THE 1228th REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON FEBRUARY 2, 2004 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 Bothman, Crismore, Huntsberger, 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.
Mr. Crismore moved to accept the minutes from the January 5th regular and the January 13th special meeting and January 24th retreat.
Mr. Roll seconded.
Motion carried unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
John Massey, representative of the Kiwanis, addressed the Council to update everyone on the status of Logger Days. Their club is in the process of locating startup funds for the first year and to become self-sustaining, with a goal of $25,000. Their goal is to relocate the activities closer to downtown and the highway. Discussion followed. Each individual councilperson afforded a vote of confidence for the project.
Gary Renita, Igniters Club, asked the Council for permission to close off Mineral Avenue again this year for Hot Augusts Nights. The dates are August 20 & 21, always the third week in August. Mineral Avenue would be closed from Second to Eighth Avenue, the side street on Third would be kept open for Cardinal’s business.
Mr. Huntsberger moved to allow the closure of Mineral Avenue for August 20 & 21, 2004 for Hot August Nights.
Mr. Roll seconded.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mike Fraser, engineer with Thomas, Dean & Hoskins, Inc., updated the Council on the Johnson Acres project. A license agreement will be sent to all residents for permission to enter property. These must all be signed and returned to the City before any work can start. City will be mailing out as soon as the agreement has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney. Discussion followed.
Dan Williams, Program Manager for Weed Board-Lincoln County Weed District, gave a noxious weed handbook to each of the Council. He informed the Council of an opportunity for a City employee to attend a four-day Pesticide Training on March 1-4, 2004. This training would allow the attendee the ability to become a licensed applicator.
Discussion followed.
Russ Thompson, Babe Ruth (formerly Little League), distributed handouts to the Council indicating the necessary requirements to host State tournaments. He said they are concerned about the lack of bathroom facilities at the City baseball park. Discussion followed. The matter was turned over to the Parks Committee. Councilperson Huntsberger asked Russ to attend a Parks Board meeting on Thursday at the Credit Union at 6:30 p.m. City Attorney Scott Spencer asked Russ to review and update the lease agreement with the City.
TAG community letter was tabled.
Paul Rumelhart addressed the Council on behalf of the LADC. The LADC approved the Port Authority request for a $96,000 loan for one year, $8,000 monthly. The loan is for 5 years at 3% to be used to pay for on-site maintenance requirements and protection of property infrastructure and improvements. Councilperson Crismore excused himself from discussion and voting.
Mr. Huntsberger moved to accept the LADC recommendation and approved the loan of $96,000 for the Port Authority.
Ms. Leckrone seconded.
Motion carried.
Management structure of City departments was sent to committee for review and recommendations.
The winter parking ordinance was discussed. Chief Coker explained some of the procedures of the officers.
Five minute recess for Bill Buxton of MorrisonMaierle to set up PowerPoint presentation.
Bill Buxton, engineer with MorrisonMaierle, addressed the Council. He presented five possible alternatives for putting in a sewer system at Cabinet Heights. The presentation included funding sources, various plans with costs. Mayor Berget informed Mr. Buxton that until the possible annexation was finished, this project would be placed on hold. Mayor Berget would like the Council and the golf course people to get together. Discussion followed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
FIRE – Fire Chief Tom Wood gave the fire report for the month. There were 10 fire calls for the city, 5 for the county and 0 for out of district, a total of 15 calls for the month of January.
POLICE – Police Chief Clay Coker reported 221 calls, 41 citations, 21 arrests, for the month of January.
LADC – Earl Messick Sr. addressed the Council on the company working on broadband – Zero dB. The company has successfully completed Task #1 and their committee told them to start on Task #2. Discussion followed concerning availability of information on the project. Mayor Berget reminded the Council of the LADC meeting on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 at 7 p.m. in the Ponderosa Room.
Councilmember Huntsberger gave the Council a copy of a letter he was giving the Libby School Board along with copies of minutes for past meetings with LADC and with the Healthy Communities.
It was moved, seconded and carried to pay the claims as per the claims approval list.
HEAR THE PUBLIC
Next regular city council meeting will be held March 1, 2004 at 7 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 pm.
Mayor Anthony J. Berget
City Clerk, Heidi Morris
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A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON FEBRUARY 18, 2004 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 Bothman, Crismore, Huntsberger, Leckrone, McElmurry, and Roll, City Attorney Scott Spencer and City Clerk Heidi Morris were present.
City Attorney Scott Spencer distributed a declaration for the possible annexation project at Cabinet Heights and Cabinet View Country Club.
Doug Mellem, audience member, addressed the Council. He asked questions on the wording of the declaration.
Mayor Berget presented the declaration concerning the Cabinet Heights and Cabinet View Country Club’s interest in being annexed into the City of Libby to the Council for approval. Mayor Berget explained that the City would not be interested in annexing the section if grant funding was not available for the possible sewer project. Wayne Haines, audience member, discussed the annexation petition, property owners in the area are in the process of collecting signatures, and the timeline concerning the public hearing needed after the petition would be delivered to the Council. Sandy Elmore, audience member, asked questions on the annexation. Attorney Spencer explained that a declaration is a statement of intent, it is not a binding decision. Discussion followed.
Mr. Roll moved to accept the declaration.
Mr. McElmurry seconded.
Bothman Yes
Crismore No
Huntsberger Yes
Leckrone Yes
McElmurry Yes
Roll Yes
Motion passed.
The next regular monthly council meeting will be March 1, 2004 at 7 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Mayor, Anthony J. Berget
City Clerk, Heidi Morris