JOURNAL OF COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS
August 16, 1994

Regular City Commission Meeting Mayor Morris Presiding

CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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

PRESENTATIONS:

Library Computer: Jim Heckel, Library Director, explained to the City Commission that he was researching replacement computer systems for the Library. Through his research, he discovered a package that would cost approximately $139,000 which includes a five-year maintenance agreement as part of the package. Mr. Heckel stated that the Library Board concurred with the recommendation to purchase this package.

Mr. Heckel stated that some part of the funding for this system could come from Federal ADA money because the new computer system will benefit the handicapped. He also explained that the rest of the funds could either come from a loan from the Central Garage Fund or a loan from a commercial lender. He concluded, stating that he received a better offer from a commercial lender and the Library Board voted to fund the computer package with a commercial loan rather than an internal loan.

Commissioner Deming stated he was pleased with the Library Board recommendation. He added that the City would be happy to serve as a backup.

Commissioner Everson complimented the Library for being progressive and forward thinking. She concurred with Commission Deming in supporting the Library Board recommendation for funding.

CTEP 1994 Funding Priorities. Ben Rangel, City/County Planning, provided a brief overview of the proposed CTEP 1994 Funding Priorities as recommended by the City/County Planning Board. The information highlighted was found on the Agenda Report for Item 10 of the Consent Agenda.

Commissioner Gilbert requested a brief explanation for the River Interpretive Center. Jane Weber displayed a map of the proposed project and answered questions pertinent to that project.

Commissioner Everson asked if any unexpended funds could be applied to landscaping at the Fairgrounds. Ben Rangel stated that is a perogative of the Commissions, both City and County. Mr. Rangel explained that the City/County Planning Board did not recommend full allocation of the entire CTEP monies because unanticipated costs came up during the first group of projects. The Planning Board suggested that the unallocated money could be used as a reserve for those costs.

Commissioner Gilbert stated he talked with Cacade County Commissioner Jack Whitacker who indicated an interest in allocating some County CTEP reserve funds for fairgrounds landscaping. Commissioner Everson suggested Staff pursue that offer.

NEW BUSINESS

ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS

1.
RESOLUTION 8663, PRESCRIBING FORM, TERMS, AND COVENANTS FOR SID 1271 BONDS.

Resolution 8663 prescribed the form, terms and covenants of the City of Great Falls for payment of the $555,000 SID 1271 Bonds.

Commissioner Bennett moved, seconded by Commissioner Everson, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8663.

Motion carried 5-0.

2.
RESOLUTION 8664, INTENT TO ANNEX FINLAY'S SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECT PARK, BLOCK 1, LOTS 1-4.

Resolution 8664 sets the public hearing for September 20, 1994 to consider the annexation of four partial lots located south of 20th Avenue South and east of 19th Street South.

Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8664.

Motion carried 5-0.

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Morris enumerated Consent Agenda items as follows:

3.
Minutes, August 2, 1994 regular Commission meeting; August 4, 1994 special Commission meeting.
4.
Claims over $500.
5.
CTEP Agreements, Paris Gibson Square Project (OF 1029.4). Agreements between the City of Great Falls, Montana Department of Transportation, Paris Gibson Square, and Cascade County for CTEP funding the Paris Gibson project.
6.
CTEP Agreements, Central Avenue Landscaping Project (OF 1093.3). General Project Development and Construction Agreement and CTEP Maintenance Agreement between the City of Great Falls and Montana Department of Transportation.
7.
CTEP Agreements, Northwest Bypass Landscaping Project (OF 1093.1). General Project Development and Construction Agreement and CTEP Maintenance Agreement between the City of Great Falls and Montana Department of Transportation.
8.
CTEP Agreements, Oddfellows Park Project (OF 1093.4). General Project Development and Construction Agreement and CTEP Maintenance Agreement between the City of Great Falls and Montana Department of Transportation.
9.
CTEP Agreements, City-Wide Landscaping Project (OF 1093). General Project Development and Construction Agreement and CTEP Maintenance Agreement between the City of Great Falls and Montana Department of Transportation.
10.
CTEP 1994 Prioritized Proposals. The Great Falls City/County Planning Board prepared a prioritized list of proposals for use of CTEP funds available to Great Falls and Cascade County. When available, funds are assigned to projects in order of rank, the first 6 projects were recommended for funding by the City County Planning Board. The prioritized list, approved by the City Commission, was as follows: Gulch Trail, Phase I; Crooked Falls Trail II; River Interpretive Trail; Meadowlark Trail - trail only; Fairgrounds Landscaping - trail and associated landscaping only; Overlook Park Landscaping - fencing and landscaping only.
11.
Change Order No. 2, Four Seasons Arena (OF 1035). The cost of the change order is $3,094 and will provide for a sink, floor drain, water and waste lines and 6" PVC for water lines for a new concession area in the Four Seasons.
12.
Change Order No. 2, Exhibition Hall (OF 1035). The cost of the change order is $3,134 and came about as a result of a discrepancy between door widths shown on the drawings versus the widths shown on the door and hardware schedule prepared by the design consultants.
13.
Modification of Easement, Belview Palisades Add, B10, L34. The existing easement is a 25 foot wide strip of land which is the north half of Acacia Way alternate. This section of roadway was vacated on December 16, 1990 with half of the roadway attaching to each of the abutting properties. The full width of the roadway was retained as an easement and restricted full development and use of the lot. The Modification reduces the width of the easement to an acceptable size for both parties involved.
14.
Acknowledgement and Ratification of Appraisal for Sale a portion of Clara Park. OCCGF 3.04 requires an independent appraisal for the sale of City real estate. The City Commission approved the sale of a portion of Clara Park at its regular meeting held June 21, 1994 based on Staff's appraisal of $1.50 per square foot. Legal counsel for the title company insuring the City's title in the transfer required the acknowledgement and ratification to cure the process and to assure clear title to the City's property.
15.
Contract Bid Award, Emergency Replacement of 8" Water Main - 15th Avenue South, 2nd Street South to 2B Street South (OF 1096). Bid award to Apple Valley Backhoe Service in the amount of $68,675.
16.
Contract Bid Award, Water Treatment Plant Piping and Electrical Modifications - Schedules I and II (OF 1030.1). Bid award for Schedule I to Falls Construction in the amount of $430,848 and reject the bid for Schedule II.
17.
Final Pay Request, Fox Farm Road Storm Drainage and Roadway Improvements (SID 1210). Final pay request for Holm Sutherland, Co., Inc, in the amount of $5,630.13 and payment of $56.87 to the State Miscellaneous Tax Division for the Fox Farm Road Storm Drainage and Roadway Improvements (SID 1210).

Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Everson, that the City Commission accept the Consent Agenda as printed minus items 10, 11 and 12.

Motion carried 5-0.

10.
CTEP 1994 PRIORITIZED PROPOSALS.

The Great Falls City/County Planning Board prepared a prioritized list of proposal for use of CTEP funds available to Great Falls and Cascade County. When available, funds are assigned to projects in order of rank, the first 6 projects were recommended for funding by the City/ County Planning Board. The prioritized list, approved by the City Commission, is as follows:

Gulch Trail, Phase I, requested $102,227 with Cascade County being the sponsor. The City/County Planning Board recommended full funding.

Crooked Falls Trail II, requested $58,880 with the City being the sponsor. The City/County Planning Board recommended full funding.

River Interpretive Trail, requested $160,838 with the City being the sponsor. The City/County Planning Board recommended full funding.

Meadowlark Trail - trail only requested $52,440 with the City being the sponsor. The City/County Planning Board recommended funding at $8,658.

Fairgrounds Landscaping - trail and associated landscaping only, requested $162,814 with the City being the sponsor. The City/County Planning Board recommended funding at $25,974.

Overlook Park Landscaping - fencing and landscaping only, requested $57,381, with the City being the sponsor. The City/County Planning Board recommended funding at $12,987.

The City Manager proposed to exercise the City's discretion on the use of some of the enhancement funds. As such, and concurrent with the City/County Planning Board's prioritaziation process, the City Manager recommended that $30,000 of enhancement funds be earmarked for a City Administration proposal to use the funds to match a like amount of State highway funds. The Combined $60,000 would be used to help assure the construction of the River's Edge Trail under the south end of the new 10th Street North Bridge.

Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioner Everson, that the City Commission approve the list of prioritized Community Transportation Enhancment Program proposals for 1994.

Commissioner Gilbert stated that he was concerned with landscaping at the fairgrounds but has no question the City/County Planning Board did a good job prioritizing the proposals. He encouraged the Fairgrounds to reapply for future CTEP funding and asked the City/County Planning Board to consider the importance of landscaping at the fairgrounds.

Motion carried 5-0.

11.
CHANGE ORDER NO. 2, FOUR SEASONS ARENA (OF 1035).

The cost of the change order was $3,094 and will provide for a sink, floor drain, water and waste lines and 6" PVC for water lines for a new concession area in the Four Seasons.

Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission approve Change Order No. 2 for the Four Seasons Arena Project in the amount of $3,094.00 and authorize the City Manager and staff to execute the necessary documents.

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

Motion carried 5-0.

12.
CHANGE ORDER NO. 2, EXHIBITION HALL (OF 1035).

The cost of the change order was $3,134 and came about as a result of a discrepancy between door widths shown on the drawings versus the widths shown on the door and hardware schedule prepared by the design consultants.

Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission approve Change Order No. 2 for the Exhibition hall Project in the amount of $3,134 and authorize the City Manager and staff to execute the necessary documents.

Motion carried 5-0.

CITY MANAGER

18.
LABOR AGREEMENT, MPEA.

This item was pulled.

19A.
FLOAT PLANE COMMITTMENT.

City Manager, John Lawton, suggested that Staff prepare a proposal to build a dock for a float plane service. Mr. Lawton stated that cost of the dock could range between $3,000 and $15,000 depending on the amenities provided. He added that Economic Revolving Funds could be used for the upfront costs. He added that the City would be reimbursed through a lease payment by the float plane company.

Mr. Lawton stated that Staff will provide the Commission with a formal proposal within the next few days. He added that since the Economic Revolving Funds have already been allocated, formal Commission action at a later date was not required.

Commissioner Gilbert stated he was concerned with the location and asked that Mr. Lawton explore alternative sites. Mr. Lawton stated that Staff would do that. He also stated that the primary reason Oddfellows Park was selected was to enhance traffic in that area.

Commissioner Deming suggested that 1) canoe enthusiasts could develop the west bank directly across from Oddfellows Park and 2) Park and Recreation consider instituting a user fee for Broadwater Bay.

19B.
FIREFIGHTER STAFFING.

John Lawton, City Manager, stated that approximately 10% of the Fire Department, six firefighters, are out with work related injury or long term illness. He said that when regular sick and vacation time is added to that, on any given day, up to 15% to 20% of the scheduled force is out. He stated that has had a severe affect on the callback budget. After only 3 pay periods for this fiscal year, approximately 61% of the Fire Department callback budget is spent.

Mr. Lawton advised the Commission that during the next couple of weeks, he, and the Fire Chief, would propose several alternatives that could help in relieving the pressure on the overtime budget.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Commission, the regular meeting of August 16, 1994, adjourned at 8:10 p.m.


/S/
Gayle Morris, Mayor

/S/
Peggy J. Bourne, City Clerk



1994 Commission Minutes
Commission Minutes listing page