Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting
February 6, 2006
Mayor Taylor opened the meeting at 7:00 P.M. and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Others in attendance are Councilpersons Crystal Coffey-Avey, Ron Thomas, Bill Warwick, and Bill Miller, City Attorney Bill Frazier, Public Works Director Rick Gibby, Planning Assistant Lana King, City/County Planner Paige Dringman, County Commissioner Elaine Allestad, Sheriff Dan Tronrud, Undersheriff Jerry Mahlum, Chris Mehus, Dave Healow, City Court Judge Jessie McKenney, Chad Hanson representing Montana Engineering and Administration, Roxanne Hanson, and Clerk/Treasurer Gayle McPherson..
Councilman Thomas moved to approve the minutes for January 16, 2006. Councilman Miller seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous vote of the Council.
Mayor Taylor asked the Council to approve her appointment of Bill Frazier as City Attorney, to serve a two-year term. Councilwoman Coffey-Avey moved to approve Bill Frazier as City Attorney. Councilman Warwick seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous vote of the Council.
Sheriff Dan Tronrud presented figures for the January 2006 occurrences within his office. Those figures are running close to last year. Dan advised his office plans to begin tracking citizen assists as part of the report. Citizen assists include but are not limited to orders of protection, mental health issues, and chemical dependency issues.
Dan informed the Council his office is being renovated with 911 funds. When completed the office will have a more efficient layout, and be safer for the dispatchers. They plan to move in by the end of this week.
On February 9, 2006 the Division of Criminal Investigation will be conducting an examination of security procedures at Sweet Grass County Courthouse. DCI will then advise Sweet Grass County Commissioners and Department Heads how to improve security within the Court system and the Courthouse as a whole.
Judge McKenney presented January 2006 case numbers from both City and Justice Courts. She related her office has a Partners in Learning student working with the Court Compliance officer. She also advised she will be attending Judge’s school in April.
Planning Assistant, Lana King, reported Big Timber Meats variance was approved contingent upon approval of the parking agreement between the City, Volunteer Fire Department, and the Sedgewicks. Councilman Thomas moved to approve the parking agreement. Councilwoman Coffey-Avey seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous vote of the Council.
Lana introduced Paige Dringman, who will assume the duties of City/County Planner on a part-time basis. Paige will be in the planning office on Wednesdays and another half day during the week for a trial period of six months.
Lana also informed the Council she will be presenting sub-division review documents, for Block 1 of Sweet Grass Homes, for Council approval at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting.
Lana mentioned the East-end Master Plan will commence when Rusty Collyer of Absarokee Consultants Inc., becomes available. Betty Alexander will be contracted to assist Mr. Collyer with the plan. The plan will encompass lands east of block 8, Boulder Addition #2, owned by Jeff Cowell and Lowell Connerton, as well as lands north of the LDS church.
Chris Mehus, Economic Development Coordinator for Sweet Grass County, was in attendance with Dave Healow of Marginal Energy, to discuss wind generators. Chris related his office held an educational forum regarding wind generators at Sweet Grass County High School last month. The two are exploring the possibility of erecting a wind generator on High School property along I90 to generate electric power to the school, as the High School’s peak use months coincides with peak production months for wind. The generators in questions are used and can be gotten at a good price. Purchase and installation would run between $50,000.00 and $60,000.00. The tower stands approximately 80 feet high, and the location being considered would not interfere with anyone’s view.
Other issues surrounding wind turbines was discussed.
Planning Office employees will meet with Chris to gather the information necessary to hold a Pubic Hearing on the wind turbine question, tentatively scheduled for March 28, 2006.
The City/County Planning board needs to look at amending Zoning Ordinances to include wind turbines.
Public Works Director, Rick Gibby, reported A & E Architects contacted him and advised the Carnegie Library would need a 4” water line installed to accommodate the new fire suppression system being installed as part of the renovation project. Rick related the line can come off either 4 th Avenue or McLeod Street, however McLeod Street is a state highway, and would require consent from the Montana Department of Transportation. Rick stated that while there is no good choice, McLeod Street would be his preference. The Council asked Rick to check into whether there are other types of suppression systems that don’t require that size line.
Mayor Taylor asked the Council to approve her appointment of Lawson Drinkard to the City/County Planning Board and Sue Tooley to the Airport Board. Councilwoman Coffey-Avey moved to approve the appointments. Councilman Thomas seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous vote of the Council.
Mayor Taylor related she had spoken with Lee Travenner, of Solar Plexis, regarding water powered turbines. He would charge $300.00 to do a system analysis if he happened to be in the vicinity of Big Timber anyway, or $500.00 to make a special trip. Jason Cohn of Hydro-dynamics in Bozeman would be willing to do the system analysis at no cost. The Council expressed interest in having Hydro-dynamics do the analysis. Mayor Taylor offered to make the arrangements.
In December, 2006, Councilmembers approved Mayor Taylor submitting a Letter of Intent to the Main Street Montana Program. Diana related there is no project funding attached to the program. They assist in finding available grants, and defining how you want your project to progress. You are obligated to hire a half time person to assist in development of the project. Councilmembers decided to forego the program.
Chad Hanson spoke with the Council regarding the upcoming capital projects. He advised he submitted the final draft plan to the Department of Environment Quality and hopes for final approval this week. He plans to advertise beginning this coming Sunday, with an opening date in March.
In 2003, Liquid Engineering provided the City with an extensive list of needed improvements at the water tank. Chad went through and prioritized the list, which was then discussed with the Council in place at that time. Chad gave the current Council a summary of his findings. The original list of improvements called for touch-up painting on the exterior of the tank. Two leading manufacturers of industrial paint, Tnemec and Sherwin-Williams, stated the spot painting would be highly visible. The painting contractors quoted an additional $5,000.00 to do an overcoat on the tank in conjunction with the pending work, versus spot painting. To spot paint now, and do a full exterior paint job five years from now would cost $20,000-$30,000, as we would have to pay mobilization, bonding, etc. again at that time.
The discussion continued with the question of what color paint to apply if the entire tank was painted, and if the City wanted to incorporate a design or lettering. Chad said when the local high school logo is used there is much less vandalism. When logos or letters are used, it is recommended the background be light and the lettering or logo dark.
Councilman Thomas moved to approve repainting the entire exterior of the water tank. Councilman Miller seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous vote of the Council.
Chad said he would develop the bid package with the logo included as an added alternative, whereby we can choose either to do it or not do it when the time comes to decide.
Discussion ensued concerning whether it is cost effective for the Public Works Department to try and purchase the pipe needed for the upcoming sewer and water projects. If the City buys the pipe and the pipe fails, the City assumes liability for the failed pipe. There is also the question of whether the City planned to purchase all the accompanying parts and pieces. In Chad’s estimation the City might save $5,000 on the overall project and still have liability. Councilmembers asked Chad to bid the projects with pipe as part of the bid.
Mayor Taylor mentioned the auditor’s would be talking to them about the $600.00 purchasing cap set by the Council January 17 th, 2005, when they come to do their exit report for the 04-05 audit.
Mayor Taylor reported she filled out the grant form from Senator Burn’s office, and has sent it in.
Councilman Thomas moved to approve the Payroll, Overtime, and Claims for January 2006. Councilman Miller seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous vote of the Council.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilman Thomas moved to adjourn at 9:49 P.M. Councilman Warwick seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous vote of the Council.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Diana Taylor, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Gayle McPherson, Clerk/Treasurer