THE 1236th REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON OCTOBER 4, 2004 AT 7:00 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Mayor Berget called the regular meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called. Council members Bothman, Huntsberger, Leckrone, McElmurry and Roll, City Attorney Scott Spencer, Police Chief Clay Coker, Supervisor of City Services Dan Thede, and City Clerk Chris Erickson were present. Council member Mr. Crismore was absent.
Mr. Roll moved to accept the minutes from the September 13, 2004 regular meeting with one correction.
Mr. McElmurry seconded.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Roll moved to accept the minutes from the September 15, 2004 special meeting.
Mr. Huntsberger seconded.
Motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Leckrone moved to accept the minutes from the September 27, 2004 special meeting with one correction.
Mr. McElmurry seconded.
Motion carried unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mayor Berget presented St. John’s Rehabilitative Services request for equipment donation.
Mr. Bothman moved to donate the equipment with the request for St. John’s Rehabilitative Services to make a donation to Wings for $50.00 in lieu of purchasing the equipment.
Mr. Roll seconded.
Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Berget introduced Ryan Jones of Kadrmas Lee & Jackson who expressed interest in being added to the City of Libby’s bid list for engineers, surveyors and planners.
A renewal contract for maintenance services for Gene Wise was presented to the building committee for review with a request for an increase in the contract amount.
Mayor Berget read Ordinance No. 1621 that is to modify the existing building code LMC 14.02.010. The second reading of the ordinance will be at the November 1, 2004 regular meeting.
Mike Giesey, President of CARD, addressed the Council regarding a request for funding for a feasibility study for an asbestos research facility to be created in the Libby area.
Wayne Haines spokesman for the Cabinet View Country Club addressed the council. Although Mr. Haines felt certain the grants would be awarded, he presented three alternatives to pay for a $1.54 million loan should the grant requests fail.
Mr. Huntsberger moved to accept the presentation and allow the CVCC to continue with the grant process.
Mr. Roll seconded.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Berget introduced Phil Boger of TD&Y Engineering who presented an update on the Johnson Acres project. The initial bid process failed, as the bids on the project were $500,000 above the city budget. The bid process will begin again with a pre-bid meeting scheduled for November 3, 2004. Notice to award the bid is scheduled for December 7, 2004. The beginning date for the project will be April 4, 2005.
COMMITTEE REPORTS PARKS – Mr. Huntsberger said Riverfront Park is in the process of receiving an asbestos clearance tag.
CITY COUNCIL LIAISON – Commissioner Windom stated construction on the traffic light at Mahoney Road and Highway 2 would begin soon. The progress on the airport is good.
FIRE – Mr. Roll presented the fire report for the month and stated it had been a quiet month.
BUILDING/INDUSTRIAL PARK – None.
INSURANCE – None.
PERSONNEL – The new police officer Brandon Littrell was mentioned.
POLICE – Police Chief Coker reported the police department was at full staff.
RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE – Reading of Ordinance 1621 occurred at this meeting.
WATER – Mr. Bothman said John Ague wanted clarification of variance on property lines from the water committee.
SEWER/LIGHTS -Mr. Thede said a minor sewer extension was constructed from Dakota to Larch.
STREETS/ALLEYS – None.
SIDEWALKS/CURBS – Mr. Bothman said there has been some new interest in the sidewalk project. The VFW replaced a 10’ section in front of their building.
BUDGET/FINANCE – None.
JUDICIAL – Marlene Herried was temporarily replacing Lucille Briggs this week.
UNION NEGOTIATIONS – None.
RC & D – Mr. Bothman said LRI planned to move forward on the streetscape plan for Mineral Avenue.
KRDC – None.
LADC – None.
CAG – None.
TAG – None.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS – Due to a conflicting meeting, Mr. Roll did not attend.
EDUCATION – None.
PUBLIC SAFETY/TRAFFIC COORDINATOR – None.
Mayor Berget read a petition he received requesting dissolution of the relationship with the LADC.
Mr. Roll moved to approve payment of the claims as per the claims approval list.
Mr. McElmurry seconded.
Motion carried unanimously.
HEAR THE PUBLIC
Commissioner Windom reported she had attended the Montana Association of Counties Conference. The Montana Economic Development Association gave a glowing report on Libby. She also said that Commissioner Betty Lund of Hamilton spoke in depth about the success of the research center in their community. She stated that the center has created jobs, increased revenue and has relocated several professional groups of people to the area.
Next regular city council meeting will be held November 1, 2004 at 7 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 pm.
Mayor, Anthony J. Berget
City Clerk, Chris A. Erickson
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A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD OCTOBER 25, 2004 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE PONDEROSA ROOM AT CITY HALL
Mayor Berget called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. and led the pledge of allegiance. Council President Leckrone, council members Bothman, Huntsberger, McElmurry, City Attorney Scott Spencer, and City Clerk Chris Erickson were present.
Council member Stu Crismore and City Services Supervisor Dan Thede were absent.
Mayor Berget presented an overview of the reason for the special meeting. Several groups were in attendance to formally request grants from the remaining balance of the economic development funds. These groups also wanted to discuss the difficulties they have encountered in having their requests brought before the City Council.
Bob Parker, President of LADC spoke regarding the CARD requests for loans and/or grants.
CARD – President Mike Giesey gave an overview of the CARD requests presented to the LADC. As CARD was not finding resolution with the LADC, Mr. Giesey asked for permission to bypass the LADC and bring the request directly to the City Council.
Mr. Roll moved to consider the CARD proposal for vote at the November 1, 2004 regular City Council meeting.
Mr. Bothman seconded the motion.
A discussion ensued with comments from the public.
Motion carried with Mr. Huntsberger in opposition.
RON CARTER – Mr. Carter, local carpenter and biomass researcher, gave an overview to the audience of his biomass/co-generation proposal stating another party had plagiarized and presented his proposal to the U.S.F.S. for consideration.
AQUATIC CENTER – A proposal for the Aquatic Center will be presented to the Libby Area Chamber of Commerce on October 27, 2004. The formal proposal will be brought before the City Council on November 1, 2004.
VFW – Hal Cole, spokesperson for the VFW, gave a presentation of the involvement the VFW has with the local community. The VFW building is in dire need of repair. They have no excess money with which to match funds. They are requesting a grant of $250,000 to refurbish the building not only for the VFW to use but for the community to utilize as well.
No motion was presented to consider the request.
Mayor Berget stated that in the future any proposal not funded by the LADC could bypass the LADC and be brought directly to the City Council. He wanted to emphasize his appreciation to the LADC for the effort and dedication the volunteers had shown the community. A discussion followed regarding the participation of the LADC.
Mr. Roll moved to discontinue the use of responsibility for the LADC and move the responsibility to the City of Libby.
Mr. Bothman seconded the motion.
Motion carried with Mr. Huntsberger in opposition.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Mayor Anthony J. Berget
City Clerk Chris Erickson