HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Minutes 10.05.1999 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OCTOBER 5, 1999 6:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Chuck Rodgers
Dirk Kroll (6:45) Gary Temple
Ken Olson Norman Orr
Gay Easton Bud Johnson
Bill Staudinger
OTHERS PRESENT:
V. Joe Leckie
Larry McCann
Mary Embleton
Rick Musson
Cai Cumin
Smokey Staudinger mentioned that several of the sprinkler heads have been removed
from the sprinklers at Thomson Park. He suggested having the Laurel Outlook publish
an article to remind the public that taxpayers have to pay for this vandalism. Larry
McCarm plans to change the system so the sprinkling is done early in the morning instead
of at night. He suggested using Crime Stoppers to address the vandalism at the park and
the cemetery.
Gay Easton reported on the League of Cities and Towns Convention in Bozeman, and he
thanked the city for the opportunity to attend.
Gary Temple said that he also enjoyed the convention.
Bud Johnson mentioned that the next joint City/County meeting is scheduled for October
27th. The Planning Committee, of which Bud is a member, will bring a proposal detailing
a possibility for planning in Yellowstone County. The City of Laurel has not been part of
that in the past, but Bud suggested that there might be things of interest in this proposal.
Bud recently contacted the individual who is working on the lighting for the City of
Laurel, and the council will hear a report in the future.
Bud is expecting to receive some information regarding improving the sound situation in
the Council Chambers this week.
Bud thanked Mary for her work. The Budget/Finance Committee challenged her to
create some graphs to explain the budget, and Bud thanked her for doing so.
Bud stated that the taste of the drinking water has improved recently, and he thanked
those that are responsible.
Joe Leckie said that item 6.b. on the agenda, ordinance to increase the judge's salary, is
premature at this time and should be considered after the adoption of the budget. The
appropriate process is to budget a line item amount for the judge's salary, approve the
budget, and then amend the ordinance to reflect that amount as set forth in the budget.
Joe thanked the council for the opportunity to attend the League of Cities and Towns
Convention and the City Attorneys Conference in Bozeman. Joe explained some of the
changes that were made by the legislature. One important change is that they provide for
the decriminalization of municipal codes. Currently, if you violate a municipal code, it is
deemed a criminal violation and must be handled through City Court as a criminal
offense. Now we can decriminalize those provisions and handle them in a more efficient
manner. Examples of those provisions are parking violations, zoning violations, violation
of park roles, and other rules specifically dealt with by city ordinance. Joe will prepare
an ordinance that will address this particular aspect.
Another change authorizes the city to create a Park Maintenance District so that it can be
assessed over the entire city for purposes of maintaining the parks. In the past, the mayor
was authorized to establish smoke-free facilities, but the legislature changed that so the
council has to establish those designations. The legislature provides that cities can
contract with a police officer to be reimbursed for the cost of the officer's training if the
officer does not fulfill a minimum two-year service requirement. With the deregulation
of electricity, it allows that a city can become a default electrical supplier to residents
within the city limits. It also allows for the assignment of fines that the city court
assessed to a private collection agency. In regard to planning, the correct term has been
changed from "master plan" or "comprehensive plan" to "growth policy."
Mayor Rodgers explained some changes for the agenda. Item 5 will be the Public
Hearing on the 1999-2000 Preliminary Budget and Tax Resolutions, removing that item
from the Scheduled Matters. The Consent Items will become item 6, the Scheduled
Matters will become item 7, the Unscheduled Matters will become item 8, and the
Adjournment will become item 9. Resolutions R99-36 through R99-39 will be placed
under the resolutions already on the Consent Items, becoming numbers 4), 5), 6) and 7).
Item b. under the Scheduled Matters, Joe Leckie: Ordinance to increase the Judge's
salary, does not require council action at this time. Item j., John Eisen - West Billings
Planning Report, will be presented at a future council meeting.
An emergency resolution regarding the construction of the cemetery maintenance
building will be considered under unscheduled matters. Since it is an emergency
resolution, a 3A vote is required to pass it.
Mayor Rodgers attended the Yellowstone Coalition Meeting with Mayor Tooley, City of
Billings, School District 2, and the County Commissioners. The minutes of the meeting
will be sent out soon. The coalition is gathering information regarding legislative actions
that communities would like to see the legislature consider.
Mary Embleton reported that the Budget/Finance Committee reviewed the newly taxable
value that was received on Friday, October 1st. The revenue figures were revised and
reviewed, and the committee recommended adoption of the final budget.
The office remodel is basically complete. Mary thanked Larry McCarm for all of his
work for the remodel job, as well as Steve Klotz, Duke Nieskens and Andy Loebe. She
also thanked the office staff, Cathy Gabrian, Jeanette Koch, Neva Hall and Cindy Allen,
for their work. Mary expressed appreciation to the council for allowing the remodel to be
done.
The computer system is ahead of schedule, although the networking will not be complete
until next week. Black Mountain Software people are here now for training, and the staff
is doing well with the training. Payroll and claims checks should be issued off the new
system this week.
Mary also thanked the council for the opportunity to attend the convention in Bozeman.
Rick Musson distributed the Police Department statistic report for September. Rick
encouraged the councilmen to let him know exactly what they want to see on the monthly
report.
Cai asked about the council's decision regarding the request from Misty Morning
Espresso for a temporary use permit. This was approved with conditions at the council
meeting on September 21st. According to the City-County Planning Board minutes of
September 2, 1999, the condition for approval was that the $1,500 bond issue needed to
be clarified with the City Attorney. Joe Leckie stated that the ordinance needs to be
followed, and the ordinance specifies that it should be $1,500 cash.
Cai asked the council to attend the next phase of the planning segment that is scheduled
for October 15, 16 and 17. More information will be sent out soon. Dan Burden, a
nationally known .s~eaker fi.om Walkable Communities, will be speaking at 7:00 p.m. on
Friday, October 15 .
Rick Musson informed the council that the Laurel Revitalization League requested to
have First Street blocked off from First Avenue to Second Avenue for a Pumpkin Fest on
Saturday, October 23ra from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Larry will be contacted regarding the
necessary barricades.
Larry McCann mentioned that the intake cleaning is almost finished.
On Friday, October 8th, the Corp of Engineers, FWP, the DEQ and the Department of
Natural Resources will meet at 10:00 a.m. to set the stage for the digging of the channel
needed at the intake. If we want to get it done early, we will have to go to bid on the
process.
DEQ has requested more information on the old garbage dump.
The bid for the South Pond Project is being reviewed by the State. The contractor is
ready to begin when approval is received. The water and sewer lines are almost installed.
Ken Olson expressed appreciation for the monthly report on Code Enforcement and
Building Permit Activity distributed by Steve Klotz.
The meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
City Council Secretary
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