| Regular City Commission Meeting | Mayor Morris Presiding |
CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM
ROLL CALL: City Commissioners present: Gayle Morris, Joan Bennett, Bob Deming, Vicki Everson and John Gilbert. Also present were the Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Directors of Public Works, Finance, Park & Recreation, Fairgrounds, Planning, Acting Fire Chief, Police Chief, and the City Clerk.
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.
On January 3, 1995, the City Commission voted to postpone action on Resolution 8704 until such a time the City Commission consults with the Cascade County Board of Commissioners regarding said name change.
Since January 3, 1995, citizens of Great Falls suggested a new name, Montana Fairplex. Staff amended the original Resolution 8704 to change the name to Montana Fairplex rather than Montana State Fairplex. In addition, Resolution 8704, also formally names fair as the Montana State Fair.
Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioners Everson and Gilbert, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8704 with the approval of the County Commission.
Motion carried 5-0.
Dennis Workman petitioned to rezone a lot located at 1625 6th Avenue NW. Ordinance 2677, upon adoption, would rezone it from its present "A" Residence Use District to "MH" Mobile Home Residence Use District. The purpose of the rezoning is to allow placement of a mobile home on the involved property.
On January 10, 1995, the Planning Board passed a motion recommending the zone change be approved. There was no opposition expressed to the rezoning.
Commissioner Everson moved, seconded by Commissioners Bennett and Gilbert, that the City Commission accept Ordinance 2677 on first reading and set 7:00 p.m., March 7, 1995, as the date for the public hearing and final reading.
Motion carried 5-0.
Harold Poulsen petitioned to rezone a parcel of property located at the northwest corner of the Northwest Bypass and Sixth Street Northwest. Ordinance 2678, upon adoption, would rezone the said parcel from its present "A" Residence Use, "A" Area District, to "GC" General Commercial, "C" Area District.
On January 10, 1995, the Planning Board passed a motion recommending the zone change be approved.
Commissioner Bennett moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the City Commission accept Ordinance 2678 on first reading and set 7:00 p.m., March 7, 1995, as the date for the public hearing and final reading.
Commissioner Gilbert stated that while there could be a perceived conflict of interest if he voted in support of adopting Ordinance 2678, he did not see a conflict of interest in setting the public hearing and would vote on the motion.
Motion carried 5-0.
Ordinance 2679, upon adoption, would rezone Block 19, Bel-View Palisade Addition from Planned Unit Development ("PUD") District to "A" Residence Use, "B" Area District. The rezoning is being processed simultaneously with a request to approve an Amended Plat subdividing Block 19 into eight conventional residential lots. Block 19's current configuration results from the Amended Plat approved in 1989-90 creating the Centennial Ridge Planned Unit Development. The difference between the proposed subdivision and rezoning of Block 19 from its current PUD status is that each of the proposed eight dwelling units will be located on individual platted and owned lots as opposed to eight condominium units on the single lot possessed by a homeowners association.
On January 24, 1995, the Planning Board voted to recommended the City Commission 1) approve the requested rezoning subject to approval of the final Amended Plat; and 2) conditionally approve the preliminary Amended Plat of Block 19.
Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioner Everson, that the City Commission accept Ordinance 2679 on first reading and set the final reading and public hearing date for 7:00 p.m., March 7, 1995.
Motion carried 5-0.
The City obtained two Requests for Annexation from Cascade County and the Airport Authority including 200 acres of land at International Airport and a segment of Airport Bench Road. The two Requests for Annexation were prompted by the need to annex the site for the proposed County Adult Detention Facility.
Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8710 setting a public hearing on the annexation of seven County owned tracts of land at International Airport, one Airport Authority owned tract of land, and a portion of Airport Bench Road for March 7, 1995.
Commissioner Gilbert stated that the City Commission was acting on this annexation at the request of the Cascade County Commission in order to facilitate building of the new detention center.
Motion carried 5-0.
Memorandum of Understanding, Trail Planning and Development Assistance. Contract with the City of Great Falls and the City/County Planning Board to provide trail planning and development assistance Planning Board. The intent is to assure continued promotion and development of the River's Edge Trail, in cooperation with the City and trail volunteers. More specifically, the intent is to partially compensate Mr. Doug Wicks for his extensive personal effort and involvement with the trail.
