REGULAR MEETING – AUGUST 2, 2010
Regular Meeting – Transact Routine Business
| Mayor Barnhart called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with roll call as follows:
PRESENT: Barnhart COUNCIL: Bates, Karper, Petersen, Plevel, Reikofski, Shepard. ABSENT: None.
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ROLL CALL |
| Also present were City Manager Shaw, Finance Director/City Clerk Nicosia, City Attorney J. Breck, Police Chief Perry, and Fire Chief Hagen.
Pledge of Allegiance |
PLEDGE |
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
| Karper made motion to approve the agenda as presented, second by Bates. Motion carried unanimously. | AGENDA
APPROVAL |
CONSENT AGENDA:
| Shepard made motion to approve the consent agenda as listed with Mayor Barnhart noting the finance committee reviewed claims and found no exceptions, and Item D. was removed from the Agenda as it was no longer needed, second by Bates. Motion carried with Council voting as follows: AYES: Bates, Karper, Petersen, Plevel, Reikofski, Shepard, Barnhart. NOES: None. ABSENT: None. |
CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL |
| A. Approval of Claims $116,224.93 August 2, 2010
$175.00 Sign Permit Fee B. Approval of Payroll Claims $69,131.77 July 23, 2010 C. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes July 19, 2010
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PRESENTATIONS:
| A. 15-year service pin – Hugh Robertson – Mayor Barnhart presented the 15-year service pin to Mr. Robertson and thanked him for his years of service to the City. |
VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENTS – None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
| A. Notice of Public Hearing – August 16th – Preliminary Budget, Special Assessments and Permissive Medical Levy for the 2010/11 FY – Mayor Barnhart read the notice |
RESOLUTIONS & ORDIN
| A. Resolution #1595 – Approving the Change of Control of the Franchisee under the Cable Television Franchise – Manager Shaw reported that this Resolution is necessary due to Cablevision Systems Corporation acquiring Bresnan Communications, LLC. This Resolution transfers the Franchise Agreement to Cablevision without changing any of the provisions. City Attorney Breck had thoroughly reviewed the document and found no outstanding issues or items of concern. Shepard made motion to approve Resolution #1595, second by Plevel. Motion carried with Council voting as follows: AYES: Karper, Petersen, Plevel, Reikofski, Shepard, Bates, Barnhart NOES: None ABSENT: None | Resolution #1595 –
Cable Television Franchise
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
| A. Municipal Park Land removal from Street Maintenance Assessment – Dir. Finance Nicosia reported that the removal of the Municipal Park Land from the Street Maintenance District results in a decrease of approximately $9,300 in assessment and 1,194,969.42 square feet. City administration recommends leaving the current per sq ft rate of .0077500719 in place and reducing the anticipated assessment revenue to $301,000 from $310,000. Plevel made motion to direct the City Staff to prepare the Street Assessment Resolution to include removing the Municipal Park Land from assessment, second by Reikofski. Motion carried with all voting in favor of the motion. |
NEW BUSINESS:
| A. Not-for-profit Waiver of Building Code Fee – Manager Shaw reported that the City of Whitefish notified the City that they were no longer honoring waivers of building fees to qualifying non-profit organizations due to the current economic climate. The City of Columbia Falls had adopted criteria in 2006 granting waivers in the same manner as the City of Whitefish. Recently, two waivers were granted by the City of Columbia Falls in compliance with Resolution #1460. Council discussed repealing Resolution #1460 or continuing the commitment with the City paying the “waived” fee. Manager Shaw noted that the city has received very few of these each year and that the maximum amount on any application is $650. The two currently approved by the City are each below that amount. Mayor and Council remain committed to continuing the waiver. No action taken. City Administration will budget for General Fund to pay for waivers.
B. Hopkins request for relief from materials charge – Council reviewed the request and City policy regarding meter reading equipment. It was noted that the touch pad/reader were located on the front of the garage in the same location. Manager Shaw noted that the City only has this situation once or twice a year but the individual responsible for the destruction of the equipment is charged according to City policy, whether the damage was on purpose or accidental. Shepard made motion to bill Mr. Hopkins the $175 for the replacement of the meter read in accordance with City policy, second by Bates. Motion carried with all voting in favor of the motion. |
REPORTS/BUSINESS FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL:
| A. Petersen updated Council on the welcome signs progress. MT DOT asked landowners to sign an additional document that grants the State access to the site. He also reminded Council to review the Nucleus traffic between 10 am and 5 pm.
B. Barnhart requested an update on the Shay Engine repairs. Manager Shaw noted that the new pieces are constructed and painted and the City crew will assemble on-site in September. Barnhart also requested information on the moose that was at Falls Park. Manager Shaw noted that the thin sheet metal has rotted away and the moose is presently at the City shop. The crew has repaired the sculpture numerous times but it was not originally constructed to stand in water. Barnhart also reported on attending the exhibit at Discovery Square. He mentioned that he would like the City to look at obtaining the old city jail located at 5th and 2nd to preserve the historic building for the future. He also asked about plans to replace the fire engine. City staff has an engine replacement on the Capital Improvement Plan for “future” funding. C. Shepard reported complaints of young people under the legal drinking age obtaining beer at the Farmers’ Market. Chief Perry will investigate. He also expressed concern over the expenditure of approximately $1 million for the Red Bridge project to accommodate only pedestrian traffic with the lack of connecting paths on River Road or Columbia Falls Stage. Shepard also reported that the water/wastewater group met and he would like to schedule a tour of the Columbia Falls facility. D. Plevel asked for an action item on the next regular agenda to name the “Toddler Park” in Riverbend Estates Subdivision as “Hidden Cedar Park.” |
REPORTS/BUSINESS FROM CITY ATTORNEY:
| A. Attorney Breck reviewed his comments on the Cablevision Franchise agreement. |
REPORTS/BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER:
| A. Manager Shaw reported that the City staff is currently working on a contract for chip sealing approximately 15 blocks and planning on the city crew overlaying approximately 10 blocks this summer/fall. Shaw and Public Works Director Lowry reviewed the street condition earlier in the day.
B. Manager Shaw reported that is not anticipating a decrease in service level with the 2011 FY budget. The major outstanding item is the final cost of the wastewater treatment plan upgrade. Council may have to look at raising rates if the project runs in to any additional change orders. C. Staff asked Council to set the date for their City infrastructure tour. Council decided on September 13th at 6:30 p.m. |
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| INFORMATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE is available for thirty days in the Finance Director’s office.
STAFF REPORTS A. Finance – June 2010 |
MISC CORRESPONDENCE
REPORTS |
ADJOURN:
| Upon motion duly made and seconded the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. | ADJOURN
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____________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
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City Clerk
APPROVED BY COUNCIL ACTION: August 16, 2010