HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 06.18.2019JUNE 18, 2019
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, was held in the
Council Chambers and called to order by Mayor Tom Nelson at 6:38 p.m. on June 18, 2019.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHER STAFF PRESENT:
Heidi Sparks
Bruce McGee Richard Herr
Scot Stokes Iry Wilke
Richard Klose Bill Mountsier
Emelie Eaton
Bethany Langve, Clerk/Treasurer
Mayor Nelson led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Mayor Nelson asked the council to observe a moment of silence.
MINUTES:
Motion by Council. Member McGee to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 4,
2019, as presented, seconded by Council Member Klose. There was no public comment or council
discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion
carried 7-0.
CORRESPONDENCE:
® Letter from Yellowstone County for the re -appointment of Mr. Benner and to the Laurel
City/County Planning Board; Letter from Yellowstone County for the re -appointment of Mr.
Klasna to the Laurel City/County Planning Board.
0 Resignation letter from Ken Gomer.
_..... ® Chamber of Commerce minutes of May 10, 2019; Laurel Chamber of Commerce agenda of
June 13, 2019.
COUNCIL DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS: None.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
CONSENT ITEMS:
® Claims for the month of June 2019 in the amount of $248,580.70
A complete listing of the claims and their amounts is on file in the Clerk/Treasurer's Office.
® Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 6/2/2019 totaling $186,340.84.
® Receiving the Committee/Board/Commission Reports into the Record.
--Budget/Finance Committee minutes of June 4, 2019, were presented.
--Council Workshop minutes of June 11, 2019, were presented.
The mayor asked if there was any separation of consent items. There was none.
Motion by Council Member McGee to approve the consent items as presented, seconded by
Council Member Wilke. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on
the motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.
CEREMONIAL CALENDAR: None.
REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: None.
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Council Minutes of June 18, 2019
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (THREE-MINUTE LIMIT):
Chris Vogele, 306 E. 4th Street, stated he recently witnessed and emergent event near his home
where an ambulance was unable to respond. He stayed with the caller while waiting for an
ambulance from Billings to respond. They waited 23 minutes for the ambulance to arrive. Mr.
Vogele spoke in support of full-time EMT services.
SCHEDULED MATTERS:
® Re -appointment cf Roger Giese to the City/County Planning Board for a two-year term
ending June 30, 2021.
Motion by Council Member Stokes to approve the Mayor's re -appointment of Roger Giese to
the City/County Planning Board for a two-year term ending June 30, 2021, seconded by Council
Member Mountsier. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the
motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.
® Re -appointment of Brock Williams to the Laurel Airport Authority for a five-year term
ending June 30, 2024.
Motion by Council Member Klose to approve the Mayor's re -appointment of Brock Williams
to the Laurel Airport Authority for a five-year term ending June 30, 2024, seconded by Council
Member Mountsier. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the
motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.
® Re -appointment of David Gauslow to the Cemetery Commission for a two-year term
ending June 30, 2021.
Motion by Council Member Mountsier to approve the Mayor's re -appointment of David
Gauslow to the Cemetery Commission for a two-year term ending June 30, 2021, seconded by
Council Member Wilke. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on
the motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.
® Re -appointment of Richard Klose to the Cemetery Commission for a two-year term
ending June 30, 2021.
Motion by Council Member Wilke to approve the Mayor's re -appointment of Richard Klose
to the Cemetery Commission for a two-year term ending June 30, 2021, seconded by Council
Member Mountsier. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the
motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.
® Re -Appointment of Phyllis Bromgard to the Tree Board for a three-year term ending
June 30, 2022.
Motion by Council Member Herr to approve the Mayor's re -appointment of Phyllis
Brogmard to the Tree Board for a three-year term ending June 30, 2022, seconded by Council
Member Mountsier. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the
motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.
® Re -Appointment of Clair Killebrew to the Library Board for a five-year term ending
June 30, 2024.
Motion by Council Member Sparks to approve the Mayor's appointment of Clair Killebrew
to the Library Board for a five-year term ending June 30, 2024, seconded by Council Member
McGee. There was no public comment.
s...._..: Motion by Council Member Herr to amend the appointment to Council Member Eaton as a
representative on the Library Board, seconded by Council Member Wilke. There was no public
comment on the amended motion. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. Council Members
Sparks, Herr, Wilke, Mountsier, and Klose voted aye. Council Members Stokes and McGee voted
nay. Motion carried 5-2.
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Council Minutes of June 18, 2019
s Resolution No. R19-22: A Resolution Of The City Council To Amend The Large Grant
Request Program Pursuant To The Recommendation Of The Laurel Urban Renewal
Agency.
Motion by Council Member McGee to approve Resolution No. R19-22, seconded by Council
Member Sparks.
Chris Vogele, 306 E. 4th Street, owns two businesses in the City of Laurel. He is disappointed that
there are no LURA members present at this meeting. He thanked the Mayor and Council Member
Herr for attending the last LURA meeting. Asked that Council view projects as an investment so that
there is a return. He is unsure that this project will increase the tax base as there will not be new
businesses going into that area. He asked what the return will be on this investment. This could hurt
the City in the long run in terms of an increase in taxes coming back to the City.
Council Member McGee stated that the question before Council is to approve the Large Grant
Increase. It is unfortunate that future considerations that are not on the table for tonight's discussion
is the focus on the discussion.
