HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 12.18.2007 MINUTES
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2007 3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT:
Mayor Ken Olson
Bill Sheridan
Mike Zuhoski
Gay Easton
Kurt Markegard
Jan Faught
James Caniglia
Council Auenda - December 18~ 2007
Scheduled Matters:
· Confirmation of Appointments:
o Police Commission: Reappointment of Brett Lend to a three-year term ending December
31, 2010
· 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. Second reading.
· Letter of support for Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy presented by Beartooth
RC&D
· Resolution No. R07-107: Resolution of the City Council granting Paul Bokoske, doing business
as Trees of Eden, a variance from the City's restriction against a home-based occupation
displaying or selling stock in trade upon the premises allowing Paul Bokoske, DBA Trees of
Eden, to operate a tree nursery as part of his business.
· Resolution No. R07-108: A resolution of the City Council approving Yellowstone County's
request to drill a water test well on a small portion of the Laurel Cemetery to detvmdne the
existence of usable water for irrigation of the future Veterans' Cemetery.
· Resolution No. R07-109: A resolution of the City Council consenting to Thomae Lumber Sales'
assignment of the Encroachment Pcmfit previously approved by the City Council to Newkirk
Real Estate-Montana, LLC.
· Resolution No. R07-110: A resolution of the City Council approving a change to the agreement
between the City of Laurel and Interstate Engineering, Inc.
Mayor Olson stated that Sam, Kurt, and Bill and the mayor would meet after the department head
meeting to discuss the truck mute. An individual may speak regarding the truck route at Ricei's.
Mayor Oison stated that three items will be presented under Unscheduled Matters on tonight's council
agenda~ A resolution and job description for the Deputy Director of Public Works position will be
presented. The appointments of Bill Sheridan as the Director of Public Works and Kurt Markegard as
the Deputy Public Works Director will be presented.
Draft Council Workshon Aeenda - December 26~ 2007
Executive Review:
· Resolution - Technical Edge Consulting Agreement
Mayor Olson stated that the proposed contract will be presented to the council.
Department Head Meeting Minutes of December 18, 2007
· Council Issues:
o Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board issues (Emelie Eaton)
Mayor Olson stated that Emelie Eaton has expressed concern regarding the city's involvement with the
board. Mayor Olson asked the planner and public works department to review the city's process of
notification prior to demolition of historic buildings.
Jan requested the appointments of two ambulance attendants on the December 26th council workshop
agenda~ The attendants are Lisa McDowall and Todd Wren.
Department Reports:
Ambulance Service
· Ambulance parking - MMIA's response
Jan recently had a lengthy conversation with Alan Hulse regarding the issue. The private party would
need to sign papers releasing the City of Laurel l~om any liability and vice versa~ Mayor Olson asked
Jan to request MMIA's explanation in an e-mail.
City Council President
Gay stated that Dan McGee contacted him regarding the city's $500 pre-application fee. The City of
Billings and Yellowstone County do not charge this fee. Gay stated that this needs to be reviewed.
Mayor Olson asked James to review this for the January 8th department head meeting. The Public
Works Department will also review it.
James stated that the fees for city residents should be less than for county residents, as city residents pay
taxes to the City of Laurel.
Clerk/Treasurer
· City's computer network
o Additional server
o Contract with Technical Edge
There was no discussion.
Fire Denartment
· Cenex contract update
There was no discussion.
Library
Peg Arnold's retirement party is scheduled for Thursday, December 20t~, from 3:00 to 5:00 at the Laurel
Library.
Police Department
There was no discussion.
City Planner
· Update on alley vacations
James contacted some appraisers, but they are all booked into February and March.
schedule an appointment soon.
He will try to
Public Works Department
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Departm~t Head Meeting Minutes of De.tuber 18, 2007
Bill expressed thanks for the opportunity to be a pa~t of tho City of Laurel and stated that he looks
forward to working with the staff.
Kurt welcomed Bill to the City of Laurel.
· Update on water Une in Sheets Subdivision
Kurt stated that the initial tie-in is done and it is being backfilled. The line will be opened after the
chlorination is done in January. Kurt stated that they will move forward with building the alley.
· Signage at Bernhardt Road and SE 4t~ Street by Wal-Mart
Kurt contacted Jesse Salo, Wal-Mart's engineer, regarding the issues. Rick and Kurt reviewed the
comer last week and determined that advanced warning signs are needed at the comer.
Proper 25 mph speed limit signs are needed on Railroad Street and a sign is needed heeding west from
Wal-Mart so the police department can enforce the speed limit.
