HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 03.11.2008 MINUTES
DEPARTMENT NE. AD MEETING
MARCH 11, 2008 3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT:
Mayor Ken Oison
Sam Painter
Rick Musson
Gay Easton
Bill Sheridan
Mary Embleton
Jan Faught
Nancy Schmidt
James Caniglia
Council Workshou Auenda - March 11~ 2008
Pubhc Works Department:
· Resolution - Agreement with the Billings YMCA for operation of the swimming pool
Bill explained the possibility that the city could operate the pool this summer. Personnel would need to
be hired for the pool manager and lifeguards. The YMCA's proposal will be discussed tonight and Bill
will present the proposal for the city's operation of the pool
Fire Denartrnent:
· Discussion- Sites for proposed new fire hall
Scott was not at this meeting. Bill stated that six areas have been considered for a new fire hall, and it
has been narrowed down to three options. Each option ha~ pros and cons. The fire chief prefers the
option located at the old North School lot next to Ricci's Express. There will be further discussion at
tonight's council workshop.
Executive review:
· Resolution - Authorizing the Mayor to sign the warranty deed transferring land to Yellowstone
County for the Veterans' Cemetery
The resolution is on tonight's council workshop agenda. Mary received the check from Yellowstone
County for the purchase of the land for the Veterans' Cemetery. A draft resolution to earmark these
funds for the veterans' section of Laurel's cemetery will be added to tonight's council workshop
agenda.
· Discussion- CTEP funds for the walk bridge on 12th Street
Mayor Olson stated that Yellowstone County asked the city to held a public heating for this. The
project will be funded with CTEP funds received by the County. Mayor Olson asked James to contact
the County prior to tonight's workshop for more information regarding this issue.
· Discussion - Design and construction engineering for TSEP wastewater project
Mayor Olson stated that the city asked TSEP for direction regarding hiring Morrison-Maierle for the
project. Bill and Sam will meet to discuss this issue, and the item will be on the March 25a' council
workshop agenda~
Review of draft council agenda for March 18, 2008
· Scheduled Matters:
o Ordinance No. 008-03: An ordinance amending the zoning map oftbe City of Laurel,
Montana, extending the boundaries of the Central Business District. (First reading -
02/19/2008; PH - 03/04/2008; Second reading - 03/18/2008)
Dq~artm~at Head Me,rig Minu~s of March 11, 2008
The second reading of Ordimmco No. 008-03 will be on the March 18th council agenda.
Mayor Olson mentioned Great West Engineering's request for an amendment to a task order.
There was discussion regarding the annexation of Riverside Park. Mayor Olson asked the department
heads to be prepared to address the issue at tonight's council workshop. Mary asked how to resolve the
question of being contiguous land. Sam stated that it does not need to be contiguous if it is done
according to Part 46 MCA and a plan for services is provided. There was discussion regarding
annexation of the highway and the water easement.
Mayor Olson was recently contacted by the Laurel High School Honors Civics Class regarding co-
sponsoring a forum for political candidates. Sam will review the statutes.
De artment Re orts:
Ambulance
Jan stated that today is Jay Martin's last day. He ha.q served as a volunteer since December 1994.
Mayor Olson asked Jan to find out when Jay could attend a council meeting so the mayor could present
a certificate of appreciation to him. Jan will make a recommendation to fill the Assistant Ambulance
Director position soon.
City Council President
There was no discussion.
Clerk/Treasurer
At last week's department head meeting, Mary asked the department heads to review the online training
offered by First Net Learning so she could respond to a survey from MMIA. Only one department head
responded. There was discussion regarding the online training services offered. Mayor Olson
encouraged department heads to review this and give input prior to next week's meeting.
Fire Department
There was no discussion.
Library
Nancy stated that the new lforary employees have been hired.
Nancy recently remodeled her office at the library. There was discussion regarding what to do with the
old desk and two file cabinets. The items could be transferred to other departments or declared as
surplus by the council and made available for sale to the public. Nancy will e-mail pictures to the
department heads. She will contact Bill for manpower to move the furniture.
Jan asked regarding storage of a heating/air conditioning unit in the ambulance room.
Police Denartment
There was no discussion.
City Planner
· Update on alley vacations (March 2008)
James is waiting to hear from the appraiser.
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Delmrtm~t Head Meeting Minutes of March 11, 2008
James stated that a couple of minor county subdivisions will be taken to the court house next week.
James will attend a CTEP Conference in Billings on Wednesday.
Mayor Olson commented about Laurel Alive and the possibility of pamaering with the city for an
entrance sign.
Public Works Department
There was no discussion.
City Attorney
Sam recently received a call fi.om Dave Newton, who lives in Alaska and owns property in Laurel. Mr.
Newton and his neighbor, Nina Nyles, are fighting about a boundary dispute. Sam stated that this is a
civil dispute and Mr. Newton is trying to get the city involved. Sam stated that the city should have
nothing to do with this issue.
Mayor Olson
· Retention ponds at The Crossings
Mayor Olson stated that this issue was brought forward two years ago. Failure by the developer to line
the pond properly has resulted in problems with weeds and mosquito infestation. Mayor Olson would
like this issue to be addressed before the resident contacts the city again. Mayor Olson, James, Kurt and
Bill will meet to discuss this issue.
There was discussion regarding Marvin Brown's involvement with repair of Alder Avenue, the need to
restore the mad to the specification of the core sample, and the poss~le creation of an SID for repair of
Alder Avenue. A meeting will be scheduled with Marvin Brown, James, Kurt, Bill, and Mayor Olson.
Other
Kurt brought in information about the city's proposal to mn the swimming pool this summer. The
proposal would save money, provide income, and present a better group working for the city.
Unemployment, workers' comp, and social security costs need to be determined. The YMCA's
proposal was for 33 hours a week, which is 18 hours per week less than last year. There were questions
about insurance liability, and Mary stated that it is the city's liability. There was discussion regarding
maintenance of the pool Bud Arnold and Kurt Markegard are both certified pool operators.
Mary asked regarding the status of a new franchise agreement with Cable Montana.
The meeting adjourned at 4:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary
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