PUBLIC HEARINGS

Planning Director Ben Rangel reported that Resolution 9456 annexes Lot 1, Block 2, First Addition to Great Falls Clinic Addition, located east of 29th Street South along the north side of the easterly projection of 15th Avenue South. Ordinance 2901 assigns a zoning classification of "C" Residence Use, "B" Area District upon annexation to City.

On October 26, 2004, the Planning Board held a public hearing and at its conclusion passed a motion recommending the City Commission annex the property subject to the applicant fulfilling the following conditions: pay all fees; enter into an annexation agreement; and provide an easement to accommodate an extension of the water main from Aspen Village to 29th Street South.

Mayor Gray declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of or opposition to Resolution 9456 or Ordinance 2901. Mayor Gray declared the public hearing closed.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioners Hinz and Jovick-Kuntz, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9456 and approve the Annexation Agreement all related to Lot 1, Block 2, First Addition to Great Falls Clinic Addition.

Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Hinz moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission adopt Ordinance 2901.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

NEW BUSINESS

Planning Director Ben Rangel reported that Resolution 9460 annexes Lots 1 and 5, Block 1, Medical Tech Park Subdivision, located between 26th Street South and the MSU College of Technology. Ordinance 2902 assigns a zoning classification of "C" Residence Use, "B" Area District, to it.

On October 26, 2004, the Planning Board held a public hearing and at its conclusion recommended the City Commission annex the property subject to obtaining a conditional use for an office complex; paying all fees; and entering into an annexation agreement.

Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9460 and approve the Annexation Agreement all related to Lots 1 and 5, Block 1, Medical Tech Park Subdivision.

Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Commissioners Beecher and Hinz, that the City Commission adopt Ordinance 2902.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

Acting Park and Recreation Director Patty Gumenberg reported that Resolution 9463 establishes the following swim pool fees:

The fee increases affect lap swimming, facility rental at the Natatorium, a new punch card for water exercise and a monthly fee to participate in both lap swimming and water exercise. Fees for lap swimming were last raised in 1998; and facility rental fees were last raised prior to 2001. The Natatorium is operating at a deficit. The proposed increases will not solve that problem, but coupled with new programming and promotions, the increases would help improve the revenue.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9463 swim pool fees.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

Resolution 9457 would initiate the creation of SID 1301 for roadway, storm drainage, sewer, and water utility improvements in portions of 26th Street South and 23rd Street South. Two (2) property owners were involved with this SID.

On January 14, 2005, staff received a request from Centene Corporation, the first tenant of the Medical Technology Park, to begin processing a special improvement district. This financing would improve offsite infrastructure including roadways and utilities in the area. The total cost of the improvements was $1,100,000. Centene and the Great Falls Port Authority, the benefiting property owners, are financially responsible for these improvements. The construction contract is tentatively set to be awarded on April 5, 2005, with construction set to begin May 1, 2005. The Centene building is scheduled to be occupied August 1, 2005.

Commissioner Hinz moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9457, and set a public hearing for 7:00 P.M., April 5, 2005.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

Fire Chief Randy McCamley reported that it had been two years since the service fees were revised for Great Falls Fire Rescue. The cost of equipment and apparatus maintenance had steadily increased while the fire service fees had not commensurately increased. This action would bring these service fees more in line with the associated costs to run them.

The revisions to the fee schedule would increase general fund revenue approximately $6,400. This figure was based on FY 2003/04 fire service revenues and the commensurate fee increases.

Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9465, the revised Great Falls Fire Rescue Fee Schedule.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

Planning Director Ben Rangel reported that Resolution 9466 would set a public hearing for April 5, 2005, to consider vacation of 23rd Street South, as dedicated on the original plat of Medical Tech Park Subdivision.

On January 11, 2005, the Planning Board held a meeting and passed a motion recommending the City Commission approve the vacation of the portion of 23rd Street South, as provided on the original plat of Medical Tech Park Subdivision; approve the Amended Plat and the Findings of Fact, subject to any errors or omissions on the amended plat being corrected.

