JOURNAL OF COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS
July 18, 2006

Regular City Commission Meeting
Mayor Stebbins presiding

CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL: City Commissioners present: Dona Stebbins, Bill Beecher, Sandy Hinz, Diane Jovick-Kuntz and John Rosenbaum. Also present were the Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Directors of Community Development, Planning, Public Works, Park and Recreation, Library and Fiscal Services, Police Chief, Fire Chief, and the City Clerk.

NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS

Neighborhood Pools.
1.
Tim Austin, Neighborhood Council 3, encouraged the City Commission to save the neighborhood pools.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Res. 9578 Final Budget Adoption. Adopted.
2.
RESOLUTION 9578, FY 06/07 BUDGET.
[ Staff Report 2 ] [ Res. 9578 ]

Budget Officer Melissa Kinzler reported that in accordance with Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 7-6-4021 and 7-1-4127 the City Commission completed its preliminary budget for the upcoming fiscal year; placed the budget on file for public inspection; and published notices for the public hearing. At their meeting held July 11, 2006 and following the public hearing, the City Commission voted to continue the public hearing until July 18, 2006.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing reopened. No one appeared to speak in support of Resolution 9578. Tim Austin, Neighborhood Council 3, asked that the Commission ensure there was funding for the neighborhood pools that included staff and maintenance. There being no one further to address the City Commission, Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing closed.

Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9578.

Commissioner Hinz explained that after the budget was adopted, it could be amended. So, she added, if the voters did not approve a bond levy to repair the neighborhood pools, the City Commission could revisit the budget and make changes to it.

Motion carried 5-0.
Preliminary Plat of Eagle’s Crossing, Phases II and III. Approved.
3.
PRELIMINARY PLAT OF EAGLE’S CROSSING, PHASES II and III.
[ Staff Report 3 ]

Planning Director Ben Rangel reported that the Great Falls Planning Board recommended the City Commission approve the preliminary plat of Eagle’s Crossing Phases II and III, as well as the request for variance on the lengths of two proposed cul-de-sacs and the accompanying Findings of Fact subject to fulfillment of stipulated conditions. The Eagle’s Crossing Subdivision is located along the west side of Bootlegger Trail. Phase II will consist of 49 lots and Phase III will consist of 30 lots.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of or opposition to Eagle’s Crossing, Phases II and III. Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing closed.

Commissioner Hinz moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission approve the Preliminary Plat of Eagle’s Crossing, Phases II and III.

Motion carried 5-0.
Res. 9587 and Ordinance 2943 annexation, zoning and the amended plat for Lot 3 of the Medical Tech Park Subdivision. Adopted.
4A.
RESOLUTION 9587, ANNEXATION OF LOT 3, MEDICAL TECH PARK SUBDIVISION.

4B.
ORDINANCE 2943, ZONING FOR LOT 3, MEDICAL TECH PARK SUBDIVISION.
[ Staff Report 4 ] [ Res. 9587 ] [ Ord. 2943 ] [ Attachments Item 4 ]

Planning Director Ben Rangel reported that the Planning Board recommended the City Commission approve the annexation and the Amended Plat of Lot 3 of the Medical Tech Park Subdivision. The Zoning Commission recommended the City Commission apply a zoning classification of M-1 mixed-use district to it and grant a conditional use permit to allow telecommunication facilities on proposed Lot 3H. The property borders MSU-College of Technology and Centene Corporation.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of Resolution 9587 or Ordinance 2943. Mary Jolley, 1910 2nd Avenue North, asked for clarification regarding the funding for the infrastructure for this project. Community Development Director Mike Rattray provided the information she requested. There being no one further to address the City Commission, Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing closed.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Hinz, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9587 and approve the amended plat and Annexation Agreement all related to Lot 3, Medical Tech Park Subdivision.

Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz, that the City Commission adopt Ordinance 2943.

Motion carried 5-0.

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS

Res. 9588, Intent to Vacate 10th Alley South, GF 11th Add., B806. Adopted.
5.
RESOLUTION 9588, INTENT TO VACATE 10th ALLEY SOUTH IN BLOCK 806, ELEVENTH ADDITION TO GREAT FALLS (WALGREEN’S).
[ Staff Report 5 ] [ Res.9588 ] [ Attachments Item 5 ]

Planning Director Ben Rangel reported that on June 11, 2006, the Planning Board considered the alley vacation and amended plat and ultimately passed a motion recommending the City Commission vacate subject alley.

Mr. Rangel also reported that all parcels abutting the portion of alley to be vacated were owned by Hawkins Companies LLC and that the vacation of the alley was necessary to accommodate a proposed Walgreens Pharmacy.

Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz moved, seconded by Commissioners Hinz and Beecher, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9588 and set the public hearing for August 1, 2006.

Motion carried 5-0.
Consent Agenda.
Approved as printed.

CONSENT AGENDA

6.
Minutes, July 11, 2006, Commission meeting. [ 7/11/2006 Minutes ]
7.
Total expenditures of $3,417,389 for the period of June 28 through July 12, 2006, to include claims over $5,000 in the amount of $3,225,071. [ Staff Report 7 ]
8.
Contracts list. [ Staff Report 8 ]
9.
Lien Release List. [ Staff Report 9 ]
10.
Set public hearing for August 1, 2006, on Resolution 9584, Nuisance Abatement, 609 36th Avenue NE (legally described as NRT 6th Addition, B6, L10). [ Staff Report 10 ] [ Res. 9584 ] [ Attachment Item 10 ]
11.
Purchase of water meter equipment for the 2007 Fiscal Year from Dana Kepner Co. of Billings, Montana, in an amount not to exceed $250,000. [ Staff Report 11 ]
12.
Engineering contract with Morrison-Maierle, Inc., for engineering services for the North Great Falls Sanitary Sewer and Storm Drainage Master Plan in an amount not to exceed $250,000. (OF 1476) [ Staff Report 12 ]
13.
Final payment to Dave Kuglin Construction and the State Miscellaneous Tax Division for the Sludge Basin Rehabilitation Project, Phase One in the amount of $1,478.(OF 13432.5) [ Staff Report 13 ]
14.
Co–Sponsorship of the USMA West Point Military Academy Band Concert in an amount up to $600 for use of the Mansfield Theater. [ Staff Report 14 ]

Commissioner Hinz moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission approve the Consent Agenda as printed.

Motion carried 5-0.

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Great Falls Planning Advisory Board.
Appointed Duffy.
15.
APPOINTMENT, GREAT FALLS PLANNING ADVISORY BOARD.
[ Staff Report 15 ]

Joshua S. DeNully was appointed to the Great Falls Planning Advisory Board on August 16, 2005, for a term through December 31, 2007. Mr. DeNully resigned from the Board; therefore, it was necessary to appoint a replacement.

Commissioner Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Commissioner Hinz, that the City Commission appoint Danna Duffy to the Great Falls Planning Advisory Board to fill the remainder of a three-year term through December 31, 2007.

Motion carried 5-0.
Parking Advisory Board.
Appointed Harrison and McNamee.
16.
APPOINTMENTS, PARKING ADVISORY BOARD.
[ Staff Report 16 ]

Charles Bennett was appointed to the Parking Advisory Commission in April of 2003 for a three-year term. His term expired April 30, 2006. Mr. Bennett was not interested in reappointment. Anthony Longin was appointed to the Parking Advisory Commission on September 6, 2005, for a term through April 30, 2008. Mr. Longin was recently appointed to the Business Improvement District and resigned from the Parking Advisory Commission. Therefore, it was necessary to appoint two members to the Parking Commission.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission appoint Gene Harrison to the Parking Advisory Commission for a three-year term through April 30, 2009; and appoint Ed McNamee to fill the remainder of a three-year term through April 30, 2008.

Motion carried 5-0.

CITY MANAGER

Welcome to new Park and Recreation Director Sullivan.
19A.
Assistant City Manager Cheryl Patton welcomed Park and Recreation Director Jim Sullivan to his first commission meeting.

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

Highwood Coal Generating Plant.
20A.
Stuart Lewin, 615 3rd Avenue North, stated he wanted to address the Commission regarding the coal plant. He questioned where the funds for a $395,000 transfer into the coal plant fund came from and added that he sent a list of questions to the City Commission and had not received a response. He said there had not been an opportunity to publicly debate the construction of the plant and encouraged the City Commission to provide answers to the questions asked. Mr. Lewin then read his letter into the record. Mayor Stebbins asked Mr. Lewin to provide a copy of the letter to the City Clerk and staff would prepare a response.
Riverfest and Coal plant.
20B.
Mike Whitsoe, 511 5th Street, congratulated Patty Rearden on an excellent Riverfest and encouraged the City Commission to listen to the people who opposed the coal plant.
Coal Plant.
20C.
John Hubbard, stated he was concerned about the price of energy and that he was against the coal plant.

ADJOURNMENT

Adjourn
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the regular meeting of July 18, 2006, adjourned at 7:48 p.m.

Mayor Dona R. Stebbins

Peggy Bourne, City Clerk

* Non-text and electronically unavailable attachments are on file in the City Clerk's Office.


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