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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 07.03.2007 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL July 3, 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 July 3, 2007. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Emelie Eaton Doug Poehls Kate Hart Mark Mace Gay Easton Chuck Dickerson Vonda Hotchkiss Norm Stamper COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None OTHER STAFF PRESENT: Mary Embleton Sam Painter Mayor Olson led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mayor Olson asked the council to observe a moment of silence. MINUTES: Motion by Council Member Hotchkiss to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 19, 2007, as presented, seconded by Council Member Mace. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. CORRESPONDENCE: Montana Deparlxnent of Transportation: Letter of June 8, 2007, regarding 2007-2009 Final Statcwide Transportation Improvement Program Laurel Chamber of Commerce: Board Meeting minutes of June 14, 2007. Newsline: June 2007 Newsletter of thc Montana Department of Transportation. PUBLIC HEARING: · Ordinance No. 007-07: An ordinance approving the recodification of ordinances adopted by the City Council that have been compiled as the "Laurel Municipal Code" in accordance with MCA § 7-5-107. (First reading - 06/05/2007 Mayor Olson opened the public hearing. Mayor Olson asked three times if them were any proponents. There were none. Mayor Olson asked three times if there were any opponents. Them were none. Mayor Olson closed the public hearing. The second reading of Ordinance No. 007-07 will be on the council agenda on July 17, 2007. CONSENT ITEMS: · Claims for the month of June 2007 in the amount of $758,004.32. A complete listing of the claims and their amounts is on file in the Clerk-Treasurer's Office. · Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 06/17/2007 totaling $138,083.25. Receiving the Committee Reports into the Record. Council Minutes of July 3, 2007 -Budget/Finance Committee minutes of June 19, 2007 were presented. --Council Workshop minutes of June 26, 2007 were presented. The mayor asked if there was any separation of consent items. There was none. Motion by Council Member Mace to approve the consent items as presented, seconded by Council Member Poehls. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All eight council membem present voted aye. Motion carded 8-0. CEREMONIAL CALENDAR: None. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: None. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (THREE-MINUTE LIMIT): None. SCHEDULED MATTERS: · Confirmation of Appointments. Laurel Ambulance Reserve Attendant: Mayor Olson appointed Jennifer Troppe as a Reserve Attendant for the Laurel Ambulance Service. Motion by Council Member Poehls to approve the Mayor's appointment of Jennifer Troppe as a Reserve Attendant for the Laurel Ambulance Service, seconded by Council Member Dickerson. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. · Ordinance No. O07-05: Ordinance for Laurel Cable Communications. Second reading. (Postponed June 5, 2007) Motion by Council Member Hart to postpone council action on Ordinance No. 007-05 to the council meeting on August 7, 2007, seconded by Cotmcil Member Poehls. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. Resolution No. R07-50: A resolution approving the attached Task Order No. 2 authorizing Great West Engineering, Inc., to deVelop the West Main Sidewalk Improvement Special Improvement District "SID" for the City of Laurel. Motion by Council Member Eaton to approve Resolution No. R07-50, seconded by Council Member Hart. There was no Public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. Resolution No. R07-51: A resolution approving the attached Task Order No. 3 authorizing Great West Engineering to perform the tasks and duties related to the development of the South Laurel Stormwater Improvements project for the City of Laurel. Motion by Council Member Easton to approve Resolution No. R07-51, seconded by Council Member Mace. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. Resolution No. R07-52: Resolution approving an Interlocal Agreement providing for the City of Laurel Police Department's participation in the Montana Law Enforcement Testing Consortium. Motion by Council Member Stamper to approve Resolution No. R07-52, seconded by Council Member Dickerson. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. 2 Council Minutes of July 3, 2007 · Resolution No. R07-53: A resolution of the City Council directing a portion of the annual Fire District revenues be utilized for purchase and replacement of fire equipment through the City's Capital Improvements Plan. Motion by Council Member Dickerson to approve Resolution No. R07-53, seconded by Council Member Stamper. There was no public comment. Council Member Poehls asked regarding the portion of the revenues. The resolution directs that fifteen pement (15%) of the revenues be put in the CIP, and the amount could be changed by resolution in the future. A vote was taken on the motion to approve Resolution No. R07-53. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. · Resolution No. R07-54: A resolution of the City Council notifying the Yellowstone County Election Administrator of the City's desire to conduct the 2007 City General Election by mail ballot in accordance with MCA § 13-19-202. Morion by Council Member Poehls to approve Resolution No. R07-54, seconded by Council Member Mace. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the morion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carried 8-0. