| Regular City Commission Meeting | Mayor Bennett presiding |
CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM
ROLL CALL: City Commissioners present: Joan Bennett, Bill Beecher, Randy Gray and John Rosenbaum. Commissioner Downer was excused. 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, and the City Clerk.
PROCLAMATIONS: Mayor Bennett declared the week of April 6 - 13 as "1998 National Community Development Week." Additionally, she declared the month of April as "Fair Housing Month."
Mayor Bennett and Jim Heckel, Library Director, read a proclamation of commendation and a short story congratulating Barb Bruno for all she had done for the Library. Barb Bruno had submitted her letter of resignation effective April 15, 1998.
PRESENTATIONS: Members of the Preservation Cascade presented a $50,000 check to the City Commission which partially met their financial obligation toward the renovating and preservation of the Historic 10th Street Bridge.
Cherry Loney, City/County Health Officer, updated the City Commission on the activities of the City/County Health Department for the past year.
PUBLIC HEARINGS |
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Res. 8936, Create SLD 1288. Adopted. |
1.
RESOLUTION 8936, CREATE SPECIAL LIGHTING DISTRICT 1288.
Staff received a petition requesting alley lighting in the Great Falls 6th Addition, Block 550. There are 11 properties within the district and eight (73%) signed the petition in support of the lighting district. The lighting district would pay for the installation of 2 - 70 watt hps alley lighting units mounted on existing distribution poles with overhead line. The City Clerk did not receive any letters of protest. Estimated annual costs, including the City's 10% administrative charge, are $127.78. This is an annual square foot cost of $.001593. The annual cost per parcel for an average lot of 5,229 square feet is $9.92. Coleen Balzarini, City Controller, gave a brief overview of the proposed lighting district. Mayor Bennett declared the public hearing open. No one spoke in support of or opposition to the proposed lighting district. Mayor Bennett closed the public hearing. Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8936, creating Lighting District 1288. Motion carried 4-0. |
Res. 8937, Create SLD 1284. Adopted. |
2.
RESOLUTION 8937, CREATE SPECIAL LIGHTING DISTRICT 1284.
Staff received a petition requesting street lighting from 31st Street North to 34th Street North along 9th Avenue North. There are 30 properties within the district and 24 (80%) signed the petition in support of the lighting district. The lighting district is for the installation of 9 - 100 watt hps street lighting units mounted on 17 foot fiberglass poles with underground wiring. The City Clerk received 1 letter of protest for the proposed district. Estimated annual costs, including the City's 10% administrative charge, are $2,010.10. This is an annual square foot cost of $.0067895. The annual cost per parcel for an average lot of 9,868.67 square feet is $67. Coleen Balzarini, City Controller, gave a brief overview of the proposed lighting district. Mayor Bennett declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of or opposition to Resolution 8937. Mayor Bennett declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioners Gray and Rosenbaum, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8937, creating Special Lighting District 1284. Motion carried 4-0. |
CDBG & HOME Consolidated Plan. |
3.
PROPOSED CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PLAN AND PROPOSED USE OF 1998/99 CDBG & HOME FUNDS.
HUD regulations require at least one public hearing on the Proposed Annual Plan which includes the proposed use of the 1998/1999 CDBG and HOME funds. The public was also encouraged to comment on the City's overall Community Development program performance and policies. Kim Johnson, Grant Administrator, provided a brief overview of the process used in the proposed funding distribution. Mayor Bennett declared the public hearing open. No one spoke in support of or opposition to the proposed plan. Commissioner Gray moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that the City Commission close the public hearing and schedule action on the Final Consolidated Annual Plan for April 21, 1998. Motion carried 4-0. |
OLD BUSINESS |
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Economic Development N.E.W. Loan Agreement. Approved. |
4.
LOAN AGREEMENT, NATIONAL ELECTRONICS WARRANTY CORPORATION.
The loan agreement with National Electronics Warrant Corporation (N.E.W.) provided for a $300,000 loan for the purpose of remodeling office space in the US West Building on the second floor. High Plains Development was also loaning N.E.W. $200,000 under the same terms as the City's loan from their EDA Revolving Loan Fund. In September, 1996, the City Commission approved the original loan agreement for the first phase of this project which provided a $250,000 loan to be repaid over a ten year period at a rate of 6% per annum. When a total number of jobs created exceeded 50, the loan interest rate changed to 4% and when the total number of new jobs exceeded 100, the loan interest rate changed to 2% annually. In addition to the loan, the City agreed to provide job training funds in the amount of $1,000 per new job up to a maximum of 200 jobs during the first three years of operation. Terms of this loan agreement provide for an eight year, four month repayment period at a rate of 2% per annum. If the number of full time jobs falls below 150, the loan interest rate increases to 6% per annum. Security for the loan will be provided by NEW in the form of a pledge of its accounts receivable to the City in the amount of $300,000 in subordination to the prior security interest granted to Crestar Bank. Tim Ryan, Executive Director for High Plains Development and Port Authority, reviewed the proposed loans for the City Commission. Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission approve the loan agreement between the City and National Electronics Warranty Corporation and authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents. Motion carried 4-0. |
NEW BUSINESS |
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ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS |
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Ord. 2736, Title 15 Amendments. Set Public Hearing. |
5.
