HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 07.29.2008MINUTES
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
JULY 29, 2008 3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT: Mayor Ken Olson Mary Embleton
Sam Painter Jan Faught
Rick Musson Kurt Markegard
Gay Easton James Caniglia
Bill Sheridan (3:35 p.m.) Nancy Schmidt
Mayor Olson led the meeting.
Council Worksho A ends - Ju 29 200$
Jo ce Jense Yellowstone Historic Societ
• Sign in Riverside Park
There was no discussion.
Police Department
• Police Reserve Appointment: Sarah Thomas
Rick requested Sazah's reappointment to the Police Reserves. The appointment will be on the August
5~' council agenda.
• Resolution -Agreement with Iceland Communications
Sam stated that the agreement does not impact the city's lease with Iceland. Iceland is seeking to
refinance its site business. With the new agreement, the city would agree to make the lease payment
directly to the lender if the borrower defaults on the loan. Sam saw no problems, with the agreement.
Planning:
• Resolution - Vacation of Maple Avenue in Russell Park and dedication of Lots 14-16, Block 2
James stated that the resolution of intent would be presented tonight. The intent to vacate must be
published twice and the date for final approval ofthe street vacation and dedication will be determined.
• Resolution -CTEP Project Agreement
James and Bill recently had a phone conference with the CTEP supervisor regarding the project
agreement and were unable to get the preferred language into the contract. The city will be responsible
for additional costs, but CTEP funds can be used for overages. Mary expressed concern that the dollaz
figures in the agreement are low and stated that it is difficult to budget and ask the council to take
action. CTEP will keep the original numbers in the contract. There was further discussion.
Clerk/Treasurer:
• Public Hearing -Budget Amendrnents/Resolution
Mary stated that the public hearing for the budget amendments is scheduled for August 5~'. After the
public hearing, the council could waive the rule to wait until the next regular council meeting and place
the resolution on the agenda for approval or the resolution could be on the August 19'~ council agenda.
• Resolution -Budget Transfers
Deparimeat Head Meeting Minutes of July 29, 2008
Mary stated that the attachments for the resolution are not ready for distribution tonight, but she will
present the figures for the General Fund, Special Revenue and Capital Projects Fund, and the Enterprise
Funds.
• Year-End Financial Report
Mary will present a synopsis of the report tonight and afull-fledged narrative will be presented in a
month or so.
• Ordinance -Approve recodification of ordinances
Mary stated that this is a housekeeping issue to adopt the recent recodification of ordinances.
Chief Administrative Officer:
• Resolution -Amendment No. 1 to Task Order No. 7 with Great West Engineering -South First
Avenue CTEP Project
Mayor Olson stated that the scope of work for the project changed, which required an amendment to
Task Order No. 7 and will result in a reduced cost to the city.
Executive review:
• Fire facility safety mill --- two proposals for sites
Mayor OLson received the dollaz figures for both sites.
* Police Union contract
Mayor Olson stated that the negotiating team and Sam will meet after the Department Head meeting.
• Creation ofUrban Renewal Agency
Mayor Olson stated that the ordinance should be to the council by mid-August.
• Discussion of support for bonding against Street Maintenance Funds
Dan McGee will schedule an appointment to discuss this issue.
• Discussion of state statute regazding fireworks
Sam compiled the information for distribution to the council. He is still seazching for the 1985
guidelines. Mayor Olson will ask the council to review the information for discussion at the August
12~' council workshop. He stated the need to review the safety issue because of the increasing intensity
of the fireworks.
• Council Issues:
o Discussion of LMC 6.16.030 (Mazk Mace)
Mayor Olson recently talked to Scotty Snowden, who is chairing the task force regazding the vicious
dog issue. Scott will need assistance with typing of information.
o Discussion of a policy for returning city manuals (Chuck Dickerson)
Mary stated that the Personnel Policy Manual requires employees to return all city manuals.
Deaartment Reports:
Ambulance Service
2
Department Head Meeting Minutes of July 29, 2008
Jan received a letter from AMR accounts payable requesting proof of payment in order to close ten
claims. She faxed a response to AMR that five accounts were akeady paid and the other five were not
the city's accounts.
Jan would like to update the old mutual aid agreements with Joliet and Park City. The agreements were
approved via council resolution. Molt has requested Laurel to cover same territory. Mayor Olson told
Jan to take these issues to the Emergency Services Committee. Jan asked if a standard mutual aid
agreement is available. She will a-mail the agreements to Sam for review.
City Council President
There was no discussion.
Clerk/Treasurer
• Budget process update
Mary stated that the certified mills should be sent on Monday. The budget calendar will be revised and
distributed. Work on the budget will continue this week. Since the union negotiations are not complete,
budgeting the wages will be difficult.
Fire D artment
• Report on new brush truck
Mayor OLson stated that the truck will be going to Missoula.
