03/16/98 City Council Minutes1132
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A REGULAR MEETING OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:00
P.M. MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1998, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL
IN KALISPELL, MONTANA. MAYOR BILL BOHARSKI PRESIDED. COUNCIL
MEMBERS JIM ATKINSON, NORBERT DONAHUE, JOHN GRAVES, DALE HAARR,
DUANE LARSON, GARY NYSTUL, RON VAN NATTA, DOUG SCARFF AND CITY
ATTORNEY GLEN NEIER AND CITY MANAGER CLARENCE KREPPS WERE PRESENT.
Mayor Boharski called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Haarr moved to approve the agenda with Consent Agenda Items D, E
and G being moved to Items 8, 9 and 10, and also adding Item 11,
appointments of sub -committees to meeting with County officials for
the purpose of discuss the County Administrative Board and the
City/County Health Board. The motion was seconded by Donahue.
There was discussion.
Larson asked why the boards are under discussion.
Boharski answered the Commissioners have asked the City to look at
the CAB makeup and the way the budgets are done for both the CAB
and the Health Board.
The motion carried with Donahue, Graves, Haarr, Larson, Nystul,
Scarff, Van Natta and Boharski voting in favor and Atkinson voting
against.
A. Council Minutes -Regular Meeting
B. Approval of Claims per Payables Register-$286,784.46
C. Award Bid -Center Street and First Avenue East Traffic Signal
Installation.
D. Approval of Landscaping Plan -Highway 93 South
Nystul moved to approve the consent agenda. The motion was
seconded by Van Natta.
There was discussion.
Nystul moved to deny the claim for the National League of Cities in
the amount of $1,458 be deleted from the Payables Register. The
motion was seconded by Haarr.
There was discussion.
Nystul stated by virtue of being a member of the Montana League of
Cities and Towns is a member of the National League and in his
opinion the Council hasn't done much with the National membership.
Atkinson asked Krepps why the National League would ask for
membership dues if the City is automatically a member by paying
dues to the Montana League?
Krepps said he felt Kalispell would not be a direct member, but he
would check it.
Nystul said they would not be a direct member, but would remain as
an indirect member and still receive information through the
Montana League office in Helena.
Krepps stated he would gather further information on the
differences between being a "direct member and "indirect member" if
the Council so chooses. He added, however, that by dropping the
dues if Council members want to attend National League meetings in
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the future the registration rate would be 20 percent higher.
van Natta said he would like to try a year without being a member
to see how things go. He said by not being a direct member it
would at least cut down on the amount of junk mail he receives.
Boharski added that the Internet site for the National League of
Cities is available and no password is needed for an abundance of
information.
Larson stated he views the National League of Cities as more than
a center for junk mail. He said the National League does a lot of
lobbying to help get legislation passed at a national level. He
added he believes whenever you benefit from an organization's
efforts you should support that organization.
Donahue commented he has attempted to drop the budget item for the
last two years and added the City can spend the thousand dollars in
a way that would be a lot more beneficial.
Haarr said he has attended National meetings in the past and felt
the information obtained was never put to use later. He said he
felt a year out of the National League is a good trial period.
The motion carried with Donahue, Graves, Haarr, Nystul, Scarff, Van
Natta and Boharski voting in favor and Atkinson and Larson voting
against.
Donahue commented he noticed in the payables register a claim for
AA batteries. He suggested in the future maybe the departments can
save money by buying rechargeable batteries instead.
Boharski commented that the bid for the traffic signal at Center
Street and ls" Avenue East was higher than expected. He asked
Krepps if the cost is going to be higher for all the street light
projects.
Krepps answered he expects the City will have to budget $130,000 in
the future versus the $110,000 budgeted now.
The motion carried unanimously.
HEARING THE PUBLIC
Ordinance 1282-Reer and Wine T, i _ _nc-.e_F_ee-_2nd__Reading
Vinny Weisman, vinny's Cafe, 120 Main street, asked why the City
fee for a beer license with gambling privileges, ie. Pizza Hut, is
$200.00. He said if this is correct why should people like him be
charged $300.00 for a beer and wine license with no gambling.
