| 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 City Manager, City Attorney, Directors of Community Development, Public Works, Personnel, Park & Recreation, Fairgrounds, Planning, Fire Chief, Police Chief, and the City Clerk.
PROCLAMATIONS: Mayor Morris read a proclamation encouraging all Great Falls residents to show their support of MAFB during the BRACC visit, March 31, 1995. Mark Macek, President, Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, thanked the City Commission for the proclamation and encouraged everyone to participate during the process.
Mayor Morris also read a proclamation of support for Montana State Legislature HB599. HB599 included funding for the Lewis & Clark Interpretative Center.
Businesses involved with the distribution of oxygen for medical purposes are becoming more prevalent in the community. The existing Zoning Code does not permit such businesses in the "LB" Local Business District. Businesses manufacturing or storing gas products up to 10,000 cu. ft. in volume are permitted with the "GC" General Commercial District.
The Community Development and Fire Departments did not oppose the proposed zoning amendment with the following limitations:
Any such business involving gas storage is closely monitored and subject to inspection several times a year.
Mayor Morris declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of or in opposition to Ordinance 2681. Mayor Morris closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioner Everson, that the City Commission adopt Ordinance 2681.
Motion carried 5-0.
On February 21, 1995, the City Commission adopted Resolution 8493 initiating the creation of SID 1269 for roadway, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, and water utility improvements in 26th Street South between 10th Avenue South and the south City limits and along 11th Avenue South between 26th Street South and 29th Street South. The total cost of the proposed improvements is $2,163,786. Proposed funding sources are: City Street fund, storm drain fund, water and sanitary sewer funds, Montana Department of Transportation funds, Federal Aid Urban funds, and the SID. The property owners are expected to pay $858,000 through the SID.
Notices were sent to all property owners within the district. Two letters of protest was received. One letter was not officially counted as a protest because the property owner waived the right to protest when the property was annexed into the City. The other letter resulted in a 1.2% weighted protest (percent of assessment) or 2.58% protest of the total area involved in the SID.
Mayor Morris declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in opposition to Resolution 8719. Tom Burch, representing Montana Deaconess Medical Center, spoke in support. There being no one further to speak in support of or opposition to Resolution 8719, Mayor Morris closed the public hearing. Mayor Morris closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8719.
Commissioner Deming stating he attended a meeting regarding SID 1268 and complimented Staff on an exceptional job in preparing the information for the public and accommodating concerns by those involved in the proposed SID.
Motion carried 5-0.
On February 21, 1995, the City Commission adopted Resolution 8712 setting the public hearing to consider the annexation of a 1.777 acre tract of land along the east side of 29th Street South, immediately north of 15th Avenue South. A parking lot was constructed on the property requested to be annexed and fulfills the off-street parking requirements resulting from the expansion of the Great Falls Clinic.
Mayor Morris declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of or in opposition to Resolution 8722. Mayor Morris closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Everson moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8722.
Motion carried 5-0.
The City and County Commissions, at separate meetings held October 1994, adopted the Planning Board recommendation and conditionally approved the preliminary Amende Plat of Lot 2, Block 21, Bel-View Palisade, located between Jasper Road and Ivy Drive and south of Acacia Way.
The Planning Board, during a regular meeting held February 28,1995, recommended that the City and County Commission approve the final amended plat of Lot 2, Block 21, Bel-View Palisade Addition, and that the City Commission approve the annexation of the property contained therein and the abutting portion of Jasper Road and assign a zoning classification of "A" Residence Use, "B" Area for the area contained within the amended plat, subject to the developer:
Commissioner Bennett moved, seconded by Commissioner Everson, that the City Commission approve: 1) Annexation Resolution 8720; 2) the final Amended Plat of Lot 2, Block 21, Bel-View Palisade; and 3) the accompanying Annexation Agreement.
Motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, that the City Commission accept the Consent Agenda as printed.
Motion carried 5-0.
Terms for Terry Hilgendorf, Aaron Peterson and Al Verploegen expire March 31, 1995, therefore, it was necessary for the City Commission to make appointments to this board.
Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioners Bennett and Deming, that the City Commission not make any appointments to the Loan Advisory Committee.
Commissioner Gilbert stated that when this board was created, the City had economic development funds available and the board was active. However, because there are, basically no economic development funds available the board has little, if any activity. Commissioner Gilbert suggested that the City Commission change the status from a formal board to an ad hoc committee. Commissioner Gilbert also stated that several organizations in Great Falls have loan advisory committees and the Commission should eliminate some of the duplication.
Mayor Morris stated he opposed the motion because there were two people interested in serving on the committee. Mayor Morris suggested that as long as people were applying for an appointment, the City Commission should accommodate their interest.
Motion carried 4-1 (Mayor Morris dissenting).
The term of Robert Drummond expires March 31, 1995, therefore, it was necessary to make an appointment to this board.
Commissioner Everson moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission direct Staff toe re-advertise this vacancy.
Commissioner Everson stated that although two citizens applied for appointment to this board, they were both serving on the Business Improvement District (BID) Board. She added, that it is policy of the City Commission not to have citizens serve on more than one board at a time. Commissioner Everson suggested that the BID have an ex-officio member on the Parking Advisory board.
Commissioner Gilbert suggested that the City Commission formally amend the composition of the Parking Board to include an ex-officio member from the BID.
Commissioner Deming suggested that Commissioner Gilbert's idea be made in the form of an amendment to the motion.
Commissioner Everson moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission direct Staff to re-advertise the opening on the Parking Board and to prepare the necessary ordinance to amend the composition of the board to include an ex-officio member appointed by the BID.
Motion to amend, carried 5-0.
Motion as amended 4-1 (Mayor Morris dissenting).
The terms for Leonard Baszler and Lisa Maki expire March 31, 1995, therefore, it was necessary to make appointments to this board. Both members were eligible for reappointment, however, they did not submit a citizen interest form. Mr. Baszler represented golfers at large, and Ms. Maki represented the Women's Association.
Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission appoint Lynette Robbins and James Huber to the Golf Advisory Board for a three year term beginning April 1, 1995 and expiring March 31, 1998.
Motion as amended 5-0.
The City Commission previously committed $100,000 to this project and passed a Resolution supporting a continued commitment. Previous discussion considered an additional $100,000 allocation and the project participants are now in a position they needed to confirm exactly what funds are available to serve as matching funds for the project.
Commissioner Everson moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the City Commission allocate $100,000 of Economic Revolving Funds to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Project and authorize the transfer of the funds to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Trust.
Commissioner Gilbert stated that although he supported the motion, he would abstain due to a perceived conflict of interest because his accounting firm provided discounted auditing services for the Lewis & Clark Interpretative Center board.
Commissioner Bennett stated that she, too, would abstain, due to a perceived conflict of interest. She added that she supported the motion, but would not vote on it because she is a member of the Lewis & Clark Interpretative Center Board as the City Commission's representative.
Motion carried 3-0-2 (Commissioners Bennett and Gilbert abstaining).
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the regular meeting of March 21, 1995, adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
/S/
Gayle Morris, Mayor
/S/
Peggy J. Bourne, City Clerk