Library
• Update on parking lot
Nancy stated that the contractor finished pouring the concrete last Thursday and will lay the asphalt
after the concrete has cured.
Police Department
Rick stated that Carbon County/Red Lodge may call for all available law enforcement to help evacuate
Red Lodge and the subdivision west of the town. Mayor Olson asked Rick to inform him prior to
activating any off-duty police officers or police reserves. Mayor Olson had previously asked the fire
chief to give him the number of firemen that would respond to a request. The ambulance would also
inform the mayor if called out.
Rick asked regarding the Centennial activities. Mayor Olson explained the activities, including the
Budweiser Clydesdales, the parade, and the burger cookout. Since the Jaycees will serve beer at the
cookout, police officers are required. There was discussion regarding charging for the police officers
for the two hours. Rick asked if the proceeds would go to the Centennial Committee or the Jaycees.
Rick stated that the Police Reserves will provide backup for the event at Riverside Park on Saturday,
August 9~. Rick's concern is regarding street closure issues, not park issues.
Bill arrived at 3:35 p.rn. and led the meeting from this point on.
Mayor Olson reiterated the schedule for the centennial events. He asked the department heads to
volunteer time on Friday, August 8~', at 5:00 p.m, to serve burgers at the cookout in front of city hall.
Since Rick will be on vacation until Friday, August 8~', Sgt. Zuhoski should be contacted regazding
questions and issues.
Department Head Meeting Minutes of 7uly 29, 2008
Rick stated that the Police Reserve appreciation banquet was held last Saturday. Mayor Olson, his wife,
Gay, Jan and some crew members attended the banquet, which was planned by Michelle Steffans. Rick
stated that many donations and gifts were received for the event and he thanked those that attended.
City Planner
+ Annexation of Riverside Park
James stated that Dan McGee will survey Riverside Pazk soon.
• Update on alley vacations
• Vacation of Maple Avenue in Russell Pazk and dedication of lots
James stated that this issue is going forward.
James mentioned that a major subdivision southwest of Laurel has been in the preliminary stages and
will be coming forward soon. There was discussion regarding park maintenance districts, the sound
wall in Elena Subdivision and Dave Bequette's unwillingness to do the barrier, and the city's options
with this issue. Bill will contact Mr. Bequette again.
Public Works D artrnent
• Streets
Kurt stated that the software to index streets is currently on an old computer and needs to be updated
and installed on a newer computer.
Kurt stated that the crew is patching streets. The alley by city hall and the area across the street will be
closed on Wednesday for patching.
• Cemetery Agreement
Bill had a meeting with Commissioner Kennedy today. The county will prepare a cemetery agreement.
There was discussion regarding the burial space requested by the previous owners of the land and that
any monuments would be the city's expense. The county wants to provide the city with a backhoe and
tools.
Bill stated that a meeting is scheduled on Wednesday with the Big Ditch Company to discuss water
rights and expense for irrigation at the cemetery. Bill will attend the meeting to assure that the city
receives enough shares to water the Veterans' Cemetery and the Laurel Cemetery.
Bill stated that the county anticipates that the cemetery will be ready for burials in October or
November.
Kurt stated that the two solid waste trucks that were down aze in service again today.
The mechanic applicant accepted the position. A letter has been prepared for the mayor's signature.
Kurt stated that the mechanic would like to have a tool lease agreement in order to use his own tools at
the city shop. The proposed start date is August 11 `~.
Kurt stated that a rock was thrown through the Riverside Park caretaker's house, but the house is
vacant. The caretaker has been working at the pazk every night and will water the grass from
Wednesday through Sunday and allow the ground to dry out for several days prior to the centennial
events.
4
Department Head Meeting Minutes of July 29, 2008
There was discussion regazding spraying for mosquitoes in Riverside Park, the street closure requests,
Yellowstone Bank's request that no beer be disbursed on bank property, pazking at Riverside Park, and
the availability of police reserves to assist with directing parking for the Odyssey West event.
City Attorney
• Interlocal Agreement
Sarn will circulate the final draft of the agreement to the department heads.
There was discussion regarding the Cenex fire services agreement. The signed agreement was sent to
Cenex last week. Sam stated that Cenex requested changes to the approved version of the agreement.
• Purchase and Procurement Policy
Sam stated that review of the policy will continue.
Mayor Olson
• Laurel City Yoce
Mayor Olson previewed the draft today and he thanked the department heads for their articles.
• Outlook calendars
o Vacation calendaz
Mayor Olson stated that Bart Haskell is available to provide individual training for departments. A joint
session will be scheduled in September for further training. The police department, clerk's office,
planner, code enforcement officers, and Cheryll have received training.
Chief Administrative Officer
Bill explained the "dot" exercise that he distributed at last week's department head meeting. The
purpose of the design is to encourage individuals to think outside the box, open up new possibilities,
and think of ways to improve service and possibly reduce costs.
Other
There was no discussion.
The meeting adjourned at 4:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
•~
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary
5