HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 11.10.2008MINUTES
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
NOVEMBER 10, 2008 3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT: Bill Sheridan Mary Embleton Rick Musson
Scott Wilm Kurt Markegard Jan Faught
James Caniglia
Council Workshop Agenda - November 11, 2008
Ward 3 Council candidate interviews
Christmas to Remember Committee - Jean Carroll Thomson
Centennial Celebration video
These items are on tomorrow's council workshop agenda.
Planning:
• Zone change request from Zweifel
James explained the zone change request from Agricultural Open to Residential Suburban. The
property is located next to Cenex Refinery land. James recommended denial to the Planning Board, and
the Planning Board recommended denial to the city council.
Chief Administrative Officer:
• Chad Hanson, Great West Engineering - Updates on the South Laurel Project and Main Street
Project
Bill stated that Chad would update the council on the projects. The South Laurel project should be
completed by December Sth.
• Resolution - Task Order No. 9 with Great West Engineering for Water Treatment Plant water
intake system
Bill stated that Patrick Murtagh will attend the council workshop to discuss Task Order No. 9 regarding
fire flows at Cenex.
• Roadway improvements on Washington Avenue at the Laurel Middle School
Bill stated that the school district asked the city to repave the street adjacent to the curb on Washington
Avenue at the school. At a recent meeting of the city and the school district, the school agreed to install
curb, gutter, and sidewalk and then the city will repave both sides of Washington Avenue next spring.
Executive review:
• Resolution --- Approve Laurel Cemetery Master Plan
The resolution will be presented at the council workshop.
• Appointment:
o Human Relations Committee, Council Member-at-Large: Emelie Eaton
• Council issues:
o Discussion regarding the three branches of government (Mark Marc)
Department Head Meeting Minutes of November 10, 2008
o Discussion regarding the community policing concept (Emelie Eaton)
Rick will attend the council workshop.
o Fire hall mill levy
Scott will be unable to attend the council workshop. Bill received the papers back from Vince Ricci.
Department Reports:
Ambulance Service
• Update on shower
There was discussion. Bill will contact another plumber.
Jan stated that Aleta Zimmerman at Walmart contacted her recently. Walmart will donate $2,000 to the
fire, ambulance and police departments at the end of November. The ambulance recently received
donations from the Jaycees and Cenex and the money has already been spent on CPR mannequins.
Rick asked regarding the line item for donations and how to spend the Walmart's $3,000 donation from
last year. Mary explained the process and offered to assist the department heads with this. She stated
that the cash line item stays in the budget until the money is spent.
Clerk/ Treasurer
• Health Insurance Committee
Mary had nothing to report. Bill will schedule a meeting.
Mary mentioned that the auditors will be here next week. Department heads should be available to
speak with the auditors.
Employees and dependents can schedule appointments for flu shots at the Laurel Medical Center next
week. There is no cost for employees and covered dependents, but volunteers and non-covered
dependents would be charged $25 for a flu shot.
Fire Department
• Report on new brush truck
Scott stated that the light bar has been ordered for the brush truck. He was informed that the Engine
Company should be delivered in December.
Bill told Scott that he called Rural Development and left a message.
Scott recently gave copies of a BLM contract to Bill and Mayor Olson for review.
Scott stated that Sam is reviewing the draft Mutual Aid Agreement with Cenex.
The fire department responded to two structure fires recently.
• Preparations for new fire station
• Property tax assessment for new fire station
Scott stated that these two items should be removed from the department head agenda.
LibraU
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of November 10, 2008
There was no discussion.
Police Deoartment
• Status of new vehicle
Rick stated that the vehicle is three weeks out.
Status of sergeant position
Rick will post the position on Wednesday. Mary requested a copy of the posting.
Rick will present the bill for the water heater to the Budget/Finance Committee. Rick and Scott briefly
discussed the issue.
Rick explained that Rod Halvorson, owner of Ben Franklin, contacted him regarding closing the alley
by the store on November 20`h and 21 sc in order to load store fixtures on 20-foot trailers. Fire and
garbage service would also be affected. Mary suggested circulating a street closure form for this event,
and Rick will do so after this meeting.
City Planner
• Annexation of Riverside Park
James will contact Dan McGee this week regarding the land survey.
City Attorney
• Purchase and Procurement Policy
There was no discussion.
Mayor Olson
There was no discussion.
Chief Administrative Officer
Bill stated that the Nez Perce Foundation contacted him recently regarding installation of signage in
Riverside Park to commemorate the tribe's travels through this area.
Mary asked regarding the status of the non-exempt and exempt positions. Bill stated that the
clerk/treasurer and sergeant positions should remain non-exempt positions. Work is being done on the
public works position. Rick asked regarding the non-union pay issue.
Public Works Department
• Status of streets
Kurt stated that the crew has been picking up tree limbs and patching streets. The new computer was
delivered and Bart will load the programs on Thursday.
• Status of water intake at WTP
Kurt will show the video of the water intake at tomorrow's council workshop.
• Alder Avenue
Kurt stated that the school district contacted him regarding annexation of Mogan Field. There was
discussion regarding the need to loop the water line, the need for an SID, the school's waiver of right to
protest an SID, and the annexation from 7" Street to Maryland Lane.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of November 10, 2008
• Status of Main Street from 1st to 8th Avenues
Kurt will contact the property owners regarding the easements. Great West Engineering has the task
order for the sidewalks. The project is scheduled for 2010.
Cemetery Agreement
Kurt stated that the cemetery looks nice and is ready for the Veterans' Day celebration tomorrow.
• Report on progress with South Laurel Business SID
Kurt stated that there have been sewer service conflicts where the storm and sewer lines are at the same
elevation. Great West Engineering has written a letter regarding how to solve the issues. The weekly
project update will be held on Wednesday.
• Potential 6th Street SID project
Kurt stated that direction is needed for this project.
• Negotiations with Cenex regarding fire flow
Kurt should receive the plan from Cenex today.
Kurt stated that public works has received calls about picking up leaves. He asked if the annual fall
cleanup should be scheduled. If so, the city should only pick up bagged leaves this year. The extra
work caused by the recent snowstorm has put the crew behind with patching the streets and other
projects.
Rick asked if new garbage users receive notification of what can and cannot be placed in the garbage
cans. Mary stated that new customers receive the information when they sign up for services. Any
concerns should be addressed by code enforcement.
Kurt stated that Riverside Park is still a mess from the recent storm. Kiwanis Park was cleaned up last
week. There was discussion regarding allowing people to gather the wood for firewood and the
exposure and liability issues. MMIA should be contacted.
Other
Mary asked about the status of the public works union contract. Bill stated that three items are being
negotiated.
The meeting adjourned at 3:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary
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