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CALL TO ORDER
Pledge of Allegiance/Roll Call/Welcome - Approval of Council meeting-previous minutes
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NEW BUSINESS
a. Grace Rantala – Igniters Car Club
b. D. C. Orr – Local Government Issues
c. Libby Area Development Co. – 1st Recommendation -
COUNCIL ACTION/DISCUSSION
a. Council Committee Reports
b. Okay to pay claims - ADJOURNMENT
A SPECIAL MEETING TO CONSIDER TWO PROPOSAL SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY THE LIBBY AREA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY WAS HELD ON MARCH 19, 2001 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
Mayor Berget called the meeting to order and led the pledge of allegiance. Councilmembers Baeth, Bauer, Porter, Stephens and Thom, City Clerk, Kim Aarstad and Supervisor, Dan Thede was present.
Cindy Schaumberg, Executive Director of Families in Partnership, presented her proposal to the council for consideration. Families in Partnership is requesting $74,000.00. $70,000.00 will be used to purchase the former Kingdom Hall building at 67 Conifer Road and $4,000.00 will be used to install a new septic system and drain field. Building will be used to house current toddler, infant and parent solutions, free book and toy library, a proposed father involvement project and expand the early head start project. With these monies Families in Partnership will be able to hire nine more people. A discussion followed.
Jim Rostorfer asked if it would be problem to apply for federal grants using the cities money, this money was given to the city by the federal government?
Cindy Schaumberg stated that there would not be a problem.
Jeff Koskela asked if the council would make them use local contractors if the request was approved?
City Attorney, Scott Spencer stated that the city would do everything they could to assure that they would, up to where the law allows.
Mrs. Porter moved to accept Families in Partnership’s proposal.
Mr. Bauer seconded.
Motion carried.
Tom Kuhn, Ronan State Bank, presented Valley Manufacturing Inc. proposal to the city council for consideration. Mr. Kuhn stated that Ronan State Bank would loan $400,000.00 to Valley Manufacturing, Inc. if the city would approve their proposal. City would purchase a $400,000.00 CD from Ronan State Bank and this CD will be used as collateral against Valley Manufacturing Inc. loan. Interest from CD will go directly to the City of Libby and CD balance can be lowered as Valley Manufacturing loan balance lowers.
Mr. Bob Baker, owner Valley Manufacturing explained to the council the type of equipment his company would be making. Mr. Baker explained that his company would be manufacturing hay bailers, and several other items and if his proposal was okayed by the city council he would hire 6 to 7 people. A discussion followed.
Bob Tunis, EDC, questioned Mr. Kuhn on the possibility of Valley Manufacturing moving out of Libby at a later date, would the City of Libby be able to pull the CD.
Mr. Kuhn stated yes, that it would be in the best interest of the city.
D.C. Orr asked if the city council was willing to spend part of the $8,000,000.00 to approve this project?
Mr. Bauer and Mr. Stephens both explained that they would like to keep the $8,000,000.00 in tack as long as possible, but if future projects were to come up they would consider spending part of the $8,000,000.00.
Mr. Stephens made a motion to do a roll call vote for the proposed project.
Mrs. Thom seconded.
Motion Carried.
Roll call for approval is as follows:
Mrs. Baeth “No”
Mr. Bauer “No”
Mrs. Porter “No”
Mr. Stephens “No”
Mrs. Thom “No”
Valley Manufacturing Inc. proposal was denied.
Council thanked everyone involved for his or her hard work.
Minutes from this meeting were recorded and are stored at the city hall.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
THE 1193TH REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MARCH 5, 2001 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, Porter, Sorensen, Stephens and Thom, City Clerk, Kim Aarstad and Supervisor, Dan Thede was present.
Mr. Stephens moved to accept the February minutes.
Mrs. Porter seconded.
Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING
A public hearing on the future lighting costs & a proposed increase in Lighting Special Assessments was held.
Mr. Bauer explained that Flathead Electric is proposing an increase in lighting of up to 100% in October; the City of Libby will have a short fall in monies to pay for city street lighting. Mr. Bauer also stated that several years ago the city cut the lighting cost in half when the special assessments fund had a surplus of over $100,000.00. This surplus has been depleted over the last several years. Mayor Berget opened the meeting up for public comment. (This meeting was video recorded and will be stored at city hall)
Mayor Berget stated that the city was currently looking at turning off lighting at the City Hall building and at the Water Filtration Plant. But these turn offs would not help to defray the costs of street lighting.
Terry Andreessen asked when this new increase would take place.
City Clerk, Kim Aarstad, stated that it would be added to the tax roll in July, 2001.
Jim Rostopher asked if the city had a requirement to light the city.
Mayor Berget stated No.
Public Hearing Adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS
Stefani Hiscwa, Lincoln County Campus, asked that the council approve their $500,000.00 proposal to purchase the old Forest Service Building. Libby Area Development Co. approved this proposal on 2-12-01. The City of Libby will apply for a ten-year loan through the State Board of Investments, payments will be made on February and August of each year. Loan can be paid off early with no penalties should the council decide to do so.
Mr. Stephens moved to accept the Lincoln County Campus proposal.
Mr. Bauer seconded.
Motion carried.
D.C. Orr read a letter written to the Mayor and Council dealing with several issues of concern to him, in concluding his letter he asked for Mayor Berget’s resignation.
Councilmember Bauer, Stephens and Thom each made a statement.
Mayor Berget read a letter to Mr. Orr and concluded that he would not resign as Mayor.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Mrs. Thom, Cemetery/Parks Committee, reported that the swimming pool committee would be holding a public meeting on March 23rd & 24th in the Ponderosa Conference Room. Committee is currently looking for property to locate the pool. Mrs.Thom stated that she was also looking for citizens who would be willing to serve on the Shade Tree Committee.
Mayor Berget announced that he had signed all the paper work for ownership of 1022 California Avenue.
Fire Chief, Tom Wood, updated the council on fire calls answered for the month of January and February.
Mr. Sorensen, Building Committee, reported that Dr. Greg Rice has rented an office space in the city building.
Mrs. Thom, Insurance Committee, reported that a representative of Valic, (Deferred Comp) meet with city employees to discuss their retirement needs.
Mr. Stephens, Personnel Committee, reported that union negations should start by April.
Acting Chief, Brent Teske, updated the council on police calls answered for the month of February.
Mr. Thede reported that the State of Montana is establishing new discharge parameters for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Mr. Porter, Judicial Committee, reported that Judge Dorrington would be on vacation until March 16, 2001.
Mayor Berget announced that a special council meeting would be held to consider two more Libby Area Development Co. proposals.
County Commissioner, Rita Window, thanked the council for approving the proposal that was submitted by Lincoln County Campus.
It was moved, seconded and carried to pay the claims as per the claims approval list.
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.