HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 06.23.2020 (2)
AGENDA
CITY OF LAUREL
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020
6:30 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
NEXT RES. NO.
R20-33
NEXT ORD. NO.
O20-03
WELCOME . . . By your presence in the City Council Chambers, you are participating in the process of representative
government. To encourage that participation, the City Council has specified times for citizen comments on its agenda -- once
following the Consent Agenda, at which time citizens may address the Council concerning any brief community announcement
not to exceed one minute in duration for any speaker; and again following Items Removed from the Consent Agenda, at which
time citizens may address the Council on any matter of City business that is not on tonight’s agenda. Each speaker will be
limited to three minutes, unless the time limit is extended by the Mayor with the consent of the Council. Citizens may also
comment on any item removed from the consent agenda prior to council action, with each speaker limited to three minutes,
unless the time limit is extended by the Mayor with the consent of the Council. If a citizen would like to comment on an age nda
item, we ask that you wait until the agenda item is presented to the Council by the Mayor and the public is asked to comment
by the Mayor. Once again, each speaker is limited to three minutes.
Any person who has any question concerning any agenda item may call the City Clerk -Treasurer's office to make an inquiry
concerning the nature of the item described on the agenda. Your City government welcomes your interest and hopes you will
attend the Laurel City Council meetings often .
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call of the Council
Approval of Minutes
1. Approval of Minutes of June 9, 2020.
Correspondence
2. Laurel Chamber of Commerce 4th of July Correspondence
3. Ban On Open Burning & Stage 1 Fire Restriction - High Fire Danger - Yellowstone County
Correspondence.
4. Laurel Airport Authority Minutes of May 26, 2020.
Council Disclosure of Ex Parte Communications
Public Hearing
Consent Items
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
The Consent Calendar adopting the printed Recommended Council Action will be enacted with one vote. The Mayor will
first ask the Council members if any Council member wishes to remove any item from the Consent Calendar for
discussion and consideration. The matters removed from the Consent Calendar will be considered individually at the end of
this Agenda under "Items Removed from the Consent Calendar." (See Section 12.) The entire Consent Calendar, with the
exception of items removed to be discussed under "Items Removed from the Consent Calendar," is then voted upon by roll
call under one motion.
5. Claims entered through June 19, 2020.
6. Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 6/14/2020 totaling $ 194,831.46.
Ceremonial Calendar
Reports of Boards and Commissions
7. Budget/Finance Committee Minutes of June 9, 2020.
Tree Board Minutes of May 21, 2020.
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Audience Participation (Three-Minute Limit)
Citizens may address the Council regarding any item of City business that is not on tonight’s agenda. Comments regarding
tonight’s agenda items will be accepted under Scheduled Matters. The duration for an individual speaking under Audience
Participation is limited to three minutes. While all comments are welcome, the Council will not take action on any item not
on the agenda.
Scheduled Matters
8. Appointment of Philip Swain and Michelle Grider to the Laurel Volunteer Ambulance Service.
9. Appointment of Wallace Hall to Cemetery Commission for a two year term ending June 30,
2022.
10. Appointment of Richard Herr to the Cemetery Commission for a two-year term ending June 30,
2022.
11. Appointment of Richard Herr to the Tree Board for a three-year term ending June 30, 2023.
12. Appointment of LuAnne Engh to the Tree Board for a three-year term ending June 30, 2023.
13. Appointment of Arthur Vogele to the Library Board for a five-year term ending June 30, 2025.
14. Appointment of Shane Linse to the Airport Authority for a five-year term ending June 30,
2025.
15. Resolution No. R20-33: A Resolution Awarding A Three-Year Contract With Olness And
Associates For Auditing Services Through Fiscal Year Ending 2022 And Authorizing The
Mayor To Sign Said Contract For The City Of Laurel.
Items Removed From the Consent Agenda
Community Announcements (One-Minute Limit)
This portion of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for citizens to address the Council regarding community
announcements. The duration for an individual speaking under Community Announcements is limited to one minute. While
all comments are welcome, the Council will not take action on any item not on the agenda.
Council Discussion
Council members may give the City Council a brief report regarding committees or groups in which they are involved.
