 18th to invite the downtown business people to attend the presentation. Alderman Mace suggested sending a letter to the Chamber of Commerce to inform the business owners. Alderman Easton commended Aiderwoman Eaton for her participation on the Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board. Alderman Stamper requested an Update on the plans for the reconstruction of Alder Avenue at the council workshop on March 27th. Alderman Dickerson asked that the acquisition of a building and space issues be on the March 27th workshop agenda. Mayor Olson stated that Dr. Ken Weaver will speak regarding the city's capital facilities and funding mechanisms at the council retreat on Saturday. The item will also be on the March 27th council workshop agenda. Alderman Mace spoke regarding the recent efforts to define Laurel as a business community, particularly on South Fourth Street. Since quite a bit of money is being invested in Laurel, he wants to make sure that businesses know the city and council appreciate the efforts. He suggested that it Council Minutes of March 20, 2007 would be a great gesture for the city to highlight a business with something like an "Alive After Five" event, and he would be willing to help get it started to set the tone for the city to welcome businesses to the City of Laurel. He asked for ideas to get this started. Mayor Olson stated the importance of thanking the people who have invested in our community, and he agreed that this would be an excellent opporttmity to do so. When the Chamber of Commerce is contacted about Dave Green's presentation, they will be asked for any ideas regarding this suggestion. Alderman Poehls announced that the Emergency Services Committee would not meet on Monday, March 26th. Alderman Poehls asked regarding the status &the South Laurel Business District Task Forcel Some of the business owners were surprised at the cost of the proposed storm water SID. Alderman Poehls stated that the process needs to continue for storm water, sewer, streets, etc. The issues need to be addressed, as the traffic will only continue to increase. He requested that the issue be discussed at the next council workshop, as decisions will need to be made at some point. Mayor Olson stated that the South Laurel Business District Task Force has not met for awhile. He has spoken individually with some of the business owners, and he does not feel that the issue has been dropped. There has been a lack of information coming forward, but the meetings should continue. Mayor Olson mentioned that the staff has started having project meetings on Friday, and he will give the council an update at the next council workshop. Alderman Mace suggested scheduling several tours for the council to view the city's various facilities and services. Mayor Olson agreed and stated that staff would do so. Mayor Olson mentioned that the City of Laurel will receive a chipper during the Bright 'N Beautiful activities in Billings on Saturday, April 28th. Alderwoman Hotchkiss recently spoke regarding the need for cleanup in the city and is willing to participate in the effort. Mayor Olson will contact the Bright 'N Beautiful organization to get the city involved again. Mayor Olson asked Dmann Kerns to update the council on the upcoming Aviation and Technology Week on May 7th through 10thl Druann explained some of the scheduled events, including the speakers, the static displays, the arrival of the aircraft, and the locations of the various events. Helicopters will arrive on Tuesday, May 8th. On Wednesday and Thursday, the format is three sections: one in Thomson Park and the school area; the Laurel Airport (flyovers from 11:30 to 2:00); and the big aircraft that cannot land in Laurel will be static at Billings Logan Airport. All students are welcome to attend the educational event, which is not open to the general public. About 6,000 students are already signed up, and up to 12,000 students have attended in the past. A B-1 and a B-2 will fly over and the Wings of Blue, the parachute team from the Air Force Academy, will jump in Thomson Park and at the Laurel Airport on Wednesday and Thursday. Some fighter jets will do fly bys, and a C-130 will bring the Wings of Blue and a space station module from NASA in Ohio. A static display called Something Amazing will be available for the full four days. A Rear Admiral will speak to the students on Monday and Tuesday, at a luncheon on Tuesday, and at a dinner Tuesday night. Mayor Olson expressed thanks to Jack Bayne and all the individuals that work to make the event successful. Mayor Olson stated that the City of Laurel would work with the organization for the event and asked Druann to express thanks to Chuck Rodgers for his participation on the committee. Druann expressed thanks for the support given by individuals and the city departments that participate in the event. She stated that the original group of individuals that started the event in 1991 is still working on this event. UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Alderman Dickerson to adjoum the council meeting, 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. 4 Council Minutes of March 20, 2007 There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Cind~retary Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 3rd day of April, 2007. Attest: ~urer 5