06/19/00 City Council Minutes1639 7
A REGULAR MEETING OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:00
P.M..MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2000, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL IN
KALISPELL, MONTANA. MAYOR WILLIAM E. BOHARSKI PRESIDED. COUNCIL
MEMBERS JIM ATKINSON, DON COUNSELL, DALE HAARR, RANDY KENYON, DUANE
LARSON, FRED LEISTIKO, DOUG SCARFF, RON VAN NATTA AND CITY MANAGER
CHRIS KUKULSKI AND CITY ATTORNEY GLEN NEIER WERE PRESENT.
Mayor Boharski called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
AGENDA APPROVAL
Haarr moved approval of the Agenda. The motion was seconded by
Scarf. f .
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote.
CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL
1. Council Minutes -Regular Meeting June 5, 2000
2. Approval of Claims per Payables Register-$208,558.89
Scarff moved approval of the Consent Agenda. The motion was
seconded by Van Natta.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote.
HEAR THE PUBLIC
Clare Hafferman, 1337 3rd Street West, said she had two questions
for the Council: 1) if taxpayers paid travel expenses for two DNRC
employees from Missoula to speak in favor of the Urban Forestry
District; and 2) if the Urban Forestry District is needed because
more money is allocated from the Parks Department budget for
recreational programs and less for tree maintenance.
Boharski answered taxpayers did not pay to have the DNRC
representatives attend the public hearing July 5, and said the
second question will probably be discussed by the Council with the
next agenda item.
ADOPTION OF PRELIMINARY BUDGET AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Council is required to adopt the Preliminary Budget by July
loth and properly notice the process for public hearing and final
adoption. The public hearing has been scheduled for July 17.
Larson
moved adoption of
the
Preliminary Budget and
the
Notice of
Public
Hearing for July
17.
The motion was seconded
by
Atkinson.
There was discussion.
Kukulski gave a brief overview of the budget stating in general,
the overall budget is down from last year, with the general fund
increasing by .08%. He said the tax millage should remain the
same, however, staff is recommending an increase in the water,
sewer and garbage fees.
Kalispell City Council Minutes
June 19, 2000
Haarr stated he will not vote in favor of the motion because it
would send a signal that the budget is fine. He said he is
disappointed in the tax increases the City is looking at this year,
especially the Urban Forestry District assessments. He said he
realizes the enterprise funds have to be run as a business, but
when you have increases in one place, you should be able to tighten
up the budget elsewhere.
Boharski agreed, saying he has brought up a number of things during
the budget work sessions, such as the salary increases and vehicle
replacement. He said with the proposed increases in the enterprise
funds, the average family of four is looking at around a $100.00
increase in taxes per year. Boharski said the City needs to negate
the effects of those increases in the general fund.
Larson commented that both Haarr and Boharski have good ideas,
however, the majority of the Council agreed during the work
sessions the ideas weren't practical. He said the budget has been
looked at and the majority of the Council felt the extra money just
isn't there.
Leistiko said making reductions on the backs of employees' salaries
is not the way to retain good employees. He said finding the cuts
is easy to say, but staff needs specific instructions and they
haven't received any. Leistiko said the Council should look further
at funding options for the Urban Forestry District, however, it's
impractical to think the entire program can be funded from the
general fund because the money isn't there.
Scarff stated he can't support the budget because he feels there
are a lot of "gimmees" and maybe this is a message to staff to see
what they can do in the next two weeks.
The motion carried upon roll call vote with Atkinson Counsell,
Kenyon, Larson, Leistiko and Van Natta voting in favor, and Haarr,
Scarff and Boharski voting against.
ORDINANCE 1356 - 1ST READING - ORDINANCE AMENDING § 2-65, KALISPELL
CITY CODE
This ordinance brings the City Code into State compliance
concerning the appeal requirements for the Municipal Court.
Haarr moved first reading of Ordinance 1356, an ordinance amending
Chapter 2, Administration, Section 2-65, Kalispell City Code, and
declaring an effective date. The motion was seconded by Van Natta.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
RESOLUTION 4560 - RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A FIRE LANE AROUND
BUFFALO HILL TERRACE
Buffalo Hill Terrace has requested that the City designate a lane
which adjoins the north, west, and south sides of the building as
a fire lane.
Larson moved Resolution 4560, a resolution establishing a fire
access lane surrounding the Buffalo Hill Terrace Retirement
Community, pursuant to Sections 6.17 (c) and 2.01, Kalispell Zoning
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June 19, 2000
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Ordinance, and declaring an effective date. The motion was seconded
by Atkinson.
