Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 04.24.2007 MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP APRIL 24, 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 April 24, 2007. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: _x_ Emelie Eaton x Kate Hart _x_ Gay Easton _x_ Vonda Hotchkiss __ Doug Poehls x Mark Mace x Chuck Dickerson x Norm Stamper OTHERS PRESENT: Sam Painter Larry McCann Mary Embleton Scott Wihn Steve Klotz Jan Fanght Rick Musson Numerous residents of the City of Laurel Public Input (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 lnput is limited to three minute$. While all comments are welcome, the Council will not take action on any item not on the agenda. · None Laurel Fire Department: · Reappointment of Brent Peters Chief Wilm stated that Brent previously served on the Laurel Fire Department for over seven years and asked that Brent be reappointed to the department. The appointment will be on the council agenda on May 1~t. David Green~ City of Billino~ Plnnnino and Community Services Department: David Green spoke regarding revitalization and historic preservation. David works for the City of Billings in the Planning Department but did not represent them at this meeting. David has a great passion for historic preservation and revitalization. Many small towns and communities in the nation have been bypassed by major marls, fi:eeways, and highways, and the original downtown no longer functions the way it did in the past. David stated that the main point that needs to be made aborn revitalization is that there has to be commitment by citizens and business owners. It cannot be done by the political group, the mayor, or the city council. It has to come from business owners and the neighborhood and there has to be a high level of commitment. Because mayors and council members change, there is not the continuity that is needed for revitalization. The city council and city are good tools to use to create TIF districts or to offer tax incentives to get businesses to come in, but the city cannot be the driving force. The next need is to have a plan. A good way to think of it is to think big and start small. The overall plan to revitalize downtown then needs to be broken down into smaller steps. David gave the example of Council Workshop Minmes of April 24, 2007 Stevensville, which is located near Missoula. Stevensville is close enough to Missoula and residents travel to Missoula to go shopping. As a result, Stevensville's downtown was dying and there were a lot of empty buildings. They decided to change this and redefined themselves as a city with art galleries and enticed artists to come to town. The artists bought and revitalized the old buildings. David stated that Laurel needs to determine what it could offer that Billings and Red Lodge do not offer. He suggested office spaces, boutiques and specialty shops, art galleries, antique shops and districts, and restaurant districts. Cities also need activities to draw people into the town during the summer. Cities need to decide how to define it and what it can offer. It is a huge task but it needs to be tackled in order to have an end goal. After commitment to the plan and creation of the plan, the next need is for teamwork. David stated that everybody has to be willing to make sacrifices and make a commitment. David will e-mail information to Emelie Eaton, who is his contact point. Emelie will e-mail the information to anyone who would like to receive it. David explained the Main Street Program, which is a national pmgrarr~ Montana also has a local branch of the program. The Montana Department of Commerce listed the towns that are currently in the programx Columbus, Sheridan, West Yellowstone, White Sulphur Springs, Butte, Stevensville, Libby, Anaconda, Poison, Red Lodge, and Livingston. He suggested that thc towns would be a good source to contact to find out about the program and their accomplishments. Phillipsburg is doing this fight now without using the Main Street Program. Historic preservation goes hand in hand with revitalization. Historic preservation of buildings and the downtown area maintains a character that many people like now as the interest in walking outdoors from shop to shop becomes popular. Historic preservation works hand in hand with the Main Street Program as buildings are reused. Commitment is the key. David stated the eight steps to economic renewal as part of the Main Street revitalization: mobilize the community; envision the community's future; identify what you have to work with; discover new opportunities; generate project ideas; evaluate project ideas; select project ideas; develop your project action plan. The Main Street organization's website has more information. Healthy downtowns are clean, safe, pedestrian friendly, have beautiful window displays, well-maintained historic buildings, all income levels of housing, fun events, great customer service, and reasonable distances to parking. There were questions and discussion regarding funding opportunities and available grants. David stated that the most successful programs have local involvement of business owners. Emelie Eaton thanked Mr. Green for his presentation. Greg Johnson, 2505 Hwy 212 South, stated that Laurel is the decision point to all of the entrances to Yellowstone Park. Greg recently traveled in New Zealand and