Boharski answered the gambling license is separate and you are not
allowed to gamble with a beer license.
Ordinanr 84-Thompson, Noble & McK;n1ey__ZDne Change-2nd Reading
Kent Saxby, Attorney with Warden, Christiansen, Johnson & Berg
spoke in favor of Ordinance 1284 stating his clients, the Nobles,
would agree with either an RA-3 or R-5 zoning designation.
REQUEST FROM MICHAEL SEAMAN _ FOR SEWER CONNECTION-405 ___EAST
COTTONWOOD
Michael Seaman has recently purchased the property at 405 East
Cottonwood and desires to be hooked to the Evergreen Sewer System.
Krepps felt the request should be denied because it would be
extremely difficult to control the "service line" and prohibit
future hook ups to the line to serve other users. In addition,
Krepps said the parcel has a working septic system.
Van Natta moved to reject the request. The motion was seconded by
Atkinson.
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There was discussion.
Nystul stated for the record, the Council recently discussed
another request from Evergreen and he suggested the Evergreen
District provide the Council with some input. He said he would
like to know whether the District approves or disapproves of the
requests.
Jim Hansz, Public Works Director, said the Evergreen Board did
approve the hook up contingent on consent from the City and he
apologized for not adding that information to the Council packets.
Nystul said it appears that the request from Seaman is just for
permission to be another customer of Evergreen and the City of
Kalispell would not be involved other than the hook up fee. He
said you cannot hook other people up to a service line without the
City's permission and if others wanted to hook on they could not
legally do so, therefore he felt the concern of not being able to
control the service line is not germane to this request.
Boharski asked if it is theoretically possible to illegally hook up
to a service line.
Hansz answered it would actually be fairly simple.
Donahue spoke in favor of the denial.
The motion carried unanimously.
ORDINANCE 1282-BEER/WINE LICENSE FEE-2ND READING
This is the second reading of an ordinance to set an annual license
fee for restaurant beer and wine licenses to be paid to the City.
At the last meeting, the Council voted to set the fee at $300.00.
Donahue moved Ordinance 1282, an ordinance amending Chapter 3,
Alcoholic Beverages, Kalispell Municipal Code by amending Ordinance
874, Section 1 (Section 3-6, Kalispell City Code) to provide for an
annual license fee for restaurant beer and wine licenses, and to
declare an effective date. The motion was seconded by Scarff.
There was no discussion.
With a roll call vote the motion carried with Donahue, Graves,
Larson, Nystul, Scarff, Van Natta and Boharski voting in favor and
Atkinson and Haarr voting against.
ORDINANCE 12.83-FINAL ZONING -WHITE ANNEXATION TO R-3-2ND READING
Last meeting the Council annexed property owned by Edgar and
Margaret White with an initial zoning designation of R-3. This is
the second reading to finalize the zoning.
Haarr moved Ordinance 1283, an ordinance to amend Section
27.02.010, Official Zoning Map, City of Kalispell Zoning Ordinance
(Ordinance No. 1175), by zoning property known as Assessors Tract
24A located in Section 8, Township 28 North, Range 21 West, P.M.M.,
Flathead County, Montana (previously zoned County R-1, Suburban
Residential), City R-3, Urban Single Family Residential, in
accordance with the City -County Master Plan, and to provide an
effect date. The motion was seconded by Nystul.
There was no discussion.
With a roll call vote the motion carried with Atkinson, Donahue,
Graves, Haarr, Larson, Nystul, Scarff, Van Natta and Boharski
voting in favor.
ORDINANCE 1284-THOMPSON, N0BLE &__Mn_KINLEY ZONE CHANGE-2ND__RRAnTNr.
This is the second reading of an ordinance to change the zoning
designation of several properties located on the east side of North
Meridian Road just south of Three Mile Drive. At the last meeting
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the Council voted classify the properties as RA-3.