Mayor Updates
Unscheduled Matters
Adjournment
The City makes reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person’s ability to
participate in this meeting. Persons needing accommodation must notify the City Clerk’s Office to make needed
arrangements. To make your request known, please call 406-628-7431, Ext. 2, or write to City Clerk, PO Box 10, Laurel,
MT 59044, or present your request at City Hall, 115 West First Street, Laurel, Montana.
DATES TO REMEMBER
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File Attachments for Item:
Approval of Minutes of June 9, 2020.
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File Attachments for Item:
2. Laurel Chamber of Commerce 4th of July Correspondence
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File Attachments for Item:
3. Ban On Open Burning & Stage 1 Fire Restriction - High Fire Danger - Yellowstone County
Correspondence.
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File Attachments for Item:
4. Laurel Airport Authority Minutes of May 26, 2020.
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MINUTES
LAUREL AIRPORT AUTHORITY BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
A Laurel Airport Authority Board meeting was held in the Airport Pilot’s
Lounge and called to order by Chairman Randy Hand at 19:00.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
☐ Randy Hand, Chairman
☐ Brock Williams, Secretary
☐ Shane Linse
☐ Jim Swensgard
☐ Will Metz
OTHERS PRESENT:
Craig Canfield, Nik Zuhlsdorf (Morton Buildings), Rich McKamy
1.General Items
a.Previous minutes approved by unanimous consent
b.Accountant was out of town so we didn’t have a full breakdown
on the claims. Regular occurring claims were approved.
2.Reports from Craig Canfield of KLJ
a.Construction contract is in place for the pavement maintenance
project. Anticipated start date is July 6. Board recommends
checking with the FBO to make sure there are no conflicts.
Motion to proceed with July 6 start date assuming no FBO
conflicts passed without dissent.
b.3 year maintenance agreement contract for the AWOS from All
Weather has been received. Motion to approve passed without
dissent.
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c.PAPI 14. Craig has been working with the manufacturer, and
they are sending a new sensor. He will return the existing
sensor for diagnostics and determination of warranty.
3.New Business
a.Nottingham T-Hangar Condos. Nothing new to report since last
meeting.
b.Will Metz Hangars.
i.Board heard from Nik Zuhlsdorf regarding the design and
construction.
ii.Will believes the current building requirements, especially
roof pitch, are antiquated and should be changed.
iii.Will is asking for a variance on the roof pitch requirement
iv.There was a discussion about obtaining public input before
changing the building standards.
v.Motion to grant variance on the roof pitch made and
seconded. Will abstained from the vote. Motion passed
with Brock opposed.
c.Upcoming Lease Transfers. A number of leases are coming up
for renewal soon. Discussion regarding potential condition
inspection as a part of the renewal process. Board consensus is
to deal with on a case-by-case basis as required.
4.Old Business
a.SRE Building. Proceeding with door installation
b.John Deer Tractor. Murl to see if he can get it running and then
we will evaluate selling it.
5.Public Input
Citizens may address the board regarding any item of business not on the agenda.
The duration for an individual speaking under Public Comment is limited to three
minutes. While all comments are welcome, the board will not take action on any item
not on the agenda.
a.none received
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6.Other Items
none
7.Announcements
a.none
The meeting was adjourned at 20:30.
Respectfully submitted,
Brock Williams
Secretary
NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for
information and discussion of listed agenda items.
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File Attachments for Item:
7. Budget/Finance Committee Minutes of June 9, 2020.
Tree Board Minutes of May 21, 2020.
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Minutes of City of Laurel
Budget/Finance Committee
Tuesday, June 09, 2020
Members Present: Emelie Eaton Richard Klose
Bruce McGee
Others Present: Mayor Nelson Bethany Langve
Matt Wheeler Brandon Gonzalez
The Meeting was called to order by Chair Eaton at 5:30 pm.
Public Input: Citizens may address the committee regarding any item of business that is not on the
agenda. The duration for an individual speaking under Public Input is limited to three minutes. While
all comments are welcome, the committee will not take action on any item not on the agenda.
General Items
• Review and approve the minutes of the May 26, 2020 meeting. Richard Klose made a
motion to approve the minutes of the May 26, 2020 Budget and Finance Committee meeting.
