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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Workshop Minutes 09.30.2008MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 6:30 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS A Council Workshop was held in the Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Ken Olson at 6:30 p.m. on September 30, 2008. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: x Emelie Eaton _x Kate Hart _x Gay Easton Alex Wilkins _x Doug Poehls _x Mark Mace _x Chuck Dickerson _x Norm Stamper OTHERS PRESENT: Sam Painter Mary Embleton Bill Sheridan Kurt Mazkegazd Rick Musson Scott Wilm Jan Faught (7:10 p.m.) Public In ut three-minute limit Citizens may address the Council regarding any item of Ciry business not on the agenda. The duration for an individual speaking under Public Input is limited to three minutes. While all comments are welcome, the Council will not take action on any item not on the agenda. There was no public input. Fire Department: ~ Update on proposed fire hall Fire Chief Wilm was interviewed by a Billings Gazette reporter yesterday and they discussed why a new fire hall is needed. Scott told the reporter to contact Mary with financial questions and to talk to Derek Yeager, who has worked on the project from the beginning. Yard signs are being made now and should be ready next week. On October 9th, the fire department will give its presentation to members of the Chamber of Commerce at the fire hall at 5:30 p.m. The department plans to give presentations to groups to promote the new Fire hall. In the two weeks before the elections, the fire department will talk to the public about the needs and the safety issue. Chuck asked regarding progress with having the fire districts involved. Scott explained that the one-year and three-year contracts with the fire districts expire on June 30, 2009. He stated that the contracts might need to be restructured to incorporate funding for the proposed fire hall. The districts need to take the issue to their voters to decide if they want to keep the contract with the City of Laurel. The city might have to ask the County Commissioners for help with that. Bill stated that the County Commissioners told the city that it cannot pressure the districts. The City of Billings tried that and lost in court. The city needs to meet with each of the districts and the people in charge, which presents another problem. In some districts, there are not enough appointed people Council Workshop Minutes of September 30, 2008 in the districts and the County Commissioners need to fill the positions. If needed, the city will create new agreements that provide money from the districts for the construction. Chuck asked if the city should draft a letter to the editor in support of the fire department and have each council member and the mayor sign the letter so residents are aware that the city council supports the new fire hall 100 percent. There was discussion. A draft letter will be prepazed for the council's approval on the October 7~ council agenda. Scott stated that the Gazette reporter mentioned that a lot of people are confused about taxable value and market value. The taxable value of a house would determine the assessment for the proposed mill levy, not the market value. There was further discussion regarding the need to educate taxpayers. Mary will contact the Department of Revenue or the County Treasurer's Office for the information. Ambulance: • Resolution -Step raises/on-call rates Mayor Olson removed the item from the agenda for further review. Clerk/Treasurer: • Discussion -Resolution adopting wage increases for non-union employees of the City of Laurel Mayor Olson removed the resolution from the agenda. Chief Administrative Officer: • Resolution -Adopting revised job description for Maintenance Shop Superintendent position • Resolution -Adapting new job description for Utility Plants Superintendent position Bill explained the resolutions for the revised job description for the Maintenance Shop Superintendent position and the job description for a Utility Plants Superintendent position. Bill stated that, at the present time, there is one supervisor in the Public Works Department and there have been three or four supervisors in the past. This does not mean that the positions will be filled. If that happens, it would be brought to the council for approval. The reality is that more supervision is needed in the Public Works Department. An individual is needed to deal with both plants on a 24-hour basis and a superintendent is needed to deal with the city shop. • Resolution -Maintenance Agreement for the Yellowstone County Veterans' Cemetery Bill stated that the maintenance agreement for the Yellowstone County Veterans' Cemetery is moving along but has not been signed. In two recent meetings with Mr. Kennedy, there has been discussion regarding additional expenses. He thinks it will eventually be an acceptable agreement, but the city needs to make sure it is receiving enough funds for the expenses and equipment to create an excellent Veterans' Cemetery. Next week, Mr. Kennedy and some representatives