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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Committee Minutes 08.07.2000 MINUTES PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE AUGUST 7, 2000 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Gay Easton Gary Temple Bill Staudinger Lorraine Craig Marvin Carter Mark Mace Ed Steffans $ohn Oakes OTHERS PRESENT: Larry McCann Paul Thomae Steve Klotz Paul Thomae - alley vacation on West 7th Paul Thomae requested alley vacation at 8th Avenue and 7th Street. He plans to build duplexes at this location, but there is not enough square footage to do so. MDU may have a gas line in this location, and there is an irrigation ditch that is presently running water. Joe Leckie told Larry that the property has some value. A Haus of Realty told Larry that lot sales in the City of Laurel ran from $750 three years ago to $19,000 this year. Larry suggested selling the alley footage for $1.00 per square foot, about $2,300. It would be acceptable to have a utility easement instead of a dedicated right-of-way at this location. No structure could be built over the utility easement, but the square footage would make it possible for Paul to build the duplexes. The committee discussed the issue at length. Motion by Gary_ Temple to table the decision regarding the alley vacation pending information regarding utilities, the right-of-way, the ditch and the legal description, seconded by John Oakes. Motion carried. Thomae Lumber - street condition Gary stated that the issue regarding loading and unloading on Washington Avenue and Main Street needed to be resolved. The condition of the street is deteriorating, and daily complaints are received from residents. Mr. Thomae stated that the street was not built properly with a base and blacktop. If it had been, he would take responsibility for any damage caused by the equipment. However, the business was granted a loading zone by city ordinance, and Thomae Lumber cannot financially afford to repair the street as it should have been built in the first place. The committee discussed the issue. When Gay stated that a committee should be appointed to study the issue, Mark mentioned that one had previously been formed. Gay will research this and determine if a new committee is needed. 1 Water service line insurance Steve Klotz presented information regarding a proposed water line insurance program for the City of Laurel. The program would provide service, repairs, and/or replacement of water service lines connected to the city water main to the curb valve located in the public right-of-way. This would include the portion of the water service line located in the public fight-of-way, the corporation stop that connects the water service line to the main, the curb stop valve, and the curb stop box that provides operational access to the valve from surface grade. This program will provide this service to all in-city, metered accounts. The proposed water service line insurance program is to be funded by an additional utilities bill charge of $1 per month. This $1 fee would be included on all active water utilities accounts inside the Laurel city limits, estimated at 2,550. This would generate revenues of approximately $30,000 per year. The committee discussed the program, and Gay stated that it would provide cheap insurance for residents. Mark explained that a water user would pay only $360 over thirty years, but one repair would cost over $500. He stated that it should not be hard to explain the advantages provided to water line users. Motion by Gary Temple to approve the water service line insurance program, seconded by Lorraine Craig. Motion carried. 8th Avenue proiect The 8th Avenue project was scheduled for completion in 2002-2003. The Highway Department recently informed Larry that the only time replacement of water and sewer lines would be included in the project would be if they conflict with their project. Engineering, Inc., has been asked to look at those conflictions. If there were none, the project would be extended for a tremendous length of time because the costs to repair the water and sewer lines would be approximately $350,000 to $400,000. Larry stated that the water and sewer lines in this location are very disjointed, and he would not recommend rebuilding the street over the present lines. Gas tax money, which the county has been holding for the last eight years, would be used for the original project. Council approval is necessary to extend the project on the west side of 8th Avenue from 7th Avenue to 9th Avenue. Motion by Bill Staudinger to extend the 8th Avenue Project on the west side of 8th Avenue from 7th Avenue to 9th Avenue, seconded by Mark Mace. Motion carried. Main Street curb and gutter- 1st Avenue to 9th Avenue The city applied for this Pilot Program money last January, and the state assigned Engineering, Inc., to this project. The city's responsibility will be 13 percent of the total $189,000 project, which is scheduled for completion in 2002. 2 Garbage truck Larry stated that the purchase of a new garbage truck was cut from last year's budget, but something needs to be done now. Maintenance is difficult because the shop mechanic has been on sick leave and will be gone two more months. A leased factory built garbage truck is available from Kois. This particular truck does not meet all the desired specifications, but it could be delivered within ten days. It would take four to six months to get a truck with the specifications. The top speed for the available truck would be 53 M.P.H. while the spec truck would have a top speed of 65 m.p.h. The committee discussed the two options and agreed that it would be better to purchase the truck that met the specifications. Motion by Gary_ Temple to proceed with the spec truck, seconded by John Oakes. Motion carried. Corps of Engineer permit The city has applied for a permit to install the bendway weirs in the Yellowstone River to solve the recurring water intake problems. The Corps has no problem with the permit, but some regulators have not yet granted final approval. Since the weather has been so dry, the water level in the river is currently at the level typical at the end of September. Larry has applied for a second permit that would allow the city to dig in the river if it becomes absolutely necessary. Sunflower Jamboree Police Chief Musson and Larry have already granted approval for the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary to hold the Sunflower Jamboree on September 9th. Scheduled events include an Art and Craft Fair, Kids Fair, Laurel's Biggest Rummage Sale, and the LRL Farmer's Square. Vendors would be located in the vacant lot behind Meadowlark Gallery and in the park next to the FAP. The street in front of City Hall and Second Avenue from Main to First will be closed during the event. The auxiliary is raising money for the Montana Volunteer Firefighter's Association meeting which is scheduled for spring 2001 in Laurel. The auxiliary plans to make this an annual event. Motion by Gary_ Temple to approve the Sunflower Jamboree, seconded by Bill Staudinger. Motion carried. Unscheduled matters Murray Park- fence CorpsL1NK workers are installing fencing near the ditch at Murray Park. Old fencing that was removed from the park at 8th Street and Fir Avenue is being used for this project. The project should be completed in three weekends. 3 Sewer plant The sewer plant is designed to accommodate one million gallons per day. Four million gallons went through the system today, revealing a serious infiltration problem somewhere in the city. The problem is located east of 1~t Avenue and south of Interstate 90. Street conditions Bill stated that street repairs need to be made near NAPA, the Yellowstone Bank and west of Ricci's. The meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cindy Allen Council Secretary 4