Larson moved Ordinance 1284, an ordinance to amend Section
27.02.010, Official Zoning Map, City of Kalispell Zoning Ordinance
(Ordinance No. 1175), by rezoning property owned by Glen and
Mildred Thompson, Cecil and Isabel Noble and Catherine McKinley,
Living Trust, Kalispell, Flathead County, Montana, (previously
zoned R-3, Residential and RA-1, Residential Apartment District),
to an RA-3, Residential Apartment/Office District, in accordance
with the City -County Master Plan, and to provide an effective date.
The motion was seconded by Nystul.
There was no discussion.
With a roll call vote the motion carried with Atkinson, Donahue,
Graves, Haarr, Larson, Nystul, Scarff, Van Natta and Boharski
voting in favor.
RESOLUTION 4396-HINES ANNEXATION
Donald Hines, the owner of property located on the west side of
Highway 93 South, has requested that the City of Kalispell annex
the area into the City with a B-2 zoning classification.
Krepps explained the property contains approximately one and one
half acres and the Planning Board has unanimously recommended
annexation.
Nystul moved Resolution 43961, a resolution to provide for the
alteration of the boundaries of the City of Kalispell by including
therein, as an annexation, certain real property described in
Exhibit A, to be known as Hines Addition No. 285, to zone said
property General Business, B-2, to amend the City Zoning Map
accordingly and to declare an effective date. The motion was
seconded by Graves.
There was discussion and Narda Wilson of the Flathead Regional
Development Office answered questions.
Boharski asked Wilson if there is any difference between City B-2
and County B-2.
Wilson stated Hines owns an auto repair operation which is listed
as a conditional use in County B-2 and is listed as a permitted use
in City B-2.
Boharski asked if the property runs into the "Object Free" area.
Wilson answered the property is east of this area and is entirely
out of either the "Runway Protection" zone or the "Object Free" area.
Boharski requested that Krepps check the plans to make sure prior
to the second reading Ordinance 1285.
With a roll call vote the motion carried with Atkinson, Donahue,
Graves, Haarr, Larson, Nystul, Scarff, Van Natta and Boharski
voting in favor.
ORDINANCE 12.85-INITIAL ZONING QE HINES PR11PERTY_TQ_B.-_-1S11 READING
This land is currently zoned County B-2. Upon annexation the City
needs to determine the initial zoning for the City. The
recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission is to support
the requested zoning of City B-2.
Atkinson moved Ordinance 1285, an ordinance to amend Section
27.02.010, Official Zoning Map, City of Kalispell Zoning Ordinance,
(Ordinance No. 1175), by zoning certain real property described in
Exhibit A (previously zoned County B-2, General Business), City B-
2, General Business, in accordance with the City -County Master
Plan, and to provide an effective date. The motion was seconded by
Nystul.
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There was no discussion.
With a roll call vote the motion carried with Atkinson, Donahue,
Graves, Haarr, Larson, Nystul, Scarff, Van Natta and Boharski
voting in favor.
APPROVAL OF MANAGEMENT & PROGRAM INCOME PLAN -SAMARITAN HOUSE
EXPANS T[1N
The Management & Program Income Plan comprises three documents
which were prepared for the protection of the City and to fulfill
the requirements of the CDBG, HOME and AHP grants.
Larson moved to approve the Management & Program Income Plan for
the Samaritan House. The motion was seconded by Atkinson.
Susan Moyer from the Planning, Economic and Community Development
office explained the documents are basically "boiler plate" from the
Montana Department of Commerce with just a few differences. Moyer
said the grants require that the money is spent properly and the
documents are typical of those in past projects.
Nystul asked if a deed restriction will be filed making sure all
the requirements are met.
Moyer answered a deed restriction will be filed on every phase of
the Samaritan project.
Boharski voiced a concern about the staffing and contractor
services and asked if the Samaritan project is similar to the
Woodland Court project.
Moyer answered it is similar to Woodland Court, the Courtyard
Apartments and projects that were done for years for housing
rehabilitation.
Boharski stated he is concerned because the woodland Court project
is going to involve the City in at least two different arbitrations
or lawsuits because of errors that were made by someone and he
hopes the process has been improved.
Larson said he disagrees that errors were made in Woodland Court.