from the Yellowstone County Veterans' Association aze going to Sturgis, South Dakota, to see how the Veterans' Cemetery is operated. Improvements are being made at the Veterans' Cemetery. • Discussion regazding Alder Avenue Bill stated that the need for work on Alder Avenue has been in the newspaper and stated by citizens. The city will blade it and make it a passable street, and the city hopes to take the millings that are being generated on South First Avenue to make improvements on Alder. The city does not have the 2 Council Workshop Minutes of September 30, 2008 funding to properly construct the street. Since a section of Alder Avenue is owned by both the city and the county, it is difficult to establish who is responsible and to what degree. The city will try to address complaints and eventually have an acceptable roadway. The city's goal this fall is to fill every pothole in the city. Mayor Olson asked the council to discuss each item Bill presented in order. Maintenance Shop Superintendent position The resolution and job description will not be on the October 7~' so that more review can be done. Utilit Plan Su erintendent sition 'ob descri tion Bill stated that the position would be responsible for the 24-hour operation of the Water Plant and the operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is not a 24-hour operation. The individual would be responsible for that and other responsibilities regadding sanitary sewer and potable water. Chuck asked if the individual would get overtime or if this is a salaried position. Bill stated that this is a supervisor position and the individual would be provided a salary, not an hourly rate, and would be responsible for call-outs and all personnel problems. Maintenance A Bement for Yellowstone Count Veterans' Cemeter Bill stated that there have been two meetings with the city's employees and representatives of the Veterans' Administration to work through the problems. The county is very up front and will provide the city with a new backhoe and some other needed equipment. Alder Avenue Norm stated that the previous Public Works Director mentioned at one point that Yellowstone County made an offer to rebuild a portion of Alder Avenue if the City of Laurel would take ownership and maintain the section. That was before the Laurel Middle School was annexed and the city did not own half of the street then. He asked if there had been recent discussion with the County. Bill will contact the County regarding this issue. Executive review: • Discussion of street maintenance assessment for 2057 East Maryland Lane Sam stated that a memo would be distributed to the council in the next couple days. He summarized what he believes the city's position should be, as well as his recommendations to the council on this matter. Sam did meet with the county attorney's office and they discussed both the city's maintenance assessment and the county's assessment. Sam stated that both jurisdictions aze doing nothing illegal and they aze both valid assessments on this property. It just happens that this is one property that is in an odd circumstance in that prior to being annexed into the city, it was located in the county. The County Commissioners created a rural assessment (RSID) for a specific project. Once the project was created, the RSID attaches to the property. When the owners of the property at the time annexed into the city, it did not extinguish that property's RSID. It remains attached to the property. Upon annexing to the city, the property then becomes subject to the street maintenance assessment of the city. The city created its street maintenance district basically encompassing all properties within the city limits. There aze no exceptions in the resolution which would allow the city 3 Council Workshop Minutes of September 30, 200$ to exempt properties such as these. It is very clear that it is all properties within the city limits. Therefore, when the property owner annexed into the city, they were advised and were aware of the things they would be subject to and the services provided by the city. That camel with obligations and one of those is the street maintenance assessment. Once annexed, the property is subject to those fees and assessments. Sam advised the council to take no action on this matter. If for some reason the council decided to create an exemption for these property owners, he thinks it puts the whale ordinance and the Street Maintenance Fund in jeopardy. There could be a flood of people asking to be exempt, and there is no exemption in the existing ordinance and resolution. Sam recommended that the council do nothing. If there is going to be relief for these people, it is going to be at the county, which has the authority to remove them from the RSID if they choose to do so. It is entirely up to the commissioners. At this point, the city does not have that option, in his opinion. Sam will send the memo to the council. • Discussion of Planning Interlocal Agreement Mayor Olson stated that the agreement for the Planning Department was cumbersome because of the restraints the bylaws imposed regarding quorums. The bylaws have