HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 07.22.2008MINUTES
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
JULY 22, 200$ 3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT: Mayor Ken Olson Mary Embleton
Sam Painter Jan Faught
Mike Zuhoski Scott Wilm
Kurt Mazkegard James Caniglia
Bill Sheridan Nancy Schmidt
Bill Sheridan led the meeting.
Draft Council Worksho A ends - Ju 29 200$
Joyce Jensen. Yellowstone Historic Society:
• Sign in Riverside Pazk
Bill stated that the city will assist with the sign in Riverside Park. He mentioned that the Nez Pearce
Tribe also wants to install a sign in Riverside Pazk and will get the information to Bill to present to the
council.
Police Department:
• Police Reserve Appointment: Sarah Thomas
Mike stated that Sazah Thomas was a Police Reserve until her job moved her to Colorado. She has
returned to the azea and would like to be reappointed to the reserves. Mike will see if Sazah is available
to attend the council workshop next Tuesday.
• Resolution -Agreement with Iceland Communications
Mike stated that the agreement with Iceland is for the repeater station.
Planning:
• Resolution -Alley vacation of Maple Avenue in Russell Fark and dedication of Lots 14-16,
Block 2
James stated that Maple Avenue and the three city lots on the east side of the park by the restrooms need
to be dedicated as pazk. This will accomplish the paperwork to clean up an old issue. The council
decided to leave the six lots on the west side of the park as they are now.
Clerk/Treasurer:
• Public Hearing: Budget Amendment Resolution
Mary stated that the public hearing ad for August 5~ will be in the newspaper for two weeks.
Mary added a budget transfers resolution and the year-end financial report to the July 29~' council
workshop agenda.
Executive review:
• Fire facility safety mill -two proposals for sites
Mayor Olson stated that information about the costs for both proposals will be presented to the council.
He will get a statement from the property owners that the property would be held until the election in
November.
Department Head Meeting Minutes of 7uly 22, 2008
• Police Union contract
Mayor Olson, Bill and Mary will meet to determine the impact the negotiations would have on the
budget.
• Creation of TIFD Boazd
Mayor Olson stated that it should be called the Urban Renewal Agency instead of the TIFD Boazd. The
Boazd will make recommendations to the council regazding projects in the TIF District, and the first
consideration should be presented by Christmas.
• Discussion of support for bonding against Street Maintenance Funds
Mayor Olson has been unable to contact Dan McGee yet. Dr. Woerner and Krayton Kerns aze in a
contest for the other legislative position. Alec Hansen anticipates that the issue would be adopted.
• Discussion ofstate statute regarding fireworks
Mayor Olson stated that information would be distributed to the council for review. Although fireworks
have been discussed for the past few yeazs, it is in the city's advantage to continue discussions. Mary
suggested that a flyer about fireworks that MMIA provided be distributed to the council.
• Councillssues:
o Discussion of LMC 6.16.030 (Mark Mace)
Mayor Olson stated that the Emergency Services Committee discussed the issue of vicious dogs at last
night's meeting. Bill attended the meeting and stated that one individual is taking on the responsibility
for the issue.
o Discussion of policy for return of manuals by council members (Chuck Dickerson)
Mayor Olson explained Chuck Dickerson's concern regarding the need for a transition policy to get
books, manuals, and documents from one council member to the next.
Other
Kurt stated that a small services contract is needed for concrete work to install playground equipment in
Lions Pazk. Concrete work will be done in Nutting Pazk in a month ar so. The contract will be on the
July 29`~ council workshop agenda.
Department Reuorts:
Fire DepartmentT
Scott stated that the repainted brush truck should be finished by Wednesday or Thursday. The DNRC
has been contacted regazding sending the truck to Missoula. Mary completed a credit card application
for Wal-Mart for the fire department.
Police Department:
Mike stated that Rick is attending the Chiefs Association Conference in Billings this week.
Mike took the wrecked Crown Victoria to a body shop to get an itemized list of repairs.
Mike mentioned that the Police Reserve Officers appreciation banquet is on Saturday.
Mike stated that the dispatchers started 12-hour shifts last Monday and it is going well so far.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of July 22, 2008
Library:
Nancy stated that the contractor started excavating last Wednesday and work is progressing. She stated
that the contractor plans to surface over the top of the employee parking lot because it is solid
underneath Bill will check on this. The project should be finished next week.
Clerk~'Treasurer:
Mary has been working on yeaz-end issues.
Mary received a phone call from Linda at the County DES O#I-tce regarding a weather radio assigned to
the City of Laurel about ten yeazs ago. The radio was tuned into the National Weather Service. Mazy
asked department heads to ask staff about this. Mike will check on it, as it was probably hooked up to
the old communications center.
Mary stated that MMIA will send a memo for distribution to employees. The memo will explain the
changes that were effective on July 1 S'. A primary care physician and referrals will not be needed.
These items were mentioned at the training session but need to be formalized in writing.
Mary stated that the certified mill should be received by August 4a'.
Mary stated that the Froject Management Plan for Phase 2 of the Wastewater System Improvements
names Mayor Olson as the contact person. Mayor Olson stated that Morrison-Maierle is the engineer
for the construction and design and Great West Engineering is responsible for management of the
project. Mayor Olson will check into having the CAO be the contact person.
Ambulance:
Jan stated that the remodeling project is finished and the department is getting organized.
The ambulance service averages three calls a day. No calls were received during one 24-hour period
this month.
Mary asked regarding the area of coverage and who established the azea. Jan stated that a map is
available and was filed with the county commissioners. Jan did not know if there was council action
regazding the area of coverage.
City Attorney
Sam is working on the Urban Renewal Agency. There will be meetings regazding the Interlocal
Agreement and the Purchasing and Procurement Folicy next week.
