APPROVEDThe 1481 Regular Meeting of the City Council was held on Monday, November 6, 2017 in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Brent Teske.
Present were Ms. Williams, Mr. Zimmerman, Ms. Smith, Mr. Beach, Mrs. Ford, Mr. Armstrong and City Clerk/Treasurer Audray McCollum, City Administrator Jim Hammons and City Attorney Dean Chisholm.
Prayer was offered by Tom Cole.
Mrs. Ford MADE a MOTION to approve the minutes from council meeting # 1480 held on October 16, 2017.
Mr. Zimmerman SECOND.
Williams, Zimmerman, Smith, Beach, Armstrong and Ford voted FOR.
MOTION PASSED.
Announcements:
Mayor Teske announced the SK Finger joint burnt yesterday, leaving 18 employees unemployed. Mayor Teske urged the community to reach out to those in need. Mayor Teske invited the public to attend the National Christmas Tree Ceremony, November 14 at 9:30 am at the high school parking lot. The Veterans Service planned for this Saturday, (November 11) has been cancelled due to weather.
Committee Reports:
Cemetery/Parks: None
Fire: None
Police: Chief Kessel reported there were 246 calls for service in the month of October resulting in 24 arrests and 49 citations. Officers attended 5 hours of domestic violence training, one officer went to interview school and two officers attended a drug training school.
Resolutions/Ordinances: Ms. Smith said the committee met on October 17 with Chief Kessel and animal control. The committee is working on a recommendation in animal ordinances to bring to council.
Lights/Streets/Sidewalks: Mr. Beach said city crews traveled to Missoula to pick up winter mix for the roads.
Building: Mr. Beach said the city crews had cleared the roof drains before winter.
Water/Sewer: None.
Personnel: None.
Budget: Ms. Williams said the first quarter budget report was in council packets, she urged council to look over the report and ask questions.
Finance: September 2017 cash report in council packets.
City Administrator: Report in council packets, Jim Hammons announced the city crews will continue to pick up leaves though this Thursday.
KRDC: Mr. Zimmerman said there will be a meeting the third Thursday of this month.
City County Health Board: None.
Public Comment on Non- Agenda Items:
None.
New Business:
Reduce speed limit in school zone:
Craig Barringer, Libby Schools Superintendent, presented council with a map and letter for reducing the speed limit from 25 mph to 20 mph from the intersection of Renwood Drive and West Balsam Street though the Garden Road intersection. Ski Road from Education Way to Dale Street be set at 20 mph. For the lack of sidewalks, placing children at a huge risk when they are walking to school in the dark.
Mr. Beach said the city would have to do an engineering study to have the speed limit reduced according to MCA.
Chief Kessel asked the city’s attorney for his recommendation.
Ms. Smith would like Mike Frasier the city’s engineer recommendation.
ITEM WAS MOVED TO THE STREETS’ COMMITTEE.
School Road Closure Request: The National Christmas tree Ceremony- November 14, 2014 from 8:45 am to 9:15 am and then 10:00 am to 10:30 am Education Way from Libby Elementary School to Libby High School:
Craig Barringer, Libby Schools Superintendent, asked council for the closure so, students could walk safely from Libby Elementary School to Libby High School.
Ms. Smith MADE a MOTION to grant the request.
Mrs. Ford SECOND.
Williams, Zimmerman, Smith, Beach, Armstrong and Ford voted FOR.
MOTION PASSED.
Request report on federal investigation of Allan Payne:
DC ORR, 1117 Nevada, stated the city council needs to start asking questions to the city liaison from the city county health board. Mr. Orr gave his background knowledge and time line to council about the EPA, Allan Payne and institutional controls. Mr. Orr said council was failing the people they are serving. Mr. Orr is willing to answer any questions that council may have.
Mayor Teske asked Mr. Orr what action request he was asking for. Mr. Orr is not asking for any action to be taken on this agenda item.
Mr. Orr would like council to ask the city liaison from the city county health board, EPA and DEQ questions about the investigation.
Ms. Smith called POINT OF ORDER and asked for comments from members of the Lincoln County Board of Health.
Jan Ivers, Chair Lincoln County Board of Health, stated the issue Mr. Orr spoke of, was currently under investigation and any information they had was available to the public.
Ms. Smith asked if Ms. Ivers knew what the investigation was about. Ms. Ivers said the investigation involved the past board and she did not know the details.
Nick Raines, Lincoln County asbestoses resource program manager, said there was an ongoing evaluation of a cooperative agreement and grant between the EPA and the past Board of Health.