The source of funds are Federal Metropolitan Planning Funds available to the Planning Board from the US Department of Transportation. Due to the nature of these funds and the manner in which funds are made available to the Planning Board, the most direct and efficient way of compensating Mr. Wicks is for the Planning Board to contract with and to provide monthly payments to the City. In turn, the City would hire Mr. Wicks and compensate him at the rate of $800 a month for providing the proposed services.
Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the City Commission accept the Consent Agenda as printed minus items 14 and 17.
Commissioner Gilbert asked what the Police Department was going to do with the old recording device in Dispatch. Chief Jones stated that the Police Department would return the recording device to Bill Murray as soon as possible.
Motion carried 5-0.
Source Giant Springs, Inc., submitted a request to the City to assist in financing a new 12,000 square foot bottling facility at an estimated cost of $450,000. The Loan Advisory Board reviewed the request and recommended approval of the loan contingent upon:
Commissioner Everson moved, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, that the City Commission approve the economic development loan request from Mr. David Brown of Source Giant Springs, Inc., contingent upon the conditions outlined and authorize the City Manager and staff to execute the necessary documents.
Commissioner Gilbert stated he would abstain due to a potential conflict of interest.
Motion carried 4-0-1 (Commissioner Gilbert abstaining).
Agreement outlines conceptual terms between the City and Roy and Diane Volk concerning cost sharing and responsibilities for extension of a City watermain on Upper River Road. The watermain would serve the Upper and Lower River Road areas and aid in development of the Riverside Townehomes project.
CCommissioner Bennett moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the City Commission approve the agreement between the City and Roy and Diane Volk for the Upper River Watermain Extension (OF 1103) and that the City Manager and Staff be authorized to sign the documents.
Commissioner Gilbert stated he would abstain due to a potential conflict of interest.
Motion carried 4-0-1 (Commissioner Gilbert abstaining).
Patricia Clark was appointed to the City/County Planning Board effective January 1, 1995. However, Ms. Clark resigned from the Board stating she did not feel qualified and did not desire to pursue the matter further. Therefore, it was necessary for the City Commission to appoint another individual to fill Ms. Clark's vacated position.
Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission appoint Robert Fox to the City-County Planning Board for a two-year term as a "citizen" member, beginning January 11, 1995 and expiring December 31, 1996.
Motion carried 5-0.
The Fairgrounds Users Advisory Board is a newly created board. The Advisory Board will be a six member committee with five members appointed by the City Commission and one member representative from the Fair Board.
Commissioner Everson moved, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, that the City Commission appoint Jerry Billquist, Ken Brown, Lee Ebeling, Sue Hennessey, and Gail Hager to the Fairgrounds Users Advisory Board. Ken Brown and Gail Hager will serve a two year term beginning February 1, 1995 and expiring January 31, 1997; and Jerry Billquist, Lee Ebeling, and Sue Hennessey will serve a three year term beginning February 1, 1995 and expiring January 31, 1998.
Commissioner Everson stated that this board had been newly created and 16 very qualified people applied for appointment. She stated the people she nominated would represent the entire fair and that they will be establishing the tone of the advisory group.
Commissioner Gilbert stated that it is always difficult making appointments. The Fairgrounds Users suggested a slate of appointments, the Fair Board also suggested a slate of appointments and the City Commission could not appoint everyone recommended. He also explained that due to the nature of the group being made up of users, it was important that they understood and adhered to the conflict of interest statements outlined in the City's Code of Ethics.
Motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Everson proposed that the City Commission begin reviewing the landscaping ordinance and increase the requirement to 15% minimum standard. She also suggested that the City develop an incentive for those businesses who landscape beyond the minimum requirement.
Secondly, Commissioner Everson, suggested that City Staff research the creation of a Landsite Development Board. She stated that many communities use these boards to look at their entry corridors to review the proposed designs for new buildings. She added that it might be in the City's best interest to have a board of this nature.
Commissioner Gilbert stated he concurred with Commissioner Everson's suggestion to begin reviewing the landscaping ordinances. However, he did not want to jeopardize commerce in order to increase landscaping.
Commissioners Deming and Bennett concurred with Commissioner Everson's suggestion.
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the regular meeting of February 7, 1995, adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
/S/
Gayle Morris, Mayor
/S/
Peggy J. Bourne, City Clerk