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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 11.27.2007 MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 27, 2007 6:30 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS A Council Workshop was held in tho Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Kan Olson at 6:30 p.m. on November 27, 2007. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: _x_ Emelie Eaton _x_ Kate Ha~ Gay Easton Alex Wilkius Doug Poehls _x_ Mark Mace _x_ Chuck Dickerson _x_ Norm Stamper OTHI*~RS PRESENT: Sam Painter Mary Embleton Kart Markegard Rick Musson James Caniglia Scott Wilm Public Innut (three-minute limit): Citizens may address the Council regarding any item of City business not on the agenda. The duration for an individual speaking under Public Input is limited to three minutes. Fl'3ile all comments are welcome, the Council will not take action on any item not on the agenda. G-reg Thomas, 728 Washington Avanue, spoke regarding parking issues in from of the new Laurel Middle School. He stated that the school employees park in from of sevan houses on Washington Avanue. Mr. Thomas realizes that it is a public street in a residantlal neighborhood, but he would like to see this resolved. He had previously spokan with Mayor Oison regarding the issue and he also attended the school hoard meeting last night. Greg asked for tho council's help with this issue. Fire D~ · Resolution - Transfer of equipment to the Park City Fire Departmant Scott Wilm stated that the fire department has surplus extrication equipmant that it would like to donate to the Park City Fire Department. The Park City Fire Departmant does not have any type of extrication gear and must rely on Laurel or Columbus for such equipmant. The equipmant has already bean declared as surplus by the council. Scott stated that this would be a big banefit to both Laurel and Park City. The extrication equipmant is twanty years old, but it is in good shape. Scott stated that the LVFD would provide training for the Park City firemen. Scott will also have Dale Byrd, from whom tho equipmant was originally purchased, chock it to ensure that everything is working correctly. The resolution will be on the December 4t~ council agenda. Planning_Board: · Resolution - Canyon Creek Station Final Plat James stated that the council held a public hearing on October 2~a and it is ready to move forward. A hot dog stand will be in front of Cost Cutters and the pizza place on 4m StreW. The resolution will be on the December 4t~ council agenda. Cormeil Workshop Minutes of November 27, 2007 · Resolution - Mace Subdivision Final Plat James stated that Mace Subdivision was previously annexed by the city and is zoned R-6000. The plats have been submitted, and the city is ready to move forward on this. The resolution will be on the December 4* council workshop. Emelie asked if there were any conditions that are exceptions in the final plat of Canyon Creek Station Subdivision. James stated that there are none as the lot is already paved and all improvements are done. Emelie asked regarding the location of Mac~ Subdivision, which is located at Eighth Avenue and Fourth Street West. Executive review: · Appointments: o BSEDA Nominating Committee: Gay Easton o Laurel Volunteer Ambulance Attendants: Sue Leuthold, Anna Gatzameier and Marie Besel Mayor Olson stated that the appointments will be on the December 4t~ council agenda. · Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board issues (Emelie Eaton) Mayor Olson stated that Emelie brought forward a very nice presentation in her letter which was distn~buted at the council workshop on November 13t~. He stated that she brought forward three items at the end of the letter that were pertinent to the council's consideration tonight. Emelie stated that she received an e~mail t~om Alex regarding this. His questions were concise, and he asked if it would help to have a larger presence t~om outside of Billings. Emile stated her agreement with Alex's statement on the issue. Mayor Olson reviewed Section 17.66.030 of the Laurel Municipal Code regarding members on the Historic Preseawation Board. LMC states the following: Members. 1. The Yellowstone historic preservation board shall consist of nine members with a demonstrated interest, competence, and knowledge in historic preservation. The following five members shall be selected jointly by all signatories. In this selection process, the simple majority vote will prevail. The board shall include at least three members with professional expertise in the disciplines of history, planning, archaeology, architecture, architectural history or other historic preservation-related disciplines such as cultural geography or cultural anthropology. The board shall also include two additional members from the following: One member of the Yellowstone County board of planning; b. One member of the Laurel board of planning; c. Property owner either residing or owning a business in a historic district or who owns property listed on the National Register of Historic Places; d. One member of a city/county preservation society. 