HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Minutes 10.19.1999 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OCTOBER 19, 1999 6:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Dirk Kroll
Ken Olson
Gay Easton
Gary Temple
Miles Walton
Norman Orr
Bud Johnson
OTHERS PRESENT:
V. Joe Leckie
Larry McCarm
Mary Embleton
Rick Musson
Jim Stevens
Cal Cumin
Ken Olson, the council's liaison to the YMCA, reported that the YMCA is doing well.
Their next project is the skate park at the elevator.
Ken has received complaints from residents of the recent street sealing project on Briar
and Fairview Streets. The residents commented that they were not notified of the project.
When the sealant was applied, it worked well on Fairview, but there were problems on
Briar Street and the cement in the gutter is stained. Ken stated that no payment should be
made to the contractor until the work is satisfactory,
Dirk Kroll said that the EMS Task Force set a public hearing for November 9th at 7:00
p.m. in the Billings City Council Chambers for comments and suggestions about whether
the Billings Fire Department should take over the emergency services. This should be
completed in November or December.
Jim Stevens said that the Fire Department equipment would be put into storage in
preparation for the winter months.
Rick Musson mentioned that the Police Department is in the process of hiring a new
police officer, and the process should be complete within 1½ months.
Cai Cumin reported that the meeting with Dan Burden of Walkable Communities was
successful, even though the attendance was disappointing.
Larry McCarm explained that the street sealing project for SID 110 did not go as planned.
Payment is being withheld, and he has met with the owner of Dyce Chemical. The city
did some sweeping on these streets this week, and Dyce Chemical is supposed to come in
with a high pressure hot steam cleaner to clean off the sides of the curbs. Payment will
not be made until we are satisfied with the project. Lan'y said that the process does work,
but the contractor that they used caused the problems.
Bids were let on the South Pond Project. Flack and Flack Construction is ready to start
working. We are still working through the Disadvantaged Business Requirements for the
state.
Requests wii1 be going out for bids £or a new track, a new jet rodder, and the work at the
water intake. There will also be an ad for a new maintenance worker at the shop.
Alley Clean-Up Week is scheduled for November 1st through 5th. Larry mentioned that
Misty Ruttenbur requested to be on the agenda to present her concerns about the codes
for cleaning streets, curbs, gutters, alleys and sidewalks.
Gary Temple thanked Cai for the meetings last Friday and Saturday.
Bud Johnson reminded the council of the City-County Meeting scheduled for October
27th at 5:30 p.m. at the MetraPark Board Room.
Bud reported that the City-School Drag and Alcohol Task Force held their resource
awareness meeting on Monday, October 18t~. The attendance was very good, but the
local media was missing from the meeting.
Mary Embleton said that training on the new computer system is progressing well. The
networking was completed last week. Training for cash receipting is scheduled for the
last week in October, and utility billing conversion will occur around November 9th and
10t~. Mary wanted to have financial reports completed for this meeting, but some bugs
still need to be fixed. Reports will be distributed as soon as possible.
Gay mentioned that Mayor Rodgers is recuperating from his recent surgery.
The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
City Council Secretary