HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Minutes 11.17.1998 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
November 17, 1998 6:30 P.M.
Council Chambers
MEMBERS PRESENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
Chairman Chuck Rodgers
Dirk Kroll Gary Temple
Ken Olson Miles Walton
Gay Easton Norman Orr
Bill Staudinger
V. Joe Leckie
Larry McCann
Cai Cumin
Rick Musson
Don Hackmann
Gary Temple expressed appreciation to the Public Works employees and the Police
Department for the work that they have done recently.
Dirk Kroll suggested that the city needs to expand the Crimestoppers and Neighborhood
Watch programs in Laurel, especially aRer the two most recent tragedies in our city. The
problem of truancy in Laurel was discussed at the Juvenile Justice Meeting held on
Monday, November 16th. Dirk suggested that the Alcohol and Drag Task Force should
discuss the truancy problem at the next meeting. Joe Leckie said that truancy is a state
statute and the city does not have any jurisdiction over public schools.
Dirk talked with Bob Worthington and Alec Hansen about CI-75. MMIA is considering
covering elected officials and employees for CI-75, since they will be civilly liable if the
correct procedures are not followed. The Montana League of Cities and Towns is
considering filing a lawsuit against CI-75 at the beginning of next year, and they are
trying to file an injunction against it so that it does not go into effect right away. They
are considering the lawsuit for two masons. First, they question the validity of the
election. Secondly, this amendment changes ten areas of our constitution when a
constitutional amendment should only affect one area.
Ken Olson mentioned that members of the Laurel YMCA will be selling tickets to raffle
off a car. The proceeds from the tickets, which cost $10, will benefit the Laurel YMCA
and only 5,000 tickets will be sold.
Joe Leckie distributed copies of three ordinances that address the indemnification and
defense of public officers and public employees if any kind of a suit is brought against
them for purposes of violating CI-75. The sample ordinances were from Great Falls,
Bozeman, and Billings. The Montana League of Cities has contacted several city
attorneys for purposes of looking at a legal action. At a meeting scheduled to be held on
th
December 4 in Missoula, the city attorneys will discuss some of the ramifications of CI-
75. Joe said that there are a thousand questions to every answer about CI-75. He asked
the council to give him direction as to his involvement, and he expressed a desire to
attend the meeting in Missoula. The education associations are also considering some
type of action. The Law Firm of Dorsey and Whitney, the bond counsel in Montana, is
currently looking at some of the ramifications of CI-75. One of their important
conclusions is that CI-75 will not affect the status of current outstanding bonds. Joe is
going to ask our bond counsel to give the city a similar letter regarding our water project.
The advocates of CI-75 said that it was based on Colorado statute. There are differences
between Colorado and Montana in regards to this kind of a constitutional provision. One
difference is that Colorado had a cost of living increase provision that did not require a
vote of the people. Also, Colorado has a sales tax, so when the economy increases, the
tax revenue increases. There was further discussion on whether or not an ordinance
woul~l be defendable.
Mayor Rodgers said that he wants Joe to attend the meetings so that he can keep the city
informed of all of the developments regarding CI-75.
Cai Cumin recently submitted a letter of intent to apply for $85,000 of Montana
Department of Transportation funding.
Larry McCann reported that Burlington Northern has agreed to help with the removal of
the trees down by the pier. After he gets the proper permits, Larry will inform Copp
Construction that they can remove the trees.
Rick Musson reported that the Police Department continues to work overtime hours since
the two homicides that occurred in Laurel recently.
The meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen