THE 1249th REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON NOVEMBER 7, 2005 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Mayor Berget called the regular meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called. Council members Huntsberger, Bothman, Leckrone (7:09), Crismore, McElmurry and Roll, Supervisor of City Services Dan Thede, and City Clerk Chris Erickson were present. City Attorney Charles Evans was absent.
Eddie Young of the Kootenai Valley Church offered prayer.
Mr. McElmurry moved to accept the minutes from the October 3, 2005 regular meeting and the October 17, 2005 special meeting.
Ms. Roll seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
Mayor Berget presented the Oath of Office to the new police officer Chris Scauflaire. He was welcomed by the City Council.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The contract for the new City Attorney would be reviewed after the meeting.
Eileen Carney, representative for the Kootenai Pets for Life requested a variance to construct a new no-kill animal facility. The group was considering property near the cemetery consisting of 3 lots with two small houses. This request lacked a motion and did not pass.
The Council suggested having the facility on another parcel of city property that currently contains the Lincoln County Animal Shelter. As Mayor Berget stated, there is plenty of space at that location and the facility would be further from residential areas. Ron Anderson, Director of Lincoln County Environmental Health, noted the water supply at that facility is barely enough to meet the needs of the current animal shelter. If another facility were to be using the same water supply, the current system would need to be modified. Mayor Berget suggested that Ms. Carney survey the proposed property with Mr. Thede, Mr. McElmurry, Mr. Crismore and Mr. Anderson. He suggested they mark the area she feels would meet their needs and bring a proposal back to the City Council at the December 5th meeting.
The lease renewal for the Montana Athletic Center was discussed. A clause in the lease states that the City of Libby has the option to increase the lease up to five percent (5%) for each renewal period.
Mr. Roll moved to renew the lease with the option of the 5% increase.
Ms. Leckrone seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
The Board of Adjustments will meet next week with the newly formed City of Libby Planning Board. At that time, the role of the board will be made clear.
The request for annexation for the City of Libby Wastewater Treatment Plant was discussed. The issue of annexation of government-owned property was researched and found to be acceptable.
Mr. Roll moved to annex the City of Libby Wastewater Treatment Plant into the city limits.
Ms. Leckrone seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
The request for annexation of the City of Libby gravel pit was discussed. This request has been brought before the City Council numerous times in the past years with no action taken.
Mr. Roll moved to approve the request for annexation of the City of Libby gravel pit.
Ms. Leckrone seconded the motion.
Public was heard against the annexation.
Motion failed with a split decision. Council members Bothman, Roll, Leckrone voted aye. Council members Crismore, Huntsberger, McElmurry voted nay.
The request was tabled until the December regular meeting.
The review of the personnel policy issues was given to the Personnel Committee.
Ron Anderson, Director of Lincoln County Environmental Health, reviewed with the Council a letter he had drafted in August regarding the formation of a City-County Board of Health. He said the area has a need and the interest for such an organization and was asking for the Council’s support. The group would meet quarterly to discuss certain issues. The Council unanimously offered their support for a Board of Health and would designate a council member to participate.
NEW BUSINESS
Stan Kargol, Vice Chairman of the Kootenai Business Park Industrial District, came before the Council requesting their support regarding the Urban Renewal Plan. The group is a self-designated division of the Lincoln County Port Authority. The decision to become an industrial district was to maximize opportunities for the sale of the property for future development by private enterprise. The group plans to promote jobs and housing, balance the tax base, and promote growth for the area. He discussed business targets, local advantages and disadvantages, and recruiting approaches. Mr. Kargol was asking for a decision on the Plan so as to move forward with a public hearing.
Mr. Crismore moved to give support and accept the Kootenai Business Park Industrial District’s Urban Renewal Plan as presented.
Mr. Huntsberger seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
Munro Investments asked that their request for tax exemption be tabled until the December 5th meeting.
Chris Noble, Noble Excavating is the owner of the Louisiana Pacific mill site property. He is proposing a plan for a future 60-lot subdivision and wanted to know if the City would agree to annex the property and provide city services should development begin. The issue was tabled until the working committee meeting scheduled for December 5, 2005.
Friends of the Old High School representative Lee Disney addressed the council requesting a letter of support from them addressed to ConoverBond, the developer in Spokane, Washington who is interested in purchasing the building for rehabilitation. After much discussion, it was agreed to draft a letter of support with the stipulation the purchase and rehabilitation would specify a length of time for completion.
Ms. Leckrone moved to draft a letter in support of Friends of the Old High School to the ConoverBond for the effort to revitalize the old high school building.
Mr. McElmurry seconded the motion.
Motion carried. Mr. Huntsberger opposed.
Ron Anderson, Director of the Lincoln County Environmental Health, addressed the Council with a request to create a Lincoln County/City of Libby Air Quality Ordinance. Currently, the air quality in the county remains substandard and in order to achieve mandatory compliance with the air quality standards, it is necessary to revise the current air pollution ordinance. Mr. Anderson said the ordinance process should be completed by December 31, 2005 before Phase II of the woodstove change out program begins. The process requires a public hearing, which would be coordinated between Lincoln County and the City of Libby in order to facilitate the process. The Council agreed to move forward on creating a joint ordinance with the County and participate in a joint public hearing process.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
There were no committee reports offered at the meeting.
Ms. Leckrone moved to pay the claims as presented.
Mr. McElmurry seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
HEAR THE PUBLIC
There were no comments from the public.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:22 p.m.
Anthony J. Berget, Mayor
Chris A. Erickson, City Clerk