used information centers all the time. He thinks a couple big signs about Yellowstone Park and the blue information signs are needed on the interstate to get people to coma into Laurel to see displays for Yellowstone Park, Cody, Jackson Hole, and the Grand Tetous. The bikers will want information and maps this summer. Every little town in New Zealand had information centers that included information and cubicles with computers. People stopped to check e-mail and then also had dinner and coffee. Greg stated the need to get travelers to turn offthe freeway and come into Laurel. Livingston might be the gateway to Yellowstone Park, but 2 Council Workshop Minutes of April 24, 2007 Laurel is the gateway before the gateway! Laurel is unique as it is the entrance to Yellowstone Park at every entrance. David stated that these are the kind of ideas and enthusiasm needed to begin the process. Vonda Hotchkiss stated that people do not realize that it is possible to get to Yellowstone Park even when the Beartooth Highway is closed. Jeanne Flynn, Chamber of Commerce, thanked G-reg for his ideas. The Chamber's brochure center needs to be updated, and using the museum portion of the building to provide literature for many sites would be an awesome opportunity to get people under the underpass and into Laurel. Jeanne mentioned that the next Downtown Task Fome meeting will be on May l0th at the Owl at 7:00 p.m. A Walling Tour brochure of Laurel is available. Lora Mattox, the Neighborhood Planner with the City-County Planning Department in Billings, mentioned that resources are available through Big Sky EDA, Beartooth RC&D, and Al Jones with the Montana Department of Commerce. The organizations also provide assistance to find funding opportunities. Mayor Olson thanked David Green for the presentation. Mayor Olson mentioned that Big Sky Economic Development Authority has asked to be part of the Downtown Task Force. Derek Stone, Laurel Development Corporation, and the Beartooth RC&D will also be represented at the meeting on May 10th. Police Denartment: · Resolution - Contracts for police motorcycles Chief Musson presented the contmet with Beartooth Harley-Davidson/Buell for three police motorcycles. This is the fii~h year the city has entered an agreement for the motorcycles. The third motorcycle is being manufactured this week and the VIN number will be available soon. Rick stated that Laurel is the smallest city, except for Baker, that uses motorcycle patrol. Kate Hart asked regarding the lights for the motorcycles. Rick explained that Beartooth Harley- Davidson charges the city $300 to install the lights on each motorcycle every year, cornpared with the shop rate of $900 per bike. Drug forfeiture money was used to purchase the equipment. Rick stated that the city's two qualified motorcycle officers are scheduled for traffic enforcement when another police officer is also on duty. The third motorcycle, which is not equipped with a siren, is used by Chief Musson for public relations. The resolution and agreement will be on the May 1~t council agenda. Clerk/Treasurer: · Rasolution - Telephone system contract for city hall Mary explained that the current phone system in city hall has no additional lines or extensions available and a new phone system was appropriated in the CIP. Bids were received from four companies. Mary stated that ABTelcom installed tho new phone system at the Police Department, and the department heads thought it would be advantageous for one company to service both city hall and the FAP telephone systems. The new phone system will cost $14,166.40, and Mary reco~miended approval at the council meeting on May 1a. 3 Council Workshop Miaute~ of April 24, 2007 Kate Hart asked if the new system could be upgraded as needed. Mary stated that the digital phone system should be adequate for the city for five to ten years. Rick stated that the FAP has had very few issues with the ABTelcom phone system. ABTelcom can troubleshoot problems remotely from Billings and sent a rep to the FAP in a timely manner when needed. Executive review: · Ordinance - Correction of Ordinance No. 006-04 Sam Painter explained that LexisNexis found some mistakes in the numbering of sections during the codification process of the ordinance. The new ordinance will correct the previous numbering issues. The first reading of the ordinance will be on the May 1~t council agenda. · Resolution - Fencing for Neumann/Elena Subdivision Booster Station The resolution was removed from this agenda and will be on the council workshop agenda on May 8~. * Council issues o Status of walking bridge by Murray Park (Council Member Dickerson) Steve Klotz stated that the County is funding the walking bridge with a CTEP award through Yellowstone County. The award has been given informally, and they are waiting for formal approval of the CTEP funds for the project. Formal approval is anticipated in June, and then they will plan the project, put it on the schedule, and fit it in with their projects. Candi Beaudry is working with CTEP now and the project will then be designated to Bob Moats, who is the Road and Bridge Supervisor. The County might choose to do the project in the late fall or early spring when there is no water in the ditch. · Report on funding requests o Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board - $469 Mayor Olson informed the council