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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 12.26.2007 MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP DECEMBER 26, 2007 6:30 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS A Council Workshop was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Ken Olson at 6:30 p.m. on December 26, 2007. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Emelie Eaton Kate Hart Gay Easton Alex Wilkins OTHERS PRESENT: Doug Poehls Mark Mace Chuck Dickerson Norm Stamper Mary Embl~ton Bill Sheridan Rick Musson Kurt Markegard Public InPut (three-minute Hmll'): Citizens may address the Council regarding any item of City business not on the agend~ The duration for an individual speaking under Public Input is limited to three minute~ ~fhile all comments are welcome, the Council will not take action on any item not on the agenda. Dave Siljestmm, 702 Second Ave., spoke regarding the truck rome. He had spoken at the December 18~ council meeting, and stated concerns about enforcement of uncontrolled intersections with regard to trucks hauling hazardous materials. He stated that he was asked by Council member Diokerson to attend tonight to clarify his statement last week. He has since then obtained a copy of the Montana Commercial Drivers License manual, and reviewed the regulations. This manual does not address uncontrolled intersections. However, he stated that the issue is addressed in Federal transportation regul~ions, especially in regard to hazardous materials transport. He wanted to clarify that for the council. Ambulance Atterwlo~t A_tmointm ~ents: * Todd Wren and Lisa McDowall Mayor Olson stated that their appointments will be on the council agenda for January 2"d. Public Works Deoartment: · Resolution - Small Services Contract with Concrete R Us for placement of four handicapped ramps on Washington Avenue Mayor Ohon asked Kurt .Mar. kegard !o address the issue. Kurt explained that ADA compliant crosswalks are required at ~e intersections of Washington and 7th and 8t~ streets. Council member Dickerson asked if the city ~qked for bids, and Kurt stated that he had called several contractors, but only Concrete R Us responded. · Resolution - Agreement with Laurel School District to reimburse the City of Laurel for installation of two handicapped raraps on Washington Avenue Council Worlmhop Minutes of Dec, embor 26, 2007 Kurt we~t on to explain that this agreement is in conjunction with the previous issue. The agreement is for reimbursement of half the cost of the ADA compliant crosswalks. However, both Superintendent Josh Middleton and SD7 Clerk Roger Heimbigner are on vacation until alter the first of tho year. Council member Hart asked who initiated the agreement. Mayor Olson stated that he met with SD7 officials a couple of weeks ago. Executive review: · Resolution- Technical Edge Consulting Agreement Mayor Oison stated that this would be a renewal of the current agreement for computer and networking maintenance, with an increase in their rates to $120/hr. Department heads need more time for review and input, so this item will be pulled from the agenda for now, and brought forward later. · Council Issues: o Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board issues (Emelie Eaton) Council member Eaton distributed information on: past contributions sent by the City of Laurel; the board's $12,000 budget, of which $500 is anticipated to come from the City of Laurel or the Crow Tn'bo; the board's meeting minutes format; a statement regarding the work that the board accomplishes, is achieved through their consultant through a work plan that is reviewed and revised in January. A copy of the information is attached to these minutes. Council member Eaton stated that she is interested in the board and historic things, but is not sure bow much the board benefits Laurel Council member Poelds asked if there are any changes the city should be asking the board to adopt. Emciie stated that the challenge is to pursue without burdening the consultant, who already has a long list oftasks outlined in the work plan. She would like to see Riverside Park and the Canyon Creek Battlefield site designated as historic. Mayor Olson asked if staff should be directed to find out bow Laurel can create their own historic preservation board. Council member Hart agreed, and added that it should be done in conjunction with the YHPB. Interest and support comes fi'om within the City of Laurel, but $500 is a small contribution to keep ties with the YHPB. o Enforcement of trucks with hazardous materials stopping at uncontrolled intersections (Chuck Dickerson) Mayor Olson stated that he appreciated th~ comments from Mr. Siljestrom earlier. Staffwould like more time to research the issue, and will bring information forward to the next workshop on January 8'. Council member Hart questioned the area around the high school and asked if there were any accident statistics available from the Police Department. The next Joint CRy/County meeting will be held at 5:30 on January 9* in room 105 at the Yellowstone County Courthouse. The workshop for newly elected council members, sponsored by the Local Government Center end MMIA, is scheduled for January 10' at 5:30 in the Laurel Council Chambers. The city clerk has received phone calls from the City of Hardin and the City of Billings, expressing interest in attending. Registration forms need to be sent to the Local Government Center. Council Workshop Minutes of December 26, 2007 Review of draft council aoenda for Wednesday. January 2, 2008: The two ambulance appointments will be on the agenda. Also, the two resolutions for the crosswalks will be on the age~da, but the Technical Edge contract renewal will be pulled. The administration of the oaths of office will also be done towards the beginning of the agenda~ Attendance at the $~mmrv 2~i coun¢i! meeting: All present will attend; however, Council member Hart stated that she may not be able to attend. Council members Mace and Wilkin~s will be attending also. Council members Poehls, Dickerson, and Stamper wished everyone a Happy New Year. Mayor Olson stated that department heads will be presenting Year-end reports. This will be a good opportunity to talk about change and growth issues. The presentations will be scheduled during workshops. Tours of the city facilities conducted by DPW Sheridan and DDPW Merkegard will be scheduled this spring for the benefit of the cotmcil members. Mayor Olson announced that the Laurel City VOICE will be reactivated the first part of February. He asked for a piece from the council for publication. Mayor Oison will be completing the vacancies on the city's boards and commissions upon the return of the council secretary. Mayor Oison reminded the council that they will need to select their leaders (president and vice- president) in January. Mayor Olson wished everyone a Happy New Year, and stated that he hoped that 2008 will bring better service to the citizens of Laurel. The council workshop adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mary K. Embleton Clerk/Treasurer NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Council for the listed workshop agenda items. Agenda Item for December 26, 2007 Workshop This Council has previously reviewed information regarding the Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board and the City of Laurel's one seat on that Board. Some questions have been raised at previous workshops regarding the City of Laurel's impact on the YHPB's budget. T have learned that the YHPB has a budget of $12,OOO which goes toward paying the Consultant's (Kevin Kooistra-Manning) fee for work the consultant does for the Board. The $12,000 comes from the following sources: $5,500 from the State of Montana through an annual grant $5,500 from the City of Billings $ 500 from the County of Yellowstone $ 500 from the City of Laurel or the Crow Tribe Additionally, there have been questions regarding who sits on the Board and who "has a say" at the meetings. The following is a typical breakdown of the monthly minutes which itemizes everyone in or not in attendance. Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: Others Present: Members include: Warren Osik Kathleen Armstrong (works at an architectural firm in Billings) Armand Lohof (December, 2007 was his last meeting) Bill DuBeau Brian Roberts (was Board chair - wants to resign, can't get anyone to replace him) Paul Whiting (Billings area photographer. December, 2007 was his last meeting) Emelie Eaton Bob Munsey (works at an architectural firm in Billings) Staff Includes: Kevin Kooistra-Manning (Western Heritage Center) Dave Green (City of Billings, Planning Department) Lora Mattox (City of Billings, Planning Department) Others Present includes: Maisie Sulser (High Plains Architects) Alison LaFever (High Plains Architects) The "work the Consultant does for the Board" as referenced at the top of the sheet is whatever is outlined in the annual Work Plan. The Work Plan is revised every lanuary and includes Goals & Objectives; Existing Projects; New Projects and Ongoing/Yearly Projects.