Fiscal Services Director Coleen Balzarini reported on Items 2 – 5, stating that in order to legally provide necessary assessment support, State law requires the City Commission to conduct a public hearing and adopt authorizing assessment resolutions.

She added that Resolution 9599 authorizes staff to assess properties within Special Lighting Districts that were created prior to the current year. She explained that Resolutions 9601, 9602 and 9603 authorize staff to assess properties within Special Lighting Districts that were created this past year.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing open for Resolution 9599, 9601, 9602 and 9603. No one appeared to speak in support of or opposition to the Resolutions. Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearings closed and asked for direction from the Commission.

Commissioner Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Commissioners Jovick-Kuntz and Beecher, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9599.

Motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Commissioners Beecher and Jovick-Kuntz, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9601.

Motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9602.

Motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9603.

Motion carried 4-0.

Fiscal Services Director Coleen Balzarini reported that properties which had utility services provided to them prior to June 30, 2006, but remain unpaid, were subject to the City’s right to lien the property for the amount owed. The Fiscal Services Department reviews the accounts quarterly and notifies property owners of the delinquent charges and the right to lien the property.

Ms. Balzarini added that the legal owners of the properties were last notified in a letter dated July 6, 2006, that unless these charges were paid within 30 days, the amount owed would be levied as a tax against the property. These properties also receive the normal monthly billing statements. A final letter stating the date and time of the public hearing was sent September 7, 2006, and a notice was published September 8 and 15, 2006, in the Great Falls Tribune.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing open. No one appeared to speak in support of Resolution 9607. John Hubbard requested clarification on this issue. There being no one further to address the Commission, Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing closed.

Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9607.

Motion carried 4-0.

Planning Director Ben Rangel reported that adoption of Resolution 9615 would set a public hearing for October 17, 2006, to consider vacating an unused segment of 26th Street South right-of-way abutting Parcel Mark 6B, Section 18, T20N, R4E. The Amended Plat of Lot 1A, Block 1, Forest Glen South will add the vacated right-of-way and Parcel Mark 6B to the abutting Lot 1A, Block 1. The applicant desired to combine subject right-of-way and Parcel Mark 6B into Lot 1A, Block 1 of Forest Glen South. The vacated right-of-way would leave a full 80-foot right-of-way for the s-curve of 26th Street South which was reconstructed to a four lane road.

Commissioner Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9615.

Motion carried 4-0.

Acting City Attorney Kory Larsen reported that several school bus drivers registered complaints about passenger vehicles parking in school bus zones adjacent to several area schools. The bus drivers raised safety and traffic flow concerns as a result of passenger cars parking in bus zones. After initially discussing the matter with the Great Falls Police Department, the issue was turned over to the School Traffic Safety Committee which held several meetings to discuss the issue and propose these changes.

Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that the City Commission adopt Ordinance 2951. 

Motion carried 4-0.

Fiscal Services Director Coleen Balzarini reported that the Business Improvement District was created in 1989 and recreated in 1999 by petition of the property owners in the district. Assessments are levied upon properties in the district to fund the Business Improvement District (B.I.D.). As in prior years, the assessment requested for 2006/2007 is based on the assessment formula approved with the creation of the district, which will generate $159,816.53 in assessment revenue.

Mrs. Balzarini added that the Business Improvement District provided the goal and financial information the City Commission requested.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9617.

Motion carried 3-0-1 (Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz abstaining).

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

Motion carried 4 -0.