Mayor Nelson seconded the motion to approve the May 26, 2020 Budget and Finance
Committee meeting minutes, all in favor, motion passed.
• Review and approve purchase requisition from the Ambulance Department – The Committee
was presented with a purchase requisition from the Ambulance Department for new tools.
The Committee asked if the Ambulance Department could us the City Shop tools. The
Clerk/Treasurer and Public Works Superintendent stated that this was not possible at all
times of the day and night because the City Shop is closed and locked after 5:00pm M-F, on
the weekends, and during holidays. The Ambulance Department is open 24/7 and would
need access to the tools during this time frame. The Committee asked where the tools will be
stored, and the City Mechanic, Brandon Gonzalez, stated there was a toolbox included in the
purchase requisition. The Committee stated that the tool purchase was not budgeted,
however they asked the Clerk/Treasure if the department had the remaining appropriations
available to make the purchase. The Clerk/Treasure stated that the Ambulance Department
did have enough appropriations left for this purchase. Richard Klose made a motion to
approve the purchase requisition from the Ambulance Department for the purchase of new
tools. Bruce McGee seconded the motion to approve the purchase requisition from the
Ambulance Department for the purchase of new tools, all in favor, motion passed.
• Review and approve purchase requisition from the Clerk/Treasurer – The Committee was
presented with a purchase requisition from the Clerk/Treasurer for GASB 75 Valuation. The
Clerk/Treasurer stated this valuation had been done previously and needs to be done again
with a rollover done for Fiscal Year 2021. The Committee asked what GASB 75 was, and
the Clerk/Treasurer explained it had to do with reporting of mainly health insurance
liabilities. The Clerk/Treasurer explained these valuations are expensive to do, and this is the
main reason why each year the City received the total pension liability audit error. The
valuation required for that is very expensive to do, and the benefit does not outweigh the cost
of the valuation. Emelie Eaton made a motion to approve the purchase requisition from the
Clerk/Treasurer for the GASB 75 Valuation. Bruce McGee seconded the motion to approve
the purchase requisition from the Clerk/Treasurer for the GASB 75 Valuation, all in favor,
motion passed.
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• Review and approve purchase requisition from the Fire Department for repairs to Brush 5
Truck. The Clerk/Treasurer explained to the Committee that Brush 5 had been caught in a
fire, after getting stuck in tall cattails. The Clerk/Treasurer explained that her and the Mayor
discussed turning this into insurance versus paying for the needed repairs out of General
Fund. The Mayor agreed with the Clerk/Treasurer that paying for repairs in this amount was
financial responsible. The Committee asked how many miles were currently on the truck,
and if it was worth repairing. The Public Works Superintendent stated he knew which truck
this was, and it was a good truck. He stated repairing it was worth the money. The
Committee reviewed the purchase requisition and had no additional questions. The
Committee was thankful that no Firefighters were injured during the fire. Bruce McGee
made a motion to approve the purchase requisition from the Fire Department for repairs to
Brush 5 Truck. Emelie Eaton seconded the motion to approve the purchase requisition from
the Fire Department for repairs to Brush 5 Truck, all in favor, motion passed.
• Review and approve purchase requisition from the Parks Department for Fire Pits and
Benches. The Committee reviewed the purchase requisition and wanted to know if these
were going to be paid for out of the State approved Riverside Park funds. The
Clerk/Treasurer stated the City would have to pay for the invoices and then submit them to
the State for reimbursement. The Committee asked if the benches would be bolted down.
The Public Works Superintendent stated they would not be bolted down and would be
mobile. Emelie Eaton made a motion to approve the purchase requisition from the Parks
Department for the purchase of fire pits and benches. Bruce McGee seconded the motion to
approve the purchase requisition from the Parks Department for fire pits and benches, all in
favor, motion passed.
• Review and approve the May 2020 Utility Billing Adjustments. The Committee reviewed
the May 2020 utility billing adjustments and had no questions. Richard Klose made a motion
to approve the May 2020 Billing Adjustments. Bruce McGee seconded the motion to
approve the May 2020 Billing Adjustments, all in favor, motion passed.
