JOURNAL OF COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS
MARCH 17, 1998

Regular City Commission Meeting

Mayor Bennett presiding

CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM

ROLL CALL: City Commissioners present: Joan Bennett, Bill Beecher, Bill Downer, Randy Gray and John Rosenbaum. Also present were the City Manager, City Attorney, Directors of Community Development, Public Works, Fiscal Control, Management Information Services, Library, Park & Recreation, Acting Director of the Fairgrounds, Planning, Fire Chief, Acting Police Chief, and the City Clerk.

PROCLAMATIONS: Mayor Bennett declared March as Professional Social Work Centennial Month and American Red Cross Month.

PRESENTATION: A video presented by the City/County Planning Board, Rekindle the Vision, was shown.

	PUBLIC HEARINGS
	OLD BUSINESS
	NEW BUSINESS
	ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS
Res. 8933, State Fair Fees. Adopted As Amended.	1. RESOLUTION 8933, MONTANA STATE FAIR FEES. The Montana State Fair Board and the State Fair staff recommended that the 1998 State Fair fees remain the same as in 1977 with the exception of the teen outside gate admission and the car parking fees. The teen outside gate admission fee would increase one dollar from $3 to $4. The car parking fees would increase one dollar, as well, from $2 to $3. Dimmer Kjelsrud, 732 9th Avenue SW, chairperson of the Fair Board, encouraged the City Commission to adopt Resolution 8933. Commissioner Gray moved, for discussion purposes, seconded by Commissioner Downer, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8933. Commissioner Rosenbaum stated that he would like to support all the recommended fees. However, he thought there could be a better way to raise revenue at the State Fair besides increasing admission fees for parking and for teenagers. Commissioner Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that the motion be amended to exclude the proposed fees for gate admission. Commissioner Gray recommended the Fair Board visit other means of raising revenue. Mr. Gray suggested visiting with concessionaires to discover any other means of raising revenue for them and the fair. Commissioner Beecher stated that there are some charges at the Fair that have some elasticity, such as the concessions. He added that raising admission fees could be a deterrent to getting people on the grounds and could have a negative trickling effect. Patty Gumenberg, Acting State Fair Manager, stated that the concessionaires were probably already at the maximum level. Commissioner Gray stated that he doesn't turn away any recommendation from any advisory board lightly. However, he added, that we need to get more people on the fairgrounds and that increasing the admission fee would act as a deterrent. Mr. Gray suggested that Staff and the Fair Board look into food pricing schedules. City Manager, John Lawton, stated that Staff and the Fair Board will continue to research other methods of raising revenue at the Fair and bring a report back to the Commission by April 21, 1998. Motion to amend carried 5-0. Motion as amended carried 5-0.
Res. 8934, Relating to Multi-Family Revenue bonds. Adopted.	2. RESOLUTION 8934, RELATING TO MULTI-FAMILY REVENUE BONDS (AUTUMN RUN APARTMENTS PROJECT) SERIES 1998; MAKING FINDINGS, AUTHORIZING THE SALE AND ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS AND ESTABLISHING THE SECURITY THEREFOR, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE BONDS. On August 19, 1997, following a public hearing on a project to construct multifamily rental housing, the City Commission passed Resolution 8897, granting preliminary approval to the issuance of revenue bonds for the construction. On September 9, 1997, the State Department of Administration allocated $6,000,000 of volume cap to the City for the project. Due to several factors, including some delay in getting approval for the tax credit proportion of this project from the State Board of Housing, the bonds could not be issued in calendar year 1997. On behalf of the City, Dorsey & Whitney requested the state grant a carry forward for the issue and volume of bonds. The bonds are secured by a pledge of the revenues to be derived by the City from a loan agreement with the borrower and will be further secured by a rated letter of credit. The bonds will be special, limited obligations of the City, and the bonds and interest will be payable solely from the revenues pledged to the payment thereof. Coleen Balzarini, City Controller, recapped the proposed resolution. Commissioner Downer moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8934. Motion carried 5-0.
Res. 8858, Intent to Create SLD 1284. Adopted.	3. RESOLUTION 8858, INTENT TO CREATE SPECIAL LIGHTING DISTRICT 1284. Staff received a petition for street lighting on 31st Street North to 34th Street North along 9th Avenue North. The petition has been signed by 80% of the property owners. There are 30 properties in the proposed district. This is for the installation of nine - 100 watt hps street lighting units mounted on 17 foot fiberglass poles with underground line. Estimated annual costs, including the City's 10% administrative charge, are $2,010. This is an annual square foot cost of $.0067895 with an average annual cost per lot of $67. The City's funding source for residential street lighting requires the establishment of a Special Lighting District. Coleen Balzarini, City Controller, explained the two proposed lighting districts. Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Gray, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8858, setting the public hearing for April 7, 1998. Motion carried 5-0.
