THE 1220th REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON JUNE 2, 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, Sorensen and Thom, City Attorney Scott Spencer, Supervisor of City Services Dan Thede, Police Officer Martin Bower and City Clerk Heidi Morris were present.
Mr. Bauer moved to accept the May 5th regular meeting minutes.
Mr. Sorensen seconded.
Motion carried.
Resolution #1608 – 2002-03 Amended Budget.
Mr. Bauer moved to accept the resolution.
Mr. Sorensen seconded.
Motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Don Smith, 804 Mineral Avenue, requested permission to build a carport addition on City property. Councilperson Thom informed the Council of the Building Committee of their recommendation to not approve. No motion was made. No permission was given. John Norberg, City Building Inspector, will inform Mr. Smith of the Council’s decision.
The gas, propane, gravel bid decision was tabled until Councilperson Sorensen and Mr. Thede are able to meet.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Berget read Judy Porter’s letter of resignation.
Mrs. Thom moved to accept the letter of resignation.
Mr. Bauer seconded.
Motion carried.
Dean Costlow addressed the Council concerning progress of condemned houses.
Mr. Spencer, City Attorney, reported that he would be meeting with John Norberg, City Building Inspector about the next step that needs to be put into effect.
The City received a letter from the Montana Department of Revenue. Moore Oil had been leasing a piece of property from Burlington Northern. This right-of-way lease ran out December of 1998. The lighting and street maintenance assessment for 1999 and 2000 were still billed to Moore Oil. The Department of Revenue asks the City’s permission to remove these fees.
Mr. Bauer moved to remove charges from Moore Oil.
Mr. Sorensen seconded.
Motion carried.
Mayor Berget addressed the Council concerning engineering design for Cabinet Heights/Golf Course area. Morrison Maierle has sent in a proposal. The proposal was put into committee.
Mayor Berget addressed the Council concerning engineering design for the raw water transmission replacement. Morrison Maierle has sent in a proposal. The proposal was put into committee.
Mayor Berget explained the voting process for appointing two new council members.
The two new appointees will fill the unexpired positions and they will need to run for office in November 2003. Six persons had submitted letters of interest for the positions. After three different votes, there was no clear consensus. Stu Crismore and Jim Rostofer asked about the voting process. Councilperson Leckrone asked that the interested persons introduce themselves. The Council and Mayor decided to put the matter into committee for recommendations. The matter will be discussed at the June 16 special meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CEMETERY/PARKS – Mr. Bauer and Mrs. Thom commented on how nice the cemetery looked. Mrs. Tom is still in the process of hiring a new camp host.
FIRE – Fire Chief Tom Wood gave a report. Last month the department had one call in the City, 4 rural, and 4 out of District for a total of nine calls. The new truck made its first run the night before.
POLICE – Police Officer Martin Bower reported 263 calls and 25 arrests and 36 citations for the month.
SEWER/LIGHTS – Mr. Bauer reported that they have switched over to summer operations.
WATER — Mrs. Thom reported they are working on wish lists for the budget. The annual report will be available in July.
STREETS/ALLEYS — Mr. Sorensen reported the crew is busy patching and working on the alleys. They had been working on the boat ramp until the discovery of zonolite. The EPA came down and have blocked off the area.
BUDGET/FINANCE Mayor Berget reported that we will start on the 03-04 budget after the new council members have been appointed.
UNION NEGOTIATIONS – George Bauer said that they might be finishing up soon.
CAG – Mr. Bauer and Miss Leckrone commented on the interesting County program on Meth Labs that had been held at the Ponderosa Room.
Public Safety/Traffic Coordinator – Mrs. Thom stated that she and Police Chief Coker were going to meet and discuss sections of the City and work on problem intersections.
Health Care- Miss Leckrone explained the dental program portion had been going up to Eureka.
It was moved, seconded and carried to pay the claims as per the claims approval list.
HEAR THE PUBLIC
Tiffany Sabine asked about the fee for Morrison Maierle. Mayor Berget will show her the contract after the meeting.
Jim Rostopher asked about the discovery of zonolite at the boat ramp. Mayor Berget
explained that the EPA is working very closely with the City to take care of this matter.
The Mayor announced that a Special Council Meeting will be held on Monday, June 16, 2003 at 7 p.m.
Next regular city council meeting will be held July 7, 2003 at 7 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Mayor, Anthony J. Berget
City Clerk, Heidi Morris
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A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON JUNE 16, 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 Bauer, Leckrone, Sorensen and Thom, City Attorney Scott Spencer, Supervisor of City Services Dan Thede, Police Chief Clay Coker and City Clerk Heidi Morris were present.
Mayor Berget addressed the Council concerning appointing a replacement for Joyce Baeth’s resigned council position. Ken Sorensen, Personnel Committee, recommended Doug Roll. The position was also opened to the floor for nominations.
Mr. Sorensen moved to appoint Doug Roll to fill the council position.
