THE 1238th REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON DECEMBER 6, 2004 AT 7:00 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Mayor Berget called the regular meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called. Council members Bothman, Crismore, Huntsberger, Leckrone, McElmurry and Roll, City Attorney Scott Spencer, Supervisor of City Services Dan Thede, and Deputy City Clerk Beth Burrell were present. City Clerk Chris Erickson was present at 8:15 p.m.
Ms. Leckrone moved to accept the minutes as presented from the November 1, 2004 regular meeting, November 15, 2004 special meeting and the November 17, 2004 special meeting.
Mr. Boothman seconded.
Motion carried unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Web camera purchase/rental proposal from MontanaSkyNet was tabled until the next regular meeting due to the fact Mr. Crismore could get no response to his phone calls. He will continue to try to make contact for more information.
No action was taken on the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Park Grant.
The City of Libby made an annual loan payment of $58,134.61 to the Economic Development Fund for domestic water and sewer bond repayment.
NEW BUSINESS
Bill Boger, representative from Thomas Dean and Hoskins Engineering, presented the bids on the Johnston Acres project and asked for awarding of the bid to Noble Excavating. Due to a slight budget shortfall, the City of Libby plans to apply for a low interest intercap loan through the State of Montana to fund the balance of the project.
Mr. Roll moved to award the contract to Noble Excavating.
Mr. McElmurry seconded.
Motion passed with Mr.Crismore and Mr. Bothman opposed.
The grant application for security systems for municipal water supplies was directed to the Water Committee.
The presentation on the employee dental, vision and flex plan was canceled due to the illness of Mr. Swimley.
The Lincoln County Port Authority requested a grant of $800,000 from the Economic Development Fund. James Mayo, representative for the Lincoln County Port Authority, gave a presentation outlining how the Port Authority plans to utilize the funding request.
Mr. Bothman moved to grant $300,000 of economic development funds to the Port Authority.
Mr. Huntsberger seconded the motion.
Motion passed.
Terry Anderson, spokesperson for the VFW, presented a monthly accounting of expenses incurred by the VFW. The current balance of their loan is $361,000 with a monthly payment amount of $2,366. They are able to make $1,200 of the monthly amount. The VFW requested $145,000 from the economic development fund to assist in the payoff of the loan. Mr. Bothman suggested that the payments from the CARD loan that the City will receive could go to the VFW on a monthly basis in conjunction with $10,000 granted from the economic development funds to assist in their debt.
Mr. Huntsberger moved to table the item until a special meeting on December 13, 2004.
Mr. Roll seconded the motion.
Motion passed.
Aitken’s Qwik Stop applied for a transfer of the beer license for their new facility.
Mr. Roll moved to approve the application.
Mr. Bothman seconded the motion.
Motion passed.
There were no objections to the request from Kootenai Surveyors for a minor subdivision for Jim Regh. A letter of approval will be forwarded to Kootenai Surveyors.
The City of Libby liquor licenses renewals for 2005 were presented.
Mr. Huntsberger moved to approve the liquor license renewals for 2005.
Mr. Roll seconded the motion.
Motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PARKS – Mr. Huntsberger said Dave Blackburn would like to move his operation to the River Front Park. This will be reviewed and a plan put into motion.
CITY COUNCIL LIAISON – Mr. Crismore reported there would be an open house at the County animal shelter facility on December 14th from 11:00 to 4:00. Ms. Leckrone asked about the weed abatement program. Mr. Crismore stated the ordinance needed to be enforced. Ms. Windom suggested contacting Danny Williams at the County.
FIRE – Mr. Roll gave the monthly report.
BUILDING/INDUSTRIAL PARK – None.
INSURANCE – Robin Swimley was unable to attend the meeting to discuss the current insurance plans due to illness.
PERSONNEL – Ms. Leckrone stated the committee needed to schedule a meeting in the near future.
POLICE – Mr. Crismore said he has been trying to contact MontanaSkyNet regarding the WebCam but has had no success.
RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE – Dan Thede reported he should be receiving information on the impact fees by the end of the week.
WATER – None.
SEWER/LIGHTS – Gary Huntsberger reported there was a sewer problem at Don K Motors. There are some flickering streetlights that need to be reported to the police department. They will get a hold of John Desch for repair.
STREETS/ALLEYS -None.
SIDEWALKS/CURBS – None.
BUDGET/FINANCE – None.
JUDICIAL – None.
UNION NEGOTIATIONS – None.
RC & D – None.
KRDC – None.
LADC – None.
CAG – None.
TAG – None.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS – None.
EDUCATION – None.
PUBLIC SAFETY/TRAFFIC COORDINATOR – Mr. Crismore reported he was working on identifying the streets that are in need of stop signs.
Mr. McElmurry moved to approve payment of the claims as per the claims approval list.
Mr. Huntsberger seconded.
Motion passed.
HEAR THE PUBLIC
A spokesperson for the VFW apologized to the Council for the attitudes of some of the members toward the City Council during the meeting this date.
A special City Council meeting was set for Monday, December 13th at 7:00 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm.
Mayor, Anthony J. Berget
City Clerk, Chris A. Erickson