HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial City Council Minutes 01.29.2008MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL
January 29, 2008
A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montanal was held in the
Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Ken Olson at 6:05 p.m. on January 29, 2008.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Emeiie Eaton Doug Poehls
Kate Hart Mark Mace
Gay Easton Chuck Dickerson
Alex Wilkins
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
Norm Stamper
OTHER STAFF PRESENT:
Mary Embleton
Sam Painter
Bill Sheridan
RESOLUTION NO. R08-08: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO
SIGN A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION GRANT APPLICATION
FOR A BUS TRANSIT SYSTEM.
Public Works Director Bill Sheridan presented the issue to the council. Bill stated that the resolution
has to do with the application of funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which is
administered by the State Department of' Transportation. The city is applying for grant funds to
operate the beginning of a transit system from funds provided by the U.S. Department of
Transportation. The object is to provide movement of people within the town and also to get to
work in the larger community, which is Billings, and to provide additional services to people going
to hospitals, shopping centers, downtown in Billings, the airport, and the bus station. The grant
application is due on February 1st. It is important to realize that this is the city's first try at this, and
perhaps in the future, the city will come up with funds to provide better transportation within mad
outside the community. To begin with, the federal government provides about 85 percent of the cost
of operating a transit system. The rest of the money can come from other social services sources and
also from the people that use the transportation system. Bill stated that the grant is very difficult to
obtain, but the city will do its best this year and will try again next year if it is not awarded the grant
this year.
Council Member Eaton stated that it is conunendable that someone who has been on the job for such
a short period of time found and applied for a grant of such a sizeable measure, regardless of the
outcome.
Bill stated that he peruses the Federal Register to find out about major grants and will continue to do
SO.
Council Member Easton mentioned the bus used by the Senior Center.
Bill stated that the Senior Center has an excellent system and is providing transportation within the
Laurel community. From time to time, the bus goes to Billings, but not very often. He stated that
the objective is to augment that operation and work with those folks. When he visited the Senior
Center, there were a number of people that needed to get to Billings from time to time to shop or to
go to the doctor. There is not that much available for them at specific times. The city will work well
with the Senior Center.
Council Member Easton mentioned the bus at the nursing home and the connection with the Billings
Met system.
Bill stated that the routes the city would provide would not create any difficulty for the transit
system and the Met System in Billings. The city will work together to take people from this
community to that community, and wherever they have specific places that can be used to drop
people off to allow them to take advantage of the Billings bus, it will be done.
Special Council Minutes of January 29, 2008
Council Member Dickerson stated that whatever the city does is going to be more than what has
been done, with the possibility of having the funding to do it.
Council Member Mace asked Bill if he had talked to the City-County Transportation Planner or
anybody in Billings.
Bill has tried to do so, but they have not gotten back to him.
Council Member Mace has talked to Scott Walker about a Park and Ride type service that could
eventually expand to Park City. Scott informed him that money is available through the federal
government. Scott's contact information will be provided to Bill.
Mayor Olson stated that this system would allow transportation from Laurel to Billings for our
citizens and would also provide the opportunity for Billings's residents to come to Laurel. There are
sometimes unique things happening in Laurel that Billings would like to participate in. It would be
beneficial both ways.
Motion by Council Member Dickerson to approve Resolution No. R08-08, 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 %0.
· ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Council Member Poehls to adjourn the council meeting, seconded by Council
Member Mace. 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
6:13 p.m.
Cindy Allen;~ecretary
Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 5th day
of February, 2008.
l~nneth E. Olson, Jr.,
Attest:
Mary K. l~bl~ton, Clerk-Treasurer