He said that is something to be decided by a Court of Law.
The motion carried unanimously.
AWARD AID -SAMARITAN HOUSE EXPANSION -PHASE T & Il
Staff opened bids for the Samaritan House project on March 10, 1998
with six bids being received. The low bid was from Swan
Enterprises including the combined Base Bid of $1,104,000 plus
alternate number 1 in the amount of $30,000 for a total amount of
$1,134,000.
Krepps explained there was an error of $16,400 in the Swank bid,
but they are still the low bidder at $1,150,400 and he recommended
Council approval.
Larson moved the bid for the Samaritan House expansion be approved
and the City Manager be authorized to sign the project contract.
The motion was seconded by Atkinson.
There was discussion and Susan Moyer answered questions.
Boharski asked how much is allowed for potential cost overruns.
Moyer answered there is a 10 percent contingency fund on the
project for Phase I and Phase II.
The motion carried unanimously.
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POLICE COMMISSION APPOIN'T'MENTIS
The Police Commission is a civilian board established to formally
examine all applicants and certify qualified candidates for City
Police Officers and then submit its recommendation to the City
Manager. The Board is also qualified to hear and decide appeals.
Krepps explained State Code requires the Manager to nominate
candidates for the Police Commission. Krepps said there haven't
been any updated appointments for the Commission for several years
and State Code states an appointment, or re -appointment should be
made once every May. Krepps recommended Jim Vidal be reappointed
for a one-year term through May, 1999, Joan Jellison be reappointed
for a two-year term through May, 2000, and Ron Peterson be
appointed for a three-year term through May 2001.
Boharski commented this is another area where the City's Ordinance
1166 conflicts with State Statute. He said Ordinance 1166 states
the Mayor makes the appointments to the Police Commission but State
Code says the appointments are made by the Manager. Boharski said
the City is looking into the possibility of bringing an amendment
to the Ordinance which would state something to the effect "unless
otherwise specifically required by State law."
Nystul moved the re -appointment of Jim Vidal to the Police
Commission for a term to expire May, 1999. The motion was seconded
by Van Natta.
There was discussion and Chief of Police Ad Clark answered
questions.
Nystul asked if the Police Commission has been involved in the
recent hiring of police officers.
Clark said the Police Commission has been used during the hiring
processes even though the Department was unaware the terms had
expired.
Donahue commented State Statute requires new appointees to come
before the Council for approval after serving for one year and he
hopes the situation doesn't happen again.
The motion carried unanimously.
Donahue moved the re -appointment of Joan Jellison for a seat on the
Police Commission for a term to expire May, 2000. The motion was
seconded by Haarr.
The motion carried unanimously.
Scarff moved the appointment of Ron Peterson to fill the third seat
vacated by Dan Korn for a term to expire May, 2001. The motion was
seconded by Atkinson.
The motion carried unanimously.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD AND CITY -COUNTY HEALTH BOARD
Boharski explained the County Commissioners have had some concerns
about the CAB and the Health Board. Boharski said he would like to
appoint a committee of three council members to work with the
Commissioners and the other City Councils, if they are so inclined,
and bring a recommendation back to the full Council for approval.
Boharski said he hopes a few things can be streamlined and a
recommendation can be made to bring everything technically in line.
Haarr moved the Council accept the Mayor's prerogative to appoint
sub -committees for the Health Board and the CAB. The motion was
seconded by Donahue.
There was discussion.
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van Natta stated he is in favor of the motion if the intent is to
bring the Boards into conformance with Ordinance 1166, but he added
he is not in favor of changing the Ordinance.
Atkinson spoke in opposition to the motion stating when the City
started the City Manager form of government the Council became a
"committee as a whole." He said in the past there was numerous
committees and there was a great deal of power in the committee
form that he felt did not serve the best interests of the entire
Council and the entire City. Atkinson said the "committee as a
whole" needs to remain. He said the forming of sub -committees is
a step in the wrong direction.
Boharski responded there is a tremendous amount of things not
getting done and this is the only way to get some of those things
out of the way. He added the committee can't do anything without
concurrence of the full council.
