THE 1247th REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2005 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Mayor Berget called the regular meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called. Council members Bothman, Crismore, Huntsberger, McElmurry, Roll, Leckrone, City Services Supervisor Dan Thede and City Clerk Chris Erickson were present.
Mr. McElmurry moved to approve the minutes of the August 1, 2005 regular meeting and August 15, 17 and 19 special meetings.
Mr. Roll seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution No. 1646 Fixing Annual Appropriations As Set Forth In The 2005-06 Budget Adopted By The City Council was read.
Mr. McElmurry moved to accept Resolution No. 1646 as read.
Mr. Bothman seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution No. 1647 Setting The Salaries and Wages of Elected Officers, Appointed Officers and City Employees was read.
Mr. Roll moved to accept Resolution No. 1647 as read.
Ms. Leckrone seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution No. 1648 Making Tax Levy for the Year 2005 Upon All Real Property in the City Of Libby For General and Special Purposes was read.
Ms. Leckrone moved to accept Resolution No. 1648 as read.
Mr. Roll seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Creek View Estates owner Jim Beasley returned to the Council requesting a variance on the road width for the new development. Mr. Roll stated he had consulted with Kalispell regarding the current road width requirements they incorporated for residential areas. He was informed that the City of Kalispell currently allows 24’ paved surface with a 28’ final width. That final width includes 2’ curbs on each side of the road surface. They also stated the length of the road dictates road width allowances.
Mr. Roll moved to grant the variance to Creek View Estates based on a 24’ road surface width with an additional 2’ curb on each side making a total width of 28’.
Mr. McElmurry seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Tony Rebo, representative for the proposed Kootenai River Health Park subdivision, came before the City Council requesting a variance for the road width within the subdivision and approval of the proposed subdivision as a whole. As Mr. Rebo explained, the road width is proposed to be 30’ with a 2’ curb on each side making the total width 34’. The road into the complex will be a cul-de-sac. Lots 3, 4 and 5 are not planned for development at this time. The helipad will remain where it is for now.
Ms. Leckrone moved to grant the variance to Kootenai River Health Park for the road width of 30’ with a 2’ curb on each side for a total width of 34’.
Mr. McElmurry seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Roll moved to accept the Kootenai River Health Park subdivision as proposed.
Ms. Leckrone seconded the motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Berget swore in the new police officer, Frank Colin Barnett. The City Council welcomed Officer Barnett to the city.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PARKS – Mr. Huntsberger reported the cemetery concerns, which included ongoing dog problems, requirements for urn containers and expansion of the cemetery. EPA is addressing River Front Park watering system issues. Plans for the asbestos memorial is progressing. The Eagle Scouts would like to assist with the project. The City of Libby has the trusses available for the gazebo roof.
CITY/COUNTY LIAISON – None.
FIRE – Doug Roll said the Fire Department collected $4,000 for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Tom Wood stated the Fire Department received a $28,000 grant for an air injection system. Bid requests were sent out. The department received a new radio system. Rural Fire will assist with the water line repair for LDS.
BUILDING/INDUSTRIAL PARK – None.
INSURANCE – Mr. McElmurry reported MMIA had sent a proposal for group term life insurance for the City to consider. The Committee agreed to accept the proposal.
PERSONNEL – None.
POLICE – Police Chief Clay Coker reported he hired the new officer Colin Barnett. He has been dealing with parking issues on Idaho Avenue across from Asa Wood School. He is prepared to move into the front of the Old City Hall building as soon as the current tenants vacate the space. LRI also plans to share the space.
RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE – None.
WATER – None.
SEWER/LIGHTS – Mr. Huntsberger has met with Port Authority regarding the water and sewer issue. He has had several reports of blinking streetlights.
STREETS/ALLEYS – Corky Pape reported that the paving of the Johnston Acres went well although the material was over the bid amount. The base was not brought up to specifications in several areas before the material was applied which increased the cost.
SIDEWALKS/CURBS – Lee Bothman requested an estimate to replace the sidewalk in front of the Old City Hall building. The request was presented to the Building Committee for recommendation.
