12/21/87 City Council Minutes592
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A REGULAR MEETING OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:30 P.M. MONDAY DECEMBER
21, 1987 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL. MAYOR KENNEDY PRESIDED, COUNCILMEN
SCHINDLER AND GRAINGER WERE ABSENT AND ALL OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS WERE PRESENT.
Mayor Kennedy called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVE MINUTES
Regular Council meeting December 7, 1987
Councilman Nystul moved the minutes be approved. Councilwoman Robinson seconded and
the motion carried.
Special Council meeting December 9, 1987
Councilman Nystul moved the minutes be approved
the motion carried.
CITY OFFICIALS REPORTS
Treasurer's Report November
Police Chief Report "
City Judge Report "
Building Official Report "
Councilwoman Robinson seconded and
Councilman Saverud moved the reports be approved. Councilman Nystul seconded and the
motion carried.
ADDRESSING THE COUNCIL
Tom Woytus, 2725 Airport Road, spoke against the proposed department head salary
increase. He read several state and national statistics regarding public and private
sector wages. He stated it is not affordable. He said the taxes are already too high
and people can't take much more.
Councilwoman Hafferman agreed with Woytus. She asked why there weren't other voices
expressing the same? Woytus stated he bad spoken with other businessmen and they are
afraid of being boycotted by city employees and afraid of retribution by the police
force and afraid of having their taxes raised. Hafferman said they should not feel
like that.
Ross Plambeck, 309 Willow Glen Dr., stated the employees should speak for themselves.
Conn Tatum, Box 1080, said it was very tough to make it here in Kalispell. The private
sector is not getting any raises.
Colin Wills, 755 N. Main, spoke against the public employee raises. He said there is a
time when there is a saturation point and we have reached it. He said if department
head wages go up, then staff cuts should be made.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
PARKS & PUBLIC LANDS
Schedule of 1988 Golf Fees
Councilman Manning moved the 1988 Schedule of Golf Fees be accepted. Councilman Ruiz
seconded and the motion carried.
Ordinance #1112-Outdoor Advertising
An ordinance regulating the display of outdoor advertising and art form upon city
rights -of -way and upon city owned property, repealing 19-23 Kalispell City Code and
declaring an effective date.
Councilman Manning moved the adoption of Ordinance 1112. Councilman Nystul seconded
the motion. After discussion, and upon roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.
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Concession Stand-Kats Swim Team
Councilman Manning moved the concession
Nystul seconded and the motion carried.
stand be open from 11-4:30 daily. Councilman
Boom Truck Report
Councilman Manning reported the committee recommends the boom truck be leased for this
year, not purchased.
Councilman Manning moved to reject all bids on the boom truck. Councilman Nystul
seconded and the motion carried.
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FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Approve Claims
Councilwoman Robinson moved the claims found in order be paid. Councilman Nystul
seconded and the motion carried.
Ordinance #1113-Salary Ordinance -First Reading
An Ordinance amending Ordinance NO. 1111, fixing the limits of the salary and
compensation of the City Officials, Supervisors, and employees pursuant to Title 7
Chapter 4, Part 42, M.C.A., beginning July 1, 1987; repealing all other Ordinances in
conflict therewith.
Councilwoman Robinson pointed out the salary ordinance was an effort of the entire
council and several workshops. She added there were a few times items in the committee
meeting that were not finalized.
She noted exhibits A, B, & C, particularly C. She said that there were differences
between the salaries of the Chief of Police, the Fire Chief, Surveyor and the Deputy
City Clerk. She said the committee was not in full agreement and would like it placed
on the floor for discussion.
Councilman Nystul said he felt these issues would be better served if resolved at a
council workshop setting rather than on the floor of the council at this time.
Councilman Saverud agreed with Nystul. He said much effort had been put in to get this
resolved, but did not feel they were ready. They set out to make some salary
adjustments and come up with some type of a system, that had some sense, to make
realistic adjustments in the future. He said we have 3 years of some type of
adjustments programmed but we still don't have a matrix, a method whereby we have a
systematic way of looking at salary adjustments in succeeding years. He stated the Park
Director's position has not been taken into account, due to the position not being
filled but would be any day. He felt it should be looked at. He said he was not
completely satisfied with the working papers. He did not feel an addendum to the
salary ordinance was appropriate.
He said there were a number of things that were talked about and should have been
resolved that weren't.
Councilman Ruiz stated he felt the amounts in Column 3 were agreed on, and felt the
ordinance should be adopted and adjustments made for the 2nd and 3rd year.
There was lengthy discussion concerning the ordinance.
Ken Hamner, 402 Northridge Dr., Public Works Director, stated he was flabbergasted that
the mayor and council would allow Woytus to make a statement about our police
department, saying the reason there weren't more people here opposing the salary
ordinance was because they were afraid of reprisals. He said the fact he got away with
saying something like that was embarrassing. Hammer said we have a good police
department and that Clark does a super job.
He stated including himself, the Sewer & Water Superintendent, Street Supervisor and
Surveyor, there are 4 non union employees running a 4 million dollar business. He could
not believe someone would say they don't deserve a raise. He stated he has 41
employees which are managed by 4 department heads.
He said the 18 department heads got together and argued and discussed and felt they
came up with a fair offer and it was rejected totally.
He said when there are problems - the department heads are never confronted. When the
Dept. Heads try to confront the council -they don't want to listen. He said the Dept.
Heads receive no respect at all. He said they all do the best job they can.
Police Chief Ad Clark stated he had saved the city $59,000 in actual projected savings.
He said he did not hear the comment made by Woytus or he would have responded earlier.
He said he worked very hard to have a good department. He said if there were people
lined up that ran large businesses successfully, to say they hire the cheapest they can
and tell them to get down the road if they didn't like it -then he might feel he should
change things and would easier understand the philosophies of a few people. He would
not be able to provide the service he does and would lower his standards for this
department.
Duane Larson, Fire Chief, said he was proud to be a public employee. He stated he was
not a second class citizen. He has worked the private and public sector. He stated he
did not understand the council not having an opportunity to discuss the pay plan. He
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said the department heads have given them several opportunities to meet with them
individually and have been turned down. He said he has given personal invitations to
the council to come to his department and look it over and never received any response.
He said if department heads are not doing a good job and the council does not get rid
of them, then they are not doing their job. He said the council should be ashamed of
themselves for letting a statement like Woytus's be made about their department heads.
Correction:
Councilman Saverud said the council had met with the department heads a number
of times and Larson agreed but said job descriptions and department operations
' were never discussed.
Fred Zavodny, Surveyor, stated he had been attending City Council meetings for 10
years. When addressing the council -it is usually in a negative manner. He said 3
people oppose this pay plan and he would like to see it passed.
Conn Tatum, Box 1080, asked if a comparison study had been done. He said his
complaint is the private sector is going down and the public sector is going up.
Councilwoman Robinson moved the acceptance of Ordinance 1113, as the first reading and
to make adjustments and return January 4, 1988 with an ordinance. Councilman Nystul
seconded.
Upon roll call vote, Councilman Nanning, Ruiz, and Nystul voted yes with Councilwoman
Robinson, Hafferman and Saverud voting no. With a tie vote, Mayor Kennedy voted yes
and the motion carried.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Awarding of Police Car Bid
Councilman Saverud moved the bond be awarded to the low bid by Jim Dowen for the 1988
Chevrolet, for the amount of $11,997.00 with trade in of Car 6. Councilman Nystul
seconded and the motion carried.
Computer System Bid
Councilman Saverud moved the acceptance of bid from Mountain Computer with the low bid
of $11,707.00. Councilman Nystul seconded and the motion carried.
ANNEXATION -no report
Ordinance 1114-Designating Community Development Administrator City Airport
An ordinance designating the Community Development Department as administrator of
operations for the Kalispell City Airport, authorizing the City Council of the City of
Kalispell to establish by resolution a fee schedule for users of the airport and
declaring an effective date.
