JOURNAL OF COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS
May 17, 1994

Regular City Commission Meeting

Mayor Gayle Morris Presiding

CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL: City Commissioners present: Joan Bennett, Bob Deming, Vicki Everson, John Gilbert and Gayle Morris. Also present were the City Manager, City Attorney, Directors of Community Development, Public Works, Finance, Park & Recreation, Fairgrounds, Fire Chief, Police Chief, and the City Clerk.

Resolution 8639 provides for necessary expenses which could not have been foreseen at the time of adopting the final budget. The proposed amendment is $155,000 for Street Projects from Street District Fund reserves.

Mayor Morris declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of or opposition to Resolution 8639.

Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8639.

Commissioner Deming clarified, for the audience, what the amendment was.

Motion carried 5-0.

Many ordinances currently listed in the Great Falls Municipal Code book are duplicated by Montana State Law. All duplicated ordinances have been deleted in these revisions.

Currently there is no code either State or Local which covers discharge of weapons other than firearms within the corporate limits of Great Falls. An ordinance has been added to enhance our enforcement efforts and better protect the citizens of Great Falls.

Commissioner Everson moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the City Commission accept the Ordinance 2647 on first reading and set the public hearing for June 7, 1994.

Commissioner Gilbert stated that he was pleased with some of the changes proposed. However, with reference to 9.65, discharging BB guns, he felt, that this was unduly limiting recreational activities.

Chief Jones proposed that 9.65 could read: It is unlawful for any person to discharge or cause to be discharged, any weapon, be it a pellet or b-b projectile, either compressed air or gas operated, cross bow or bow, slingshot or wrist rocket, unless it is discharged in a reasonable and responsible manner or at an indoor or outdoor range approved by the City Manager, within the corporate limits of the City of Great Falls.

Commissioner Everson asked if the ducks in Gibson Park were protected under this Title. Chief Jones stated that State law provides for that.

Mayor Morris called for the vote to accept Ordinance 2647 on first reading, as amended, and set the public hearing for June 7, 1994. Motion carried 5-0.

If approved on final reading, Ordinance 2668 will rezone Lot 12, Block 14, Boston and Great Falls Addition, from "A" Residence Use District to "B" Residence Use District. The address of the involved lot is 3611 Fourth Avenue North. The purpose of the rezoning is to allow the structure on the involved lot, which is currently used as a duplex, to conform to zoning.

Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, that the City Commission accept Ordinance 2668 on first reading and set the final reading and public hearing date for June 7, 1994.

Motion carried 5-0.

On May 3, 1994, the City Commission set a public hearing to recover costs incurred to repair a vault and sidewalk in the downtown area. On May 5, 1994, City Staff and United Savings Bank negotiated a payment of $11,510 to settle the outstanding debt.

Commissioner Bennett moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission withdraw Resolution 8536 from consideration.

Motion carried 5-0.

The property owner remodeled the commercial building at 4035 Tenth Avenue South. The building permit was issued March 14, 1994 and the project was completed May 1994, at an estimated cost of $50,000. The applicants requested approval of the tax benefits. Approval of the application allows taxes generated from expansion to be added to the existing taxes over a five year period in increments of 20% each year.

Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8640.

Motion carried 5-0.

The property owner remodeled the commercial building at 1703 Tenth Avenue South. The building permit was issued July 7, 1993 and the project completed by October 25, 1993, at an estimated cost of $80,000. The applicants requested approval of the tax benefits which allows for taxes generated from the expansion to be added to the existing taxes over a five year period in increments of 20% each year.

Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Everson, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8641.

Motion carried 5-0.

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Morris enumerated the ten (10) Consent Agenda items as follows:

Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the Consent Agenda be approved as printed minus items 8 and 13.

Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the Claims over $500 be approved.

Commissioner Bennett stated she would abstain due to a potential conflict of interest.

Motion carried 4-0-1 (Commissioner Bennett abstaining).

The Park & Recreation Department proposed to contract with a consulting firm to develop a ten-year Comprehensive Park & Recreation Master Plan. Currently, the City does not have a Master Plan. The plan would involve the public in the evaluation of existing facilities and services and the needs assessment in regards to the planning of future park projects and recreation programs. Staff proposed to fund the Comprehensive Plan out of the Park Trust Fund which was created to address the future park needs and the development and to allow the City to meet those needs without further dependence on the General Fund.

Commissioner Everson moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert that the City Commission authorize the Park & Recreation Department to seek proposals for a Comprehensive Park and Recreation Master Plan.

Commissioner Deming asked that Mr. Sepich, Park and Recreation Director, to include in the RFP that a Commissioner be on the selection committee and that alternatives be developed by the Park & Recreation Department to reduce the project cost of the Comprehensive Plan development.

Commissioner Gilbert stated that the Commission does not dispute the need for a Master Plan. Rather, the Commission wants to look at all options for its development. He added, that the intent of the motion is to require that all options be explored.

Commissioner Deming stated that the motion gives the perception that the Commission is a watch dog over the Park Trust. He stated, that is a correct perception.

Motion carried 5-0.

City Manager, John Lawton, presented the proposed 1994/95 budget to the City Commission. He stated that the proposal was a budget for living on the edge with opportunities on the horizon. The specifics included:

• No increase in the mill levy, boulevard assessment, street assessment, storm drain charges, or commercial sanitation.
• Proposed City mill levy remains at 7.41 mils lower than 1989/90.
• Business license fee structure could change.
• Proposed water & sewer rates increases for January 1995. 3% for water, and 4% for sewer.
• Residential sanitation rates to increase 6%. This is the first increase in two years.

Mr. Lawton added that the budget objectives were:

• To avoid major tax and fee increases.
• Maintain existing service levels.
• Invest in infrastructure.
• Adequately compensate employees.
• Avoid personnel increases.
• Vehicle & equipment reserve and replacement program.
• Continue financial restoration of water and sewer funds.
• Establish and maintain reserves.

Mr. Lawton concluded with several graphs generally explaining the revenue and expenditure levels in the proposed budget.

The City received five responses to the Fair Housing Request for Proposals. A selection committee made up of Commissioners Bennett and Everson, Reverend Phil Caldwell recommended the Community Development Department provide the requested services/activities for 1994/95 fiscal year for the amount of $16,000.

Commissioner Bennett moved, seconded by Commissioners Everson and Gilbert, that the City Commission accept the proposal submitted by the Community Development Department to provide Fair Housing Activities for 1994/95.

Commissioner Bennett thanked the Community Development Department for developing the RFP. She also thanked Rev. Caldwell and Commissioner Everson for their time on the review committee.

Motion carried 5-0.

There being no further business to come before the Commission, the regular meeting of May 17, 1994, adjourned at 7:43 p.m.