2. The four remaining board members shall be considered at-large and shall consist off City of Billings resident appointed by the Billings city council; 2 Council Workshop Minutes of November 27, 2007 County resident appointed by the Yellowstone County commissioners; City of Laurel resident appointed by the Laurel city council; Crow Tribal member who lives with/n the Yellowstone County port/on of the Crow Reservation or elsewhere with/n Yellowstone County appointed by the Crow tn'bal council. Mayor Olson stated that Laurel's representation is under 2.c., and there could be opportunity for fu~her representation under 1.b. He stated that Laurel's participation is always an option. The thought has come forward regarding whether Laurel needs to participate on a board that does not provide something in retun~ There was further discussion regarding the city's financial contribution to the Historic Preservation Board, the Board's/nterest and/or lack of interest in Laurel, the possibility of forming a similar entity outside of tho Billings' heard, the need to have Laurel's issues addressed by a group that cares about Laurel, the amount of Laurel's contn'bution to the Board's budget, the Laurel Walk/ng Tour brochure that was produced by the YHPB, the need for greater representation on the Board, the possibility of qualifying under section 1.c., the suggestion to have the Board attend a future council meeting for discussion, and the need for the city to review its participation with the YHPB. Mayor O/son stated that the issue will be on the December 11t~ council workshop agenda for further discussion regarding the financial contnT0ution and the possibility of forming a s/m/lox entity. Mayor Olson thanked Emelie for bringing thc issue to the council · Montana State University- Workshops for Municipal Governments (Chuck Dickerson) Chuck Dickerson asked if the council thought the workshop would be beneficial, as it costs $450 per workshop. Mayor Olson stated that this is an opportunity for Laurel to host other communities. When he has attended League meetings, he always learned fi.om other communities, which have the same issues and oi~entimes deal with them in a different way. Mary Embleton explained that the upcoming workshop is the first of its kind and is being introduced in a cooperative effort between the Local Government Center and MMIA. They are trying to promote more networking and communication on a regional basis. Jane Jelinski and Bob Worthington chose several central locations for the workshops and are hoping to get a good response. They hope that the participating communities will share the $450 cost for the workshops. Mayor Olson stated that the information was sent to outlying communities, such as Joliet, Red Lodge, Huntley, Forsyth, and Billings. Mark stated that Laurel should offer to host the workshop. One item of discussion on the proposed agenda is forms ofgovemmant, which is a topic in which Laurel is currently involved. Norm, Mark, Kate, and Mayor Olson expressed interest in having Laurel host the workshop on January 10th. Mary asked Mayor Olson for p=safission to report back to the Local Government Center the positive comments and feedback that the council expressed tonight and offer that Laurel would host the workshop. Mayor Olson agreed and stated that it is a good idea. Council Workshop Minutes of Nov~nb~r 27, 2007 · Replacement of stop sign at Valley Drive and 12~' Street (Chuck Dickerson) Chuck stated that the stop sign is very faded and non-reflective and needs to be changed. Mayor Olson stated that he did not know if the city should get into the habit of reporting to the county, but the public should contact the county regarding county affairs. Chuck stated that this is similar to the issue with overgrowth on the walk path on the side of the bridge that was recently installed at Valley Drive and 12t~ Street. Mayor Olson stated that the area is in Yellowstone County, and the City of Laurel has nothing to do with it. Chuck stated that he understood Mayor Oison to say that citizens should start calling the county with complaints. Mayor Olson stated that the city should have a vigilance on its outside borders, but he also hopes that the conanuulty would recognize that the City of Laurel responds to its needs and the County should respond to the county's needs. The county is not at the will or pleasure of the city and the city is not at the will and pleasure of the county. Both entities serve at the will and pleasure of the citizens. The majority of issues should be reflected t~om the citizens to the entity. Chuck asked why residents did not have to contact the Montana Department of Transportation regarding the potl~les in the underpass. Mayor Olson stated that residents do need to coutect the MDOT. Chuck stated that the city ended up