Regular Meeting: September 2003 – City of Libby, Montana

AN INFORMATIONAL MEETING WAS HELD AT 5:30 PM ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
Jim Christenson, EPA, updated the Mayor and City Council on the boat ramp and Industrial Park and the Libby area in general.

AT 6:00 PM A PUBLIC HEARING CONVENED REGARDING AN INCREASE IN WATER AND SEWER RATES.

Rates as shown in letters sent to all utilities customers.

NOTICE OF SEWER RATE HEARING

If your monthly Your monthly If your monthly Your monthly
bill was this increase will be bill was this increase will be
amount: this amount: amount: this amount:

$14.60 $ 15.35 $20.20 21.23
15.72 16.52 21.32 22.41
16.84 17.70 22.44 23.58
17.96 18.89 23.56 24.76
19.08 20.05 24.68 25.94

NOTICE OF WATER RATE HEARING

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 69-7-111 M.C.A. that the City Council of the City of Libby, Montana, has ordered a hearing before the Libby City Council to be held at the Libby City Hall on September 8, 2003, at the hour of 6:00 p.m. The purpose of said hearing shall be to consider an increase in the current water hydrant fees from $1.00 to $2.00 per month and an increase in the current water rates of the Libby water system to yield a one point six percent (1.6%) increase in the total annual revenues of the municipal water system. Further information regarding the proposed rate increase may be obtained by contacting:
Libby City Hall
952 E. Spruce Street
Libby, Montana 59923
(406) 293-2731
CITY OF LIBBY – PROPOSED WATER RATE SCHEDULE
1.6% Cost of Living
RESIDENTIAL WATER SERVICE
MONTHLY RATE:
Applicable Minimum Monthly Charge for the first 3,000 gallons or less.
$2.52 per thousand gallons for all additional gallons to an amount of $2.56.
MINIMUM MONTHLY CHARGE: Current Current
County New City New
Residents Rate Residents Rate
¾ inch meter, or smaller $ 27.69 $28.13 $22.14 $22.49
1 inch meter 39.08 39.71 31.24 31.74
COMMERIAL AND INDUSTRIAL WATER SERVICE
MONTHLY RATE:
County Residents – $5.74 per thousand gallons for the first 8,000 gallons per inch of meter size to an amount of $5.83.
City Residents – $4.59 per thousand gallons for the first 8,000 gallons per inch of meter size to an amount of $4.66.
County and City Residents – $3.72 per thousand gallons for the next 72,000 gallons per inch of meter size to an amount of $3.78; $2.53 per thousand gallons for all additional gallons to an amount of $2.58.
NOTE: The size of the blocks specified above are for 1(one) inch meter and will be increased or decreased 25% for each ¼ inch of variation in meter size, but in no event will said blocks be reduced below those of a ¾ inch meter.
MINIMUM MONTHLY CHARGE: Current Current
County New City New
Residents Rate Residents Rate
¾ inch meter or smaller $27.69   28.13   $22.14   22.49
1 inch meter                   39.08    39.71    31.24    31.74
1 ¼ inch meter               51.34    52.16    41.07    41.73
1 ½ inch meter               67.31    68.39    53.84    54.70

September 8, 2003

2 inch meter    82.07    83.38    65.66    66.71
3 inch meter 166.71   169.38 133.37 135.50
4 inch meter 276.42   280.84 235.73 239.50
6 inch meter 499.59   507.58 399.66 406.05
—
Mr. Harry Walen of Montana Rural Water Systems, Inc. introduced himself and explained the reason for the rate hikes. He answered questions and heard comments from Mr. Jim Rostorfer, Mr. D.C. Orr, Mr. David Anderson and Mrs. Jenny Nelson.

The Changes in rates are as shown above.

——————————————————

THE 1223rd REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 AT 7:00 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

Mayor Berget called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called. Councilmembers Bauer, Leckrone, McElmurry and Roll, Supervisor of City Services, Dan Thede and Deputy City Clerk Beth A Burrell were present.