There was discussion.
Larson commented that many years ago, during a high school
basketball tournament, fire lanes were plugged and the vehicles
were ticketed and towed. He said one of the vehicles belonged to a
local attorney who informed the City that each fire lane has to be
designated as such.
Carol Cockrell, Buffalo Hill Terrace Director, said she's concerned
with the security of the residents and encouraged the Council to
approve the resolution.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
RESOLUTION 4561 - RESOLUTION REVISING THE PERSONNEL POLICY MANUAL
Changes to the Personnel Manual are needed to meet MMIA (Montana
Municipal Insurance Authority) standards.
Assistant Attorney Richard Hickel explained the changes and
answered questions. He said the revisions are the result of a
special review process by MMIA. He said MMIA informed him
additional coverage was available for the defense of employment
practices claims, at no additional charge, so long as the personnel
manual met the standards mandated by MMIA. Hickel said those
changes suggested by MMIA have been incorporated in Resolution
4561.
Kukulski added the resolution also changes
the in -state meal
reimbursements to coincide with the States,
and changes
the
provision that all written reprimands must
be removed from
an
employees' personnel file after twelve months.
He said there
are
several other changes staff would like to make
to the manual in
the
future, but it's imperative to get the MMIA
changes approved
as
soon as possible.
Hickel commented the resolution also addresses remployment issues
when dealing with extended military leave.
Scarf moved Resolution 4561, a resolution adopting a revised
personnel policies handbook for all City employees and declaring an
effective date. The motion was seconded by Haarr.
There was no further discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
RESOLUTION 4562 - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FINANCE DIRECTOR TO
ADVANCE FUNDS TO THE AIRPORT RENEWAL DISTRICT FUND
This resolution authorizes a loan from the General Fund to the
Airport Urban Renewal District Fund to finance the City's
obligation for intersection improvements at the Rosauers'
redevelopment site. $40,000 will be advanced to the fund and will
be repaid with future increment at an interest rate of 616.
Leistiko moved Resolution 4562, a resolution authorizing the
Finance Director to advance funds from the General Fund to the
Airport Urban Renewal District Fund in the amount of $40,000 for
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June 19, 2000
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financing until urban renewal tax increment monies become
available. The motion was seconded by Atkinson.
There was discussion.
Haarr commented this is a loan a bank wouldn't make because there' s
no visible means of repayment.
Kukulski said this is a good lesson to remember when signing
contracts that obligate the City.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
RESOLUTION 4563 - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING FINANCE DIRECTOR TO CLOSE
OUT INACTIVE SID FUNDS
Van Natta moved Resolution 4563, a resolution authorizing the
Finance Director to close out the inactive Special Improvement
District Funds to the SID Revolving Fund. The motion was seconded
by Atkinson.
There was no discussion.
The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote.
MAYOR/COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS
Kukulski informed the Council that MDOT will soon be making a
right-of-way request to the County for property near the
Fairgrounds for the reconstruction of Meridian Road. He said Public
Works Director Jim Hansz asked engineers to develop options to
minimize the impact around the Fairgrounds and a proposal has been
developed for 6 feet of right-of-way along Wyoming Street and 28
feet along Meridian Road. He said the 28 feet of right-of-way
along Meridian Road includes a pedestrian/bike path extending to
the Athletic Complex. Kukulski said he would like Council
confirmation on the proposal prior to it being sent to MDOT.
There was discussion.
Council concurred with the proposal.
Kukulski said he will be at an Economic Development Summit in Great
Falls on Monday and would like to reschedule the work session for
Wednesday.
The majority of Council agreed.
Kukulski reminded members that even though a regular Council
meeting is set for July 3rd, the plan is to have the Mayor open the
meeting, and without a quorum being present, reset it for Monday,
July loth.
Kukulski said the web page for Kalispell is up and running and the
address is www.kalispell.com.
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Haarr asked Parks Director Mike Baker to look at different areas
for noxious weeds, especially around the hospital. He said he's
also concerned with mosquito control and spraying needs to be
addressed.
Boharski asked if the offering documents are ready for Daley Field.
Neier answered it will be advertised in the newspaper and Internet
starting next week with an response time of 120 days.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
WM-F-.�aharSk�
Wm. E. Boharski
Mayor
ATTEST:
Ll�
Theresa White
City Clerk
approved July 10, 2000
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June 19, 2000
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