HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 01.20.2009MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF LAUREL
January 20, 2009
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 Ken Olson at 6:30 p.m. on January 20, 2009.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Emelie Eaton
Kate Hart
Chuck Rodgers
Alex Wilkins
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Mark Mace
OTHER STAFF PRESENT: Mary Embleton
Brooke Baracker
Mayor Olson led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Mayor Olson asked the council to observe a moment of silence.
MINUTES:
Doug Poehls
Chuck Dickerson
Norm Stamper
Bill Sheridan
Motion b Council Member Wilkins to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of
January 6, 2009, as presented, seconded by Council Member Dickerson. 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:
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation: Letter of December 30, 2008 regarding DNRC
Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program.
Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Company: Letter of December 22, 2008 regarding pipeline
facilities.
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
CONSENT ITEMS:
• Clerk/Treasurer Financial Statements for the month of December 2008.
a Approval of Payroll Register for PPE 01/11/2009 totaling 5141,851.42.
a Receiving the Committee Reports into the Record.
--Budget/Finance Committee minutes of January 6, 2009 were presented.
--Park Board minutes of January 8, 2009 were presented.
--City-County Planning Board minutes of January 8, 2009 were presented.
--Public Works Committee minutes of January 12, 2009 were presented.
--Council Workshop minutes of January 13, 2009 were presented.
The mayor asked if there was any separation of consent items. There was none.
Motion b Council Member Hart to approve the consent items as presented, seconded by
Council Member Eaton. There was no public comment or council discussion. A vote was taken on
the motion. All six council members present voted aye. Motion carried 6-6.
Council Minutes of January 20, 2009
CEREMONIAL CALENDAR: None.
REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: None.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (THREE-MINUTE LIMIT): None.
SCHEDULED MATTERS:
• Confirmation of Appointments: None.
• Resolution No. R09-06: A resolution transferring certain insurance funds of the City of
Laurel, Montana.
Motion b Council Member Eaton to approve Resolution No. R09-06, seconded by Council
Member Poehls. 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.
• Resolution No. R09-07: A resolution approving a contract between the City of Laurel
and the Eastern Montana Association of Affordable Housing to provide assistance with
the HOME Grant Project Implementation and Grant Administration Services.
Motion b Council Member Dickerson to approve Resolution No. R09-07, seconded by
Council Member Poehls. 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.
• Resolution No. R09-08: Resolution of annexation of Lots 2 and 3, Block 1, Ward
Subdivision and Lots 1-5, Block 1, Laurmac Subdivision Amended to the City of
Laurel, Yellowstone County, Montana.
Motion b Council Member Poehls to approve Resolution No. R09-08, seconded by Council
Member Dickerson.
Randy Swenson, 4510 Highline Drive, Billings, Montana, stated that he purchased this property and
is seeking annexation. He did not need to comment unless there were questions.
There was no council discussion. A vote was taken on the motion. All six council members present
voted aye. Motion carried 6-0.
• Resolution No. R09-09: Resolution of the City Council to approve revisions to the
existing Utility Plants Superintendent job description for the City of Laurel.
Motion b Council Member Hart to approve Resolution No. R09-09, seconded by Council
Member Eaton. 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.
• Resolution No. R09-10: Resolution relating to $690,000 Water System Revenue Bonds
(DNRC Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Program), consisting of $500,000 Series
2009A Bond and $190,000 Series 2009B Bond; authorizing the issuance and fixing the
terms and conditions thereof.
Motion b Council Member Rodgers to approve Resolution No. R09-10, seconded by
Council Member Wilkins. 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.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (ONE-MINUTE LIMIT):
Larry Tanglen, Laurel Outlook, received news today that Tom Kilpatrick, a former Laurel resident
and state legislator from this area, passed away over the weekend. Tom and his wife, Donna, were
living in Bothell, Washington. A complete obituary will be published soon. Larry mentioned that
Donna is planning a memorial service for Tom in Laurel.
Council Minutes of January 20, 2009
Mayor Olson stated that he was Donna's replacement when she elected not to run for re-election in
Ward 2. He was also fortunate enough to have Mr. Kilpatrick for an English teacher. Both Torn and
Donna were fine individuals who had the best interests of Laurel at heart and looked out for other
people. It is a loss for the family and the community.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION:
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Council Member Poehls stated that the Emergency Services Committee will meet on Monday,
January 26th, at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers. Three discussion items are on the agenda..
Council Member Dickerson suggested that the council send flowers to Tom Kilpatrick's memorial
service.
Council Member Wilkins stated that the GE Capital building was discussed during the Big Sky EDA
meeting last Thursday morning.
Council Member Rodgers served on the Big Sky EDA Nominating Committee last week. Eleven
candidates were reviewed to fill four. positions. He stated that it was extremely interesting, the
candidates were great, and it was a challenge to choose the four final individuals.
Mayor Olson stated that Council Member Rodgers will represent the city well on the nominating
committee and Big Sky EDA is a very important player in this area.
The city-county joint meeting is scheduled on Thursday, January 22nd, at 5:30 p.m. at DJ's
Restaurant in Laurel.
Mayor Olson stated that the city and council are part of the mailing list for the stimulus package
information, which is a fourteen page publication that came from the State of Montana. As
presented at the last council workshop, Chief Administrative Officer Bill Sheridan formed a list and
forwarded the list to the appropriate people. In an attempt by the legislature to make sure the funds
are used appropriately, an oversight committee will be appointed. The city will stay informed
regarding the information.
Bill Sheridan went to Helena yesterday to speak on behalf of the City of Laurel for a DNRC Grant.
Fifty-two projects were funded and Laurel was number sixty-one. Bill gave a good presentation on
the reason behind Laurel's application for the funding for Phase 2 of the water project. The city
might see some results of the efforts in that regard.
Mayor Olson stated that Laurel has good representation in the legislature through House
Representative Krayton Kerns and Senator Dan McGee. The City of Laurel asked Dan McGee to
carry a bill to the legislature that would allow cities to bond against street maintenance funds for
projects into the future. By statute, cities are allowed to do that but only through a federal agency.
Laurel has tried quite a few times to find that agency and have not been successful. The bill would
reflect the ability to bond against state agencies or any agency that is an FDIC accredited lending
institution. If the bill is approved, cities would be able to use street maintenance funds for projects
in excess of the amount in the fund at the particular time. This will provide a better management
tool for the needs of cities and city streets. Mayor Olson stated that the council and staff will
continue to receive e-mail updates regarding legislative issues.
Mayor Olson stated that Phase 1 of the water project, the filters and one pump, is going along as well
as can be expected. Some things will be delayed for a short period of time but nothing that has not
been anticipated.
Bill stated that Phase 1 is going well. He mentioned that the project on the water intake and lids is
being reviewed to determine the best time for the improvements to be completed.
Mayor Olson stated that a representative from Morrison-Maierle will attend next Tuesday's council
workshop for further discussion regarding the wastewater project and the council's direction to
proceed with the project.
UNSCHEDULED MATTERS: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
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Council Minutes of January 20, 2009
Motion b Council Member Dickerson to adjourn the council meeting, seconded by Council
Member Poehls. 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.
There being no further business to come before the council at this time, the meeting was adjourned at
6:54 p.m.
Cindy Allen; Secretary
Approved by the Mayor and passed by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 3rd day
of February, 2009.
I?illneth E. Olson, Jr., Mayor
Attest:
Mary K. bleton, Clerk-Treasurer
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