Mr. Bauer moved to accept the August 4 regular meeting minutes and the August 7th special meeting minutes.
Mr. McElmurry seconded.
Motion carried.

Resolution # 1614 for water rate increase was read.
Mr. Bauer made a motion to accept the resolution.
Mr. Roll seconded the motion.
Motion carried.

Resolution # 1615 for sewer rate increase was read.
Mr. Bauer moved to accept this resolution.
Miss Leckrone seconded the motion.
Motion carried.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

The water line replacement bid for the alley behind the County Annex Building was awarded to Thompson Contracting for a bid of $21,326.85.

T D & H has been appointed as the engineering firm for the Johnston Acres Project.

Mr. Bauer made a motion to appoint Mr. Steve Dalby as Public Defender, to be paid $1,000 per month.
Miss Leckrone seconded the motion.
Motion passed.

Barb Benson reported on the Women’s Help line. Everything is moving along in a good manner. She asked for a vote on the changes with the shelter. The Mayor explained that since it was not an agenda item, it would be tabled until the September 22 meeting. Tiffany Sabine asked about the confidentiality of the establishment. Mr. Spencer explained that while the mortgage, etc would be accessible to the public; the location would remain confidential.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Bauer moved to accept a letter of resignation tendered by Mr. Sorenson, Council-member.
Miss Leckrone seconded
Motion carried.

Jim Germany of Libby Aquatic Center reported on the progress in attaining a swimming pool for the Libby area. The Mayor assured Mr. Germany that the City Council would help in any way they could.

Myresa Boulware, a member of the Kootenai Valley Christian School Board, asked the City Council to replace a “yield” sign at the corner of Washington and Montana with a “stop” sign. This would make all traffic merging from Washington onto Montana Avenue come to a complete stop and do a better job of looking for any pedestrians or vehicular traffic, possible preventing a collision. The matter will be turned over to streets and alleys and Chief of Police, Clay Coker for further research.

Mayor Berget asked for a motion to put the Glendora house on the market. Some discussion followed. The City Clerk has done some research and discovered that advertisement in all area Hagadone owned papers would cost $45 per inch.
Mr. Bauer moved that the house be put on the market.
Mr. McElmurry seconded
Motion passed.

Mr. Regh has submitted plans to the State for Forest View Subdivision. It has been reviewed and sent to the City for approval.
Mr. Bauer made a motion to approve the subdivision
Mr. Roll seconded
Motion carried.

The union contract will be signed as soon as the City receives it.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CEMETERY-PARKS/ BEAUTIFICATION reported by Dan Thede. There were seven funerals last month. Work is continuing on the main bathroom at Fireman’s Park. The park is beginning to fill up for Nordicfest. The dump station will continue to be open after Nordic Fest as weather permits.

CITY/COUNTY LIASON, Walt McElmurry reported that Mineral Avenue chip coating had been finished.

PERSONNEL, The Mayor mentioned that insurance rates for the employees should be coming out soon.

POLICE, Charlene Leckrone reported that there had been 253 calls, 33 citations and 18 arrests.

RESOLUTIONS/ORDINANCES, Charlene Leckrone stated that the resolutions on water and sewer rate increases were passed this evening.

SEWER/LIGHTS, the Mayor mentioned that Flathead Electric thought metering of the street lights might result in lower prices of electricity for the city.

JUDICIAL, Doug Roll reported that Marlene Herried is the interim judge and that the Judicial Committee needed to go back over the list of applicants as the county is not interested in taking on the City’s case load at this time.

UNION NEGOTIATIONS, the Mayor noted that about all that is needed is for the finished contract to be signed.

EDC, Walt McElmurry reported that he had taken a trip concerning fiber optics for the Libby area.

CAG, George Bauer stated that a new liaison officer should be appointed to serve after December as he is retiring at that time.

TAG, Charlene Leckrone reported she had attended a workshop Friday with the EPA and the TAG board. She felt the meeting was good as it centered on what Libby issues were and are concerning the homes. She felt that more citizens should attend the meetings.

