Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 02.07.2017 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL February 7, 2017 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 Mark Mace at 6:30 p.m. on February 7, 2017. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Emelie Eaton Doug Poehls Richard Herr _ Chuck Dickerson Scot Stokes Tom Nelson Bill Mountsier COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Bruce McGee OTHER STAFF PRESENT: Rick Musson, Police Chief Jean Kerr, City Judge Mayor Mace led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mayor Mace asked the council to observe a moment of silence. MINUTES: Motion by Council Member Herr to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 17, 2017, as presented, seconded by Council Member Poehls. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0. CORRESPONDENCE. Norma J. Cleveland: Letter of January 25, 2017, regarding RiverStone Board of Health Update. COUNCIL DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS. PUBLIC HEARING. CONSENT ITEMS: • Claims for the month of January 2017 in the amount of$430,611.04. A complete listing of the claims and their amounts is on file in the Clerk-Treasurer's Office. • Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 01/15/2017 totaling$170,274.57. • Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 01/29/2017 totaling$182,353.83. • Receiving the Committee/Board/Commission Reports into the Record. --Budget/Finance Committee minutes of January 17, 2017 were presented. --Park Board minutes of January 11, 2017 were presented. --Emergency Services Committee minutes of January 23, 2017 were presented. --Council Workshop minutes of January 31, 2017 were presented. --Library Board minutes of December 13, 2016 were presented. --Laurel Urban Renewal Agency minutes of December 19, 2017 were presented. The mayor asked if there was any separation of consent items. There was none. Council Minutes of February 7,2017 Motion by Council Member Eaton to approve the consent items as presented, seconded by Council Member Dickerson. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0. CEREMONIAL CALENDAR: None. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: Council Member Dickerson stated some highlights of the Park Board meeting held on February 2na The Park Board discussed lease negotiations, which have been tabled until next month until input is received from the attorney and the CAO. Review and approval of the previous month's minutes will be added to the Park Board agendas. There was discussion about combining the Tree Board, the Cemetery Commission and the Park Board. Kurt will contact the city attorney for his advice on combining the three boards. The Park Board recommended that the chairman of the three boards meet to discuss the aspects of combining the boards. The Park Board will find out if anyone has requested to be on the Park Board for the two openings, one for a council person and one for a public person. There was an update on the Natural Resource Damage Program from the Montana Department of Justice. The Park Board suggested that the mayor and city council request letters of interest from citizens who are interested in representing the City of Laurel on this project. The next meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, February 15th, at 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Billings Red Lion. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (THREE-MINUTE LIMIT): Iry Wilke, 1017 Seventh Avenue, invited the council to participate in the Laurel Rod and Gun Club's next turkey shoot on Sunday, February 12tH SCHEDULED MATTERS: • Confirmation of Appointments. Laurel Police Department: .— Chief Musson addressed the council and presented Zachary Cortese for appointment by the mayor and approval by the council. Zach is a local Laurel boy and the department is glad to have him. Chief Musson read the following statement: "In just one week from today, February 14tH, I will have finished my 34th year as a Laurel Police Officer. At the age of 29, I entered the police profession as a proud member of the Laurel Police Department. My goal was to spend the next 30 years here in service for the City of Laurel. During the last 34 years, I have seen officers come and go. I am extremely proud of the men and women who have served and continue to serve and now a new young man has stepped up to take on the challenge of serving and protecting this community. Tonight, Zach Cortese will be appointed as a Laurel Police Officer by Mayor Mark Mace and will raise his right hand and be sworn in by Laurel City Judge Jean Kerr. Raising his right hand and stating that he will support, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Montana, and that he will discharge the duties of his office with fidelity, so help him God, cannot be taken lightly. Zach has been on a journey throughout his life, and at the age of 24 he will fulfill his dream of becoming a Police Officer for the community in which he grew up. Zach is just starting his career in law enforcement as I am getting closer to the end of my career. I look forward to being Zach's Police Chief and being able to mentor him. Zach, thank you for following your dream and I hope you are able to serve the City of Laurel for many years, as I have. In closing, to Zach's family and friends: Zach will need your support throughout his law enforcement career. Zach has a new family starting tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. Zach, your new brothers and sisters at the Police Department are there to help you grow and to protect you." Mayor Mace appointed Zachary Cortese to the Laurel Police Department. 2 Atha Council Minutes of February 7,2017 Motion by Council Member Poehls to approve the Mayor's appointment of Zachary Cortese to the Laurel Police Department as a Laurel Police Officer, seconded by Council Member Mountsier. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0. Judge Jean Kerr performed the swearing in ceremony for Zachary Cortese. Chief Musson, Officer Justin Bickford and Police Reserve Steven Worisek read the Criminal Justice Code of Ethics with Zachary. I swear or affirm as a criminal justice officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect all persons against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder and to respect the Constitutional Rights of all people - to liberty, equality, and justice. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God and my chosen profession, law enforcement. Chief Musson presented Zachary with Badge No. 113 and the LPD color brass. Chief Musson congratulated Zachary. Laurel Library Board: Mayor Mace appointed Arthur Vogele to the Library Board to fill a term ending June 30, 2020. Motion by Council Member Mountsier to approve the Mayor's appointment of Arthur Vogele to the Library Board to fill a term ending June 30, 2020, seconded by Council Member Dickerson. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0. Laurel Urban Renewal Agency: Mayor Mace appointed Don Smarsh to the Laurel Urban Renewal Agency to fill a term ending December 31, 2019. Motion by Council Member McGee to approve the Mayor's appointment of Don Smarsh to the Laurel Urban Renewal Agency to fill a term ending December 31, 2019, seconded by Council Member Nelson. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (ONE-MINUTE LIMIT): None. COUNCIL DISCUSSION: Council Member Poehls thanked the council for allowing his absence last week. Council Member Mountsier welcomed Zach aboard and stated that it is good to have somebody that is really interested in law enforcement come onboard. Council Member Nelson stated that the Cemetery Commission will meet next Tuesday, February 14th, at 5:00 p.m. Council Member Dickerson also welcomed Zach aboard and wish him good luck. Council Member Eaton mentioned that the Public Works Committee will meet next Monday, February 13th, at 6:00 p.m. in the council chambers. UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: None. ADJOURNMENT: 3 Council Minutes of February 7,2017 Motion by Council Member Nelson to adjourn the council meeting, seconded by Council Member Mountsier. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0. There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. d- Cindy Alle , Council Secretary Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 21' day of February, 2017. Whfg(624e Mark A. Mace, Mayor Attest: F /.. Bethan gp eler, Clerk/Treasurer 4