Councilman Saverud stated there would be a modified resolution following to identify
the fee schedule. He so moved Ordinance 1114. Councilman Nystul seconded and upon
roll call vote, carried unanimously.
Resolution 3773-Establishing Rates/Fees City Airport
A resolution establishing a schedule of rates, fees and charges to be levied by the
City of Kalispell on users of the Kalispell City Airport and authorizing certain fixed
based operators to collect said rates, fees and charges on behalf of the city.
Councilman Saverud moved the adoption of Resolution 3773. Councilman Manning
seconded the motion. Upon roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Selection of Appraisal Firm Airport Property
Councilman Saverud stated the committee recommends Jim Kelly be hired to appraise the
property. The cost would be $650.00. Councilman Saverud so moved and Councilman
Manning seconded. The motion carried.
Block Grant Award
Councilman Saverud read portions of the letter from the Department of Commerce awarding
the City of Kalispell a Block Grant in the amount of $375,000.00 for the southwest
sewer project.
Mayor Kennedy complimented Community Development on being awarded the grant.
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Hockaday Grant Award
Councilman Saverud announced the Hockaday Center had been awarded a grant in the amount
of $50,000 from the Burlington Northern Foundation, to be applied toward the
construction addition project.
PERSONNEL & POLICY - no report
PUBLIC WORKS
Councilman Ruiz stated since this was his last council meeting -he would like to thank
PWD Hammer for the past relationship they had and also with the committee. He pointed
out a memo he received from Hanauer dated 12/9/87 on the department's accomplishments
and complimented him and his department.
WATER & SEWER
Approve Facility Plan for Southwest Area
Councilman Nystul stated the facility plan for the southwest area had been approved by
the engineer and reviewed by the staff. He moved the City accept the facility plan for
the southwest area. Councilman Ruiz seconded and the motion carried, with Councilwoman
Hafferman voting no.
Authorize Mayor to Sign Letter on Southwest Area
Councilman Nystul moved the mayor be authorized to sign the letter of application for
the southwest area grant application. Councilman Ruiz seconded and the motion
carried with Councilwoman Hafferman voting no.
Direct Mayor to Write Letter re EPA Regs
Councilman Nystul moved the Mayor write a letter to our congressional delegation and
the Environment Protection Agency expressing our concerns of the unnecessary costs
proposed to be incurred in the testing of the drinking water in the city of Kalispell.
Councilman Ruiz seconded and the motion carried.
Authorize Final Reimbursement on Sludge Handling Facility
Councilman Nystul moved the Mayor be authorized to sign the amended final reimbursement
request for the sludge handling facility. Councilman Ruiz seconded and the motion
carried.
Order for Amendment to Phosphorus Removal Facility Plan
Councilman Nystul stated a change was necessary in the contract. Nystul moved the
Mayor be authorized to sign the necessary change order for amendment to the phosphorus
removal facility plan. Councilman Ruiz seconded and the motion carried.
Selection of Construction Engineer for First Alley West
Councilman Nystul moved the Public Works Department be authorized to solicit for
engineering services for the construction phase of the First Alley West Project.
Councilman Ruiz seconded and the motion carried.
Agreement with Building Owners -First Alley West
Councilman Nystul moved the consulting engineer be authorized to lump sum agreements
for payments for plumbing modifications to buildings on First Alley West and directing
City Attorney Neier to draw up the agreements and authorize the Mayor to sign these
agreements as appropriate. Councilman Ruiz seconded the motion. After some
discussion, the motion carried.
Authorize Director of Public Works re Bids First Alley West Construction
Councilman Nystul moved the staff be authorized to call for bids on the First Alley
West project with a bid opening of the second meeting in February. Councilman Ruiz
seconded and the motion carried.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT'S, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND APPOINTMENT;
Mayor Kennedy wished everyone Merry Christmas.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 9:36 p.m.
ohn "Ed" Kennedy, Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:
Don Halver, Clerk/Treasurer