• Review and recommend approval to Council Claims entered through 05/31/2020. The
Claims Detail reports and the Check Registers were reviewed for accuracy prior to the
meeting by the Committee. There was a question regarding the telephone bills and how high
they were. The Mayor stated these bills will go down once the City VOIP system is
installed. The VOIP system is scheduled to be installed in the next couple of months. Scot
Stokes made a motion to recommend approval to Council the claims entered through
05/31/2020. Richard Klose seconded the motion to recommend approval to Council the
claims entered through 05/31/2020, all in favor, motion passed.
• Review and approve Payroll Register for pay period ending 05/31/2020 totaling $211,124.01.
The two-page summary was reviewed, signed, and dated. Bruce McGee made a motion to
approve the payroll register for pay period ending 05/31/2020 totaling $211,124.01. Richard
Klose seconded the motion, all in favor, motion passed.
New Business – None
Old Business
• The Committee discussed the repairs of the Street Sweeper. The Committee stated they
wanted to know if repairing this Street Sweeper was cheaper versus buying a new Street
Sweeper. The City Mechanic stated the current Street Sweeper did not have very many hours
on it. He stated the City could fix it but it may have other issues. He stated the City will
eventually need a new one. The main drive pump went out and put metal shavings into the
hydraulic lines. There is a filter after the main drive pump that should have caught any metal
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shavings, however the hydraulic lines may be contaminated. If the hydraulic lines are
contaminated with metal the Street Sweeper will have additional issues. Everything else on
the machine works fine, so there is a good chance there will be no further issues with the
Sweeper after the main pump is replaced, and the hydraulic lines are flushed. The
Committee asked why there was only one quote. The Public Works Superintendent stated
Titan Machinery is who the Street Sweeper was purchased from. The City Mechanic stated
Titan Machinery has all the certifications and classes necessary to repair this Street Sweeper.
He stated the next nearest location may be Denver, Colorado. He stated the labor cost to
diagnose the problem was around $2,000. The City Mechanic stated a new Street Sweeper
costs $222,000. There are discounts that total $21,000. Titan Machinery will give the City
approximately $20,000 for a trade-in because of the repairs. This leaves approximately
$180,000 remaining to purchase a new Street Sweeper. He stated the City will have to
replace this Street Sweeper at some point. He stated there are lease programs available. He
stated the City would have to evaluate what the value of the machine is versus repairing it. A
new unit would have a warranty. He stated Billings uses their machines for three years, then
to go into a back-up fleet for another two years, and then are retired. He Committee asked
how many times this Street Sweeper has been repaired. The Public Works Superintendent
stated this is the first time this Street Sweeper has required any major repairs. The
Committee stated it may be best to repair the Street Sweeper now and then budget for a new
one next year. The Public Works Superintendent stated the City keeps equipment forever.
The City still has the Street Sweeper purchased prior to this one and that unit needs to be
auctioned. Emelie Eaton made a motion to approve the purchase requisition from the Street
Department for repairs to the Street Sweeper. Richard Klose seconded the motion to approve
the purchase requisition from the Street Department for repairs to the Street Sweeper, all in
favor, motion passed.
• The Committee stated it is believed the Elena lawn mower is dedicated to Elena Subdivision,
and they want to know where it is and where it is going to be used. The Clerk/Treasurer
stated the previous lawn mower was purchased in September of 2013. She stated the Elena
lawn mower is dedicated to Elena, until it is retired and then they are moved into the Parks
Department inventory. She stated the lawn mower is not housed at Elena because there is
nowhere to securely store it. The Committee asked if the boulevard trees were going to be
planted at Elena this year, as they were budgeted. The Clerk/Treasurer stated the boulevard
trees will not be planted as the trees out there are having trouble surviving. The Parks
Department does not want to spend the money on these trees and have the die. The
Committee stated the City needs to do a better job in the future regarding parks in these
subdivisions. Elena has a park, but it is a stormwater pond. The Committee feels in the
future the builders should build an actual park, instead of donating land.
Other Items
• Review the Comp/OT report for pay period ending 05/31/2020. The Committee reviewed
the report and had no questions or comments.