Motion by Council Member Herr to amend Resolution No. R19-22 to a cap of $175,000,
seconded by Council Member Sparks.
Chris Vogele, 306 E. 4th Street, stated that raising the limit to $225,000 is not enough, especially
with the vacant storefronts along Main Street.
Council Member McGee stated that the Council has the potential to miss a great opportunity to
support the business owners who fund the TIF. The future concerns are unwarranted. If in the future
the Large Grant program needs to reduce their funds, those applying should understand. He stated
that this should be moved back to the original ask from LURA of $225,000.
A roll call vote was taken on the amended motion. Council Members Sparks, Herr, Wilke, and
Mountsier voted aye. Council Members Klose, Stokes, and McGee voted nay. Motion failed 4-3.
There was no further public comment or council discussion. A roll call vote was taken on the
motion. Council Members Herr, Wilke, Klose, Stokes, and McGee voted aye. Council Members
Sparks and Mountsier voted nay. Motion carried 5-2.
f Resolution No. R19-24: A Resolution Adopting A Safety Policy For The City Of Laurel.
Motion by Council Member McGee to approve Resolution No. R19-24, seconded by Council
Member Wilke. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the
motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.
o Resolution No. R19-25: A Resolution Approving The Agreement Between The City Of
Laurel And The Laurel Airport Authority, Said Agreement Relating To Fire Protection
Motion by Council Member Stokes to approve Resolution No. R19-25, seconded by Council
Member McGee. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the
motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.
® Resolution No. R19-26: A Resolution Approving An Agreement Between The City Of
Laurel And Yellowstone Boys And Girls Ranch, Relating To Fire Protection.
Motion by Council Member Klose to approve Resolution No. R19-26, seconded by Council
Member Mountsier. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the
motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.
® Resolution No. R19-27: A Resolution To Authorize The Mayor To Sign Agreements
With Laurel Public Schools, District 7 And 7-70, Continuing The School Resource
Officer (SRO) Program For The Laurel High School.
Motion by Council Member Mountsier to approve Resolution No. R19-27, seconded by
Council Member Sparks. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on
the motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.
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Council Minutes of June 18, 2019
® Resolution No. R19-28: A Resolution To Authorize The Mayor To Sign Agreements
With Laurel Public Schools, District 7 And 7-70, Continuing The School Resource
Officer (SRO) Program For The Laurel Middle School.
Motion by Council Member Wilke to approve Resolution No. R19-28, seconded by Council
Member Mountsier. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the
motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.
Resolution No. R19-29: A Resolution Authorizing The Mayor To Execute Agreements
With Zuercher Technologies LLC, A Tritech Software Systems Company, For
Equipment And Support For The City's 911 Service.
Motion by Council Member Herr to approve Resolution No. R19-29, seconded by Council
Member Mountsier. Thea was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the
motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.
Resolution No. R19-30: A Resolution Of The City Council Authorizing The Mayor To
Sign A Contract With Christison's Roofing For Roof Repairs On The Jaycee Hall.
Motion by Council Member Sparks to approve Resolution No. R19-30, seconded by Council
Member Mountsier. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the
motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.
Resolution No. R19-31: A Resolution Authorizing The Mayor To Execute A Contract
For The City Prosecutor Position Between The City Of Laurel And Attorney Teague
Westrope.
Motion by Council Member McGee to approve Resolution No. R19-31, seconded by Council
Member Mountsier. Mr. Westrope introduced himself to the Council. There was no council
discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion
carried 7-0.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (ONE -MINUTE LIMIT):
Chris Vogele, 306 E. 4th Street, gave a reminder that the Fourth of July is just around the corner.
Residents should take a moment to make sure their yards are taken care of as there are people who
will be coining to town who have not been here. This is an opportunity to snake a good impression.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION:
Council Member Klose requested to be placed on the next Council agenda as he will be absent for
more than ten days.
The Will Smith Gallery Tournament for American League Baseball starting at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.
There will be teams from Washington, Idaho, Colorado, North and South Dakota in town.
There will be an open house at the Water Treatment Plant and the Wastewater Treatment Plant on
July 22, 2019. A Ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 6:00 p.m.
MAYOR UPDATES:
The City received a letter, see attached, from the County Election Administration noticing the City
that there will not be Primary Election this year. Primary Elections are only needed when more than
three people are running for one seat.
UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Council Member McGee to adjourn the council meeting, seconded by Council
Member Mountsier. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the
motion. All seven council members present voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.
There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at
7:22 p.m.
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Council Minutes of June 18, 2019
Brittney oorm n, Administrative Assistant
Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 2nd day
of July 2019.
Thomas C. Nelson, Mayor
Attest:
Bethany Lan , Clerk/Treasurer
(406) 256-2740 P.O. Box 35002
(406) 254-7940 (FAX) Billings, MT 59107-5002
brutherford(c7o.yellowstone.mt.gov
June 18, 2019
RE: Municipal Primary
Dear City Clerk,
In accordance with 13-14-115 MCA, I am writing to inform you that the September 10, 2019
Municipal Primary Election for the City of Laurel has been cancelled for all races due to the lack of
candidates. The governing body may still require that a primary election be held if it passes a
resolution not more than 10 days after the close of filing. Please let me know if you have any
questions.
Sincerely,
$4a IZ4,a
Bret Rutherford
Election Administrator
Yellowstone County