UNAPPROVED Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting

January 16, 2006

Mayor Taylor opened the meeting at 7:00 P.M., and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.   Others in attendance are Councilmembers Crystal Coffey-Avey, Bill Miller, Ron Thomas, and Bill Warwick, Sheriff Dan Tronrud, Undersheriff Jerry Mahlum, City Court Judge Jessie McKenney, City Attorney Bill Frazier, Pioneer reporter Cindy Pitts, Joe Hansen representing the Carnegie Building Committee, Debbie Frazier representing the Carnegie Library Board of Directors, Assistant Planning Director Lana King, Mike Sedgewick, Lois Stevens, and Clerk/Treasurer Gayle McPherson.

Councilman Thomas moved to approve the minutes of January 3, 2006, with one amendment in paragraph 8, changing City Council to City employees.   Councilman Miller seconded the motion.   Motion carried unanimously.  

Lana King and Mike Sedgewick discussed the parking situation for employees of Big Timber Meats.   Zoning regulations call for three off-street parking spaces to be available for customers or employees per Title 11 Chapter 20 of the City Code.   The number of spaces necessary is based on the square footage of the structure.  

Mike spoke previously with representatives of the Big Timber Volunteer Fire Department, about the possibility of obtaining an easement to park on City property, and satisfy the Zoning Regulations.  The City owns 45’ from Big Timber Meats property line, west, to the sidewalk on Anderson Street, and 60 feet south.   Councilman Thomas stated the BTVFD vetoed an easement, but is willing to continue with the current parking arrangement, as is.   Ron reported, as this was acceptable to both parties, Mark Josephson would draw up a “Gentleman’s Agreement” for Council approval.

Lana stated Joe Todisco wanted to install a lighted stock ticker sign on the outside east wall of his business.   As the sign ordinance does not address this type of sign, Lana wanted Council input.   Attorney Frazier stated if it is within the size limitations and conforms to the general standard it should be alright.   Councilmembers chose to set a public hearing date of 2/6/06 for the matter.   Lana will notice the hearing date in the Pioneer.  

Judge McKenney provided Councilmembers with case numbers filed in City Court and Justice Court.   In 2005 City Court heard 144 cases and Justice Court heard 1400.   In 2004 City Court heard 146 cases, and Justice Court heard 1669.   Jessie stated justice cases are down a bit.   She wanted to know what type of reports or information the new Council wanted her to provide them at future meetings.

Sheriff Tronrud distributed spread sheets for 2003 through 2005.   He declined to go over the statistics at this point.   He remarked he would include them at the January 23, 2006 Law Enforcement Commission meeting, which is to be held in the Sweet Grass County Commissioner’s office at 10:00 A.M.

Negotiations ensued pertaining to temporary housing of a limited library during renovation of the main library.   The renovation is estimated to take anywhere from five to eight months.   The Carnegie Library Board of Directors requested the City Council allow them to utilize half of the Dugout building for this endeavor.   Debbie Frazier, representing the Library Board, stated they intend to take only the new fiction and non-fiction, periodicals, a section of children’s books, and several computers.   The remainder of the collection will be stored at another location, as yet undecided.

Mayor Taylor quoted usage and revenues from the summer of 2005.   The City realized revenue’s of $320.00 for 5 months of the summer.   Most groups will still be able to meet at the Dugout, as only half is being requested by the Library Board.   Reunions may still be able to be held there as well.   The kitchen is accessible to the half of the building still available, and both of these portions have access to the back yard, where picnic tables could be set up.    

Councilmembers were concerned about the weight of the books on the floor, most particularly the northeast corner.   Another concern was security during meetings or other activities that might be held at the Dugout.   The Friends of the Library has offered to chaperone the temporary library during these events.

Councilman Thomas moved to allow the Carnegie Library Board use of the Dugout from the right of the front door frame to the east wall, all the way to the north wall, provided they put nothing heavy on the floor in the northeast corner, submit a plan for use of the square footage, and upgrade the electric and phone to accommodate the computers.   Councilwoman Coffey-Avey seconded the motion.   Councilman Thomas voted aye, Councilman Warwick voted aye, Councilwoman Coffey-Avey voted aye, and Councilman Miller voted nay.   Motion passed by majority vote of the Council.

