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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Minutes 04.06.1999 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE April 6, 1999 6:30 P.M. Council Chambers MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman - Chuck Rodgers (arrived at 6:47 p.m.) Dirk Kroll Gary Temple Ken Olson Miles Walton Gay Easton Norman Orr Bill Staudinger Bud Johnson OTHERS PRESENT: V. Joe Leckie Larry McCann Don Hackmann Mary Embleton Rick Musson Jim Stevens Cal Cumin President Gay Easton presided over the meeting. Ken Olson stated that an Ambulance Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 7th, at 7:00 p.m. in the council chambers. Bill Staudinger said that cars are still being parked in the area north of Thomson Park and south of the high school where the City is planning to plant grass. Bud Johnson has been contacted by a lady from Billings regarding a project that would put kites in the baggage area of the airport. In order to obtain a kite, $1,000 must be raised, and then the kite will be placed in the airport. The kites will be on display during the year 2000, and an auction will be taking place on the Intemet throughout this period. At the end of that time, the kites will be auctioned to the highest bidder and the proceeds will go to the Yellowstone Park Museum. If anyone is interested, contact Bud for further details. Bud mentioned that the junk vehicles program in the county was discussed at the recent joint meeting with the Yellowstone County Commissioners, the Billings City Council, and the Billings School District. He suggested that Rick could make a presentation about our junk vehicle program at a future council meeting. Bud informed that council that the research of the history of South Pond is not quite complete. Since it is listed on the council agenda, he asked that no motion be made so that the research can be completed. The South Pond resolution will be on the agenda as soon as the research of some specific dates is finished. Miles Walton said that the Police Department and the Mayor should do whatever needs to be done to stop the parking in the area in Thomson Park. Ken Olson said that the Fourth of July Committee is trying to find ways to keep people in the park during the festivities. Since the Legion only has one team, them will be no baseball tournament. The committee is seeking some local entertainment to have in the park. The next Fourth of July Committee meeting is scheduled for April 22na at 7:00 p.m. Larry McCann said that the city could put some cement blocks at the park to control the parking problem. He stated that the high schooI and both ball clubs have been notified that there is to be no parking in that area. Larry informed the council that the cost for removing the rock from the river was under $10,000. The trees are piled up down there and they will be setting them on fire next week. It will take about a week to bum the trees and a burning permit has been obtained. An ad will be placed in the Billings Gazette to inform the public of the burning. The DEQ is now aware of the old garbage dump, used in the 1930's and 1940's, which is located south of the Sewer Plant, east of the Water Plant and east of the headgate. We have sent the in_formation that we have on that to the DEQ in Helena. The mayor signed a letter to the Highway Department expressing the City's discontent with the project east of Alder Avenue. The letter stated that we do not approve and suggested that the project be stopped where they stand, pay off the penalties, and get to work on it. In a meeting with their engineer, they said the overlay would last for seven years. Larry told them that was not acceptable, but that he wants the problem addressed within the next two years. A meeting with Bruce Barrett and Paul Bronson of the Highway Department has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 21st, at 9:00 a.m. Larry asked the councilmen to be at the meeting if possible. The water is now out of South Pond. There is a lot of mud in there and the smell is bad, so there will probably be some complaints. Larry's computer is now hooked up to a high-powered computer line offered through the state and county. All of our plat maps, and similar issues, need to be updated. For a $1.00 lease, the county has a digitizing desk available that would greatly assist in various areas, such as in drawing our water lines. Larry will contact Joe to draw up an agreement regarding this. The rock from the South Pond Project will no longer be used at the park on East Eighth because the YMCA is not currently interested in the park. There have been requests for the rock that will be hauled out of the pond, but most of them want it at no cost. Schessler thinks that the City can sell the rock and recoup $2.00 per yard. He will get $4.00 per yard, plus hauling costs. JTL Steel may be interested in the rock in the river. The completion date for the Water Plant is still April 15th, with one exception. The 250,000-gallon clearwell was leaking in spots. That is natural for new concrete, but it is also possible for it to be sealed on the outside. They were unable to do that to our satisfaction or the engineer's satisfaction. One side of it is now drained and coating will begin on Wednesday. Since April 15th will be in the middle of the nine-day process, we will hold cash on it. This will be done at no cost to the City; however, they may put in a change order and Larry would recommend denial of it. Rick Musson said that it might take time to stop the parking problem at Thomson Park. He suggested blocking off the area and he will ask the officers to write citations for offenders. Rick distributed a statistics report for March. There were 323 traffic stops in March and 128 speeding citations were written. With the increase in traffic stops, the officers have also found other violations. Jim Stevens reported that the Fire Department is in the process of selecting a new member to fill the vacancy from Bob Dantic's resignation. The selection should be complete by the next council meeting. Cal Cumin mentioned that approval of the Iow bid on the Cabin Restoration Project should be received this week. The state has approved the changes we requested for the South Pond CTEP Project. The plans and specifications that conform to that project were submitted to Helena, and they are currently reviewing them. As soon as they concur, that project can be put out for bid. l~tha{Y. Embleton reminded the council that Institute is scheduled for the week of April Cathy Gabrian will be there all week, and Mary will attend the graduate session from the 21st through the 23fa. Registrations can still be sent in. The latest Montana League of Cities and Towns Legislative Update contained a Municipal Election Information sheet. May 3ra is the first date for filing nominations and st th July I is the last date. The primary is scheduled for September 14 and the general election will be on November 2nd, The positions up for re-election are: Dirk Kxoll (Ward 1), Miles Walton (Ward 2), Gay Easton (Ward 3), and Bud Johnson (Ward 4). The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Allen City Council Secretary