Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 08.25.2020MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL AUGUST 25, 2020 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 6:30 p.m. on August 25, 2020. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHER STAFF PRESENT: Heidi Sparks Bruce McGee Richard Herr Scot Stokes Iry Wilke (6:39) Richard Klose Don Nelson Emelie Eaton Jean Kerr, Judge Stan Langve, Police Chief Monica Salo, Court Clerk Fran Schweigert, Public Works Kurt Markegard, Public Works Director 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 August 11, 2020, as presented, seconded by Council Member Sparks. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All six council members present voted aye. Motion carried 6-0. CORRESPONDENCE: None. COUNCIL DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS: None. PUBLIC HEARING: • Public Hearing — Street Maintenance Ordinance Mayor Nelson stated this is the time and place set for the public hearing on the City of Laurel's Ordinance No. 020-03 an Ordinance amending Title 12 Chapter 12.04 of the Laurel Municipal Code Relating to the City's Street and Sidewalk construction and maintenance. Mayor Nelson opened the public hearing. Mayor Nelson opened the floor for public comment and asked that Staff present the item. Kurt Markegard, Public Works Director, you have before you Ordinance 020-03; this is the ordinance amending the street and sidewalk construction maintenance ordinance. This ordinance is trying to catch up to State law changes. It was brought forward that Laurel's Municipal Code was not current with MCA. He stated he worked with Sam, the City Attorney, to update the ordinance and change some terminology. Took out the City Engineer and put in Public Works Director. The most significant change is allowing the City to create one district Citywide or create multiple districts. The City could create a business maintenance district, and those assessments would be used to fixed streets in just that area. It won't be implemented until next year. It is too late this year; after Council approves this ordinance, it takes 30 days to go into effect. This ordinance allows for the City to make these assessments, allows for protest periods where if 50% of the population could come in and protest the assessment. It also allows financial assistance options. And excludes any water users within the City limits. So, if there is a ditch company that has land, the City cannot assess. Currently, there is no property within the City of Laurel owned by a water user. Mayor Nelson stated that copies of the rules governing the public hearing were posted in the council chambers. Council Minutes of August 25, 2020 ' Mayor Nelson asked three times if there were any proponents. There were none. Mayor Nelson asked three times if there were any opponents. There were none. Mayor Nelson asked Staff to respond to any relevant questions. There were none. Mayor Nelson closed the public hearing. CONSENT ITEMS: • Claims entered through August 21, 2020, totaling $ 562,892.62. A complete listing of the claims and their amounts is on file in the Clerk/Treasurer's Office. • Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 8/9/2020, totaling $199,604.97. 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 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. CEREMONIAL CALENDAR: None. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: • City/County Planning Board Minutes of June 24, 2020. • Laurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes of May 11, 2020. • Laurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes of June 22, 2020. • Laurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes of July 6, 2020. • Laurel Urban Renewal Agency Minutes of July 20, 2020. • Public Works Committee Minutes of July 20, 2020. r _ • Public Works Committee Minutes of August 17, 2020. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (THREE-MINUTE LIMIT): None. L— SCHEDULED MATTERS: Resolution No. R20-46: A Resolution Of The City Council Authorizing The Award Of Grants From The Tax Increment Financing District Funds Pursuant To The Lura Large Grant Request Program For Eligible Applicants'And Improvements. Motion by Council Member Sparks to approve Resolution No. R20-46, 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. • Resolution No. R20-47: A Resolution Authorizing The Mayor To Execute An Agreement With Dunne Communications Inc. For Police Dispatch Replacement Equipment, To Include Installation And Support. Motion by Council Member Wilke to approve Resolution No. R20-47, 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. (� Ordinance No. 020-03: An Ordinance Amending Title 12 Chapter 12.04 Of The Laurel If— Municipal Code Relating To The City's Street And Sidewalk Construction And Maintenance. (Second Reading) Motion by Council Member Nelson to adopt Ordinance No. 020-03, seconded by Council Member Sparks. record. The Council Secretary read the following questions from the Editor of the Outlook into the M Council Minutes of August 25, 2020 • Is this going to raise our street assessment again this year? It was clarified that this is an ordinance change; this not an assessment resolution. That resolution will be passed with the, budget resolutions as in every year. • Is every street in a maintenance district? It was clarified that every street within City limits is in a maintenance district. • Will every property owner receive an assessment whether work is being done or not? It was clarified, yes. • How much can the City levy before incurring a violation to MCA 15-10-420 or 15-10-402? It was clarified that street assessment is subject to title 7, chapter 12. • How are assessments different from taxes? It was clarified that assessments and taxes'are in different titles in MCA. Tax levies are subject to title 15. Assessments can be done for streets, parks, or special assessments. They are primarily for maintenance. There was no council discussion. A roll call vote was taken on the motion. Council Members Sparks, Herr, Wilke, Klose, Nelson, Stokes, and McGee voted aye. Motion carried 7-0. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (ONE -MINUTE LIMIT): None. COUNCIL DISCUSSION: Council noted that the work at Riverside Park is looking good. It was noted that on August l llh minutes, it was stated that there would be a discussion about the 1 acre for parking at the Cemetery on the next Workshop. That has been moved to the September 151h meeting. MAYOR UPDATES: None. UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Council Member Klose to adjourn the council meeting, 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. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m. U6 AA Brittney Moo Administrative Assistant Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 81h day of September 2020. Attest: Thomas C. Nelson, Mayor 3