been rewritten to state that a quorum is determined by the number of members currently installed on the Planning Board. The County recently agreed to support the Planning Department with 1.66 mills. Additional taxable revenue was generated from the Coker. As more information is available on the Interlocal Agreement, it will be presented to the council. Council Issues: • Ditch issues on Washington Avenue (Chuck Dickerson) and open ditches (Norm Stamper) Chuck stated that kids walking down Washington Avenue have to walk into the street to get on the other side of the ditches. This is a safety concern now that the Laurel Middle School is located there. He stated that the issue needs to be addressed. Bill stated that Gay Easton showed him the problems by the Laurel Middle School. A lot of work is needed around the Middle School, and the ditches are more important than anything. He stated that work will be done on this issue. Norm stated that the open ditches had been discussed in the past. Cenex owns the ditches but did not want to participate at that time. It i$ a safety hazard around the middle school and through the eastern side of town. Chuck asked if the refinery has been approached since Pat Kirnmet took over the responsibilities. There was discussion. Mayor Olson spoke regarding the need to use the ditches to provide water for the two parcels that are farmed and the possibility of having discussions with Cenex again. Bill offered to write a letter to Cenex. Mark suggested looking at the possibility of bringing water from the river up to the farmer to supply the needed water. The water would have to be pumped, but that would be cheaper than some of the things the city is dealing with. Emelie stated that negotiations with Cenex on this issue should start again. A lot of ditches throughout town have been closed over and it makes a much safer, cleaner atmosphere, and she does not see why these should be left open. Mayor Olson stated that Bill would write a letter requesting an opportunity to talk to the Cenex management. 4 Council Workshop Minutes of September 30, 2008 • Discussion of council tour of Riverside Park (Chuck Dickerson) Emelie asked if the tour was just an exploratory type of tour or if there are plans that need to be prioritized. Mayor Olson stated that it was a chance for increased awazeness of the opportunities available at Riverside Park. Kate stated that Riverside Pazk is one pazk that people tend not to see, so it is important to know the issues there. Issues will come up if the council continues with the annexation. There was discussion regarding the event held at Riverside Pazk in August during the Centennial Celebration, the possibilities for future and continued use of the pazk, and annexation of the park. Other items: Mayor Olson stated that Council Member Wilkins received his military orders this week. The council approved his absence at the council meeting on August 19, 200$, and will be informed as information is received regarding his return from military duty. Council information and documents will continue to be e-mailed to him Review of draft council agenda for_Octaber 7, 2008 • Public Hearing: o Ordinance No. 008-09: Ordinance creating the Laurel Urban Renewal Agency pursuant to MCA § '7-15-4232 and to codify the ordinance as Title 18 of the Laurel Municipal Code. (First reading - 09/16/2008) The public hearing of Ordinance No. 008-09 is scheduled for October 7~h. Mayor Olson stated that the resolution outlining the powers for the Laurel Urban Renewal Agency will be presented a$er final adoption of the ordinance. The resolution adopting the job description for the Maintenance Shop Superintendent position will be removed from the council agenda. Attendance at the October 7`~ council meetin Alex Wilkins, Kate Hart, and Chuck Dickerson will not attend the meeting. Announcements The Park Boazd will not meet on October 2"d Chuck asked who is responsible for the Town Square and who should be contacted to use it. He asked that information be presented at the October 14~' council workshop. There was discussion regarding the Homecoming event last weekend, recognition of the police chief and the department for their involvement, and appreciation for the fireworks display put on by the fire department. Emelie commented on the tour of Riverside Park. She stated that it is to be commended that none of the improvements were coming out of the city or pazk budgets. She thinks it is remazkable that some of the early and most important improvements aze being made "cost free" to the city. 5 Council Workshop Minutes of September 30, 2008 There was discussion regarding the new sign in Riverside Park. Emelie stated that Michelle Steffans should complete the sign in the next ten days. Kurt will be contacted regarding placement of the sign. Mayor Olson asked Bill to present an update on the South First Avenue project at the council workshop on October 14~. The council workshop adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, C..C-f'"t~~ Cindy Allen Council Secretary NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the Council for the listed workshop agenda items. 6