Commission Minutes Dec. 20, 1994

ROLL CALL: CCity 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, Public Works, Finance, Park & Recreation, Fairgrounds, Acting Fire Chief, Police Chief, and the City Clerk.

It was recommended that Montana Power Company be awarded the first Community Liveability Award by the City and County Commissions for their financial commitment of $1.1 million to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and $1.9 million to recreational improvements along the Missouri River between Cascade and Fort Benton, Montana.

Commissioner Bennett moved, seconded by Commissioner Everson, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8701.

Commissioner Bennett stated that it was important to note that Montana Power Company pledged $3 million on projects for the community and this award was to recognize that contribution.

Minutes, December 6, 1994 regular Commission meeting.

Claims over $500.

Set Public Hearing, Resolution 8702, Water & Sewer Rate Changes. Sets public hearing for January 17, 1994 at 7:00 p.m. addressing proposed rate increases of 4% for water and 3% for sewer.

Warranty Deed, T21N R3E, Sec. 25 and 26 (portion), (OF 1058). Deed for parcel of land and option agreement for the Northeast Great Falls Regional Retention Pond.

Amended Plat, Sunset Addition, Block 1, Lot 1. Amended Plat formally subdivides a .9 acre parcel located along the east side of 24th Street Southwest between 2nd Avenue Southwest and 3rd Avenue Southwest into four residential lots. Action provides for necessary variances to the minimum lot area and frontage requirements for proposed Lot 1B, subject to the final Amended Plat format being acceptable to the Planning Staff.

Engineering Services Agreement, River's Edge Trail (OF 1029.1). Agreement with Neil Consultants, Inc., for engineering services for trail improvements including: pre-design, design, bidding and construction administration services.

Bid Award, Police Cars. Award bid for seven new police cars to City Motor, Inc., in the amount of $129,843.00 for seven new police cars.

Declaration of Surplus Equipment - Seven Police Cars. Declare seven police cars described below as surplus equipment and authorize Staff to advertise and receive bids for the sale of said equipment.

VEHICLES TO BE SOLD
YR/MAKE	MODEL	SERIAL NUMBER
1. 1991 Chevy	Caprice	1G1BL5372MR115554
2. 1991 Chevy	Caprice	1G1BL5375MR115614
3. 1990 Chevy	Caprice	1G1BL5477LR120598
4. 1990 Chevy	Caprice	1G1BL5475LR120406
5. 1991 Chevy	Caprice	1G1BL5375MR115564
6. 1991 Chevy	Caprice	1G1BL5370MR115553
7. 1991 Chevy	Caprice	1G1BL5377MR115551

Contract Award, Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements (OF 1030.2). Award Contract to Williams Brothers Construction for the base bid in the amount of $584,400.00.

Change Order 4, Fairgrounds Improvements Historic Buildings Renovation (OF 1035). Changer Order in the amount of $7,891.83. The Change Order was requested by Staff as a result of nearing the end of the project and being able to afford additional improvements beyond the original scope of work.

Change Order 1, Fairgrounds Improvements Utilities (OF 1035). Change Order in the deduct amount of $16,738.98. Change Order 1 came about as a result of numerous unknown conditions involved with the deteriorated utilities, but resulted in a net decrease to the City. The Change Order also provides for 15 additional days of contract time from 120 to 135 total days.

Change Order 1, Country Club Sewer Phase I (OF 1064.1). Change Order in the amount of $2,634.84. Change Order is to adjust the contract amount in recognition of extra work caused by a sewer service that had to be reinstated by excavation rather than internally. The sewer lateral was in a portion of the main that had settled and was underwater. The service, was therefore, not visible in the City's television records.

Change Order 1, Fire Station/Police Department ReRoof Project (OF 1098). Change Order 1 adds $14,035.40 to the contract amount. Change Order 1 covers the added cost to dispose of old roofing material from Fire Station 1 that was found to contain asbestos; removal and replacement of wet or damaged existing insulation on Fire Station 1; and to remove and replace rusted metal decking on the Police Department Roof.

Final Claim, Eastlands Pavement Repair (OF 987). Final Pay request in the amount of $7,755.66 to United Materials and $78.34 to the State Miscellaneous Tax Division.

Final Claim, 1st Avenue South Pavement Overlay (OF 1074). Final Pay request in the amount of $16,204.56 to United Materials and $163.68 to the State Miscellaneous Tax Division.

Final Claim, 1994 Infrastructure Improvements (OF 1054). Final Pay request in the total amount of $18,055.21 to United Materials and the State Miscellaneous Tax Division.