BUDGET/FINANCE – Ms. Leckrone reported the fiscal year 2005-06 budget was passed and is in effect.
JUDICIAL – Judge Briggs reported she and the Court Clerk would be gone the week of October 3-7 for training.
UNION NEGOTIATIONS – None.
RC & D – None.
KRDC – None.
LADC – None.
CAG – None.
TAG – None.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS – None.
EDUCATION – None.
PUBLIC SAFETY/TRAFFIC COORDINATOR – None.
Mr. Roll moved to approve payment of the claims as per the claims approval list.
Mr. Bothman seconded the motion.
Mr. Crismore questioned payment to a vendor for Johnston Acres material. Mayor Berget suggested the City Council discuss the project at the working committee special meeting scheduled for Monday, September 19, 2005.
Motion carried.
HEAR THE PUBLIC
No comments were offered.
Libby Revitalization was placed at the end of the agenda due to a presentation to be given by the consultants for the streetscape project. Libby Revitalization, Inc. is asking for the City Council’s support for the concept of the streetscape master plan. Lorraine Roach, spokesperson for CTA Land Works, addressed the Council with an overview of the project, the progression, and the importance for the City Council to support the project. Larry Comer, President of Welch Comer Assoc., explained the various avenues that could be pursued to fund the project including SID’s and grants. The main concern for the City Council was who would be available for the actual grant writing. They understood the contract with CTA Land Works was to include assistance with the grant writing process. Ms. Roach explained the master plan document was compiled in such a way that “cutting and pasting” information into each grant would be easy to accomplish. She also included an extensive list of available grants. Since the City of Libby has various commitments already in the works for funding, Ms. Roach would like to schedule a meeting with all the key people to determine which projects are most crucial and how they can be prioritized allowing this project to move forward.
Mr. Huntsberger moved to formerly adopt the streetscape master plan in concept for the City of Libby as presented.
Mr. Crismore seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
Mayor Berget read a letter of support from Kootenai Paving, Inc.
Mayor Berget shared a letter from Montana Athletic Club who is holding a Fitness Challenge for the community. He suggested the City Council participate in the challenge.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 p.m.
Anthony J. Berget, Mayor
Chris A. Erickson, City Clerk
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LIBBY WAS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL
Mayor Anthony Berget called the special meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. and led the pledge of allegiance. Roll was called. Council members Bothman, Crismore, Leckrone, McElmurry and Roll, City Services Supervisor Dan Thede, and City Clerk Chris Erickson were present. Council member Huntsberger was absent.
Ron Carter spoke regarding the Libby Revitalization’s Streetscape Plan. He encouraged the City Council to review the proposal in detail. He stated that local bids and estimates were not requested. Compared to many of the estimates Mr. Carter reviewed, local contractors and business could compete with the bid process thus lowering the total cost of the design plan. Mr. Carter handed out a flyer regarding a public demonstration he will facilitate on October 8th regarding a wood gas generator set.
Mayor Berget brought a proposal before the Council regarding appointment of a new City Attorney. Mayor Berget emphasized the qualities and expertise of all three interested attorneys who were Mark Fennessey, Ted Hess-Homeier and Charles Evans. As Mayor Berget pointed out Mr. Fennessey was very knowledgeable in public entity laws and regulations but required more salary than was available. Mr. Hess-Homeier came very highly recommended but the council felt they needed the city attorney at every meeting. Mr. Hess-Homeier lives in Missoula and would be required to travel and would not attend every meeting. Mr. Evans is currently on contract as the prosecutor for the City of Libby. With a combined bid to remain the prosecutor and become the city attorney, the salary he required was within reason for the amount budgeted for the position. Mayor Berget emphasized that Mr. Evans, although not highly experienced in public entity issues, is a very capable individual who would make a good city attorney. Mr. Evans was Mayor Berget’s recommendation for appointment to the position.
Mr. Bothman moved to accept Mayor Berget’s recommendation and appoint Charles Evans to the position of Libby City Attorney.
Ms. Leckrone seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
There was no public comment.
The special meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
The working committee meeting was called to order at 6:51 p.m.
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Anthony J. Berget, Mayor
Chris A. Erickson, City Clerk