| Regular City Commission Meeting | Mayor Morris Presiding |
CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM
PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS: Boy Scout Troop #8.
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, Finance, Park & Recreation, Fairgrounds, Planning, Fire Chief, Police Chief, and the City Clerk.
PROCLAMATION: Mayor Morris read a proclamation declaring April 10 - 16, 1995 as Community Development Week.
PRESENTATION: City Manager, John Lawton, thanked the many people on Staff and in the community for their work and support of the DBCRC activities on the previous Friday.
Resolution 8718 provides for the necessary expenses which could not be reasonably foreseen at the time of developing the actual budget. As required by statute, this public hearing was advertised.
The proposed amendments were:
| 1. | $105,000 | for BRACC Defense Process from the MMIA Insurance Dividend. |
| 2. | 9,947 | for the Study Commission from General Fund Reserves. |
| 3. | 21,000 | for Mitchell Pool Painting and Waterslide from increased pool reserves. |
| 4. | 150,000 | for Civic Center Parking Improvements from the Civic Center Fund unexpended balance. |
| 5. | 20,000 | for police cars from proceeds of the sale of police cars (in lieu of trade-in). |
Mayor Morris declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of or opposition to Resolution 8718. Mayor Morris declared the public hearing closed.
Commissioner Everson moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8718.
Motion carried 5-0.
As required by OCCGF 3.12, before final consideration of a lease for park property, the City Commission must hold a public hearing to receive comment on said leases. Mayor Morris declared the public hearing open, no one appeared to speak in support of or in opposition to said leases. Mayor Morris closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, that the City Commission approve the lease agreements with the Great Falls Baseball Club, Electric City Soccer Club, and Great Falls Youth Soccer Association, and authorize the City Manager to execute said agreements.
Motion carried 5-0.
HUD regulations require at least one public hearing on the Draft Consolidated Plan including the proposed use of the 1995/96 CDBG and HOME funds. The Consolidated Plan is a new planning and reporting document required by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. This Plan includes a community needs assessment, housing market analysis, a 5 year strategic plan and an annual action plan portion of the Consolidated Plan.
Mayor Morris declared the public hearing open. Those speaking in support of the Consolidated Plan were as follows: Gerry Jennings, president of the YWCA Board; Bill Jones, 2733 Greenbriar Drive; Don Kicking Woman, 2621 15th Avenue South; and Nancy Stephenson, Neighborhood Housing Services.
Those speaking in opposition to the Consolidated Plan were as follows: Bonnie Bacon, representative of the Concerned Citizens Coalition; and Jannel Lassey, representative of the Concerned Citizens Coalition.
Commissioner Bennett moved, seconded by Commission Deming, that the City Commission close the public hearing and schedule action on the Final Consolidated Plan for April 18, 1995.
Motion carried 5-0.
On or about March 1, 1995, Staff implemented the increased rate for the standpipes. The rate was approved during the Public Service Commission process in 1992. However, the rate had never been implemented. At the March 7, 1995, City Commission meeting, residents using the standpipes or water dispensing stations protested the rate increase.
After hearing the testimony offered, the City Commission directed Staff to prepare a recommendation for administrative action to implement the rate increase.
Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioner Everson, that the City Commission roll back the standpipe sales volume charge to $.25 per 200 gallons for 60 days, that the City offer Cascade County the standpipe operation, with the City charging the commercial rate to the County, plus a charge for the dispensing equipment. At the end of 60 days, the price will return to $.25 per 100 gallons and the City will at that time prepare an RFP for privatization of the operation from a home owners association or from a private operator.
Commissioner Gilbert stated that one of the issues which surfaced is that although those protesting the rate increase are City customers, they are not the City Commission's constituents. The City Commission wants to be responsive to their needs, however, the governing body who would be the most responsive is the Cascade County Commission. By offering the operation to the County, allows the users of the dispensing stations to be in a better position to deal with the elected officials. Commissioner Gilbert suggested users of the dispensing stations form a home owners association and consider privatization.
Commissioner Deming concurred with the comments offered by Commissioner Gilbert.
