HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommittee of the Whole Minutes 07.21.1998 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
July 21, 1998 6:34 P.M.
Council Chambers
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Chuck Rodgers
Dirk Kroll Gary Temple
Ken Olson Gay Easton
Bill Staudinger Bud Johnson
Norman Orr
OTHERS PRESENT:
V. Joe Leckie
Don Hackmann
Rick Musson
Larry McCann
Bud Johnson said that the joint meeting w/th the School Board is scheduled for
Wednesday, August 5th, 1998, at 7:00 p.m. in the Laurel Middle School boardroom. He
mentioned that the present agenda is a suggested agenda, and he would appreciate any
other suggestions.
Gary Temple voiced some concerns from residents of the Willow Way area regarding the
ditch. He said that the Ditch Company will not do anything even though the ditch is
seeping. Doug Marming's basement was flooded the previous day. Larry McCann has
been dealing with the problem. The Ditch Company says that they are broke. They did
put a patch on the whole bank but water is coming out under it. He suggested that Joe
Leckie advise as to how to make the Ditch Company do something about the problem.
They cannot lower the water, as there is no water at the end of the ditch. Chuck asked
Larry and Joe to continue to monitor the problem.
Dirk Kroll mentioned that a joint meeting with the City of Billings, Yellowstone County
and School District 2 is scheduled for Thursday, July 23rd at 5:30 p.m. They have put
together some recommendations for funded mandates and various other concerns. He
will put the information in the mailboxes.
Ken Olson reported on the start-up programs that the YMCA is planning to start in
Laurel. Peggy Miller is the head of the group. The tentative date for their next meeting
is Wednesday, August 5', at 6:30 a.m. at the Locomotive Inn. One of their present
concerns is to provide a space for a roller park and they are looking at the possibility of
using a private parking lot for this purpose. The city has not been involved in this, but
Ken has asked Larry and Joe for their input regarding the city's liability.
Bill Staudinger stated that the south side railroad crossing needs work. Larry said that
MRL does not want to fund the whole repair project, and the Department of Highways is
being approached regarding this because it is a truck route.
Bill raised continued concern about the weeds around town.
Larry McCann reported on the recent ten-inch water line break on Fifth Avenue. Some
southside residents were without water ['or a day, but the work was done as quickly as
possible. The final walkthrough of the water storage reservoir has been completed with
Morrison-Maierle. Both reservoirs are on line and almost full. Larry said that he is
working on the ditch problem and that the county is also involved. He mentioned that the
council would be considering a resolution during the council meeting to allow Morrison-
Maierle to formulate a policy manual for water, sewer and streets. This is a cooperative
project with Big Timber, Columbus and Roundup and Laurel and would provide each
community with a generic manual to use to set standards and procedures. The individual
cost to each community is $2,500.
Rick Musson gave a report and mentioned that the Police Department is still one man
short and the workload is getting heavier. Two HRDC workers have started working for
the department and no cost is involved. They have a new janitor to do the contract work.
He invited the council members to visit the Police Department.
Bud read the Double-Tree Project Update for July 21, 1998. Phase I is progressing on the
same schedule discussed last month. A pay estimate has been submitted and will go
before the council for claims next month. The pay estimate is for $173,324.07. Phase II
construction has begun. The INTERCAP loan documents are complete and the first
payment should be received by the city on Friday, July 24. The first payment will
include the R. H. Grover request and payment of engineering invoices in the amount of
$185,493.57. The documents to finalize the SKF financing are bein,gthprepared by the
Bond Counsel and the resolution is scheduled to be on the August 4 agenda. If the
resolution were passed on August 4th, the tentative closing date would be September 4th.
At that time the INTERCAP loan would be retired.
The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
City Council Secretary