JOURNAL OF COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS
January 3, 1995

Regular City Commission Meeting

Mayor Morris Presiding

CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM

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

On April 19, 1994 the City Commission adopted Ordinance 2646 recodifying Title 10 (Vehicles and Traffic). It was the intent of the recodification process to delete City ordinances which were duplicated by Montana state law. During the recodification process, two sections were deleted which were not duplicated by state law and Staff requests that the City Commission re-insert them into the Code. Specifically, the sections Staff requests the Commission re-adopt include: Stopping, standing or parking on traffic way and handicap zones.

Although State law does address handicap parking, it does not give a municipality the authority to confiscate the vehicle. Staff requests that authority be re-granted to the Police Department in order to have an additional enforcement mechanism for violators of the handicap parking ordinance.

Commissioner Bennett moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the City Commission accept Ordinance 2676 on first reading and set the public hearing for said Ordinance for January 17, 1995 at 7:00 p.m.

Motion carried 4-0.

While Montana Power Company was installing the lighting for SLD 1274, they changed their recommendation on three lights that were to be installed near Meadowlark School. Originally, MPC recommended that 100 watt HPSV fixtures on the three (3) distribution poles located on 24th Avenue SW between Fox Farm Road and 11th Street SW. Additionally, two (2) dedicated wood poles with 100 watt HPSV fixtures were to be installed. Residents along this area contacted MPC and the Finance Department with a valid complaint; since they were going to be assessed the same as the rest of the district, they wanted lights on their street that were equally attractive (post top lights) as those in the remainder of the district. MPC's recommendation was to substitute three (3) post top lights in place of the two (2) dedicated wood poles and (1) on a distribution pole.

Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8703 and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Montana Power Company.

Commissioner Deming noted that the applicant met all the conditions recommended by the Planning Board.

Motion carried 4-0.

With renovations completed, as a result of the passage of the bond issue in November 1992, it was proposed to adopt the name Montana State Fairplex for this complex housing a myriad of seasonal and cultural events and activities.

Staff indicated it was important to maintain a positive image of the Fair and other traditional annual events as the Board considered many possible ideas. It was recognized that local citizens will continue to identify the complex as the fairgrounds. However, for advertising and promotion purposes, particularly outside the community, the name was restrictive. At the Fair Advisory Board's meeting on December 21, 1994, a motion was made to request the City Commission adopt a resolution to adopt the name of Montana State Fairplex for the fairgrounds.

Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission postpone action on Resolution 8704 until such a time the City Commission consults with the Cascade County Board of Commissioners regarding said name change.

Commissioner Deming stated that because Cascade County owns the fairgrounds, and that the City is under contract to manage it, the Cascade County Commission should be involved with this decision.

Commissioner Gilbert stated he agreed that changing the name was a good marketing strategy. However, he concurred with Commissioner Deming to involve the County Commission before a decision is made.

Motion carried 4-0.

Mayor Morris enumerated Consent Agenda items as follows:

Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioners Deming and Bennett, that the City Commission accept the Consent Agenda as printed minus items 13 and 17.

Commissioner Gilbert noted that the Mitchell Pool Waterslide, flume 2, was being purchased with revenues received from the first water slide. He added, that the Commission was being asked to take advantage of good planning and add to a good enhancement for the community.

Commissioner Deming stated that the City Commission set the public hearing for golf fees. He added it is important to raise public awareness of this type of Commission action and commended the Golf Advisory Board and the Park Board for their involvement with this issue.

Motion carried 4-0.

The preliminary plat and PUD for Riverside Townehomes Addition consists of 12 townhouse units to be constructed along the east bank of the Missouri River approximately one mile south of the Great Falls Water Treatment Plant. Plans approved subject to the fulfillment of conditions stipulated by the Planning Board.

Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, that the City Commission approve the Preliminary Subdivision Plat and Planned Unit Development (PUD) Plans for Riverside Townehomes Addition, subject to the fulfillment of conditions stipulated by the Planning Board and approve the accompanying Findings of Fact.

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

Motion carried 3-0-1 (Commissioner Gilbert abstaining).

The City Commission conducted a Community Needs public hearing on December 14, 1994. Based on the input from that hearing, the objectives of the CDBG program, funding priorities were prepared. The Funding Priorities recommended by Staff were as follows:

Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, that the City Commission approve the 1995 Community Development Block Grant Funding Priorities with the following changes: that affordable housing be increased from 35% to 40% and that public service be decreased from 15% to 10%.

Commissioner Gilbert stated that affordable housing issues are one of the largest problems facing Great Falls. He added that it was important to him to spend extra money from CDBG to address this problem.

Commissioner Deming stated that during the Needs public hearing, most of those testifying were concerned with affordable housing issues.

Commissioner Bennett stated that public service activities cover a wide range of projects. She asked that the CDC members take into consideration the City Commission's message that affordable housing is an important issue and measures need to be taken to address it.

Mayor Morris asked Community Development Director, Cheryl Patton, if the 5% change will make that much of a difference. Ms. Patton indicated that was difficult to answer because Staff had not yet seen any proposals. She added that the Commission was being asked to set a guideline for the CDC to use. However, the Commission can also make adjustments during the final allocation process.

Motion carried 4-0.

Community Development Council members, Ramona Fish, Sandra Smith, Marjorie DeRoche and Diane Wilson resigned, therefore, it was necessary for the City Commission to make appointments to this Board.

Commissioner Bennett moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission appoint the following individuals to a three year term beginning February 1, 1995 and expiring January 31, 1998:

Neighborhood #1: Jackie Wren
Neighborhood #2: Dave Sutinen
Neighborhood #7: Robin Giller
Neighborhood #8: Neila Sparks

Commissioner Deming asked if the City Commission had the authority to appoint people who lived outside the neighborhood boundaries as representatives. Cheryl Patton, Community Development Director, stated that because the City did not receive applications from people in all the neighborhoods the City Commission had the authority to fill the vacancies with those who applied.

Commissioner Bennett stated that seven people applied for the four vacancies and all applicants were excellent and well-qualified.

Motion carried 4-0.

Jim Pannell was appointed to the City-County Planning Board effective January 1, 1995. However, due to a time commitment problem, he declined his appointment. Therefore, it was necessary for the City Commission to make another appointment.

Motion carried 4-0.

City Manager, John Lawton, announced that the Engineering Department will be hold a public meeting on SID 1268, Thursday, January 5, 1995, 7:00 p.m. in the Heritage Hall at the College of Technology.

Dimmer Kjelsrud, Fair Board member, encouraged the City Commission to adopt the proposed name change for the Fairgrounds. The City Commission reiterated they supported a name change for marketing purposes. However, the County Commission needed to be brought into the decision making process before the City Commission could vote on the proposed resolution.

There being no further business to come before the City Commission, the regular meeting of January 3, 1995, adjourned at 7:35 p.m.