Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting
February 21, 2006
Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:04 and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Others present are Councilmembers Bill Miller, Bill Warwick, and Ron Thomas, Planning Assistant, Lana King, Millie Wooley and Lisa Wagner representing Woman’s Club, Pioneer Reporter Cindy Pitts, City Attorney Bill Frazier, Pool Manager Sandi LaVoy, Gordon Dezulavich, and Clerk/Treasurer, Gayle McPherson. Councilwoman Avey had another engagement and arrived later.
Councilman Thomas moved to approve the minutes of February 6, 2006. Councilman Miller seconded the motion. Motion carried by vote of the Council present. Councilwoman Coffey-Avey was absent from the vote.
Lana presented subdivision review documents for Sweet Grass Homes subdivision. Current owner, Gordon Dezulavich is reducing the number of lots from ten to seven in Block 1. This provides each lot with more buildable area, while still conforming to the zoning ordinances. The emergency fire access easement between lots one and seven requires a culvert be placed in Hogan Ditch so emergency vehicles can cross into that portion of the subdivision. During the City/County Planning Board subdivision review of the property, the question was raised about whose property Hogan Ditch is on, and who is responsible for installation of the culvert? Discussion was held. Councilman Miller moved to approve Sweet Grass Homes Amended Plat contingent upon Mr. Dezulavich installing the culvert at his expense. Councilman Warwick seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous vote of the Council present. Councilwoman Coffey-Avey was absent from the vote.
Lisa Wagner presented Councilmembers with a mock-up of the Woman’s Club ideas for playground renovation at Lion’s Club Park. The group is working with Leathers and Associates of Ithaca, New York, a company that designs community built playgrounds across America. They also manufacture the components used to assemble the various structures. The components can be a combination of structural plastic, plastic composite lumber, or arsenic free pressure treated lumber. They plan to use a Western Town theme and incorporate the history of the area into it. Construction is all by community volunteer. Councilman Thomas stated some of the current playground equipment was donated as memorials, and even though it needs to be replaced, the donors need to be contacted as to the disposition of the property. Woman’s Club will hold their first fundraiser, a Community Bar-B-Que and auction, on April 22, 2006 at the Fairgrounds. Mayor Taylor will set up a planning meeting with the Lion’s Club, Park Committee, Public Works, and Woman’s Club. Plans may be viewed at Crazy Woman Trading Company.
Pool Manager, Sandi LaVoy, was present to discuss plans for opening the Ramsey Pool in June. A copy of her plan is attached to these minutes. She will start advertising for Lifeguards this coming Friday. She indicated she hopes to hire six lifeguards, but does not know if any of the guards from last year will be returning. Sandi advised she needs to purchase a set of filters for the big pool at an approximate cost of $606.00. She also commented the price of chlorine is about 10% higher than last year. Councilpersons Thomas and Coffey-Avey will meet with Sandi and review the current pool policy. Councilmembers told Sandi to proceed with her schedule.
Mayor Taylor informed the Council the State Plumbing inspector and the State Electrical Inspector are working with Kevin Haugan and Steve McCullough to bring the Dugout up to code. Emergency exit signs will be put up as well.
The Sweet Grass County Commissioners sent Mayor Taylor a prospective Joint Resolution for Wind Energy. The City previously agreed to work with the county in taking a look at the possibilities and how wind energy might work for the community as a whole. The Council stated they are not ready for a Resolution at this point, and would like to get a better sense of what the community wants first. Councilman Warwick will be attending a wind energy meeting on February 22, 2006 at the Farm Services Agency.
Montana Engineering and Administration provided the City with the Final Draft Plan, as approved by the Department of Environmental Quality, for the water tank, main line, and sewer project. The project has been let for bid, and the bid opening is scheduled for March 6, 2006.
Mayor Taylor told the Council she would rather see the Council continue with the sewer upgrade plan than to pay off any part of the Sewer Bond. The sewer upgrade plan was put on hold for a couple of years, due to the main water line replacement taking precedence. All the areas indicated on the sewer plan are in serious need of repair, and the money can be better spent upgrading as planned. Councilmembers indicated they do not want to increase sewer rates to facilitate upgrades when we already have the funding available. Diana commented we need to think about these things as we go into the budget season.
The Council discussed Bill and Tamara Fossum’s proposal for lawn care services with Tamara. No action was taken, and the subject will be revisited at a later date.
Mayor Taylor advised the Council she is making an Arbor Day Proclamation, in conjunction with receiving the tree grant. Arbor Day is April 28, 2006 and that is when the trees will be planted.
Councilman Thomas mentioned he had been looking over the duties roster Rick and Kris developed. He wondered if they had time available to finish cleanup at the park? Diana will meet with the Public Works crew and report back to the Council.
Mayor Taylor discussed the idea of dispensing a newsletter periodically, and showed the group a mock-up of her idea. She is looking into the associated costs, and will report back to the Council at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting.
Mayor Taylor will try to make arrangements for Bob Worthington of MMIA to attend the second meeting in March to address a number of questions.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Thomas moved to adjourn at 9:15 P.M. Councilman Miller seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous vote of the full Council.
Respectfully Submitted,
____________________________
Diana Taylor, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Gayle McPherson, Clerk/Treasurer