Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment Head Meetings Minutes 01.27.2009MINUTES DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING JANUARY 27, 2009 3:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ken Olson Mary Embleton Rick Musson Bill Sheridan Kurt Markegard Jan Faught Sam Painter Nancy Schmidt James Caniglia Council Workshop Agenda - January 27, 2009 Planning: • Ordinance - Delete LMC 17.40.090(A) (3) - "No required parking space shall be located in a front or side yard." James stated that the old code needs to be deleted. The draft ordinance is on tonight's council workshop agenda. • Ordinance - Change LMC 17.20.010 - "Breweries: only allowed in Light Industrial (LI) and Heavy Industrial (HI)" to add "are allowed also in Central Business District, Highway Commercial and Community Commercial." James has received inquiries regarding opening a brewery downtown. This would not be allowed under the current zoning regulations. James stated that casinos and breweries are not allowed within 300 feet of a church. A microbrewery or bar can be allowed in the Central Business District. There was discussion regarding bars, casinos, and churches in the same area. The draft ordinance is on tonight's council workshop agenda. Public Works D artment: • Resolution - Small Services Contract with Rosebud Engineering Kurt explained the contract with Rosebud Engineering to upgrade the software for the control system at the water plant and to install a digital pressure sensor in the discharge line. The contract is on tonight's council workshop agenda. • Review of 2008 swimming pool operations Kurt stated that the 2008 pool revenues of $16,475 were $3,300 more than the 2007 revenues. The 2007 YMCA contract was for $38,000, and the YMCA proposal for 2008 was $42,000. The city operated the pool for $32,000 last season. The city gained $13,000 by operating the pool in 2008. Kurt will present the information to the council tonight. Clerk/Treasurer: • Resolution - Intercap loan for new fire truck Mary stated that the State is preparing the resolution for the $200,000 loan for the new fire truck. If the resolution is not ready for February 3`d, it will be delayed until the February 17`h council meeting. The new fire truck should be delivered on Monday. Mary already met with Rick and Scott regarding property schedules to make sure each department's property is properly valued for insurance purposes. She needs to meet with department heads soon, as the report is due to MMIA on Friday. There was discussion regarding property values. Department Head Meeting Minutes of January 27, 2009 Executive Review: • Appointments: o Laurel Urban Renewal Agency: Daniel Klein, Dean Rankin, Dirk Frickel, Shirley Girard McDermott, Bill Kampfer o Public Works Committee: Bill Kampfer o HOME Program Advisory Board: Chuck Rodgers Mayor Olson will present the appointments at tonight's workshop, and the appointments will be on the February Yd council agenda. • Council Issues: o Helena Chemical ¦ Truck parking in parking lot (Emelie Eaton) ¦ Landscaping in boulevard (Doug Poehls) Mayor Olson will ask staff to explain the issues to the council tonight. Kurt stated that there are no landscape requirements in the Central Business District. He read from some CCPB minutes regarding requiring a landscape plan from Helena Chemical prior to issuing a business license for the coffee kiosk. He questioned whether the city could enforce landscaping requirements in the CBD. Rick stated that the city allowed Helena Chemical to build the parking lot, and the police department would need legal advice in order to enforce anything there. Kurt stated that the CBD is exempt from clear vision triangle requirements. Morrison-Maierle: Wastewater Project Bill stated that work is being done to make sure the city's grant will be used and the loan is properly secured. Mayor Olson stated that the emergency services department heads could leave before this presentation tonight. Department Reports: Ambulance Service • Update on shower - Darrell Aldinger 245-0777 Bill spoke with another plumber regarding the shower issue. Clerk/Treasurer • Health Insurance Committee Bill stated that five possible carriers have been contacted for quotes and that this will not be an easy task. Bill will respond to the Insurance Committee members. Fire D artment • Preparations for new fire station - plans in place Bill has talked with a contractor regarding how to go forward with this project, which could possibly be funded through the stimulus package. 