| 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, Park & Recreation, Acting Directors of the Fairgrounds, Planning, Fire Chief, Police Chief, and the City Clerk.
PUBLIC HEARINGS |
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Res. 8951, Assess Special Improvement Boulevard Maintenance District. Adopted. |
1.
RESOLUTION 8951, ASSESS SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT BOULEVARD MAINTENANCE DISTRICT.
The general boulevard area assessment for FY 1998/99 was budgeted at $273,929, the same amount assessed FY 1997/98. State laws authorize the City Commission to create and assess the costs of work, improvements, and maintenance to the owners of property within the boundaries of established district. Mayor Bennett declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of or opposition to Resolution 8951. Mayor Bennett closed the public hearing. Commissioner Downer moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8951. Motion carried 5-0. |
Res. 8952, Assess Special Improvement Portage Meadows Maintenance District. Adopted. |
2.
RESOLUTION 8952, ASSESS SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT PORTAGE MEADOWS MAINTENANCE DISTRICT.
The Portage Meadows assessment for FY 1998/99 will be $13,200. This is an increase of 10% over the amount assessed in FY 1997/98. Actual maintenance costs for the district have been monitored for the past three years. A 10% yearly increase was recommended until the assessment revenue equals maintenance expenses. This year's increase would result in an approximate assessment of $118 for an average lot of 7500 square feet compared to the FY 1997/98 assessment of $107. Mayor Bennett declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of or opposition to Resolution 8952. Mayor Bennett closed the public hearing. Commissioner Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8952. Motion carried 5-0. |
Res. 8953, Assess Street Maintenance District. Adopted. |
3.
RESOLUTION 8953, ASSESS STREET MAINTENANCE DISTRICT.
The total Street Maintenance District assessment for FY 1998/99 will be $1,386,470. This amount represents a 10% increase in the amount assessed in FY 1997/98 to help offset the increased costs in maintaining the district. The Assessable Area method, defining assessable area by square footage caps, has proven to be the most equitable method of assessment. Using this assessment the amount for average assessment per lot would be approximately $46. Jim Rearden, Public Works Director, pointed out that the proposed 10% increase would result in a $.35 per month increase for most home owners. He added that the assessment would be approximately $46.05 per household per year. Mr. Rearden explained that currently the street replacement schedule is once in 312 years. The ideal street replacement schedule is once every 25 years. Mayor Bennett declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of or opposition to Resolution 8953. Mayor Bennett declared the public hearing closed. Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Gray, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8953. Commissioner Gray stated that he was satisfied the 10% increase was warranted. He added that the City was notified that the gas tax allocation would be less than in previous years and the 10% increase was necessary to help in offsetting that decrease. Motion carried 5-0. |
Res. 8965, Establishing FY 1998/99 Sanitation Service Rates. Adopted. |
4.
RESOLUTION 8965, ESTABLISHING FISCAL YEAR 1998/99 SANITATION SERVICE RATES.
OCCGF 8.32.350 requires that the City Commission adopt a resolution establishing rates to defray the costs of sanitation services for each fiscal year. Staff proposed increasing rates by 7%. The last rate increase was for FY 1996/97. Mayor Bennett declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of or opposition to Resolution 8965. Mayor Bennett closed the public hearing. Jim Rearden, Public Works Director, stated that Staff proposed a 7% increase for residential and commercial services. He calculated that this would mean approximately a $.55 per month increase for residential customers. He added that rates were not increased in the previous fiscal year and that the rate increase was necessary to pay for increased landfill costs and inflation. Commissioner Downer moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8965. Motion carried 5-0. |
Res. 8963, Nuisance Abatement, GF 11th Add, B287, L14. Adopted. |
5.
RESOLUTION 8963, NUISANCE ABATEMENT, GF 11TH ADD, B287, L14.