Res 8929, Intent to Create SLD 1288. Adopted.	4. RESOLUTION 8929, INTENT TO CREATE SPECIAL LIGHTING DISTRICT 1288. Staff received a petition for alley lighting in GF 6th Addition Block 550. The petition has been signed by 73% of the property owners. There are 11 properties in the proposed district. The district would include the installation of 2 - 70 watt hps alley lighting units mounted on existing distribution poles with overhead line. Estimated annual costs, including the City's 10% administrative charge, are $127.78. This is an annual square foot cost of $.001593 with an average annual cost per lot of $9.92. The City's funding source for residential street lighting requires the establishment of a special lighting district. Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Downer, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8929, setting the public hearing for April 7, 1998. Motion carried 5-0.
Consent Agenda Approved as printed.	CONSENT AGENDA 5. Minutes, March 3, 1998, regular Commission meeting. 6. Claims over $500. 7. Contracts List. 8. Deed, GF Townsite, B371, L11. Purchase property from Vern Rothschiller in the amount of $37,500 plus closing and title insurance costs. The property will allow for the future expansion of the City/County Health facility. 9. Contract Bid Award, Sanitary Sewer Replacement 2nd Alley South 4th Street, to 5th Street (OF 1195.1). Award bid to United Materials in the amount of $34,975.00. 10. Engineering Services Agreement Amendment 1, Water Treatment Plant Structural and Piping Modification (OF 1177). Contract amendment exercises the construction phase services portion of the original contract. The services are limited to $41,500 under the amendment. 11. Engineering Services Agreement, Great Falls Water Treatment Plant Pump Improvements (OF 1030.4). Agreement with Thomas, Dean and Hoskins for engineering services for an estimated cost of $25,000. 12. Deed, property near Crooked Falls (OF 1029.5). Purchase 20 acres from Steve Blinco. The purchase price is $72,500. The City's obligation is $25,000. The remaining funds have been received from private donations, and the Trails Trust Fund by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks. 13. Community Development Block Grant and HOME Program Proposed Use of Funds and set public hearing date for HUD Required Annual Consolidated Plan. 1) acceptance of the Staff recommendations of projects applying for 1998/1999 CDBG funding under the CDBG priorities other than public services; 2) accept the Community Development Council's 1998/1999 recommendation for funding CDBG projects falling under the Public Service priority; and 3) setting the public hearing for April 7, 1998, on the 1998/1999 Proposed Annual Plan. 14. Contract, Montana ExpoPark Horse Racing. Mutual Release with the Race Track Management Group of their contractual obligations with the City for the operation of horse racing in the 1998 season; agreement with Great Falls Racing Association for privatization of horse racing in the 1998 season; and guaranteed repayment of debt in the amount of $34,000 for the replacement of A Barn. Montana Simulcast Partners and the Montana Board of Horse Racing have guaranteed repayment of the remaining balance if the Great Falls Racing Association or another racing group no longer run the facility for horse racing purposes. 15. Change in use 1996/1997 CDBG Funding Award to Opportunities Inc. Change in use of the 1996/1997 CDBG funds for Opportunities Inc. "Opportunity House" project. Commissioner Downer moved, seconded by Commissioners Gray and Rosenbaum, that the City Commission approve the Consent Agenda as printed. Motion carried 5-0.
	BOARDS/COMMISSIONS
Preliminary Plat Skyline Heights Add. 1st Supp. Approved.	16. PRELIMINARY PLAT, SKYLINE HEIGHTS ADDITION 1ST SUPPLEMENT. The preliminary plat of 1st Supplement to Skyline Heights Addition includes a proposed 10 lot single family residential subdivision located east of 9th Street Northeast along the easterly extension of 34th Avenue Northeast. The Planning Board conducted a public hearing on the preliminary plat on February 24, 1998. There were no proponents or opponents who spoke during the hearing. The City/County Planning Board passed a motion recommending the City and County Commissions approve the preliminary plat. Commissioner Gray moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission approve: 1) the preliminary plat of 1st Supplement to Skyline Heights Addition subject to fulfillment of conditions stipulated by the Planning Board; and 2) the accompanying findings of fact. Motion carried 5-0.
	NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS
	17. Kim Thiel, Neighborhood Council Coordinator, reported on behalf of NC 7 that the council met with the Set Free Ministries to have a discussion on the impact of their ministry in the downtown area. Additionally, she reported that Mr. Fitzgerald met with the Longfellow Elementary School principal and discussed possible ways to eliminate the head lice problem currently being experienced at the school.
	CITY MANAGER
Disaster Services Inter-local agreement. Approved.	18. INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENT, EMERGENCY DISASTER SERVICES. Chief Hirose and Royce Shipley, Cascade County DES Coordinator, presented to the City Commission a proposal to recognize Royce Shipley as the DES Coordinator for Cascade County including the City of Great Falls. This agreement would result in better coordination and use of resources between the City and the County in the event of an emergency or disaster. Commissioner Downer moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission approve the inter-local agreement with Cascade County for disaster services. Motion carried 5-0.
Misc. reports and announcements from the City Manager.	19. There were no other reports or announcements from the City Manager
	CITY COMMISSION
City Commission Reports and Announcements.	20. Commissioner Gray requested that City Staff research the possibility of placing a conservation easement on the land purchased for the development and preservation of the River's Edge Trail.
	ADJOURNMENT
Adjourn	There being no further business to come before the Commission, the regular meeting of March 17, 1998, adjourned at 7:58 p.m.