doing part of that. Mayor Oison stated that was the proper procedure for that as citizens kept asking about it. The city wrote a letter regarding the safety consideration caused by the potholes in the underpass on First Avenue. Kurt Markegard spoke regarding the underpass and the highways that go through Laurel. The State controls and does the maintenance on potholes and everything in the right-of-way on First Avenue and Main Street. These streets are also in Laurel's city limits. When citizens complain about the streets, the city tells them that it is a state highway. Since the streets are encompassed in the city limits, the city has a little more clout and can contact the MDOT regarding fixing potholes and replacing stop signs. The MDOT responds because the streets are within the city limits. Other items Mayor Olson stated that Dr. Ken Weaver will meet with the council on Saturday, December 1~t, fi'om 9:00 to 11:00 a.r~ Copies of information regarding the Transition Plan for the City of Laurel, Montana, were distributed to the council. This will he the topic for discussion on Saturday. Mayor Olson spoke regarding the process for a council member to put issues on a council workshop agenda that were not submitted by the staffor the administration~ It would be necessary for a council 4 Con. ncil W~kshop Minutes of November 27, 2007 member to bring the issue that was presented under public input forward for further discussion on a future workshop agenda. Norm stated that he ha.q had some discussions with Mr. Thomas. Norm does not think this is a city issue and he does not think the council can resolve it for him. It is a public street and is an issue Mr. Thomas should take up with the school Norm requested that the issue be discussed further at the council workshop on December 11th. Mark stated that he wished Mr. Tbomas had not lefl the meeting early, as it probably seemed like the council did not listen or care about the issue. Mark stated that this has been a problem by his house for the past twenty-five years. Everybody in his neighborhood has dealt with the same issue. Since the Laurel Middle School is a new school, Mr. Thomas has not had that pmblam previously. Mark does not think much can be done unless a council member will talk to the school district and ask them to inform the employees to use whatever is available before parking on the street. Chuck stated his agreement with Mark and Norm. He explained similar issues at Murray Park, end stated that it is not a private street. Norm offered to contact Mr. Thomas tonight regarding the council's discussion. He also offered to approach the school board regarding this issue. Mayor Olson stated that the police, public works, and planning departments will prepare information regarding why the city is reluctant to bring forward legislation that would accord any particular public right-of-way any different than another public fight-of-way. Kate stated that, if the middle school was built with adequate parking for its stafl~ then this is a good neighbor issue. If there is enough parking and the employees just do not want to walk that far, that needs to be addressed. There are going to be times when every parking space will be taken within an area. But on a day-to-day basis, if there is enough parking there, it should be utilized first. Mayor Olson stated that is Mr. Thomas' frustration to a large degree. He sees cars parked in t~ont of his house while the school parking lot is empty. Norm will contact Mr. Thomas tonight regarding this discussion and let him know it will be on the next council workshop agenda. The other residents could also attend that meeting. Mayor Olson cautioned that it will not be a public hearing, but the residents would be allowed to speak under public input. Chuck stated that a recent article in the newspaper about the EDC listed Vonda Hotchkiss as a member of the board. He questioned the status of this appointment. Mayor Ohon stated that the committee list needs to be reviewed, and he will present some appointments soon. Mayor Olson stated that three positions are open on the Laurel City-County Planning Board for individuals that reside within the city's 4t~ mile jurisdiction. Review of&afl council a~enda for December 4, 2007 · Public Hearing: Council Workshop Minutes of Nove~nber 27, 2007 o Ordinance No. O07-12: An ordinance of the City of Laurel, Montana, establishing load limits on city streets; providing for truck routes and for loading and unloading; establishing exceptions; providing enforcement procedures and definitions; and providing for a penalty. Mayor Olson stated that the public hearing will be held on December 4th. Attendance at the December 4t~ council meetino All present will attend. Announcements There were none. The council workshop adjourned at 7:26 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Allen Council Secretary NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Council for the listed workshop agenda items.