Council questions and comments followed.
Mayor Teske asked if either Ms. Ivers or Mr. Raines thought Mrs. Thompson would have additional information. Ms. Ivers said all board members receive the same information. Ms. Ivers said their meetings are open to the public.
Mr. Raines said when the evaluation is done, it should be made available to the public.
Mr. Orr gave his rebuttal to council.
NO ACTION WAS TAKEN
Request withdrawing from institutional controls:
DC Orr gave council background on why the city should with draw from institutional controls. Mr. Orr would like the city to pull out until the investigation is finished. By staying in, the city is becoming part of the crime. This would send a clear message to the board of heath to clear up their act. Mr. Orr said if the City of Libby does this Troy and Eureka would follow. Mr. Orr expressed concerns about homeowners having to pay for future cleanup.
Council comments and questions followed.
Arlen Magill, 807 Wisconsin, said the EPA is using Libby as a case study. Arlen asked Mr. Raines what the cost would be to clean asbestos from a house. Mr. Raines stated he couldn’t answer that question, cost would vary.
Mr. Orr said council needs to fight for this.
Bill Cunnane, 622 Michigan, said he moved from Towns River, New Jersey, a superfund site and asked council to research how that city dealt with it.
DC. Orr asked council to get a consultation with a law firm.
NO ACTION WAS TAKEN.
Resolution 1910-A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL DECLARING CERTAIN CITY OF LIBBY PROPERTY AS SURPLUS AND AUTHORIZING TO SALE.
(1998 Ford F-700 Patch Unit/680 Case Backhoe/1974 ford L-900 Tandum axle Dump Truck/Volvo l-70 Front end Loader/1991 Ford F-250 shop truck/1975 Chevy C65Deice-dust control unit/1987 Ford F-700 dump truck/ 1988 Chevy 1-ton Utility truck/2006 Toro lawn mower.)
Ms. Smith MADE a MOTION to adopt resolution 1910.
Mr. Beach SECOND.
Williams, Zimmerman, Smith, Beach, Armstrong and Ford voted FOR.
MOTION PASSED.
City of Libby Website RE-Design Quote from Nate Condron.
Ms. Smith MADE a MOTION to contract with Nate Condron to update the website.
Mrs. Ford. SECOND.
Ms. McCollum asked council were the funds should come from.
Council discussion followed.
Ms. Smith WITHDREW THE MOTION.
ITEM WAS MOVED TO THE BUDGET COMMITTEE.
Direct deposit for employee paychecks from Black Mountain software.
Ms. McCollum told council the software would be $1000.00 to purchase and $100.00 a year to maintain the bank would charge $20.00 per month. The cost would be comparable to what the city is currently paying. Council asked Ms. McCollum to poll the employees and see how many would be interested. Council asked where the funds would come from.
ITEM WAS MOVED TO THE BUDGET COMMITTEE.
Approve new business license received to date.
• De La Rosa Construction.
Mrs. Ford MADE a MOTION to approve all new business license received to date.
Ms. Smith SECOND.
Williams, Zimmerman, Smith, Beach, Armstrong and Ford voted FOR.
MOTION PASSED.
Approve renewal business license received to date.
Mrs. Ford MADE a MOTION to approve all renewal business license received to date.
Mr. Armstrong SECOND.
Williams, Zimmerman, Smith, Beach, Armstrong and Ford voted FOR.
MOTION PASSED.
Approve claims and payroll for October 2017.
Mrs. Ford MADE a MOTION to approve claims and payroll for October 2017.
Mr. Armstrong SECOND.
Williams, Zimmerman, Smith, Beach, Armstrong and Ford voted FOR.
MOTION PASSED.
Unfinished Business:
• Council Rules and Procedures.
NO ACTION WAS TAKEN.
General comments from the council:
Ms. Smith was very sad to see another timber infrastructure gone. Mayor Teske said everyone feels the same. Bill Cunnane was thankful no one was hurt and thanked the fire fighters. Ms. Smith thanked all who served for Veteran’s day.
Adjournment:
Ms. Williams MADE a MOTION to adjourn the meeting.
Mrs. Ford SECOND.
Williams, Zimmerman, Smith, Beach, Armstrong and Ford voted FOR.
MOTION PASSED.
Meeting was ADJOURNED at 8:29 pm.
______________ Attest; ______________________________
Mayor, Brent Teske Audray J. McCollum City Clerk/Treasurer