THE 1221st REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON JULY 7, 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 Bauer, Leckrone, McElmurry, Roll and Sorensen, Supervisor of City Services Dan Thede, and City Clerk Heidi Morris were present.
Mr. Bauer moved to accept the June 2nd regular meeting minutes and June 16th special meeting minutes.
Mr. Sorensen seconded.
Motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Janice Wood, Libby Area Chamber Director, requested the closure of Mineral Avenue from Highway 2 to Second Street for the Logger Days Chalk Art Contest on Friday, July 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Logger Days also requested the closure of streets for the Logger Days parade on Saturday, July 19. Mr. Thede will work with Chamber about setup of barricades.
Mr. Bauer moved to allow the closures for Logger Days.
Mr. Roll seconded.
Motion carried.
Gwen Hensler, Nordicfest Committee, requested the closure of streets for the parade on Saturday, September 13, and the closure of Eighth Street section closest to the band shell for September 12, 13, & 14, 2003 for the outdoor entertainment. Mr. Thede will work with Nordicfest about setup of barricades.
Mr. Bauer moved to allow the closures for Nordicfest.
Mr. Sorensen seconded.
Motion carried.
LADC recommended two persons for the LADC Board replacing Shirley Chase and Linda Gerard, whose terms expire July 2003. Karen Locke and Earl Messick, Sr. are the recommended board replacements. New officers were elected, Robb MacDonald-President, Bob Parker-Vice President, and Karen Locke-Treasurer/Secretary.
Mr. Bauer moved to accept the LADC recommendation of new members.
Mr. Sorensen seconded.
Motion carried.
Paul Rumelhart, EDC Director, gave a Power Point presentation concerning the Gateway Sign Project, suggestions from Roger Brooks with the key phrase of Kootenai River Country. Five specific sites have been pinpointed throughout the community for the large signs: Yaak River, Roosville, Stryker, South Thompson Lake and Bull Lake. These signs would use native materials and would be placed on both sides of the road, approximately 100 sq. ft. and 30 feet off the right of way. A sign committee including persons from all three communities will work together. Mrs. Thom and June McMahon were names of persons interested in being on the committee. Vicki Munson, Kootenai River Network, addressed the council.
Mike Hensler, MT Fish, Wildlife and Game, gave a Power Point presentation on Libby locations possibilities for family fishing ponds. Several were suggested as possibilities:
Old Ready Mix pond by the drive-in, Armory Gravel pit, Flower Creek Sediment Basins (the second pond), settling ponds, old mill pond and several Stimson ponds, the mill pond. Audience member, Glen Doubek, Stimson employee, explained the process at the present time concerning the Stimson ponds. The mill pond was the location with the most interest, it has lots of fish right now. It is approximately 5 feet deep. Mr. Hensler asked if other sites were known of by anyone present. He spoke of possible funding that may be available to help develop a fishing pond. The community will need to work together. A committee will be formed to review options. Councilmember Bauer asked to be on the committee. Other persons interested are Walt McElmurry, Paul Rumelhart, Glen Doubek, the Chamber, the Lions, D.C. Orr and the Kootenai Valley Trout Club.
Mayor Berget presented the Cemetery Committee recommendation for burial fees (M-F)
opening and closing. Due to the rising costs, the recommendation is to change the fees from resident $200 and non-resident $300 to a straight burial fee of $300 (M-F) (opening and closing fee). Saturday the fee is $600.
Mr. Bauer moved to accept the committee recommendation.
Miss Leckrone seconded.
Motion carried.
Mayor Berget read the maintenance, lawn care bids for city hall.
Glen Doubek $3250 -Monthly
Gifford’s Lawn Care $1200 -Monthly
David Lee Hubler II $1500 -Monthly
Kelly MacDonald $1536 -Monthly
Duane Volkenand $2490 -Monthly
The bids will be reviewed in committee.
The City Clerk announced the following dates for budget hearings.
July 28, 2002 – Adopt the Preliminary Budget.
August 4, 2003 – Formal Budget Hearing
August 11, 2003 – Adopt Final Budget
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CEMETERY/PARKS – Mr. Thede reported that he and the summer help have been working on Firemans Park. At the present time, we have no camp host. Major work is being done on the main bathrooms in the park.
FIRE – Fire Chief Tom Wood gave a report. Last month the department had six calls in the City, 3 rural, and 1 out of District for a total of ten calls. He spoke briefly on the July 4th fire.
RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE- Miss Leckrone reported that the new codification pages have finally come in the mail and all City code books are being updated.
BUDGET/FINANCE – Mayor Berget reported that two committee meetings have taken place and more coming up. Next Monday July 14 is the next committee meeting at City Hall at 7 p.m.
It was moved, seconded and carried to pay the claims as per the claims approval list.
HEAR THE PUBLIC
Irene Loveless, Loveless Realty, addressed the Council concerning a petition with three pages including 53 signatures, that she then presented to the Mayor. The petition states as follows:
“Currently the City of Libby By Laws allow only residents of the city to vote and hold elected positions. City business owners are not allowed to vote or hold an elected office. This is unfair and can be corrected by an amendment to the city by laws. Please sign the attached petition and return it to PO Box 44, Libby, MT 59923, so the petitions may be presented to the city council. We the undersigned ask that the City of Libby By Laws be amended to allow city business owners be given the right to vote concerning city matters and be given the ability to run for elected positions.”
Mayor Berget asked if other communities were doing this. Discussion followed. The Council will check with the City Attorney concerning the legal issues. Mayor Berget told Mrs. Loveless that after consulting with the attorney he would contact her.
Esther Parker, Esther’s Beauty Shop, addressed the Council. She expressed concern about the three repairs in the alley by her shop. The height of the alley was discussed. Mayor Berget spoke of the Council going through the budget process in the next month and water line repairs and alley work would be reviewed. Ms. Parker also asked about the snow pile in the credit union parking lot and alley. Mr. Thede informed her he had already spoken with the bank about removal.
Next regular city council meeting will be held August 4, 2003 at 7 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Mayor, Anthony J. Berget
City Clerk, Heidi Morris
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A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON JULY 28, 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 Roll, Sorensen, and Thom, Police Chief Clay Coker, City Services Supervisor Dan Thede and City Clerk Heidi Morris were present.
Lincoln County Commissioner Rita Windom addressed the Council regarding updates on three items from the County. She will be coming quarterly to City Council meetings with updates. The first item was on the upcoming remodel of the jail. A public meeting will be held in the commissioners’ chambers on August 7 at 10 am, all city council members were invited. Mrs. Windom then informed the City Council about the newly formed retirement community committee. This committee meets every Tuesday at 2:30 pm in the Libby City Council chambers. Mrs. Windom distributed an information sheet on the Libby area park and recreation needs.
Police Chief Clay Coker addressed the Council concerns questions pertaining to the proposed change to the (20 year) Montana Municipal Retirement.
The preliminary budget includes an increase of 75 cents each month on the sewer base rate. The water increase includes 1.6% cost of living increase as well as changing the hydrant fee from $1.00 to $2.00 per month. The water and sewer hearing will be September 8, 2003 at 6 pm.
Mrs. Thom moved to accept the preliminary budget.
Mr. Sorensen seconded.
Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Mayor, Anthony J. Berget
City Clerk, Heidi Morris