• Clerk/Treasurer Update – The Clerk/Treasurer stated she had nothing at this time. The
Committee asked how the update to the Personnel Manual was going. The Clerk/Treasurer
stated her department has begun work updating the manual. She stated it is going to be a
lengthy project as MMIA and the City Attorney have to review all changes.
• Update from the Mayor – The Mayor stated the City needs to begin looking at the Solid
Waste Fund. Each year this fund loses money due to increased landfill fees, gas, and repairs
to equipment. The Mayor stated the department should be able to purchase a new garbage
truck every 5 years, however they currently cannot as they do not have enough revenue. The
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Committee asked if the container site could charge everyone a small fee, instead of just
County residents. The Clerk/Treasurer stated this has been brought up in the past. She stated
whatever solution comes before Council, the residents need to be involved, and help solve
this issue. The City Mechanic stated the second oldest garbage truck in the fleet has six and
a half working hours on it. The City Mechanic stated the Jet Rodder also needs to be
replaced soon. It just had a very expensive repair done. The Clerk/Treasurer stated the
Water Fund does have a replacement and depreciation cash account that can pay for this
purchase. She stated the Water and Sewer Funds have these cash accounts, but Solid Waste
does not. The Mayor stated he was aware of the email sent regarding the Fire Association
and Fireworks. He stated the mess up at last week’s Council meeting did not have anything
to do, it was his error. He stated since he had not attended the previous meeting, he did not
know what questions was asked by Council. The agenda item said 4th of July, and for that
reason the Mayor did not invite the Fire Association or the Chamber of Commerce to attend
the meeting. He apologized for the miscommunication on his end.
Announcements –
• The next Budget and Finance Meeting will be held on Tuesday June 23, 2020 at 5:30pm
• Richard Klose will be reviewing claims for the next meeting
• The meeting was adjourned at 6:25pm
Respectfully submitted,
Bethany Langve
Clerk/Treasurer
NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of the
Council for the listed workshop agenda items.
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File Attachments for Item:
9. Appointment of Wallace Hall to Cemetery Commission for a two year term ending June 30,
2022.
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File Attachments for Item:
10. Appointment of Richard Herr to the Cemetery Commission for a two-year term ending June
30, 2022.
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File Attachments for Item:
11. Appointment of Richard Herr to the Tree Board for a three-year term ending June 30, 2023.
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File Attachments for Item:
12. Appointment of LuAnne Engh to the Tree Board for a three-year term ending June 30, 2023.
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File Attachments for Item:
13. Appointment of Arthur Vogele to the Library Board for a five-year term ending June 30,
2025.
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File Attachments for Item:
14. Appointment of Shane Linse to the Airport Authority for a five-year term ending June 30,
2025.
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File Attachments for Item:
15. Resolution No. R20-33: A Resolution Awarding A Three-Year Contract With Olness And
Associates For Auditing Services Through Fiscal Year Ending 2022 And Authorizing The
Mayor To Sign Said Contract For The City Of Laurel.
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R20-33 Olness & Associates Audit Contract
RESOLUTION NO. R20-33
A RESOLUTION AWARDING A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH
OLNESS AND ASSOCIATES FOR AUDITING SERVICES THROUGH
FISCAL YEAR ENDING 2022 AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN
SAID CONTRACT FOR THE CITY OF LAUREL.
WHEREAS, the City of Laurel desires to retain Olness & Associates, PC for auditing
services pursuant to Montana law; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laurel desires to retain Olness & Associates for a term of three
years and the proposed contract is attached hereto and incorporated herein, for the following
cost:
a. Fiscal year 07/01/2019-06/30/2020 contract price of $16,000;
b. Fiscal year 07/01/2020-06/30/2021 contract price of $16,500; and
c. Fiscal year 07/01/2021-06/30/2022 contract price of $17,000.
Introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council on June 23, 2020, by Council
Member ______________________.
PASSED and APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 23rd
day of June 2020.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 23rd day of June 2020.
CITY OF LAUREL
______________________________
Thomas C. Nelson, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Bethany Langve, City Clerk/Treasurer
Approved as to form:
___________________________________
Sam S. Painter, Civil City Attorney
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