HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 12.09.2008MINUTES
DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING
DECEMBER 9, 2008 3:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT: Mayor Ken Olson Mary Embleton Rick Musson
Bill Sheridan James Caniglia Jan Faught
Sam Painter (3:15 p.m.) Nancy Schmidt
Council Workshop Agenda ,- December 9. 2008
Carl Anderson Morrison-Maierle: Improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant
Carl Anderson will give a presentation at tonight's workshop.
Fire D artment / Emergency Services Committee:
• Reappointment of John Meeks to the Fire Department
There was no discussion.
• Resolution - Mutual Assistance Agreement with Cenex
The mutual aid agreement is on tonight's council workshop agenda.
Clerk/Treasurer:
• Resolution -- Collection of annual service fee for all water users
The resolution is for a state-mandated charge to water users. The $2.00 charge will be on the January
bills and collected in February.
Planning:
• Ordinance - Zone change request from Frank and Doyletta Zweifel (PH 12/2/2008)
James and the Planning Board recommended denial of the zone change request. An ordinance was
prepared for the zone change, but the recommendation is to deny it. The legal description on the
ordinance needs revision prior to tonight's meeting.
• Resolution - Preserve America Grant
James stated that the resolution reflects possible ways to fund the remaining $12,000 match for the
grant. These include TIFD funds, planning funds, TCSP Grant funds, building department funds, and
general fund monies. James and Emehe Eaton will provide some in-kind services for the grant match.
Chief Administrative Officer:
• Update on water intake structure
Bill stated that the city has a contract with COP Construction and the lids for the water intake structure
have been ordered. The city found a good diving team for the project.
• Resolution- Adopting wage increases for non-union employees of the City of Laurel
The resolution is on tonight's council workshop agenda.
Executive review:
• Appointments:
o Library Board:
Department Head Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2008
¦ Appointment of Rachelle Tresch to a five-year term ending June 30, 2013
The appointment is on tonight's council workshop agenda.
o Laurel Urban Renewal Agency
Mayor Olson stated that one applicant responded to the ad. James sent an e-mail to the Chamber
regarding the need for applicants for the Urban Renewal Agency so Joanne could forward it to the
business owners. Mary stated that the ad ran for two weeks and the deadline was last Friday. There
was discussion. The ad will be in the paper for two more weeks, and Mary will send a letter to the one
applicant.
• Report on emergency services scenario
The police and ambulance personnel were not required at today's event
• Council Issues:
o Riverside Park (Emelie Eaton)
¦ Yellowstone Historic Society sign
Bill stated that the sign would eventually be installed.
¦ Nez Perce kiosk
Bill has additional information regarding the Nez Perce kiosk.
• Chain link fencing around buildings
Mayor Olson stated that there is only fencing around the caretaker's house.
¦ Update on land survey
James stated that Dan McGee should complete the survey prior to the next legislative session.
¦ Update on comprehensive plan for Riverside Park
There was discussion regarding the need for a master plan, the Park Board's recommendation for a plan
for Riverside Park, the possibility of another event at Riverside Park, and the possibility of a 50150
match grant to do a comprehensive plan.
o Wastewater project (Emelie Eaton)
¦ Update on financial changes
Mayor Olson stated that Carl Anderson will address the issues at tonight's meeting.
Mayor Olson stated that Pat Murtagh will attend tonight's council workshop to give updates on the
water intake project and Phase 1 of the water project.
A special council meeting is scheduled at 6:15 p.m. tonight regarding the contract with COP
Construction for the water intake structure.
Department Reports:
Ambulance Service
• Update on shower
Bill stated that a plumber will look at the shower soon.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2008
Jan asked for direction regarding finding a parking spot for Care 3 in order to keep supplies and
equipment from freezing.
Jan asked about the resolution for non-union pay increases. Bill stated that the information would be
available soon.
Clerk/Treasurer
• Health Insurance Committee
Mary stated that the Insurance Committee met last week and another meeting is needed soon.
Mary received an e-mail from MMIA regarding the Montana Association of Counties Loss Control
Conference in Helena on January 13th to 15th. Mary will forward the e-mail to department heads.
Mary stated that the Section 125 signup is continuing this week. Nick Hall was at city hall last week
and Sybil Kennedy will be here through Wednesday. Employees need to sign up or sign off on the
form.
Fire Department
• Report on new brush truck
• Preparations for new fire station
Bill stated that work is being done on this.
Library
Nancy stated that traffic and circulation are up 15 percent over last year. The library's website is
www.laurelpILbliclibLary.org Nancy will put a link to the city's website (www. laurel. mt. go
Nancy stated that the library's card catalog is now available online.
Mayor Olson asked regarding the parking lot and stated that a seal coat should be included in the next
budget. There have been no recent issues with the building or parking lot.
Police D artment
• Status of new vehicle
Rick stated that the department is busy and the vehicle is coming.
Rick spoke regarding the exam process for the sergeant position. The books and study guide borrowed
from the county were received and distributed to the two applicants today. The test will be given on
January 27th. Once the sergeant is selected, Rick stated that time would be needed to fill the various
positions.
There was some discussion regarding the testing process, the consortium, and issues with purchasing
textbooks.
City Planner
• Annexation of Riverside Park
This was discussed previously in the meeting.
James will be gone most of next week.
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Department Head Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2008
Public Works Department
• Winter streets
• Status of streets
Bill stated that the crew is working on patching streets.
• Status of water intake at WTP
This item was discussed earlier in the meeting.
• Alder Avenue
Bill stated that the road should be paved next spring.
• Status of Main Street from 1st to 8`h Avenues
The project is going forward and is scheduled for 2010.
• Report on progress with South Laurel Business SID
Bill stated that the project should be finished soon.
• Potential 6`h Street SID project
Bill is looking for grants for the Safe to School Route.
City Attompy
Sam asked regarding the Interlocal Agreement. James, Mary, Mayor Olson and Sam will meet after this
meeting. The auditors told Mary that the contract should be similar to the fire district contracts with an
established dollar amount. The auditors commented that the city should stay away from telling the
County how to levy.
Ma or Olson
Mayor Olson mentioned the Christmas open house on Sunday.
Chief Administrative Officer
There was no discussion.
Other
Rick asked if the annexation request for 12`h Street and First Avenue would clear up some of the issues
at that location. James stated that it would but there are still a couple houses outside the city on 12`h
Street.
The meeting adjourned at 3:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Allen
Council Secretary
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