REGULAR MEETING – January 19, 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, Shepard ABSENT: Reikofski |
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| Also present were City Manager/Planning Director Shaw, Finance Director/City Clerk Nicosia, City Attorney Breck, Fire Chief Hagen
Pledge of Allegiance |
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APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
| Karper made motion to approve the agenda as presented, second by Petersen. Motion carried unanimously, with Reikofski absent. |
CONSENT AGENDA:
| Plevel made motion to approve the consent agenda as listed with Mayor Barnhart noting the finance committee reviewed claims and found no exceptions, the Finance Director noted that Director Public Works to review claims before checks are mailed, second by Bates. Motion carried with Council voting as follows: AYES: Bates, Karper, Petersen, Plevel, Shepard, Barnhart NOES: None. ABSENT: Reikofski | |
| A. Approval of Claims $48,452.13
B. Approval of Payroll Claims $88,805.70 January 8, 2010 C. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes January 4, 2010 D. Approval of Change Order #2 Swank Enterprises, WWTP Upgrade, Phase 2 and authorize City Manager to sign. E. Acceptance of Donation – Fire Utility Truck |
APPOINTMENTS:
| A. Harvey Reikofski – Councilperson – Two-year term ending Dec. 31, 2011. Mayor Barnhart reported that Mr. Reikofski accepted the Council’s offer to appoint him to the two-year’s remaining on Barnhart’s Council term, ending December 31, 2011. Shepard made motion to appoint Reikofski, second by Petersen. All members voted in favor of the motion with Reikofski absent.
B. Tia Yeager – Probationary volunteer firefighter – Fire Chief Hagen reported that he was recommending Tia’s appointment as a probationary volunteer firefighter. Ms. Yeager has completed all of the necessary paperwork. Shepard made motion to appoint Tia Yeager, Probationary Volunteer Firefighter, second by Bates. All members voted in favor of the motion, Reikofski absent. Fin. Director/City Clerk Nicosia administered the oath of office to Ms. Yeager. C. Jesse Best – Assistant Fire Chief – Fire Chief Hagen recommended appointing Jesse Best, Assistant Fire Chief. Shepard made motion to appoint Mr. Best Assistant Fire Chief, second by Plevel. All members voted in favor of the motion, Reikofski absent. Mayor Barnhart thanked Mr. Best for serving as the interim Fire Chief. D. Council Vice Chairman – Councilman Plevel volunteered to serve as Council Vice Chairman. Bates made motion to appoint Plevel as Vice Chairman, second by Shepard. All members voted in favor of the motion, Reikofski absent. Mayor Barnhart noted that Council has always appointed a vice chairman, to preside over meetings in the Mayor’s absence, however, City Ordinance 566, codified in City Code 2.04.040, refers to a “president pro tempore” may be chosen by the Mayor to preside over meetings in the Mayor’s absence. Resolution #1009, adopted Council Rules of Procedure, in April 3, 1995, that included the selection of a Vice Chairman to perform all duties and exercise all powers of the Mayor “in the absence or disability of the Mayor.” Barnhart stated that Council will review the language while updating Ordinances. |
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VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENT:
| Jolie Fish, 2 Grace Road, Columbia Falls, addressed Council on the 911 Issues, particularly closing the police station from the hours of 3 am – 7 am. She hopes Council will be wise when making decisions.
Mickie Lapp, 3230 Columbia Falls Stage Road, read letter than she had previously sent to Council concerning her opposition to having a prerelease center located in the Flathead Valley. The letter is in council correspondence. |
PUBLIC HEARINGS/NOTICE
| A. Mayor Barnhart read the Notice of Public Hearing – HOME Grant – February 1, 2010 – For the purpose of obtaining public comment on a proposed application for a housing project, 5th Street Homes Habitat Project, located in the City of Columbia Falls under the HUD Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program administered by the MT Department of Commerce |
RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES – None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
| A. Flathead Regional Wastewater Management Group appointment. Dir. Finance/City Clerk Nicosia reported hearing from Commissioner Joe Brenneman on the questions from council regarding the appointment. Nicosia reported that Commissioner Brenneman stated that the group will meet once a month for approximately two hours each meeting at the FC Health Department meeting room. Commissioner Brenneman recommended appointing two individuals from the City, including one elected official; both of whom have an interest and knowledge in the Wastewater management issues facing the Flathead area. City Manager Shaw and Councilman Mike Shepard volunteered to represent Columbia Falls on the Flathead Regional Wastewater Management Group (FRWMG). Plevel made motion to appoint Shaw and Shepard to the FRWMG, second by Karper. All members voted in favor of the motion, with Reikofski absent. |
NEW BUSINESS:
| A. Approve Teamster’s Labor Contract, as ratified, and authorize City Manager to sign. City Manager Shaw reported that negotiations began in July and, like the MPEA contract, the collective bargaining group gave up language items in exchange for 2% on the matrix. Shaw reported that the most significant language change was the holiday pay language. Karper made motion to approve the Teamster’s Labor Contract, as ratified, and authorize City Manager Shaw to sign, second by Bates. Motion carried with voting as follows: AYES: Karper, Petersen, Plevel, Shepard, Bates, Barnhart NOES: None ABSENT: Reikofski