Geary Alexander (507 Vaughn Road), Robert Adams (207 31st Street NW), Mike Knecht (1601 22nd Avenue South) and Faye King (2204 9th Street South) stated they thought the offer by the City Commission was fair.
After a brief discussion, Commissioner Gilbert clarified that it was the intent of the City Commission to make a reasonable offer to the County for the dispensing stations, while at the same time, protect the City's capital investment. The City would consider offers to purchase, rent or a lease option, on the equipment and buildings at the dispensing station sites.
Motion carried 5-0.
The City Commission, at their regular meeting held March 21, 1995, directed Staff to prepare the following modifications to the Parking Commission and the Loan Advisory Board. Ordinance 2683 was prepared to incorporate those changes formally.
Loan Advisory Board: The City Commission noted that because the City did not have any economic development revolving funds to loan, that the Loan Advisory Board be changed from a formal board to an ad hoc board. The Commission also indicated that the function of the Loan Advisory Board was duplicated through High Plains Development, the Business Improvement District and several other entities in Great Falls.
Parking Commission: The Business Improvement District requested formal representation on the Parking Commission. It was recommended that a sixth, ex-officio, member be added to the composition of the Parking Commission to be appointed by the Business Improvement District.
Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the City Commission accept Ordinance 2683 on first reading.
Motion carried 5-0.
If approved on final reading, Ordinance 2684 would rezone First Bloomingdale Addition, Block 11, Lot 29, from its present "A" Residence Use District to "MH" Mobile Home Residence Use District. The property is located at 1653 Seventh Avenue Northwest. The purpose of the rezoning is to allow placement of a mobile home on the involved property.
Commissioner Everson moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the City Commission accept Ordinance 2684 on first reading and set 7:00 p.m., May 2, 1995, as the date for the public hearing and final reading.
Motion carried 5-0.
If approved on final reading, Ordinance 2685 would rezone First Bloomingdale Addition, Block 6, Lot 18, from its present "A" Residence Use District to "MH" Mobile Home Residence Use District. The property is located at 1617 Sixth Avenue Northwest. The purpose of the rezoning is to allow placement of a mobile home on the involved property.
Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission accept Ordinance 2685 on first reading, and set 7:00 p.m., May 2, 1995, as the date for the public hearing and final reading.
Motion carried 5-0.
Resolution 8723 establishes the rates for gate admission, parking, nightshow tickets and the rodeo at the 1995 Montana State Fair. These rates were calculated with the intent to cover the costs to provide the services and entertainment, and to generate gross revenue to offset other costs associated with the annual event.
Commissioner Bennett moved, seconded by Commissioners Deming and Everson, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8723.
Motion carried 5-0.
Resolution 8724 establishes the rates for admission, programs, table reservation fees, horsemen stalling fees and RV parking for the 1995 State Fair Race Meet. These rates are calculated with the intent to cover the costs associated with the above services at the annual event.
Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8724.
Motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioners Deming and Everson, that the City Commission accept the Consent Agenda as printed minus items 11 and 12.
Motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Bennett stated she would abstain due to a conflict of interest.
Motion carried 4-0-1 (Commissioner Bennett abstaining).
Commissioner Gilbert stated he was not comfortable with this item and was concerned with using ReLeaf Great Falls as the funding source. He added that he was not familiar with the need for a $7,500 computer program and asked if the data processing staff could create a program for less money. Commissioner Everson concurred with Commissioner Gilbert.
Motion carried 5-0.
Donna Johnson, Belt, Montana, expressed concerns regarding the hiring of an Assistant State Fair Manager. She stated that according to her information the fair was in a deficit position and did not understand how an additional salary could be justified.
City Manager, John Lawton, stated that the fair is facing a deficit situation because the fairgrounds was under construction for most of this year. He added, that the Four Seasons was closed for six months resulting in significant lost revenue. Mr. Lawton stated that staff anticipated a deficit situation this year and had taken measures to prepare for it. He also stated that filling the budgeted Assistant State Fair Manager position would aid in a quicker recovery from the deficit situation rather than making matters worse.
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the regular meeting of April 4, 1995, adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
/S/
Gayle Morris, Mayor
/S/
Peggy J. Bourne, City Clerk