PRESENT:    

     COUNCIL:  Barnhart, Karper, Plevel, Reikofski, Shepard.

    ABSENT: Fish, Petersen

ROLL CALL

Pledge of Allegiance

 PLEDGE

APPROVAL

CONSENT

AGENDA

APPROVAL

B.   Approval of Payroll Claims $92,107.61 8/7/09

C.   Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes  August 3, 2009

D.  Resolution #1568 – Approving Final Plat Junior High Addition

1. Appoint Thomas Kemppainen – Volunteer Firefighter – Vice-Chairman Barnhart read Fire Chief Best’s recommendation to return Thomas Kemppainen as a volunteer firefighter.  Mr. Kemppainen had previously served for 7 years with the Department. Reikofski made motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Kemppainen as Volunteer Firefighter, motion seconded by Shepard.  Motion carried with Council all voting in favor of the motion with Fish and Petersen absent. Finance Director/City Clerk Nicosia administered the oath of office to Mr. Kemmppainen.

Budget Hearings

Kiosk

B.  Appoint Fire Chief hiring committee representatives – Councilman Barnhart reported that the committee that met to discuss the position recommended that a hiring committee be established made up of two Council representatives, 2 Rural Fire District representatives, 2 Volunteer Fire Department representatives, City Manager Shaw, and Finance Director Nicosia. The committee has reviewed the job advertisement with Manager Shaw. The closing date was set for October 5, 2009. The City will advertise on the website, in regional newspapers, the Jobs Available publication, and through the State Firefighter’s Association.   Council appointed Public Safety Committee members Harvey Reikofski and Don Barnhart to the Hiring Committee.

C.  Shepard also brought up the slow down of building permits in our jurisdiction. Shaw reported that the shortage of projects within the City is going to continue, at least in the short-term. There are only two proposed commercial projects at this time, with neither of them coming in for a building permit at this time. Shepard also reported that he had researched the Right of Way issue on the east side of the Red Bridge. According to the County’s land records, the County does not have adequate Right of Way for the proposed red bridge project. Mr. Shaw reported that the County Administrator, Mike Pence, asked for Council/City representatives to meet with County officials next Monday, August 24^th, to discuss the red bridge project. 

D.  Barnhart asked when the yards would be restored within the project area on 1^st Ave. East. Shaw responded that the Contractor was delayed due to heavy rains and that the yards should have been finished last week. Barnhart also brought up the MT DOT request for comments on the proposed stoplights as advertised in the newspaper. Bill Shaw reported that the state was proposing adding left turn signals at the intersections and not installing new lights. Barnhart asked about the City website and Nicosia responded that it is up and running and she is still adding information and pictures from Departments. Barnhart commented that City Hall and Fire Hall buildings look nice with the painting completed.

E.  Council also discussed looking at the back flow ordinance and utility line replacement ordinance later this winter to determine if changes need to be made in existing City Code.

Fire Chief Hiring Committee

B.  Reported on the design and surveying for the street work on 1^st Ave. E., 3^rd Ave. E, 4^th St. E and W, and 2^nd St. W. 2^nd St. W. The slope on 2^nd Ave. W. cannot be reduced at this time. Request for bids will go out as soon as possible to get bids in September and get the work completed this fall.

C.  Presented the summary bid opening sheet from the August 14^th bid opening for the WWTP Project. The engineering firm is currently reviewing the bids and a recommendation to award will come to Council on the Tuesday, September 8^th meeting.

CORRESPON-

DENCE