On February 24, 1997, the Community Development Department received a complaint concerning the condition of 111 25th Street North. The property was inspected and the following items were in violation: a red/white Ford truck; motorcycles, barrels, tires, buckets, discarded fencing, leaf piles, cardboard, household items, overgrown tree branches, weeds, and other miscellaneous rubbish. A certified letter was sent to Kenneth Simes, personal representative, informing him that his property was in violation of City code. Mr. Simes made no attempt to contact the Community Development office. On June 25, 1997, photographs were taken and a citation was written into Municipal Court for creating a criminal public nuisance at 111 25th Street North. Mr. Simes was eventually found guilty and fined $515 with six months suspended jail time. The property was reinspected on June 26, 1998, and nothing had been done to clean up the nuisance. Staff requested the City Commission hold the public hearing to provide Mr. Simes an opportunity to explain why abatement action should not be taken. Mayor Bennett declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support or in opposition to Resolution 8963. Mayor Bennett closed the public hearing. Commissioner Gray moved, seconded by Commissioners Beecher and Downer, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8963. Motion carried 5-0. |
Res. 8971, Vacate a portion of 13th Street North. GF 1st Add, B4, 5, 27 and 28. Adopted. |
6.
RESOLUTION 8971, TO VACATE SEGMENT OF 13TH STREET NORTH LOCATED NORTH OF THE FORMER 11TH AVENUE NORTH AND ABUTTING BLOCKS 4, 5, 27, 28, FIRST ADDITION TO THE CITY OF GREAT FALLS.
The Planning office received a petition from Lumber Yard Supply to vacate an isolated section of 13th Street North located south of the new River Drive. Lumber Yard Supply owns all the property on either side of the street and developed plans to expand its business including the use of the 13th Street North right-of-way. Mayor Bennett declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of or in opposition to Resolution 8971. Mayor Bennett closed the public hearing. Commissioner Gray moved, seconded by Commissioner Downer, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 8971 and approve the accompanying Amended Plat. Motion carried 5-0. |
OLD BUSINESS |
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NEW BUSINESS |
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ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS |
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Ord. 2743, Creating a Emergency Services Special License. Accepted on First Reading. |
7.
ORDINANCE 2743, AN ORDINANCE CREATING OCCGF 5.03.700 PERTAINING TO EMERGENCY SERVICES LICENSES.
The City does not have a licensing requirement for private ambulance companies operating within the City. The only requirement is that ambulance companies be licensed by the State Department of Health and Environmental Sciences. Ordinance 2743 would establish criteria for ambulance providers to meet before they are licensed to operate within the City. The criteria would include meeting standards for response times, staffing levels, levels of certification for providers, and insurance requirements. Additionally, Ordinance 2743, would create a process establishing a need before any other ambulance companies could begin to operate in Great Falls. The need process would include a public hearing and a review by the City Commission. The City Commission would determine if a new ambulance service would be in the best interest of the City and was a necessity prior to Staff issuing a special license. Commissioner Gray moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that the City Commission accept Ordinance 2743 on first reading. Terry Mullans, 6362 Hwy 89, asked what the licensing fee would be. Chief Hirose stated that was still to be determined and the City Commission would set it by Resolution. Mr. Mullans suggested that the level of support for the proposed ordinance would be contingent upon the amount of the license fee. Steve Fagenstrom, legal counsel for Community Ambulance Service, asked if there really was a need for the proposed ordinance. He also asked why there was the bonding and insurance requirement for ambulance companies. Mr. Fagenstrom questioned Staff's statement that additional ambulance companies would have a negative impact on the service provided in the community. Finally, he asked why the Fire Department would be excluded from the requirements of this ordinance. Chief Hirose explained that the need for the ordinance rested with the need to ensure that quality ambulance service was provided to the citizens of Great Falls. He stated that if another ambulance company would come to Great Falls, prices could increase due to a limited customer base and the need to succeed in the business. Additionally, the paramedics and EMTs would have less opportunity to use their skills leading to compromised quality of care. Chief Hirose also explained that a performance bond and the insurance requirements were necessary to protect the City from any liability. Chief Hirose added that many other communities have similar ordinances. Commissioner Gray noted that this was the first reading of the ordinance and encouraged those who supported or opposed the proposed ordinance to attend the meeting on August 18, 1998. There being no further discussion, Mayor Bennett called for the vote. Motion carried 5-0. |
Consent Agenda |
CONSENT AGENDA
8.