B. Authorize the advertisement of engineering services – path construction. City Manager Shaw reported that he has completed a study of the proposed path linking River’s Edge Park and Columbus Park. The Montana Department of Transportation requires that a licensed professional engineer be used on any Community Transportation Enhancement Program project. Manager Shaw requested approval to search for an engineer to create a design for the 3rd Ave. Columbus Park portion of the City path system. Shaw reported that the City has used HDR and Bruce Lutz for other similar projects and Peccia & Associates has expressed an interest as they have extensive path expertise. Councilman Shepard noted that he has found that the proposals are more complete and competitive when there is an advertised request for proposals. Councilman Petersen inquired about the location of the firms. Shepard made motion to advertise for Request for Proposals for Engineering Services for the 3rd Ave. Columbus Park path, second by Karper. All members voted in favor of the motion, Reikofski absent. C. Approve the Habitat for Humanity Grant sponsor request. Manager Shaw reported that he held a conference call with MT Department of Commerce on this Habitat for Humanity grant application. He stated he was bringing this back to Council to seek approval to sponsor a new grant application for the 5th Street Homes Project and giving him approval to sign documents in connection with this grant application. The first grant application was not successful in obtaining funding. Councilman Karper asked if Council had any reason not to support this application and Shaw responded, no, the staff and Planning Board have all reviewed and approved the design standards through the public hearings. Councilman Plevel stated that she has had second thoughts on the design after the issue of parking and snow removal has surfaced on Fran Lou Lane. Shaw responded that Council took that in to consideration, and unlike Fran Lou, the 5th Street Homes plat conditions include the police enforcement of “no parking” on the street. Council discussed design and plat conditions with Shaw reminding them that preliminary plat has already been granted. Plevel made motion to approve the City sponsoring the new grant application for Habitat for Humanity, 5th Street Homes Project, and authorize the City Manager to submit the necessary documents on behalf of the City, second by Petersen. All members voted in favor of the motion, Reikofski absent. D. Prerelease Center Site Selection Board appointments. Manager Shaw presented the letter from Bonnie Olson, Northwest Prerelease Center Committee Chairman, requesting “up to 3” members from Columbia Falls. Shaw reported that the Committee is currently looking at property along Highway 2, between the airport and south edge of the City’s planning jurisdiction, within the Columbia Falls Rural Fire District and Columbia Falls School District #6. There is no indication that the committee is looking at a site within the City of Columbia Falls. Councilman Petersen stated that he doesn’t see a benefit to the Columbia Falls community and he doesn’t want to give the impression that Columbia Falls would be home to the prerelease center, noting that he doesn’t know why anyone would spend time on this issue. Councilman Shepard noted Chief Perry already reported that Columbia Falls has 100 residents on probation or parole that already live in the Columbia Falls, with over 900 residents valley-wide, and Council has a vested interest in what happens valley-wide. Councilman Karper added that he supports being part of the process, to become informed on the process and to allow for informed decision making, noting that being part of the process does not indicated a “for” or “against” stance on the part of Council. Councilman Plevel stated that she agrees with Councilmen Karper and Shepard, the council needs to be informed before determining if Columbia Falls is “for” or “against” a prerelease center. Councilman Bates concurred. Mayor Barnhart stated that he appreciated the points raised by Council, he concurs with Councilman Petersen although he is not opposed to having members on the Board. Mayor Barnhart noted the letters and documents provided by Tammy Fisher and Mickey Lapp provided significant information. Manager Shaw cautioned the Council that the documents provided to Council are extremely prejudicial documents from a dedicated group opposed to the center. Shaw has been studying the data and obtaining data from additional sources to provide to Council. Shepard made motion to appoint Police Chief Perry, City Manager Shaw, and Councilman Karper to the Site Selection Board, second by Councilman Bates. Motion carried with Bates, Karper, Plevel, Shepard and Barnhart voting in favor of the motion, Petersen voting against the motion and Reikofski absent. |
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REPORTS/BUSINESS FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL:
| A. Council committee selection. Mayor and Council reviewed each committee and recommended membership. Nicosia noted changes on Committee Master sheet and will give to Council at the next Council meeting. Councilman Plevel volunteered to fill the open three-year position on the City Tree Board. Shepard made motion to appoint Julie Plevel to the Tree Board, second by Karper. All members voted in favor of the motion with Reikofski absent.
B. Councilman Shepard inquired about the street construction contract, reported that their has been initial approval of the regional radio grant that will be administered by the City of Columbia Falls and Flathead County, and reported that he had been approached about a personnel situation. He will get with Manager Shaw on the personnel matter. C. Mayor Barnhart reported that he had attended a meeting at Discovery Square with First Best Place Task Force and representatives from Senator Baucus’ office concerning a prospective wood by-products developer, Red Bridge Project and CDBG funding. There is a meeting coming up on the Arch proposal. Mayor Barnhart will be attending the MMIA/Local Government Center workshop with Manager Shaw and Fin. Director Nicosia on January 28th in Polson. |
REPORTS/BUSINESS FROM CITY ATTORNEY - None
REPORTS/BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER:
| A. Review of current status of planning actions since 2003, including the outstanding or expired Plats or PUD’s. Manager Shaw is currently reviewing the City’s growth policy, subdivision regulations and zoning regulations in light of the 2009 legislative changes. The Planning Board will be meeting in February for the first hearing on the necessary changes.
B. Reported on the Regional Economic Development Board meeting and the work of MWED on behalf of the City for economic development. |
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| INFORMATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE is available for thirty days in the Finance Director’s office.
STAFF REPORTS a. Finance – Mid-year/December 2009 Report b. Police – December 2009 Activity c. City Court Quarterly report ending Dec. 31, 2009 d. Heritage Days 2010 Planning Meeting |
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ADJOURN:
| Upon motion duly made and seconded the meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m. |
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Mayor
ATTEST:
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City Clerk
APPROVED BY COUNCIL ACTION: February 1, 2010