· School crosswalks
Kurt received a bid from Charlie White for the crosswalks at the Laurel Middle School. The cost will
be $1,100 per ramp and four ramps will be built. The school has verbally agreed to pay for half of the
cost. Kurt requested that the resolution and small services contract be on the December 26t~ council
workshop agenda. Street signs need to be installed, and Kurt will make sure they meet current
standards. There was discussion regarding street signs. Kurt explained the signs that could be used on
Washington Avenue in front of the Laurel Middle School.
Kurt stated that there is a water leak on SE 4* Street and Washington at the Wal-Mart connection. He
notified the police department and is ready to shut down the line if necessary. Wal-Mart contacted the
contractor regarding the issue.
Kurt is working with James on a non-conforming use code issue for a building that burned down. A
building pcmdt has been issued, and legal advice is needed regarding the issue.
Kurt has asked the public works department staffto review the fees and codes.
City Attorney
· Cable TV
Mayor Olson stated that Sam met with the attomey recently.
Mayor Olson
· Web site progress
Mike will ask James to e-mail Mayor Olson regarding progress on the city's web site.
· Laurel City Voice
Mayor Olson asked department heads to prepare an article for the newsletter, which will be finalized in
January.
· Schedule of Fees and Charges
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Delmrtme~t Head Meeting Minutes of December 18, 2007
Mayor Olson stated that the fees and charges will be discussed in January and presented to the council
for consideration in February.
Other
There was none.
The meeting adjoumed at 3:42 p.n~
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary
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Public Works Staff Meeting Notes
December 17, 2007
Kurt Markegard
Gary Coiled
Chris Rosenberg
James Caniglia
Bill Sheridan
Cheryll Lund
Public Works
Kurt is on call this coming week.
Gary had no call outs over the weekend.
Peg Arnold is retiring and a reception will be held on December 20, 2007 between 3 and
5 pm at the Library. Staffwill take turn~ going over to the reception.
Kurt welcomed Bill Sheridan as the new Public Works Director.
Bill stated he was happy to be in Laurel and looked forward to working with all of us.
Kurt reminded everyone to review the schedule of fees and make recommendations for
any changes.
Ku~ asked for and received a bid from Concrete R us for handicap curbs and ramps.
Cheryll will be offon Monday, December 24~. Kurt will be gone on December 24* and
James will he out of the office December 24*- January 31't.
Cemetery
Kurt will meet with Yellowstone County on the maintenance agreement the Veteran's
cemetery that will spell out each entity's responsibility.
The County is drilling an exploratory well on the comer of Buffalo Trail and Airport
Road.
Parks
Seasonal help is working on cleaning up the parks.
Streets
The crew is doing some winter pothole patching.
Ace Electric will install a 30-amp electrical outlet at the shop so that the porta patcher can
be plugged in.
Solid Waste
Inventory is being taken on all 90 and 300 gallon containers and parts and accessories
will be purchased for repairs.
There will be no garbage service on Tuesday, December 25* because of the holiday. On
Wednesday there will be 3 trucks working to catch up.
There will be a container placed on W. Main Street to collect used Christmas trees. The
trees will be hauled to Zoo Montana for chipping and then returned to use on the trail
work at Lions Park.
The bid package for the new mute truck will be done this week. It will be advertised for
bid after Mary reviews it aRer she returns from vacation on January 2nd.
Water/Sewer System
Water shut off day is Tuesday, December 18tu.
There is water leaking where the main ties into the new Wal-Mart on SE 4* Street and
the city main. Kurt will contact Jesse Wal-Mart's engineer from Galloway-Romero.
Water Treatment Plant
Nothi~ to report at thin time.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Nothing to report at this time.
Code Enforcement
Chris is mailing out letters to residents not displaying house numbers on their residences.
Chris attended the workshop on December 11' where he was introduced to city council
members.
Kurt reminded Gary that the ordinance needs to be cha~ged regarding what is allowed
within the boulevard.
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BuJ]din~
Gary issued 2 permits hst week. One was for a new single family residence at 801 E. 4th
Street the other was for a foundation repair at 520 Birch.
Gary is taking off4 hours the afternoons of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this
week.
Chris might go do a "ride along" with the Code Enforcement officers in the City of
Billings this week.
Gary requested th~at prior to any more building done on Yellowstone Avenue the curb,
gutter and street need to be developed.
Plamling
There is a pre-concept meeting for Global Subdivision set for this Thursday December
20t~ at 9:00 am.
There is a meeting with the County on Wednesday, December 20th for Drii~woods
subdivision.
The plat for Mace Subdivision is ready to be signed by Public Works.
The public hearing for the new west Laurel on/offramp on 1-90 will be tonight at 7:00
pm at the old Laurel Middle School.
The Planning Board will be discussing extending the Central Business on E. Main Street.
There will be a public hearing prior to the board making a reconmaendation to the City
Council.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryll Lund
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