that the requested funding would be sent to the YHPB as matching funds for their grant. o Laurel Walking Tour Brochures - $550 Mayor Olson stated that the brochures will be printed in order to promote the downtown during the upcoming 100-year anniversary. Norm Stamper stated that this is a small price to pay to put our best foot forward and show interest. He knows how committed the council and the city are right now towards revitalization, and he cannot see a better way to get started for such a small amount of money. · The Crossings - Trail Easement Agreement Further review is needed and the trail easement agreement will he on the council workshop agenda on May 8th. Kate Hart stated interest in the easement but thinks that the request for funding is another issue. · Update on Asphalt Supply Council Workshop Minutes of April 24, 2007 Steve Klotz stated that Joe Gentry, MRL, is still working to remediate the conditions at the Asphalt Supply facility. MRL is still working to get a lessee in the property and is working with the bank that owns the assets to the property. The fencing issues have not been addressed by MRL yet. Steve stated that the city is trying to work with MRL on the issues. A group of ladies has shown interest in painting the underpass. · Update on Council Retreat with Dr. Ken Weaver Mayor Olson mentioned that, at the recent council retreat, the council and Dr. Ken Weaver discussed the poss~ility ora manager form of government for Laurel. Dr. Weaver suggested that a small group meet to discuss it further. Mayor Olson stated that the Executive Committee would tentatively meet with Dr. Weaver and Judy Matbre on Saturday, May 5th, at 8:00 a.m. for further discussion. · Reminder to submit suggestions for space considerations Mayor OWn asked the council to submit suggestions to the council secretary before the end of April. Other items: Mayor Olson mentioned the Yellowstone Valley YMCA fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, May 5t~, at DJ's Steak and Palace. Reservations need to be made with the YMCA by April 27th. Mark Mace asked if the members of the Water Task Force are being notified about meetings in Billings. Mayor Olson will contact Shoots Veis and Dave Mumford to ensure that notification is given. Chuck Dickerson suggested that the Revitalization Task Force check on the status of Amtrak, which could be a positive thing to bring people to Laurel. Norm Stamper stated that the railroad could become a focal point for Laurel to bring railroad buffs to the city to watch the trains. Chuck suggested that an observation tower could be built for people to photograph the railroad. Mayor Oison stated that the ideas need to be expanded and used for the city's revitalization. Vonda Hotchkiss asked regarding the demolition of the railroad buildings. Steve Klotz explained that one building on Main Street will be demolished and the railroad plans to use another building for storage. Vonda asked if the railroad cribs are going to be demolished and suggested that a parking lot could be built there. Steve will give Vonda the contact information for MRL. Vonda stated that a resident contacted her about the pot holes in the underpass. There was further discussion. Mayor Oison will provide Vonda with Bruce Barrett's contact information. Gay Easton mentioned the Arbor Day celebration on Thursday, April 26th, at 1:00 p.m. at Veterans' Park. Kate Hart stated that it was encouraging to see the public's interest in David Green's presentation tonight. 5 Council Workshop Minutes of April 24, 2007 Mayor Olson spoke regarding the Downtown Task Force which was formed at the Chamber meeting last week. Vonda Hotchkiss, Emelie Eaton, Mayor Olson, and Sue Carter will serve on the task force. Emelie Eaton also suggested working with the railroad to build a parking lot on railroad property on Main Street. Mayor Olson thanked Emelie for inviting David Green to make the presentation to the council. Review of draft council aeenda for May 1, 2007: · Public Hearing: o Ordinance No. O07-04: An ordinance emending Title 14 to adopt the International Energy Conservation Code, 2003 Edition, and providing authority for the Mayor to adopt future additions of the Code through Administrative Order. (First reading - 04/03/2007; PH - 05/01/2007; Second reading - 05/15/2007) · Ordinance No. 007-02: Ordinance emending 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 - 03/20/2007; PH - 04/17/2007; Second reading - 05/01/2007) · Ordinance No. O07-03: Ordinance to regulate street and sidewalk usage and permitting in the City of Laurel. (First reading - 03/20/2007; PH - 04/17/2007; Second reading - 05/01/2007) · Municipal Clerks' Week Proclamation Attendance at the May 1~ council meeting: All present will attend. Announcements: Chuck Dickerson asked that the task force meetings be added to the Dates to Remember on the council agenda. There was discussion. Mark Mace cautioned that only four council members should attend a committee, board, or task force meeting. Mayor Olson mentioned Administrative Professionals Day and thanked the staff for their work. Chuck complimented Gay on the new neme tags for the council and staff The council workshop adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Allen Council Secretary This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Councli for the listed workshop agenda items. 6