2 Department Head Meeting Minutes of January 27, 2009 Library Nancy stated that an ad for two library positions will be published for two weeks, interviews will be scheduled after February 14th, and hiring should be completed by the end of February. Nancy asked regarding the request for funding for the library from the county commissioners. As she will be unavailable at times in March, April, and May, she would like to schedule it soon. Police Department • Update on sergeant process Rick stated that the applicants took the test today, the tests will be sent in for scoring tomorrow, and the interview process will be scheduled after the test scores are received in a couple weeks. Rick mentioned that RiverStone Health will provide whooping cough/tetanus shots free of charge for city employees on Wednesday, February 0. Shots will be given at the police department from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and at the fire hall at 7:00 p.m. Rick stated that the department received some office furniture from the DEA this week. The furniture cost $40,000 ten years ago, and he will get a letter from the DEA to establish the value of the furniture. City Planner • Annexation of Riverside Park James stated that the annexation of Riverside Park will be on the March Planning Board agenda. Since the city is the applicant, it needs to submit a letter requesting annexation. • Bus Transit Grant James stated that the contractors cannot prepare the RFP in a month. MDT told James to go forward with the study and then apply for the grant next year. There was discussion. James will revise the dates on the RFP to allow contractors four to five months to prepare the RFP. • Various grants for "Laurel Dump Cleanup" Bill stated that grants are available. James will work on this in the future. Public Works D artment • Swimming pool update Kurt will present information regarding the 2008 pool season at tonight's council workshop. His intention is that the city will manage the pool again this season. • Winter streets Kurt stated that the crew patched streets one day last week. Emergency snow routes were discussed at last night's Emergency Services Committee meeting. The Rules and Regulations adopted in 2005 included an emergency snow route, but the streets were not identified in the document. Fire, ambulance and police personnel will review and identify the proposed emergency snow routes. As for now, public works will manage upcoming snow events and continue to plow the same routes. 0 Status of streets Kurt stated that the department will work on streets as time and weather allow. 3 Department Head Meeting Minutes of January 27, 2009 • Status of water intake at WTP Kurt stated that the water intake is on hold until the weather improves. • Status of Water Plant upgrade Kurt stated that the contractor started removing the filter media today and the process was moving quickly. • Alder Avenue Kurt will continue working on the Alder Avenue improvements. Kurt and James will work on the Alder Avenue annexation issues, as well as other city streets that need to be annexed. Gary Neville updated Kurt recently regarding the 2002 NE turn lane project. The project will be let in May, and the fresh millings should be available in June or July. A large amount of millings should be available and could be used in several areas of the city, including Ponderosa and Riverside Parks. Rick asked when the asphalt would be laid and how it would affect the 4"' of July events. Kurt explained that the curb, gutter and sidewalk need to be completed from Alder to Locust. Kurt will contact Gary Neville about the process and timing. • Status of Main Street from 1st to 8'h Avenues Kurt stated that the Fausnaughs signed the easement, Jim Horton has verbally agreed to sign an easement, and further negotiations are needed with Tim Casey. • Report on progress with South Laurel Business SID Kurt stated that the city would give the contractor a Notice to Proceed to complete the project. Kurt thinks that the street is smoother because of the improvements done, but repaving will need to be done. • Potential 6th Street SID project There was no discussion. • Status of Wastewater Plant upgrade Morrison-Maierle will present information at tonight's council workshop. • Frozen water line to Riverside Park Kurt asked Bill for direction regarding the frozen water line. Kurt spoke regarding the need and process to install new heat tape, the risks involved, and the $5,000 investment to provide water for some upcoming events at Riverside Park. Bill suggested waiting for better weather, instead of wasting money going across the bridge. He said that the alternative of drilling a well should be investigated further. Kurt would like to thaw the line, patch it, and then charge it to see how many leaks are in the pipe. Kurt stated that the State contacted him regarding some fences in the right-of-way on the 84' Avenue project. The fences will need to be removed before construction begins. 4 Department Head Meeting Minutes of January 27, 2009 Kurt was contacted regarding county property, retention ponds, and a horse corral and shed next to the church on West 9h Street. Kirk Spalding, Engineering, Inc., would like to talk to the planner that has enforcement for zoning regulations in the county. Kurt will forward the information to James. City Attorney_ There was no discussion. Ma or Olson There was no discussion. Chief Administrative Officer • Letter to Cenex regarding potable and fire flow water service improvement • Bids on removal of wall sections - Mayor's conference room There was no discussion. Other There was no discussion. The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ?d Cindy Allen Council Secretary 5