Planning Director Ben Rangel reported that a segment of 6th Street SW, near the Sun River Bridge and a segment of Interstate Spur 315, between Exit 0 and Fox Farm Road are located outside of the City limits. These roadway rights of way are contiguous to the City. As such, State statute allows cities to annex government land, if the land is adjacent. This action will also address the Commission’s interest to annex unincorporated enclaves into the City. The City has consent from the Montana Department of Transportation to annex the rights of way.

On October 6th, the Commission set public hearing for this evening. After conducting a joint public hearing, Mr. Rangel requested that the Commission adopt Resolution 9705, which would annex the rights of way and to adopt Ordinance 2992, which would assign zoning classifications similar to adjoining parcels.

The City Planning Board/Zoning Commission unanimously recommends your approval.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing open. No one spoke in favor of or opposition to Resolution 9705 and Ordinance 2992.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing closed and asked for the direction of the City Commission.

Commissioner Hinz moved, seconded by Commissioners Beecher and Rosenbaum, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9705.

Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Hinz moved, seconded by Commissioners Beecher and Rosenbaum, that the City Commission adopt Ordinance 2992.

Motion carried 5-0.

Assistant Fire Chief Steve Hester reported that the safety inspection certificate fees cover a portion of the costs of approximately 3,200 fire code inspections conducted on an annual basis. Fees have seen minimal increases since inception, and this request is the first since 2004. All other fees in the resolution remain the same as in 2004. Fees for renewals are proposed to be an increase of 5% for the past four years.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing open. No one spoke in favor of or opposition to Resolution 9711.

Mayor Stebbins declared the public hearing closed and asked for the direction of the City Commission.

Commissioner Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Commissioner Beecher, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9711.

Commissioner Hinz inquired how the increase came about. Mr. Hester responded that it was derived from the fuel costs to operate the apparatus, additional costs over the past four years for staffing and fuel.

Motion carried 5-0.

Fiscal Services Director Coleen Balzarini requested the Commission approve the loan agreement between the City of Great Falls and the Montana Board of Investments to pay for the cost of installing and constructing a new street lighting district that encompasses 13 city-owned residential street lights. The term is for 15 years and the interest rate is variable. The cost will be assessed to the property owners within the district.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9712 and authorize the City Manager to execute the loan documents.

Mayor Stebbins inquired if there were any questions among the Commissioners.

Commissioner Jovick-Kuntz inquired if this agreement was also done with the previous phases, and Ms. Balzarini answered affirmatively with regard to this particular development.

Mayor Stebbins inquired if there were any comments from the public.

Mary Jolley, 1910 2nd Avenue North, inquired why the $46,000 loan included $3,000 for City engineering services.

City Engineer Dave Dobbs answered that it is electrical engineering in nature. The City has registered engineers on staff, but not electrical engineers. It is specialized work and is typically done by consultants.

Motion carried 5-0.

Assistant City Manager Cheryl Patton reported that in order accommodate State law that dictates when the new commission can be sworn in, staff is recommending that the Commission meetings in January, 2008, be switched from the first and third Tuesdays to the second and fourth Tuesdays. This will still allow for one week in between Commission meetings and can get back on schedule in February.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Hinz, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9716.

Mayor Stebbins asked if there were any comments from the public. No one responded.

Motion carried 5-0.

Fiscal Services Director Coleen Balzarini reported that in May of 2005 a tax increment district was created in the Ag Tech Industrial Park area. Many of the properties in that area that are proposed to be incorporated into an industrial park, are not annexed. As the properties are annexed it has been the intent to expand the boundaries of that district to accommodate the cost of water, wastewater improvements and roadway improvements. The primary purpose of creating this district was to acquire the rail spur so that it would be available to any of the occupants of the district in the future. At this point it is owned by the malting facility and it is willing to turn that over to public ownership. Montgomery Energy was annexed at the last Commission meeting. So, this resolution allows the City to expand the district because of that annexation to encompass the Montgomery Energy property and to capture the incremental increase in taxes that will occur as they construct that project. This resolution sets the public hearing and approves first reading of the ordinance that expands the district boundaries.

Commissioner Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Commissioners Beecher and Hinz, that the City Commission adopt Resolution 9717, accept amending Ordinance 2996 on first reading and set public hearing and final reading for December 4, 2007.

Mayor Stebbins inquired if there was any comment from the public regarding Resolution 9717.

Ron Gessaman, 1006 36th Avenue N.E., stated the map includes a part of the highway, and inquired why.

Ms. Balzarini answered that, by including a part of the highway, it encompasses all of the property by going to the midline of the highway itself. As this contiguous line of property is created, the highway will be incorporated into that. In addition, if the City participates in additional improvements in that highway area in the future as everything develops, that puts it into the tax increment district and allows the City to use tax increment dollars for those improvements.

Brett Doney, 3048 Delmar Drive, stated he supports Montgomery Energy project as it is a move forward with the industrial park and anticipates further expansion.

Motion carried 5-0.

Request to reappoint Robert Pancich to the Electric City Power, Inc. Board of Directors for a six year term through December 31, 2013.

Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum, that the City Commission reappoint Robert Pancich to the Electric City Power, Inc. Board of Directors for a six year term through December 31, 2013.

Mayor Stebbins inquired if there was any comment from the public regarding the reappointment of Mr. Pancich.

Ron Gessaman, 1006 36th Avenue N.E., stated that he did not believe Mr. Pancich deserves reappointment; that he does a poor job in that he hasn’t followed the by-laws, doesn’t know the articles of incorporation and isn’t here tonight to represent himself.

George Golie, 316 20th Avenue South, served with Mr. Pancich for the last two years on the Electric City Power Board. Mr. Golie believes Mr. Pancich is more than qualified to serve on that Board, has attended every meeting except one, built relationships with electrical parties in the state, has done a good job, is an asset, and has been responsive to everyone that has come before the Board.

Mary Jolley, 1910 2nd Avenue North, requested the Commission give Mr. Pancich direction to pay attention to the by-laws and City codes, and for ECPI to sustain itself.

Commissioner Hinz added that Mr. Pancich is an asset in that he has a good working relationship with the Montana Board of Investments and worked decades in the banking business.

Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Beecher brought the public up to date on the process of selecting a new City Manager.

Mayor Stebbins opened the meeting to Petitions and Communications.

There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Beecher moved, seconded by Commissioner Rosenbaum that the regular meeting of November 20, 2007, be adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Motion carried 5-0.