Commissioner Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Commissioners Hinz and Beecher, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9466.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

Planning Director Ben Rangel reported that Ordinance 2906 assigns a zoning classification of "A" Residence Use, "B" Area District, to Whispering Ridge Addition, Phase 4, and "A" Residence Use, "A" Area District, to three unplatted parcels comprising the westerly 50 feet of a power easement in the SE1/4, Section 17, Township 20 North, Range 4 East, P.M.M., upon annexation to the City. Whispering Ridge Addition, Phase 4, consists of 11 single family residential lots located on the upper portions of the coulee immediately east of Mountain View Terrace Addition. The power easement, to be simultaneously annexed to the City, is located between Mountain View Terrace, Sections 1 and 2, and the area being subdivided and platted as Whispering Ridge Addition, Phases 4-6.

On November 25, 2003, the Planning Board held a public hearing and at its conclusion recommended the City Commission assign the recommended zoning classification.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz, that the City Commission accept Ordinance 2906 on first reading and set a public hearing for April 5, 2005, to consider adoption of Ordinance 2906.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

CONSENT AGENDA

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioners Rosenbaum, Hinz, and Jovick-Kuntz, that the City Commission accept the Consent Agenda as printed.

Herb Sobezcek, 121 11th Street Northeast, asked if information pertaining to the water, sewer, and storm drain rate increase would be available to the public before the public hearing. Public Works Director Jim Rearden stated that it would be available. He added that the water rate would increase two percent, sewer-one percent and storm drain-one percent, resulting in an average increase of sixty-three cents per month.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

BOARDS & COMMISSIONS.

Planning Director Ben Rangel reported that the Minor Plat subdivided the property located at the northwest corner of the intersection of 31st Street North and 9th Avenue North into two single-family residential lots.

On February 22, 2005, the City-County Planning Board held a meeting and passed a motion recommending approval of the Minor Plat and accompanying Findings of Fact subject to the applicant fulfilling the following conditions: any errors or omissions be corrected and preparation of a certificate of title by a title company to be filed with the Minor Plat.

Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz moved, seconded by Commissioners Beecher and Rosenbaum, that the City Commission approve the Minor Plat of the Martin Addition, and the accompanying Findings of Fact, subject to conditions specified by the City-County Planning Board.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

On February 15, 2005, the City Commission adopted Resolution 9461, Creation of a Blue Ribbon Committee for Community Animal Control Issues. This committee would review existing animal control ordinances for appropriateness, utility, function, effect on animal welfare, and other criteria deemed appropriate by the committee. It would also include the current licensing, fee and fine schedule with respect to funding of local animal control and welfare efforts. The Committee is required to report its progress to the City Commission by April 15, 2005.

The Committee consists of seven members appointed by the City Commission to include one member from: the Police Department, Park and Recreation Department, Humane Society of Cascade County, Cascade County Sheriff's Office, at-large community member, a veterinarian, and a member from a Neighborhood Council. Commissioner Hinz stated that the Commission agreed to appoint two members at-large.

Commissioner Hinz moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission appoint as at-large members Pete Callison and Phyllis (Phyl) A. Viccione; and the following individuals: Police Chief Robert Jones, Park and Recreation Department Jon Thompson, Humane Society of Cascade County Chuck Tourtillott, Cascade County Sheriff's Office Amanda Delperdang, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Jack Newman, and Neighborhood Council Member Dona Stebbins to serve on the Blue Ribbon Committee for Community Animal Control Issues.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

The terms of Fidelis "Fid" Fitterer (Men's representative) and Thom Babinecz (Malmstrom representative) expire on March 31, 2005. Both Mr. Fitterer and Mr. Babinecz were eligible for and interested in reappointment. The term of O.P. Morrow (At-Large representative) expires March 31, 2005. Mr. Morrow was not eligible for reappointment. It was necessary to appoint one new member as the At-Large representative.

Commissioner Hinz moved, seconded by Commissioners Beecher and Rosenbaum, that the City Commission reappoint Fidelis "Fid" Fitterer as the Men's representative and reappoint Thom Babinecz as the Malmstrom representative for three-year terms expiring March 31, 2008; and appoint Tom Hall as the At-Large representative to the Golf Advisory Board for a three-year term expiring March 31, 2008.

Motion carried 5-0.
 

NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS.

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATION.

ADJOURNMENT