HEALTH CARE, Charlene Leckrone informed the Council that the Community Health Center has a new doctor, Dr. Janet Peters, a family practitioner. She will also cover OB and pediatrics. They are still looking for a full time Dentist. Until one is found it is still on a volunteer basis.

September 8, 2003

Mr. Bauer made a motion to pay the claims.
Ms. Leckrone seconded
Motion carried.

HEAR THE PUBLIC

Mr. Jim Rostorfer asked if a replacement would be appointed for Mr. Sorenson before the election and if that person would be one of those running for City Council in the election. He was told that one would be appointed at the September 22 meeting and they do not have to appoint from within that group.

He also asked if the City Council had re-advertised the city hall maintenance position and was told that they had not. He wanted to know if they would hire in-house. He was informed that hiring could be in-house but that the position might possibly be re-advertised at a later date.

Ms. Maia Liesz addressed the council regarding the purchase of a small triangle of land belonging to the city at the corner of Main, California avenues and Flower Street. The Mayor placed the matter in committee to be answered at the September 22 meeting.

Mr. D.C. Orr stated that he was concerned about Waterfront Park. He felt there were violations concerning different items. He asked that the matter be put on the agenda for the September 22 meeting. The Mayor stated that the council would be happy to meet with Mr. Orr so he could point out any flaws in the cleanup plan, and that if the council agreed, they would put it on the agenda.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 pm.

Mayor Anthony J. Berget

Deputy Clerk, Beth A Burrell

————————————————-

A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2003 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE PONDEROSA ROOM.

Mayor Anthony Berget called the meeting to order and led the pledge of allegiance. Roll was called. Councilmembers Bauer, Leckrone, McElmurry, and Roll, City Attorney Scott Spencer, Supervisor of City Services Dan Thede, Police Chief Clay Coker and City Clerk Heidi Morris were present.

Mayor Berget read Ordinance #1616 for its first reading. Ordinance gives Council ability to contract judge position with Lincoln County.

Mayor Berget read the oath of office to Matthew White, new police officer.

Councilperson Bauer addressed the Council concerning appointing a replacement for Ken Sorensen’s unexpired Council term. Mr. Bauer informed the Council of their committee’s recommendation to appoint Lee Bothman.
Mr. Bauer moved to appoint Lee Bothman to fill the council position.
Miss Leckrone seconded.
Motion carried.

Mayor Berget read the oath of office to Lee Bothman, new Council member.

Mayor Berget read Councilperson Jane Thom’s letter of resignation, she has moved to Missoula. City Attorney Scott Spencer recommended that the Council advertise for letters of interest for the vacant Council position.

The Kootenai Valley Christian school had requested changing the yield sign to a stop sign. After reviewing, Mayor Berget and the committee recommended the change to a stop sign.
Mr. Bauer moved to change to yield sign to a stop sign.
Mr. Roll seconded.
Motion carried.

Barb Benson Neumann, Women’s Help Line, spoke to the Council reviewing the arrangement of the City owning the house and their payment of rent to the City to cover the mortgage to insure their continued funding for a shelter location. City Attorney Scott Spencer said some wording was being reviewed but all was workable.
Mr. Bauer moved to go ahead with the purchase of the house.
Mr. Roll seconded.
Motion carried.

The union contract for July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2005 has been okayed by Attorney Dan Johns. The wording has been finalized and signed by the City employees.
Mr. Bauer moved to sign the union contract.
Mr. Roll seconded the motion.
Motion passed.
September 22, 2003

Mayor Berget reminded the Council of the annual Homecoming Parade on Thursday, September 25, 2003 at 7 p.m.

Mayor Berget reminded the Council of the League of Cities and Towns conference in Billings, Sept 30, Oct 1, 2 & 3. Dan Thede, Mayor Berget, Dan Roll and Heidi Morris will be attending.

D. C. Orr, 1117 Nevada Avenue, addressed the Council during the public comment section.

The next regular monthly council meeting will be October 6, 2003 at 7 p.m.

Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

Mayor, Anthony J. Berget

City Clerk, Heidi Morris