Moor Olson:
Mayor Olson invited the department heads to a party at his home on September 6n' at 4:00 p.m. Mayor
Olson and Peg will provide the beer and bratwurst, and department heads will bring additional dishes.
Families aze invited.
Plannins:
James is working on the next Planning Board agenda. The following items will be on the agenda: code
issues regarding three and/or four caz gazages; a zone change request on 40 acres south of the freeway
and east of the refinery; pazking issues in front of a house; and clazity regazding electronic signs in the
sign code.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of 7uly 22, 2008
Mary asked regarding the ordinance to approve the recodification of the ordinances. Sam stated that it
could be placed on the workshop agenda.
Public Works Department:
Kurt asked that the contractor at the library use the truck route versus driving on city streets. Bill will
talk to the contractor.
Kurt recently requested two copies of the State Transportation Improvement Project (STIP) from the
State.
Kurt reported on the public works projects. The parks are being watered and mowed and streets are
being patched. The alley and part of the street will be closed while the alley approach by city hall is
repaired soon. Charlie White is pouring concrete sidewalks and two pads for donated park benches at
Kiwanis Park and will also pour concrete at Russell Park.
Kurt worked with the Lions Club on the playground equipment project last Saturday. Volunteers are
needed to help install the equipment this Saturday and Bill will send an a-mail to the council about this.
Jares Fence installed a temporary fence to protect the site.
Kurt has compiled information regarding streets and water and sewer line replacement needs.
Mary stated that the invitation to bid for the storm water project is in the paper. The pre-bid conference
is scheduled for July 31 S` and the bid opening is scheduled for August 7~'.
Mayor Olson asked department heads to volunteer time on August 8~ from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. to cook
burgers for the centennial celebration. This is an opportunity for staff and elected officials to serve the
public. There was discussion regarding having fireworks at the centennial celebration. Mayor Olson
stated that a rededication of the city for the next 100 years is planned for 8:00 p.m. on August 8'~.
Bill presented an explanation of the differences between a public servant and a public steward. He
stated that we are not public servants but are public stewards. The city tries to provide the best services
possible to individuals in the city, but the federal government does not do much of anything in that
regard. The government that does the most for people is the one we work in every day. He stated
appreciation for each employee. Bill distributed "homework" for the next department head meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
~G2e.~-
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary
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Public Works Staff Meeting Notes
July 22, 2008 8:30 am
Bill Sheridan
Kurt Markegazd
Gary Colley
Cheryll Lund
Chris Rosenberg
James Caniglia
Public Works
The Library pazking lot project is underway. The 16 pazking blocks that were removed
will be hauled to the City shop. Neighbors in the area have requested to have the alley
paved.
Bi11 stated that the Leak Detection Company from Seattle came as planned but left
abruptly when a worker got sick on July 15. He has spent time making phone calls to the
company but hasn't had any luck getting in touch with anyone.
Parks
Concrete R U is forming up and pouring sidewalks at Kiwanis Pazk for the Kid's
Kingdom. He is also pouring 2 pads for future picnic tables. His next project will be to
do handicap curb and sidewalk with a landing in Russell Park.
Work is getting started on installing playground equipment at Lions Family Park (South
Pond). There will also be curbing and fencing done in the neaz future.
Kurt is getting ready to spray mosquitoes. He is in contact with Yellowstone County
Weed department regarding eradicating and then destznying the mosquitoes.
A Caretaker will be hired for Riverside Park to mow, weed eat, clean the bathrooms and
take care of the camper spots and campers. The campground will be open through Labor
Day weekend.
Cemetery
The typical maintenance is being done at this time.
Solid Waste
The typical work is being done at this time.
Water Systems
The crew is digging up and repairing a broken curb valve at Riverside Pazk.
WTP & WWTP
Ace Electric was called to the Sewer Plant to look for a source of blown fuses. Kurt will
get their recommendation on how to fix the situation.
Miscellaneous Public Works
Kurt is working on: 1) the solid waste truck bid; 2) compiling a list of streets that need to
be repaired.
Bill is working on finding a building approximately 40' X 120' for the City Shop.
Interviews for the Mechanic were done on Monday, July 215Y and a recommendation to
hire one of the candidates is on the Mayor's desk for approval.
Planning
James had an inquiry on parkland located in Elena Subdivision. A park maintenance
district was not done prior to the filing of the final plat. James is working an putting that
together. The residents want the pazk to have a sprinkler system. James will look into
the price of a sprinkler system Because of a pazking maintenance district the residents in
the subdivision will pay a maintenance fee to have the City care for the park.
The east end of Russell Park is set to be dedicated.
Anderson Subdivision, located in the county and in southwest Laurel, is ready to go to
final plat.
James found a discrepancy in Chapter 17 regarding the maximum size that garages can be
built. He would like to see a maximum squaze footage be put into the wording. He will
present his recommendations to the Planning Board and then move it onto the City
Council for their consideration.
James will go before the County Commissioners and request that a fee of $S00 be put in
place for expedited plats.
James also has some recommendations for changes in codes for electronic signs. Bill
suggested that the City get control over the brightness of the signs and the number of
allowable changes to the sign messages.
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Building Department and Code Enforcement
Chris and Gary have been working on weed and garbage complaints called in by citizens
At this time there are 2 single family houses and 1 townhouse being built in Elena
Subdivision and 1 single family house in Iron Horse Station Subdivision.
Gary has had 3 inquiries on commercial businesses in Laurel. The people inquiring
would not specify what types of businesses are being planned.
Cheryll will be out of the office on vacation from August 4 - 15~' and a temp has been
hired.
The meeting finished at 9:15 am
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryll Lund, Secretary
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