ORDINANCE 2736, AMENDING UNIFORM BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION CODES PERTAINING TO OCCGF 15.01, 15.08 AND 15.09.
Administrative Rules of the State of Montana require that local governments with a code enforcement program must within 90 days of receipt of notice, update the local codes to the latest codes adopted by the State. The City of Great Falls received notice that the State adopted these codes and amendments on February 19, 1998. Cheryl Patton, Community Development Director, reviewed the proposed changes as follows:
Motion carried 4-0. |
Ord. 2737, Broadwater Bay Business Park Add. B4, L8, Rezone. Set Public Hearing. |
6.
ORDINANCE 2737, REZONE BROADWATER BAY BUSINESS PARK ADDITION, BLOCK 4, LOT 8.
If approved, Ordinance 2737 would rezone Lot 8, Block 4, Broadwater Bay Business Park Addition, located immediately north of the Devine Brothers Distribution facility addressed as 601 River Drive South, from its present B-3 High Density Business to B-4 Heavy Commercial Business zoning classification. On March 24, 1998, the Planning Board conducted a public hearing on the proposed rezoning request and passed a motion recommending the City Commission adopt Ordinance 2737. The Planning Board stated that since rezoning the lot is in substantial compliance with the objectives of the Central Place Revitalization Program and the applicant obtain the consent to rezoning of 100% of the surrounding property owners. Bob Horne, City/County Planning Director, provided a brief overview of the proposed rezoning. Commissioner Gray moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission accept Ordinance 2737 on first reading and set 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, 1998, as the public hearing and final reading date. Motion carried 4-0. |
Ord. 2738, Adding Residential Office Transition Zone. Set Public Hearing. |
7.
ORDINANCE 2738, ADDING OCCGF 17.31, PERTAINING TO REGULATIONS FOR A RESIDENTIAL/OFFICE TRANSITION ZONE.
Ordinance 2738, if adopted, would add to the City Zoning Code regulations for a Residential/Office Transition zoning district. The R/O zoning district is designed to be used between areas of intense commercial activity and residential areas. It allows residential uses and limited non-residential uses of property. Regulations of the new zoning district allow for both residential and non-residential uses of property. Permitted uses include offices, clinics, studios, barber and beauty shops. Conditional uses allow parking lots, and limited restaurants and retail sales. Prohibited uses include casinos, bars or operations requiring extensive warehousing. The regulations also contain provisions intended to protect existing residential areas including architectural design standards, extra ordinary landscaping requirements for non-residential uses and restrictions on signage and exterior lighting. Bob Horne, City/County Planning Director, reviewed the intent of the proposed ordinance. Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Gray, that the City Commission accept Ordinance 2738 on first reading and set 7:00 p.m., May 5, 1998, as the date for the pubic hearing and final reading. Motion carried 4-0. |
Consent Agenda |
CONSENT AGENDA
8.
Minutes, March 17, 1998, regular Commission meeting.
9.
10.
Contracts List.
11.
Set public hearing on Resolution 8935, 1998 Swimming Pool Fees. Sets public hearing for April 21, 1998, at 7:00 p.m.
12.
Contract Bid Award, 1998 Water Service Saddle Replacement, Phase 9 (OF 1015.9). Awards contract to Timber Mountain Excavation in the amount of $49,864.
13.
Contract Award, 3rd Street North Utility Upgrades (OF 1204). Awards contract to United Materials in the amount of $91,390.
14.
Bid Award, Asphaltic Concrete Material. Bid award to Great Falls Redi-Mix in the amount of $25.20 per ton.
15.
Engineering Services Agreement, Vaughn Road Drainage Improvements, Phase II (OF 1166.1). Agreement with Thomas, Dean & Hoskins in an amount not to exceed $14,530.
16.
Engineering Services Agreement for East Booster Station Improvements (OF 1030.3). Agreement with Thomas, Dean & Hoskins in an amount not to exceed $147,500.
Commissioner Gray moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission approve the Consent Agenda as printed. Jim Rearden, Public Works Director, provided an in-depth explanation of Item #12. Motion carried 4-0. |
BOARDS/COMMISSIONS |
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Amended Plat, Central Avenue Add. B7, L7. Disapproved. |
17.
