THE 1217th REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MARCH 3, 2003 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
Mayor Berget called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called. Council members Baeth, Bauer, Leckrone, Porter, Sorensen and Thom, City Attorney Scott Spencer, Supervisor of City Services Dan Thede, and City Clerk Heidi Morris were present.
Mr. Bauer moved to accept the February 3rd regular meeting minutes.
Mrs. Porter seconded.
Motion carried.
Ordinance #1602 received its second reading. – Building Code Revision
Mr. Bauer moved to accept Ordinance #1602.
Mrs. Porter seconded.
Motion carried.
Ordinance #1603 received its first reading – Cemetery – Animal Control
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
LADC-LCEDC second year grant has been sent back to subcommittee.
Judge appointment tabled. Mayor Berget has appointed Linda Dorrington as
Judge for the interim.
NEW BUSINESS
Tom Horelick, from the community pool committee, gave a presentation to the Council. They have formed a 501 3C as the Libby Aquatic Center. At the present time they are working on re-assessment and working on funding. Their committee has looked at several sites, need approximately 3 acres including parking. They would like the City Council to commit to one of the locations that would be on City property. The Council Parks committee will meet with the pool committee and report back.
A date for the community water meeting cannot be set until we receive word from Harry Whalen from Montana Rural Water.
Mayor Berget and the Council will be starting to meet for a breakfast meeting every Wednesday at Torgy’s at 7 a.m. These meetings will be informal, the purpose of meeting is to keep Councilmembers in touch and up to date. No substantial discussion or decision will be made. Public is encouraged to attend.
A policy of partnering with individuals and/or businesses for water and/or sewer line extension was discussed. There was a consensus of the Council that it is a good idea as long as it is beneficial to the City. The Assembly of God Church wants an extension and the City of Libby would like to make that line a larger size.
The Council agreed that the County will receive free water to fill the ice skating rink, at the County Park.
Mr. Bauer moved to waive the building permit fee for D.T. Search and Rescue.
Mr. Sorensen seconded.
Motion carried.
City Attorney Scott Spencer reported to the Council about tearing down houses and assessing the amount to the owner’s property on three condemned properties. The Council asked Mr. Spencer to work with John Norberg, City Building Inspector to pursue getting bids and reporting back the Council. Jim Morey from the audience asked about back taxes on these properties. Fire Chief Tom Wood reported receiving phone calls weekly on the fire hazard of these properties, he encouraged the Council to continue their efforts. Leroy Thom asked that the Council check with the EPA in case of possible cleanup.
The Mayor asked the Council for a motto, thought for the year. The Council agreed on
“Get It Done.”
Leroy Thom, CARD Clinic, gave a quick presentation to the Council, concerning the proposal for $26,000, of the LADC monies to help bring a possible research center to Libby.
Mayor Berget reported on the Johnson Acre funding. It may possible to go into the bid process this fall. First we need to go through the design phase.
Councilmember Porter brought up the lack of a drivers license examiner in Lincoln County. Dan Mueller, the Driver Education Instructor at the high school had said his students are willing to help carry petitions around the community. Residents are asked to contact the State, Mike McGrath office or the Motor Vehicle Division, email and address will be posted on the City’s website. clerk
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Cemetery/Parks/Community Development – Joyce Baeth reported that the Women’s Help Line may be interested in the use of the Glendora house as a transitional house. Funding for upgrading will be pursued on their part. Jane Thom thanked Walt Torgison for all the hard work in setting up a directory for the cemetery as well as a place for the rules to be placed at the cemetery entrance.
Tom Wood, Fire Chief, reported fire calls total of 8 for the month of February including
4 in the City, 3 rural and 1 out of district. The Forest Service donated some of their old radios to the fire departments in the area. These radios were really appreciated.
Police – Joyce Baeth reported the loss of Officer Harth to the County. New officer hired as of March 1, 2003, Brian Zimmerman.
Water – Mrs. Thom, reported the second phase of leak detention is scheduled for the second week of April. The water plant is producing excellent water and with Scott back the plant is fully staffed. Mrs. Thom, Mr. Thede and John Knudson attended the Rural Water Conference in Great Falls on February 19-21, 2003. Mrs. Thom recommended that other Councilpersons should try to attend.
Sewer/Lights – Mr. Bauer, reported that two of the crew attended training classes during the month to fulfill needed CEC requirements. Some minor problems were found and repaired with the fresh water well pump at the plant.
Streets/Alleys – Mr. Sorensen, reported that the crew has been pothole patching. Two of the Street crew attended flagging school in Great Falls. Work on the boat ramp has just started.
Judicial – Mrs. Baeth, committee is getting together to discuss the appointment.
Union Negotiations – Mr. Bauer reported the next meeting will be March 19.
It was moved, seconded and carried to pay the claims as per the claims approval list.
HEAR THE PUBLIC
Pat Naughton, LCEDC, reported on the Home & Garden Trade Show that he attended in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Two mailing lists will be received from drawings. These lists will be used to attract visitors, Pat reported lots of interest shown by the Canadians.
