PUBLIC HEARINGS

Planning Director Ben Rangel stated that Resolution 9371 considered the annexation of 20 acres occupied by Loy School and a 2,700 foot segment of 57th Street North.

Since Loy School was built, it had obtained water and sanitary sewer service from Malmstrom AFB. Earlier this year, the City installed a 16-inch water main along the east side of 57th Street North abutting the school property. In order to switch service and obtain water from the new City main, the District petitioned the City to annex the school property.

Ordinance 2871 would establish a City zoning classification upon annexation of the Loy School property and a segment of 57th Street North of "A" Residence Use, "A" Area District.

Mayor Gray declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of or opposition to Resolution 9371 and Ordinance 2871, Mayor Gray declared the public hearing closed.

Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that City Commission adopt Resolution 9371 and approve the Annexation Agreement for Loy School.

Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission adopt Ordinance 2871.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

Community Development Director Mike Rattray reported that Resolution 9364 sets new rates for electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit fees. The fees were established in 1997. The proposed fee schedule represented a minimal increase which more closely reflected cost. It also eliminated some outdated schedules. The fee increase was proposed to be effective May 1, 2004.

The proposed fees were as follows:

Mayor Gray declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of or opposition to Resolution 9364. Mayor Gray declared the public hearing closed.

Commissioner Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that City Commission adopt Resolution 9364.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

NEW BUSINESS

Public Works Director Jim Rearden reported that the proposed contract with Veolia Water North America Operating Services would provide preliminary design of an internal combustion engine that would utilize methane gas produced by the recently-completed anaerobic digesters. In addition, the contractor, would examine the feasibility of incorporating other forms of renewable energy, including wind and hydropower sources. The design for the generator installation would be 30 percent complete and would include detailed construction and operating cost estimates. The cost for these services is $60,000.

Public Works Director Jim Rearden introduced Veolia's Regional Manager, Owen Boe, for comment. Mr. Boe reiterated the comments made earlier by Mr. Rearden. He also stated that for $60,000, the City would receive 30 percent of a complete design for an energy co-generation system.

Commissioner Hinz moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that the City Commission approve the attached agreement with Veolia Water North America Operating Services to provide design services to supply renewable energy to City-owned facilities, including the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

CONSENT AGENDA

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Hinz, that the City Commission accept the Consent Agenda as printed.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

Planning Director Ben Rangel reported that the preliminary plat of Castle Pines, Phase II, consisted of 29 proposed single-family residential lots along segments of 25th Avenue South and 16th Street South.

Harold Poulsen submitted applications regarding the following:

1. Preliminary Plat of Castle Pines, Phase II, located in Section 19, Township 20 North, Range 4 East, Cascade County, Montana.
2. Rezoning the area within the Preliminary Plat upon annexation to the City from the current County R-2 Low Density Residential District to the City "A" Residence Use, "B" Area District.

The Planning Board conducted a public hearing on the preliminary plat on February 24, 2004. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the Planning Board unanimously passed a motion recommending the City and County Commissions approve the preliminary plat of Castle Pines, Phase II, and the accompanying Findings of Fact subject to the following conditions being fulfilled by the applicant:

1. The final plat of Castle Pines, Phase II, shall incorporate correction of any errors or omissions noted by staff including: a) provision of a minimum area of 7,200 square feet per lot; b) incorporating the abutting portions of Blocks 32 and 33 of Finlay's Supplement to Prospect Park Addition into the subdivision unless an arrangement cannot be achieved with the current owner of said Blocks 32 and 33; and c) provision of a 20-foot utility easement between 24th and 25th Avenues South, along a common lot line, to accommodate a potential second source water main.
2. The final engineering drawings and specifications for the required public improvements to serve Castle Pines, Phase II, shall be submitted to the Public Works Department for review and approval.
3. Approval of an Annexation Agreement containing terms and conditions for annexation of Castle Pines, Phase II, including:
   1. installation, within two years of the date of annexation, the public improvements.
   2. adherence to the Agreement pertaining to the Off-Site Improvement Trust Fund.
4. All applicable fees owed as a condition of plat or annexation approval shall be paid.
5. Providing the appropriate off-site easements to accommodate the vehicle turnaround at the terminus of 27th Avenue South and the water main in the westerly projection of 27th Avenue South and the southerly projection of 15th Street South.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Hinz, that the City Commission approve the preliminary plat of Castle Pines, Phase II, and the accompanying Findings of Fact subject to fulfillment of conditions stipulated by the Planning Board.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

The term of Robert McPherson (At-Large Representative) expires on March 31, 2004. Mr. McPherson was eligible and interested in reappointment. The term of Kris Jupka (Women's Representative) expires March 31, 2004. Ms. Jupka was not eligible for reappointment. It was necessary to appoint one new member as the Women's Representative.

Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission reappoint Robert McPherson as the At-Large representative for a three-year term expiring March 31, 2007, and appoint Karen Motil as the Women's Representative to the Golf Advisory Board for a three-year term expiring March 31, 2007.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

The terms of Ryan Miller, Virginia "Lee" Niebuhr and Robert Harris expire on March 31, 2004. Mr. Miller was not interested in reappointment. Ms. Niebuhr and Mr. Harris were eligible for and interested in reappointment. Lisa Thibault was appointed on December 16, 2003, to fill the remainder of a term expiring March 31, 2006. Thibault resigned on January 26, 2004. Therefore, it was necessary to appoint one new member to fill the remainder of her term.

Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission reappoint both Virginia "Lee" Niebuhr and Robert Harris to three-year terms expiring March 31, 2007, and appoint Vandana Damany to the Advisory Commission on International Relationships to fill the remainder of a term expiring March 31, 2006.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

Ryan L. Smith was appointed to the Design Review Board April 1, 2001, for a three year term which expires March 31, 2004. Ryan Smith was eligible and interested in continuing to serve on this Board.

Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission reappoint Ryan Smith for a three-year term through March 31, 2007, as an architect member.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

Mayor Gray commented on the good work Dave Hoffman, Manager of External Affairs for PPL Montana, did with the freeing up the $1.7 million in protested taxes for local governments and school districts. He also commented on the excellent work done by Jess Anderson, Cascade County Treasurer, for working closely with PPL Montana and encouraging the company to reduce its protest.
 

ADJOURNMENT