AMENDED PLAT, CENTRAL AVENUE ADDITION, BLOCK 7, LOT 7.
The amended plat would subdivide Lot 7 into two separate lots. Lot 7 is currently occupied by two detached single family dwellings. The property owner, David Blackwell, wanted to subdivide the corner lot into two lots in order that each dwelling unit may be on a separate parcel. During a meeting held March 10, 1998, the Planning Board passed a motion recommending the City Commission disapprove the Amended Plat request as the standards for granting the necessary variances based on hardship and detriment were not met. Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission disapprove the Amended Plat of Lot 7, Block 7, Central Avenue Addition. David Blackwell, 1005 Central, stated he requested the amended plat in order to sell the houses separately which would encourage the owners of the houses to live there rather than renters. Commissioner Rosenbaum asked Cheryl Patton, Community Development Director, to explain what violations to municipal code the amended plat would create. Mrs. Patton explained that with the proposed lot lines some of the dwelling openings would be too close to the property line. Additionally, the lot coverage ordinance would be violated as well as the lot size requirement. Commissioner Rosenbaum stated that in view of the ordinance violations and the fact that the amended plat would create a multitude of problems, he supported the motion to disapprove the amended plat request. Mr. Blackwell stated that he was willing to move the lot line to the north three feet. Bob Horne, City/County Planning Director, stated that the ordinance violations would exist even if the lot line were moved. Motion carried 4-0. |
Golf Advisory Board Appoint Jupka. |
18.
APPOINTMENT, GOLF ADVISORY BOARD.
Lynette Robbin's term expired March 31, 1998. Ms. Robbins was not interested in reappointment, therefore, it was necessary to make an appointment to this board. Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Gray, that the City Commission appoint Kris Jupka to the Golf Advisory Board as the Women's League representative beginning April 1, 1998, and expiring March 31, 2001. Motion carried 4-0. |
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS |
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NC #6 |
Sally MacMillan, NC #6, thanked the City Commission for their support of the neighborhood councils. She also thanked Staff for their support and explained that the councils are working. |
NC #9 |
Joe MacMahon, NC #9, echoed Ms. MacMillan's comments. |
CITY MANAGER |
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Allocation, OF 1213 Ulm Pishkun Access Road. Approved. |
19.
ULM PISHKUN ACCESS ROAD (OF 1213).
In 1997, the Montana State Legislature appropriated $1.1 million for construction of the Visitor Center at Ulm Pishkun. Although the initial bill included about $300,000 for general improvements to the roadway, the Legislature ultimately removed the roadway funds and in turn challenged the Great Falls/Cascade County community to generate funds and other resources for improvement of the road. In August, 1997, during a joint meeting of the City and County Commissions, it was agreed a multi-agency approach would be taken to accept the challenge. An informal coordinating group was called together in September, 1997, to explore the possibility of combining resources to improve the roadway. The proposed roadway plan consists of two phases. Phase 1 includes initial improvement to develop an all-weather, paved roadway. In general, this includes survey/design, improve two 90° corners, extend culverts, widen the road base, overlay the widened road with road millings from an interstate project being done by the Department of Transportation, and chip seal the milled roadway surface. The estimated cost for Phase 1 is $200,000. Phase 2 involves a new 3 inch asphalt overlay of Phase 1 at an estimated cost of $275,000. This phase would possibly be conducted 3-5 years after the completion of Phase 1 and when sufficient funds are generated. City Manager, John Lawton, explained that it was necessary for the City to get involved because the new visitor's center will be an asset to our cultural tourism attractions. Commissioner Gray moved, seconded by Commissioners Beecher and Rosenbaum, that the City Commission approve up to $100,000 of cash or in-kind contributions toward improvement of the road to the proposed Ulm Pishkun Educational Visitor Center contingent on Cascade County contributing a like amount and with the understanding that a joint and cooperative agreement will be developed by the City of Great Falls, Cascade County and the State of Montana regarding long term maintenance of the road. Commissioner Beecher stated that this is an example of where we can diversify our economy and that it made sense to utilize economic development funds for this project. Commissioner Gray stated that this is an example of great cooperation with so many different entities to reach a goal that will benefit the community. He added that the cooperation between different cultures provides an opportunity for our children to come to a better understanding of the Native American culture. Motion carried 4-0. |
CITY COMMISSION |
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21.
Commissioner Beecher stated that it was an honor for him to be present when the Great Falls Exchange Club presented Officer Moccasin with the "Officer of the Year" award. Commissioner Gray stated that he was truly pleased to sit next to Commissioner Beecher who had a sandwich named after him at the Club Cigar. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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Adjourn |
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the regular meeting of April 7, 1998, adjourned at 8:31 p.m. |
/S/
Mayor Joan Bennett
/S/
Peggy J. Bourne, City Clerk