THE 1261st REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS

Mayor Tony Berget called the regular meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called. Council members Bischoff, Bothman, Leckrone, McElmurry and Roll, City Attorney Charles Evans, Supervisor of City Services Dan Thede and   City Clerk Chris Erickson were present.

Mr. McElmurry moved to accept the minutes of the September 11, 2006 regular meeting and the minutes of the September 20, and September 21, 2006 special meetings as presented.
Mr. Roll seconded the motion.
Motion carried.

Mayor Berget presented the second reading of Ordinance No. 1669 Floodplain Management Regulations.

Mr. Roll moved to accept Ordinance No. 1669 Adopting Floodplain Management Regulations that were effective September 11, 2006.
Ms. Leckrone seconded the motion.
Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

The Building Committee recommended that City Attorney Charles Evans prepare a lease with option to buy between the City of Libby and the Lincoln County Crisis Solutions (LCCS) regarding the shelter they currently rent. This item will remain on the agenda until the lease is official.

Mr. Jim Morey of the Lincoln County Transportation Committee was not in attendance. However, Mr. Bischoff reported the funds Mr. Morey had requested earlier were not needed at this time as the county had assisted in the funding.

The Planning Committee recommended approval of the growth plan proposal from Klinkham Consulting.

Mr. Roll moved to accept the proposal from Klinkham Consulting to prepare Phase I of the Growth Plan for the City of Libby.
Mr. Bischoff seconded the motion.
Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

The Personnel Committee had interviewed three individuals who were interested in the open position for a city council member. They were Peggy Williams, D. C. Orr and Mark Roberts. The Personnel Committee recommended offering the position to Peggy Williams.

Ms. Leckrone moved to accept Peggy Williams as the new city council member whose term will expire in 2007.
Mr. Bothman seconded the motion.
Motion carried.

Mayor Berget gave the Oath of Office to Peggy Williams. She took her place at the council table.

Mayor Berget allowed the public to speak early as one person had to close their business in order to attend the council meeting.

Mrs. Jean Parnell, Manager of the Mountain Magic Motel spoke of her dissatisfaction with the way the city handles vandalism reports, speeders and non-resident registered vehicles. Ms. Leckrone assured Mrs. Parnell that she would forward the concerns to the Chief of Police.

The annual contract for the city attorney was due to be renewed. The effective date was changed to July 2006 through June 2007 in order to stay in sync with the current pay increases of the city employees.

Ms. Leckrone moved to approve the annual contract for City Attorney Charles Evans effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007.
Mr. McElmurry seconded the motion.
Motion carried.

The Chamber of Commerce requested street closure of Mineral Avenue during the Christmas Parade scheduled for December 1, 2006.

Mr. Roll moved to close Mineral Avenue during the annual Christmas Parade on December 1, 2006.
Mr. McElmurry seconded the motion.
Motion carried.

Paul Rummelhart gave a PowerPoint presentation to the city council regarding the renovation of the Industrial Park. He discussed ore transportation for the mines, permits, sewer ponds and CDBG grants. The council continued to support the concept and scheduled a special meeting for Monday, November 13, 2006 at 5:30 to discuss the options.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CEMETERY/PARKS  – None.

CITY/COUNTY LIAISON  – None

FIRE  – Fire Chief Tom Wood presented the monthly report..

BUILDING/INDUSTRIAL PARK  – None.

INSURANCE  – None.

PERSONNEL  – None.

POLICE  – None

RESOLUTIONS/ORDINANCES  – None.

WATER  – None.

SEWER/LIGHTS  – A letter will be sent to local contractors and roofers regarding storm drain infiltration violations. Mr. McElmurry requested a camera to purchase. It was suggested partnering with Troy and Eureka with the expense and usage.

SIDEWALKS/CURBS  – None.

BUDGET/FINANCE  – None.

JUDICIAL  – Judge Briggs and Donna Moe will be gone the week of November 13-17 to attend the annual convention in Great Falls.

Mr. McElmurry moved to pay the claims as presented.
Ms. Leckrone seconded the motion.
Motion carried.

HEAR THE PUBLIC

Tom Wood said he had received a grant from FEC for training equipment for school presentations.

Jeff Weigle made a complaint about the way a traffic violation was handled in city court by the judge.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

                                                                                   

Anthony J. Berget, Mayor

Chris A. Erickson, City Clerk

                                                                                   

                                                                                   

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LIBBY COUNCIL CHAMBERS  – CITY HALL NOVEMBER 1, 2006  – 6 pm

Council President Charlene Leckrone called the public hearing to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll was called. Council members Leckrone, McElmurry, Bothman and Bischoff and City Clerk Chris Erickson were present. Council member Roll, Mayor Berget and City Services Supervisor Dan Thede were absent.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution No. 1671 was presented for adoption. This resolution amends Resolution 1670 approving the annexation of properties located in Cabinet Heights by adding notice of a public hearing to be held December 4, 2006 at 6 p.m.

Mr. McElmurry moved to accept Resolution No. 1671 Amending Resolution No. 1670 Approving the Annexation of Properties Located in Sections 9, 10 and 15 T30N, R31W, M.P.M.
Mr. Bothman seconded the motion.
Motion carried.

Meeting was adjourned at 6:03 p.m.

Paul Rummelhart of the Industrial Park Board gave a brief presentation to the city council regarding the future infrastructure development plans to the Industrial Park. The plans included rail renovation, new truck scale, electrical power, water mains, sewer collection and lift station, and road improvements. He was asking the city to apply for a CDBG grant to assist in the renovations.

The council members in attendance were in support of the project and proposal. As there were some members absent, it was decided to table the discussion to the regular November monthly meeting.

Discussion was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

                                                                       

Charlene Leckrone, City Council President

Chris A. Erickson, City Clerk

                                                                                   

                                                                                   

SPECIAL COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LIBBY COUNCIL CHAMBERS  – CITY HALL NOVEMBER 13, 2006  – 5:30 pm

A special committee meeting of the Libby City Council was held on the above date and time. Mayor Berget, council members Roll, Bothman, Leckrone, McElmurry, Williams and Bischoff, City Services Supervisor Dan Thede and City Clerk Chris Erickson were present.

Discussion ensued regarding the possibility of the city completing a CDBG grant application for the Industrial Park District to assist in rehabilitation of the area. The Industrial Park Board has several potential business interests that would like to relocate to Libby and utilize the space at the park. In order to provide quality space for businesses, several areas are in need of rehabilitation and repair. The Industrial Park Board has applied for several grants to assist in the refurbishing project. In order to have enough funds to complete the necessary repairs, they have requested that the city apply for a CDBG Economic Development Grant in the amount of $400,000 to assist in the project.

Concerns and questions raised during the discussion were:

  • What if the city has other uses earmarked for CDBG grants;

  • What criteria determines approval of grants;

  • Who would administer the grant;

  • Does the project include the sewer lagoons;

  • Has the Industrial Park Board applied for any other grants;

  • Does the Industrial Park Board intend to front any of the funding themselves;

  • What guarantee does the city have regarding surety of potential businesses;

  • Can the property eventually be annexed;

  • Is the intention of the park to hook up to all city services;

  • If the grant is approved, what assurance does the city have that the funds will be used for the intention they were applied for; and

  • What criteria qualifies a CDBG grants for economic development vs. public facility.

    Public was heard.

    Discussion was adjourned at 7:06 p.m.

    Chris A. Erickson, City Clerk