Joe Hanson, representing the Carnegie Building Committee, advised Councilmembers the Building Committee is getting close to the bid process.   They expect to have a draft bid package by January 24, 2006, and in early to mid February the package will come to the Council for approval.   Even though the Building Committee is the primary evaluator, the City is ultimately responsible.   Bid solicitations will be advertised for 3 weeks, and a pre-bid walk thru will be conducted by the Building Committee.   Joe estimated a bid opening could occur as early as the first part of March.

Joe stated they will encourage contractors to make use of local suppliers, contractors, and labor as possible.   Spec books and plans will be picked up from Big Timber City Hall rather than the Architect, to save money.   He also commented Cyrus Smith has generously offered to allow staging on his property at no charge.   Storage of books in Mr. Smith’s building is being negotiated as well.

Mayor Taylor reported February 21, 2006 has been set for the “Roles and Responsibilities” seminar by Dr. Ken Weaver of Montana State University Local Government Services Bureau.   The seminar is to be conducted at City Hall from 2:00 P.M.until 5:00 P.M.  

Diana also advised the Council a MMIA safety meeting is scheduled for City employees on February 17, 2006 from 1:30 P.M. until 3:30 P.M. at City Hall.  

She will be attending the Mayor’s Academy in Bozeman on February 1,2,3, 2006.   The entire Academy is funded through a private grant. Training is provided by M.S.U. Local Government Services Bureau, and all accommodations and meals are provided by the grant.

Diana commented Public Works Director, Rick Gibby, has spoken to local State Highway Supervisor, Paul Groshans regarding a number of drainage issues the city is facing.   He has also made several attempts to contact Tom Kane at MDOT in Billings, with no response.

Diana advised Councilmembers Judy Moos has agreed to continue on the City County Planning Board, and Lawson Drinkard has agreed to serve a term on that board as well.

Diana presented Marilyn Raisland as her choice of candidates for Deputy Clerk/Treasurer.   Marilyn submitted one of thirteen applications.   All were given equal consideration based on the specific qualifications necessary to do the job and additional skills they could bring to the job.   Mayor Taylor and Clerk/Treasurer McPherson chose five candidates to interview, and held those interviews.   Marilyn was the candidate deemed most qualified and was presented to the Council for discussion and consent.   Councilman Thomas stated he felt the Labor-Relations Committee should have been privy to all the applications, and been more involved in the selection.   Mayor Taylor advised that according to state law it was her choice, and this Council meeting was their opportunity to vote on her choice.

Councilman Miller moved to approve Marilyn Raisland as the Deputy Clerk/Treasurer.   Councilwoman Coffey-Avey seconded the motion.   Councilman Miller voted aye, Councilman Warwick voted aye, Councilwoman Coffey-Avey voted aye, and Councilman Thomas voted nay.   Motion passed by majority vote of the Council.

Mayor Taylor and Councilman Thomas met with Randal Popelka, aide to Senator Conrad Burns, on Thursday, January 12, 2006 to discuss economic development.     Mr. Popelka advised there are three types of grants available.   STAG grants are geared toward wastewater projects, federal highway dollars are available with 80% being federal and a 20% local match, and EDI grants which are geared toward libraries and museums.   He indicated EDI grants are very competitive and range between $200,000.00 and $400,000.00.   Considerations for this money could have been the library, Moose building, or City/County complex.   Councilman Thomas would like to explore a City/County Complex.   The four block McLeod Street renovation was considered to be the project most likely to qualify for highway dollars.   A grant form had been sent for and Mayor Taylor will fill it out and see what happens.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilwoman Coffey-Avey moved to adjourn at 9:00.   Councilman Miller seconded the motion.   Motion carried unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,

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Diana Taylor, Mayor

ATTEST:         

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Gayle McPherson, Clerk/Treasurer