Final Claim, Park Garden Road/Fox Farm No. 3 and 4 (SID 1271). Final Pay request in the amount of $26,868.96 to United Materials and $271.40 to the State Miscellaneous Tax Division.

Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, that the Consent Agenda be accepted as printed minus Item 8.

Commissioner Deming congratulated Staff on the work regarding Change Orders. He stated that he does not like to see Change Orders before the Commission, however, these were either Change Orders for deductions or for additional work.

Agreement with Neil Consultants, Inc., for engineering services for trail improvements including: pre-design, design, bidding and construction administration services.

Commissioner Everson moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the City Commission approve the engineering services agreement with Neil Consultants, Inc., and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.

Commissioner Gilbert stated he would abstain due to a potential conflict of interest.

Charles Gestring's term on the Cascade County Conservation District Board expires December 31, 1994. Therefore, it was necessary for the City Commission to make an appointment to this Board.

Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Everson, that the City Commission suspend their appointment policy and reappoint Charles Gestring to the Cascade County Conservation District Board for a three-year term beginning January 1, 1995 and expiring December 31, 1997.

Commissioner Deming noted that Mr. Gestring did not qualify for reappoint according to the City Commission's appointment policy. However, because Mr. Gestring received recommendations from the Conservation District and because no other applications were received, the Commission wanted to make the reappointment.

Terms for David Hoss, Lexa Lee, David Pidcock, and Douglas Wicks expire December 31, 1994. Therefore, it was necessary for the City Commission to make appointments to this Board. Douglas Wicks completed a full term and one partial term. He submitted a Citizen Interest Form and is eligible for reappointment. David Hoss completed a partial term and submitted a Citizen Interest Form. He, too, is eligible for reappointment.

Commissioner Everson moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the City Commission reappoint Douglas Wicks and David Hoss and appoint Vanessa Simmons and Andrea Parrott to the Park & Recreation Board for a three-year term beginning January 1, 1995 and expiring December 31, 1997.

Commissioner Deming stated that many applications were received and the Commission had an impressive list of qualified people to chose from.

Michael Guza and Ted Mitchell's terms on the City-County Planning Board expire December 31, 1994. Therefore, it was necessary for the City Commission to make appointments to this Board. Michael Guza and Ted Mitchell completed three two-year terms and were not eligible for reappointment.

Commissioner Bennett moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission appoint Jim Pannell and Pat Clark to the City-County Planning Board for two-year terms as "citizen" members, beginning January 1, 1995 and expiring December 31, 1996.

Commissioner Gilbert stated he seconded the motion, however he also supported another applicant because of the comments written on the Citizen Interest Form. He added that he wished the Commission could make more appointments because many qualified and interested people applied.

The Investment Policy has been in effect administratively since 1987. The policy has been applied to all the investment activities that occur for the City of Great Falls. It became apparent to the Finance Department Investment Committee that some refinement of the policy was needed.

Kelly Orrantia, Risk Specialist, and Tim Magee, Finance Director, addressed the City Commission regarding the proposed Investment Policy.

Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission approve the City of Great Falls Investment Policy.

Commissioner Gilbert stated he was pleased to hear the City was planning on diversifying the City's investments from STIPS.

On December 6, 1994, Staff provided the City Commission with a status report on the off-street parking situation as it pertains to the City's facilities. Within the past two weeks, the demand has continued to be great. However, Staff has been able to accommodate all requests for parking.

Mr. Rattray explained he prepared a paper highlighting short, mid and long term solutions to the parking issues in the downtown area.

Adam Carroll, 1013 25th Avenue SW, asked if the water/sewer rate consultant would be available to answer public comment and questions at the public hearing set for January 17.

City Manager, John Lawton, explained that it was expensive to bring the consultant to Great Falls and he would not recommend it for the public hearing. He did, however, explain that if the public asked questions that Staff could not provide answers to, we could either call or write to the consultants and get responses.

Adam Carroll, 1013 25th Avenue SW, asked if the water/sewer rate consultant would be available to answer public comment and questions at the public hearing set for January 17.

Clayton Braden, 1708 4th Avenue NW, asked if the City was still working on the Gibson Flats flooding problem. He also expressed that he opposed the "Save the Bridge" efforts.

There being no further business to come before the City Commission, the regular meeting of December 20, 1994, adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

/S/
Gayle Morris, Mayor

/S/
Peggy J. Bourne, City Clerk

JOURNAL OF COMMISSION PROCEEDINGSDecember 20, 1994

JOURNAL OF COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS
December 20, 1994