Bob DeBorde reminded everyone of the upcoming Irish Fair on Saturday, March 8, 2003.
Tom Wood asked to put the Libby Revitalization proposal on the March 17, 2003 special meeting.
Michael Moss addressed the Council about the sewer system.
A special meeting will be held March 17, 2003 at 7 p.m.
Next regular city council meeting will be held April 7, 2003 at 7 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Mayor, Anthony J. Berget
City Clerk, Heidi Morris
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A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MARCH 17, 2003 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
Mayor Berget called the meeting to order and led the pledge of allegiance. Roll was called. Councilmembers Baeth, Leckrone, Porter, Sorensen and Thom, City Attorney Scott Spencer, Supervisor of City Services Dan Thede, Police Chief Clay Coker and City Clerk Heidi Morris were present.
Mayor Berget removed the Cheryl Fox dog item from the agenda.
Russell Barnes, representative of LCEDC, addressed the Council concerning the request for the second year of funding for the LCEDC. The LCEDC has finished the first year of funding. A subcommittee has been meeting to work on the reorganizing of the LCEDC, but isn’t finished working out the details. The LADC has approved the request for LCEDC funding of the second year. Last year at the March 11, 2002 meeting, the City Council approved funding for three years. Pat Naughton read the LADC letter stating the motion to approve LCEDC funding. Linda Gerard, member of the LADC, spoke on behalf of the LCEDC staff. Discussion followed.
Mrs. Porter moved to fund the LCEDC for three months. Mrs. Porter withdrew motion.
Attorney Scott Spencer addressed the Council. Because of the funding approval by the City Council last year, it is not necessary to vote again except to change. If the Council does nothing, the funding is continued.
George Gerard, Lincoln County Campus Development & Community Relations, presented their funding request to the Council. The LADC has approved the $85,000 request for the FVCC Lincoln County Campus Facility Completion Project.
Mr. Sorensen moved to approve up to $85,000 for the FVCC LCC Facility Completion Project as recommended by the LADC.
Mrs. Thom seconded.
Motion carried.
Leroy Thom, representative of the CARD Clinic, addressed the Council. The Center for Asbestos Related Diseases, Inc. will become its own entity as of April 1, 2003. The LADC has approved the CARD proposal for funding for $26,000. The proposal is to conduct two research meetings in Libby with investigators who have been involved with the Libby asbestos-related disease screening and/or radiology review.
Mrs. Porter moved to approve the $26,000 proposal for CARD Clinic as recommended by the LADC.
Mrs. Baeth seconded.
Motion carried.
Mayor Berget informed the Council that a businessperson is interested in renting space in the industrial park and possibly putting up a permanent building. The sewer main would need to be extended, the cost could be possibly included. The Industrial Park Committee will work on this material.
Mayor Berget will be looking into the matter of better interest rates from local banking institutes for the LADC money. A recommendation will be brought before the Council.
Serena Cox has asked for a donation, she will be participating in the Miss Teen of Montana this summer. The Budget & Finance Committee will review and make a recommendation next meeting.
Mayor Berget informed the Council that a date has been set for the Community Water Meeting, April 17, 2003, 7 p.m. in the Ponderosa Room. Among the speakers invited are Harry Whalen of Montana Rural Water Systems, Ron Anderson, Lincoln County of the local DEQ, and representatives from the EPA, the Well Drillers Association, and the Montana Dept. of Environmental Quality. The public is encouraged to attend.
Tom Wood, Libby Revitalization, asked the Council to approve their funding. At the LADC formal meeting, March 12, 2003, a presentation was made by the Libby Revitalization. Several of the City Council attended this meeting. The LADC approved as follows: Quote read into the record by LADC member Linda Gerard, from the
LADC March 12, 2003 meeting
“Linda Gerard moved to award $45,000.00 for start-up administration of LRI with the contingency that LRI present an acceptable business plan to the LADC. Bob Parker seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Robb MacDonald moved to commit $55,000.00 (the remainder of the $100,000.00 requested amount) upon approval of the plan and to disperse the funds as needed in order to leverage the funds. Linda Gerard seconded the motion. The motion passed.”
Councilperson Judy Porter moved to approve the two motions made by the LADC at the LADC March 12, 2003 meeting.
Mr. Sorensen seconded.
Mrs. Baeth No
Ms. Leckone Yes
Mrs. Porter Yes
Mr. Sorensen Yes
Mrs. Thom Yes
Motion carried.
Jim Racicot distributed a press release from the Libby Biomass Working Group.
Gary Huntsberger, Libby School Board representative, addressed the Council about a report they will be bringing to the next Council meeting concerning the old high school property.
Councilperson Jane Thom reported from the Parks District meeting, they would like a commitment that the City is willing to work with them in the use of City property for a swimming pool.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Mayor, Anthony J. Berget
City Clerk, Heidi Morris