Miss Leckrone seconded.
Motion carried.
Mayor Berget addressed the Council concerning appointing a replacement for Judy Porter’s resigned council position. Ken Sorensen, Personnel Committee, recommended Walter McElmurry. The position was also opened to the floor for nominations. Mr. Bauer nominated Joe Johnston.
Mr. Sorensen moved to appoint Walter McElmurry to fill the council position.
Miss Leckrone seconded.
Vote was as follows:
Bauer No
Leckrone Yes
Sorensen Yes
Thom Yes
Motion carried.
Mayor Berget read the oath of office to Doug Roll, new Councilperson.
Mayor Berget read the oath of office to Walter McElmurry, new Councilperson.
The two new council members took their places at the front. Mr. Roll stated that he did not feel comfortable voting on the issues for the evening since he had not reviewed any of the current meeting information packet. He would be abstaining from voting for the evening.
Leonard and Connie Vogel petitioned the City of Libby to annex parcel of land.
The legal description is Lot 1 of Sullivan Tracts in Section 4, Township 30 North of Range 31 West, P.M.M., according to Plat #110 on file in the office of the Clerk and Recorder of Lincoln County, Montana
and a parcel of land 30 feet in width and approximately 125 feet in length adjoining on the East side along the entire length of and so as to extend in width to the East Lot 1 of Sullivan Lots in Section 4, Township 30 North, Range 31 West, P.M.M., according to small Plat #111 on file in the office of the Clerk and Recorder of Lincoln County, Montana.
SUBJECT TO easements and rights of way which are apparent or of record.
Mr. Bauer moved to accept the Vogel annexation petition.
Mrs. Thom seconded.
Motion carried.
Mr. Vogel addressed the Council concerning the basement construction. Dan Thede and John Norberg will work with Mr. Vogel.
Mr. Sorensen and Mr. Thede have reviewed the bids for gas, oil, diesel, propane, chip, and crush. There was a consensus of the Council.
The bids were awarded by the Council (starting July 1, 2003) as follows:
Diesel, Oil and Gas Moore Oil, Inc.
Propane Northwest Propane .88 Fixed
Chipping Mineral Avenue (if the budget will hold it) Chipmasters, Inc.
Crush Remp Sand & Gravel
The cleaning bid for City Hall was awarded to Toni Johnstone, she will start July 1, 2003.
Mr. Bauer moved to accept bid.
Mr. Sorensen seconded.
Motion carried.
Mayor Berget acknowledged the loyal service that the City has received the past years from Gene and Mary Wise, the retiring cleaning contract holders. The City will be sending a thank you letter.
No bids were received for the maintenance and lawn care of City Hall. The building maintenance and the lawn care will be put back out for bid again.
Mayor Berget informed the Council of the union contract, best and final offer. The City employees will be voting on the contract Thursday, June 19, 2003. Mayor Berget, Mr. Bauer and Mrs. Thom have sent many hours over the past two years working with this contract. There is still one question on some wording that is being checked, but the City is ready to ratify.
Mr. Bauer moved to ratify the union contract with the one question still being reviewed.
Mrs. Thom seconded.
Motion carried.
Mayor Berget asked the Council if they wanted to discontinue the City’s present pay schedule since the union contract had been ratified.
Mr. Bauer moved to discontinue present pay schedule.
Mrs. Thom seconded.
Motion carried.
Mayor Berget informed the Council that the Lincoln County Agreement for Animal Control has been received. The annual amount is the same as last year, $9,000.
Mrs. Thom informed the Council that their committee recommends sending a letter to the owner of the wireless tower at the water treatment plant. The letter will request information as to what kind of equipment is actually on the tower. At this time there is no written agreement.
Jim Rostopher asked about the tower.
The City needs to advertise for requests for proposals from engineering firms for Johnson Acres per the TSEP grant. The advertisement will be published locally twice and regionally once.
Mayor Berget informed the Council of the receipt of contracts from Morrison/Maierle concerning Cabinet Heights/golf course and raw water transmission. Mr. Thede has reviewed the information and recommends the City sign the general contract for engineering services at this time. Mr. Thede recommends waiting to sign the Task Orders that were also submitted, to be reviewed after funding is found.
Mr. Bauer moved that the City sign the general contract only.
Mr. Sorensen seconded.
Motion carried.
Mr. Mee representing the Board of Cabinet View Country Club, addressed the Council to say thank you. He asked what they could do to help and if there is a timeline. Mayor Berget responded that the City is in the process of looking for funding opportunities. Mr. Thede explained that because of funding requirements, it may be necessary to ask for requests for proposal from engineering firms.
Mayor Berget reminded everyone of the upcoming Healthy Communities Workshop on Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21. Everyone was encouraged to attend.
Tiffany Sabine asked about funding. Mayor Berget informed that the County is paying.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Mayor, Anthony J. Berget
City Clerk, Heidi Morris