Minutes, July 21, 1998, City Commission meeting.
9.
Claims over $500.
10.
11.
Postpone Contract Bid Award, American Agri-Technology Corporation Tax Increment Bond Work, Electrical Switchyard and Substation (OF 1033.2). Postpone bid award until the financial package was in place.
12.
Postpone Contract Bid Award, American Agri-Technology Corporation Tax Increment Bond Work, Electrical Power Distribution (OF 1033.3). Postpone bid award until the financial package was in place.
13.
Contract Award, 22nd Avenue South Storm Drain Detention Pond Outlet (OF 1181). Contract award to United Materials in the amount of $32,080.
14.
Bid Award, 300 Gallon Refuse Container. Award bid to WasteCo in the amount of $36,400.
15.
Change Order 1, 1998 Miscellaneous Street Repairs (OF 1200). The original contract to repair deteriorated streets at various locations was awarded to United Materials on May 19, 1998. Since that time the City incurred a number of emergency water main breaks. One of the water main breaks did extensive damage to a large portion of the pavement and subbase on Verde Drive between 16th Avenue South and 17th Avenue South. The Change Order was necessary to complete this street reconstruction.
16.
Change Order 2, City/County Health Department Medical Office Building (OF 1195). Change order in the amount of $8,986 due to an increase in workscope.
17.
Final Pay Request, 9th Avenue North Roadway Improvements (SID 1275). Final payment to Great Falls Sand and Gravel in the amount of $9,587.98.
18.
Set public hearing, Resolution 8954, Levy and Assess Special Improvement District 1275. Set public hearing for August 18, 1998.
19.
Set public hearing, Resolution 8970, Nuisance Abatement, Sunrise Terrace 1st Add, B10, L11. Set public hearing for August 18, 1998.
20.
Deed and Certificate of Survey, Montana Addition, 1st Supplement, B13, L4&6 (OF 1100). Acceptance of a deed from the Griffins near the new Park Garden/Flood Road Railroad crossing. The property was required to place an embankment for the new crossing approach.
21.
Set public hearing, BID FY 1998/99 Budget and Annual Work Plan. Set public hearing for August 18, 1998.
Commissioner Downer moved, seconded by Commissioners Gray and Rosenbaum, that the City Commission accept the Consent Agenda as printed Minus Item 10. Motion carried 5-0. |
Contracts List. |
10.
Contracts list. Commissioner Downer moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission accept the Contracts List.
Mayor Bennett stated she would abstain due to a conflict of interest. |
CITY MANAGER |
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Ethanol Plant Update. |
23.
City Manager, John Lawton, reported that on the Agenda there were two bid postponements related to the construction of the ethanol plant infrastructure. He stated that the postponement was to provide additional time for the financing package to be completed. He added that the parties involved are meeting this week to finalize the complex financing package and that the bids were good for 90 days. |
PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS |
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24A.
Shelley Lighter and Dimmer Kjelsrud, State Fair Board representatives, thanked the City Manager and City Commission for their support of the Montana State Fair. Each member of the Commission and the City Manager were presented certificates of appreciation. |
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24B.
Donna Wheeler, 609 6th Street South, asked when her street would be repaired. Jim Rearden, Public Works Director, stated he would look into it and respond back to Ms. Wheeler in the near future. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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Adjourn |
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the regular meeting of August 4, 1998, adjourned at 7:39 p.m. |
/S/
Mayor Joan Bennett
/S/
Peggy J. Bourne, City Clerk