JOURNAL OF COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS
May 2, 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, Vicki Everson and John Gilbert. Also present were the City Manager, City Attorney, Directors of Finance, Park & Recreation, Fairgrounds, Library, Planning, Fire Chief, Police Chief, Acting Directors of Public Works and Community Development, and the City Clerk.

PROCLAMATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Morris read a proclamation declaring May 1 - 7, 1995, as Public Service Recognition Week.

Fire Chief Hirose introduced Wayne Young as Deputy Fire Chief.

Ordinance 2684 rezones 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.

Mayor Morris declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in opposition to Ordinance 2684. George Jewett, petitioner, spoke in support of Ordinance 2684. There being no one further to address the City Commission on Ordinance 2684, Mayor Morris closed the public hearing.

Commissioner Bennett moved, seconded by Commissioner Everson, that the City Commission accept the Application of 12 Zoning Factors labeled as Exhibit "D" and adopt Ordinance 2684 on final reading.

Motion carried 5-0.

Ordinance 2685 rezones 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.

Mayor Morris declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of or opposition to Ordinance 2685. Mayor Morris closed the public hearing.

Commissioner Everson moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the City Commission accept the application of 12 Zoning Factors labeled as Exhibit "D" and adopt Ordinance 2685 on final reading.

Motion carried 5-0.

SID 1271 was created to defray the cost of roadway and storm drain improvements in portions of Country Club, Park Garden Tracts, Fox Farm 3rd and Fox Farm 4th Additions. In order to have funds available for Bond Debt Service, payments due January 1, 1995; July 1, 1995, January 1, 1996 and July 1, 1996, assessments were levied based on the total amount of bonds issued. Upon final payment of construction costs in FY 1994/95, excess funds in the amount of $30,000 remained in the SID construction fund. The property owners within the District are now entitled to an assessment reduction of this same amount. The reduction will be applied to the remaining years assessments still outstanding.

Mayor Morris declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of or opposition to Resolution 8717. Mayor Morris closed the public hearing.

Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8717.

Motion carried 5-0.

In the interest of developing a landscaping code that provides a healthier, greener, and more inviting atmosphere, City staff proposed changes to the landscaping ordinance that will:

• Simplify the landscaping code for commercial development;
• Establish a set of aboricultural standards and specifications to address the planting, care, and maintenance of landscaping within the City;
• Re-establish a five foot (5') buffer strip where commercial properties abut adjacent residential uses;
• Change the requirement for commercial uses from ten percent (10%) of their net lot (lot area minus buildings) to ten percent (10%) of their gross lot if they are located in a commercial zone, twelve percent (12%) of their gross lot if they are located in a residential zone;
• Credit will be reduced for boulevard development from a forty percent (40%) credit to a twenty-five percent (25%) credit.
• Require all required landscaping to be live and irrigated;
• The Community Development Department may provide a five percent (5%) reduction in required off-street parking if a developer exceeds the landscaping requirements by fifteen percent (15%);
• Provide the option of a vegetative screen or a decorative wall where commercial parking areas abut residential uses.

Commissioner Everson moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the City Commission accept Ordinance 2687 on first reading and set 7:00 p.m., May 16, 1995, as the date for public hearing and final reading.

Commissioner Gilbert stated that this motion was to set the public hearing and he would vote in support of it although he was not necessarily in support of the proposed ordinance.

Motion carried 5-0.

If approved on final reading, Ordinance 2688 would rezone GF 1st Addition, B260, L8-10 from its present "C" Residence Use district to "LB" Local Business Use District. The property is located at 1125 Second Avenue North and is occupied by the Professional Center Office Building. The purpose of the rezoning is to permit retail sales to the public by the occupants of the premises.

Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission accept Ordinance 2688 on first reading and set 7:00 p.m., June 6, 1995, as the date for the public hearing and final reading date.

Motion carried 5-0.

Pursuant to Commission policy, Resolution 8725 sets a Use Permit Fee Schedule for fairgrounds facilities with the exception of the Four Seasons Arena (and Exhibition Hall when rented concurrently). The fee scheduled includes 1) a five percent (5%) paving fund retainage; 2) tables, chairs and support equipment as identified; 3) a twenty-five percent (25%) discount of the daily rate for the third and each additional consecutive event day used; 4) a fifty percent (50%) discount of the daily rate for setup and takedown days.

Commissioner Gilbert moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8725.

Commissioner Gilbert stated that the proposed rates were researched, discussed and approved by the Fair Users Advisory Board and the Fair Board.

Commissioner Everson stated that it was obvious a lot of thought went into the proposed rates and she commended those involved in the creation of this resolution for their work. Commissioners Deming and Bennett concurred.

Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Bennett moved, seconded by Commissioners Gilbert and Deming, that the City Commission accept the Consent Agenda as printed minus item #14.

Motion carried 5-0.

Award bid to lowest responsible bidder, Central Plumbing and Heating in the amount of $77,353.

Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission award a contract in the amount of $77,353 to Central Plumbing & Heating for the Great Falls Public Library Air Conditioning Unit (OF 1121), and that the City Manager be authorized to sign the contract documents.

Commissioner Everson stated she would abstain due to a perceived conflict of interest.

Motion carried 4-0-1 (Commissioner Everson abstaining).

The term for Robert Drummond expired March 31, 1995, 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 appoint Derek French to the Parking Advisory Commission for a three year term beginning May 1, 1995 and expiring April 30, 1998.

Motion carried 5-0.

Ray Reavley resigned from the Senior Citizens' Board effective February 27, 1995, therefore, it was necessary to make an appointment to this board.

Commissioner Bennett moved, seconded by Commissioner Deming, that the City Commission appoint Orvill "Bill" Chigbrow to the Senior Citizen's Board for a two year term beginning May 1, 1995 and expiring June 30, 1997.

Motion carried 5-0.

Staff recommended the City Commission set the budget work sessions for May 17, 18, and 19, 1995 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The budget work sessions allow the necessary time for Staff to review the proposed budget document in its entirety.

Commissioner Deming moved, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the City Commission set the budget work sessions for May 17, 18, and 19, 1995, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Motion carried 5-0.

At their regular meeting held April 18, 1995, the City Commission moved to place the following contingency on the CDBG allocation to the Young Parents Education Center:

"that the City Commission is aware that the Young Parents Education Center, which is currently housed at the Largent School, may move to Skyline School. If that move occurs, the City Commission directs that the Young Parents Education Center allocation be transferred to the Mobility Impaired project."

After the City Commission meeting, Commissioner Everson received additional information regarding the project.

Commissioner Everson moved, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, that the City Commission rescind the contingency placed on the Young Parents Education Center CDBG allocation.

Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Gilbert requested a letter from the ReLeaf Great Falls Board supporting the expenditure from the ReLeaf fund, for the tree canopy software contract.

Commissioner Bennett requested Staff research allegations that the Transit District was proposing to reduce service due to federal cutbacks. City Manager, John Lawton, stated Staff would research the issue and prepare an "Issues and Options" paper for the City Commission.

There being no further business to come before the City Commission, the regular meeting of May 2, 1995, recessed at 7:30 p.m. for a five minute break before reconvening into an Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue.