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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial City Council Minutes 12.26.2017 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL DECEMBER 26, 2017 A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Mark Mace at 6:00 p.m. on December 26, 2017. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Emelie Eaton Doug Poehls Richard Herr _ Scot Stokes Chuck Dickerson Tom Nelson COiJNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Bruce McGee Bill Mountsier OTHER STAFF PRESENT: Sam Painter, City Attorney PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Mace led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Mayor Mace asked the Council to observe a moment of silence. SCHEDULED MATTER: • Resolution No. R17-74: A resolution of the City Council appointing a Mayor to serve until the City's next General Election to be effective only if he Mayor-Elect fails to resign his current City employment rendering him unable to serve as the City's elected Mayor while remaining a City Employee. Mayor asked each applicant to give a brief presentation to Council as to why they should be considered for the Mayor appointment. The Mayor asked that presentations be five minutes or less. --- Mayor Mace asked for Ken Gomer to present to Council. Ken Gomer, 204 Foundation Avenue, stated that he grew up in Laurel. He then enlisted in the Navy. ; He then moved back to Montana. He lived in Bridger for 27 years, spending 18 years on their City � Council, two of which as Mayor. He does have some experience, however, the town of Bridger is significantly smaller than Laurel. He is excited to work with a Chief Administrative Officer. He is honored to be considered for this job. He knows the basics for Montana Code Annotated. He does know the budget process. Goal to make the City as efficient as it can be. Council Member Herr questioned how Mr. Gomer would achieve efficiency and accessibility to the i citizens of Laurel. Mr. Gomer responded that he would have his phone number posted for citizens to contact the Mayor. He stated that he feels the City is already most likely doing things to be more efficient. He stated that he would have a learning curve, but that his learning curve would be much quicker based on his past experience. Mayor Mace asked for Terry Fink to present to Council. Terry Fink, 207 S. 4th Street, has been in business in Laurel for 50 years. He was on the City Council approximately 30 years ago. He does not know what he will do for the City. He would like the ""' streets to be fixed in Laurel. Many years ago there was a plan in place to fix the streets. Every year the City budgeted to chip seal two streets every year. Council Member Herr questioned as Mayor how Mr. Fink would bring improvements and new businesses to town. Mr. Fink stated he has no idea, but that he would do the best he could if is appointed as Mayor. Mayor Mace asked for Kevin Witherspoon to present to CounciL Council Minutes of December 26,2017 Kevin Witherspoon, 710 W. 13�' Street, has been a resident for almost four years. Born in Washington, moved to California. His wife is from Laurel and that is why they moved here. He's been in leadership roles his entire life, such as being a coach or manager. Currently a student majoring in political science with a specialty in public administration. Wanted to run down the road and wanted to cease this opportunity while it was available. Council Member Herr questioned what Mr. Witherspoon's opinion on a local sales tax. Mr. Witherspoon stated that it depends. Would not be opposed to implanting some fees. Would be open to discussions regarding the topic. Not a compromiser, prefer to go back to the drawing board to find a solution. Mayor Mace asked for Thomas Nelson to present to Council. Thomas Nelson, 524 Elm Avenue, submitted a letter to be considered because nearly half of the voters did vote for him. He has been asked if he would be putting in a letter of intent should there be a vacancy. He has been on City Council for the past six years. He states he understands the work and time it will take to be Mayor. He described the importance of networking with other Mayors through the Montana League of Cities and Towns. His family has given their approval of him giving his time to the City as he has been for the past six years. Council Member Herr questioned how would you create a fiscal sound economy for Laurel. Mr. Nelson stated that the Mayor would want to put the City in the position. Providing leadership and money management for the City. Looking down the road to make sure the City is in the position it has the reserves it needs for emergencies and is building the money for growth. Also finding other revenues for the City, such as a water station where the City sells bulk water. Mayor Mace asked for roll call nominations for Contingency Mayor. Motion by Council Member Poehls to nominate Thomas Nelson for Contingency Mayor, seconded ' by Council Member Herr. Motion by Council Member Poehls to nominate Ken Gomer for Contingency Mayor, seconded by Council Member Nelson. Motion by Council Member Stokes to nominate Kevin Witherspoon for Contingency Mayor, seconded by Council Member Poehls. Mayor Mace asked three times if there were any other nominations. There were none. Motion bv Council Member Poehls that nominations cease, seconded by Council Member Dickerson. A vote was taken on the motion to cease. All six Council Members voted aye. Motion carried 6-0. Sam Painter, City Attorney, clarified that in the past the Council has wanted to vote via ballot that are read aloud. Ballots were read out loud with the following results; Ward lA cast a vote for Thomas Nelson, Ward 1B cast a vote for Thomas Nelson, Ward 2A cast a vote for Thomas Nelson, Ward 3A cast a vote for Thomas Nelson, Ward 3B cast a vote for Kevin Witherspoon, and Ward 4B cast a vote for Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson received the majority of votes and appointed as the Contingency Mayor. — Motion by Council Member Poehls for approval of Resolution No. R17-74 with Thomas Nelson's name, seconded by Council Member Dickerson. There was no further Council discussion or public comment. All six Council Members voted aye. Motion carried 6-0. ADJOURNMENT: Motion bv Council Member Eaton to adjourn the council meeting, seconded by Council Member Poehls. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All six Council Members present voted aye. Motion carried 6-0. 2 3 , Council Minutes of December 26,2017 There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 6:26 p.m. Brittney oo , Administrative Assistant _ Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 2"d day of January, 2018. 0 Attest: � Bethany eler, lerk/Treasurer � I 3 �J Ward 1A Ballot Ward iB Ballot � IV, e�s� � �m / � � � Q ti�, n � Ward 2A Ballot ./r ' � V �ti'�. 4` �� . ��� � ���� I I Ward 3�Ballot Ward 3�a�lot � 1�J� �� � 9 ��� , _ _.�,���� � � ����� � � Ward 46 Bailot I �-,,U, I���sv�-