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (ONE-MINUTE LIMIT): None. COUNCIL DISCUSSION: · Review of Monthly Reports: Police, Fire, Ambulance, and Code Enfomement: None. Council Member Eaton asked if the city attorney would give a primer lesson on resolutions and ordinances at the next council workshop. She understands ordinances, but would like an explanation of the significance of resolutions. Council Member Eaton spoke regarding the need for a paper trail, particularly regarding the memo that was recently distributed about the change of information for the variance request on East Main Street. She is concerned that there would be future confusion due to the lack ora paper trail regarding the issue. Mayor Olson stated that the result of the deliberation is public knowledge and he works hard to make sure there is a paper trail and opportunities for public input and council discussion on every item. He explained that, as the discussion with the variance came forward, it is public record that the application misrepresented the request because the map was drawn incorrectly. Based on that information, the variance was denied. When the misinformation was discovered, the correct information was reviewed. The individual that made the mistake was not a city staff member. Mayor Olson encouraged the council to bring up any issues under council discussion, as it is his intent to have full disclosure of ail issues. There will be an explanation of resolutions and ordinances at the council workshop on July l0th. Coun9il Member Hart menrioned that some nice playground equipment will be installed at Lions Park and Nutting Park. Amy Pollock, who participated in the Kids' Kingdom project and is a member of the Park Board, recently informed her that funds left from the Kids' Kingdom project and donations fi:om Wal-Mart and the Lions Club will be used to purchase the equipment. Council Member Hart stated that the Class of 1967 donated a park bench in the Town Square as a memorial for the class members that have passed away and the Laurel Development Corporation donated two tables. Gay Easton has placed a marker on the tree that was dedicated to his son. Mayor Olson stated that the 100-year celebration and the all-class reunion in 2008 would be a good time for a particular class to have a memorial or a tribute and give back to the city. 3 Council Member Hotchkiss stated that she did not file for re-election. Her son will be shipped out soon and she needs to assist his family while he is gone. Council Member Hotchkiss thanked the council for allowing her to sit on the council for the past few months. Council Minutes of July 3, 2007 Mayor Olson stated that she is a very good example of those who have their priorities set right and he wished her the best of luck. Council Member Dickerson mentioned that the last year and a half of being on city council has really been a challenge and a lot of fun. Because of the relationship and strong working etiquette of the council, he is excited to see that most of the council will possibly remain together again for another two to four years. Council Member Mace spoke regarding Veterans' Park. He has been watering the grass in the evenings and is concerned that the grass will not grow if it is not watered regularly. There is a yellow hose there but it has a gash in it, so a short hose has to be used. Council Member Easton stated that there is a sprinkling system in Veterans' Park, and an employee was assigned to mm on the valve. Mayor Olson will look into the issue. Mayor Olson mentioned that someone kicked off twelve of the sprinkler heads in Murray Park recently. The city is replacing the heads in order to get the system back in operation as quickly as possible. Council Member Poehls stated that the Downtown Revitalization League has some interesting activities coming up, include an assessment survey. The group will distribute one thousand surveys during the parade tomorrow. Last week, Council Member Poehls made a presentation to the Laurel Airport Authority on some alternatives to create a historic area on the southwest corner of the airport. This was city-owned property, and the Airport Authority has all the authority on the property. His proposal was sent to the FAA and the Montana Aeronautics Division. Copies of the presentation will be distributed to the council members. The airport has a grant for $5,000 through the FAA to do a cultural historical study of any hangars that are over fifty years old. The proposal will be discussed and negotiated after the historic study is completed in two to three months. Mayor Olson asked Mary Embleton to distribute copies of the assessment survey to the council members. The sessions will be held in the council chambers instead of the Laurel Public Library, as published in the survey. The resource team will consist of six economic advisers with the ability and education to assimilate the information received from the different groups and to provide a direction for the city to consider. Mayor Olson explained that, when talking about the city, it is the city in general and not necessarily the city council in specific. The city council is scheduled to participate on Thursday from 9:15-10:15 a.m. Council members Poehls and Easton will be available to attend to give input. A Town Meeting is scheduled on Thursday, July 12th, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at DJ's Palace. The resource team will provide information regarding what direction the residents feel the city should take. The project is being done through Big Sky Economic Development Authority. Mayor Olson reported on a major water line break that occurred Monday night in one of the water lines that feeds the reservoir. Trying to redirect the way the reservoir was being filled caused another problem on a line on Fifth Avenue and Seventh Street. The crews were out from 2:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. this afternoon, and Maintenance Director Kurt Markegard was up all night. Earlier today, Kurt asked Mayor Olson to inform the council of the cooperative effort of the city crews to get the job done and their willingness to work in areas that were not necessarily their primary duty. Mayor Olson stated that next year's 4th of July celebration will be a big event with the 100-year celebration and the all-class reunion. UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Council Member Mace to adjourn the council meeting, seconded by Council Member Poehls. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All eight council members present voted aye. Motion carded 8-0. There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m. 4 Council Minutes of July 3, 2007 Cindy Allen, ~3ecretary Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 17th day of July, 2007. Attest: Mary K. l{jnbleton, Clerk-Treasurer