Atkinson disagreed, saying committee members decide what items are
discussed and what items are brought forth to the Council.
Larson said he worked under the committee system when he was first
elected to the Council and it doesn't get things done. He said the
Council as a committee as a whole got much more accomplished than
the old committee structure. Larson added if there are technical
errors they can be fixed without having a committee appointed.
Donahue said he has seen many things that have not been done in the
past two years that could have been resolved by a committee. He
said the problem with the Health Board is that the law has changed
substantially since the Interlocal Agreement was written. Donahue
said he hopes the subcommittees can come back to the Council with
a draft of a new Interlocal Agreement. He said one of the problems
with the Health Board is there is no oversight on the budget. He
said the budget should come before the Council and the
Commissioners for approval.
Larson said he's not sure that having oversight over the budget is
anything other than meddling.
Nystul said the issue is whether to create two ad hoc committees to
look at these issues. He said this committee differs substantially
from the committees that were under the Mayor/Council form of
government where the committees were administrative and did in fact
manage in the absence of a city manager.
Haarr said the City doesn't have a perceived problem, but an
obvious problem with the interlocal agreements with the Health
Dept. and the CAB. He added he doesn't have time to look at every
one of these issues yet he feels they're important. He said a
small group that doesn't have any power to act and that sincerely
wants to make corrections in the laws should have the opportunity
to do so.
The motion carried with Donahue, Graves, Haarr, Nystul, Scarff and
Boharski voting in favor and Atkinson, Larson and Van Natta voting
against.
For the Health Board committee, Boharski appointed Donahue as
chairman along with Larson and Scarff. For the CAB committee
Boharski appointed Haarr as chairman, Donahue and van Natta.
Krepps commented the meetings must be open and agendas posted.
Krepps reminded the Council of the upcoming Joint Committee meeting
on Monday, March 30" and asked the Council for three items to place
on the agenda. Van Natta suggested discussing the County
Administrative Board, Atkinson would like to discuss space concerns
and the possibility of a City/County building and Haarr suggested
discussing the possibility of developing a mutual fire training
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center. As another suggestion, Boharski added the meeting could
also possibly include the discussion of a joint SWAT team.
Krepps also pointed out Irwin Davis representatives have informed
the City they are not proceeding with the purchase of the KDC
property. Krepps asked that a special meeting be held March 25-"
to discuss the KDC property, the National Flood property and Daley
Field.
Boharski asked if the Council was to decide to allow Irwin Davis to
purchase one third of the property would the City have to re -offer
it.
Neier answered if the property is going to be broken down the
property has to be re -advertised.
It was agreed to convene March 25`` at 6:30 p.m. as a Special
Council Meeting with an agenda so that action can be taken if
needed.
Krepps also asked if a strategic planning session could be
scheduled for March 28`h. It was agreed to meet at 9:30 a.m. on
Saturday, March 28".
rnlINCTT. COMMENTG/INFORMATION/QUESTIONS
Boharski questioned Krepps about the status of the new Clerk
position. He said the personnel manual, § 50-9, calls for an
issues and options paper to be prepared for review by the City
Manager and the City Council when a job is reclassified. Boharski
asked if an Issues and Options paper had been prepared.
Krepps answered the paper was not prepared because he feels the job
was not reclassified. He added two jobs were combined and a job
was down graded which, according to the personnel manual, can be
done solely by the City Manager. Krepps said by combining the jobs
it will result in a savings between $10,858 to $13,000 which adds
up to about one half to two thirds of a mill.
Boharski said it would be appropriate to prepare a paper for the
Council so they are informed, especially since one job includes an
increase in salary. He asked Neier to prepare a memo to the
Council on whether the position change was done correctly.
Krepps responded the Personnel Department and the City Attorney
were involved in the change all the way through the process. He
added he hopes the issue doesn't involve personalities and/or
specific employees because there are a lot of rumors going around.
Boharski said if the Council was kept more informed rumors could be
avoided. He asked what the salary is for the new Clerk position.
Krepps answered he didn't have the exact figure in front of him but
the Council will receive a full report.
Boharski said he is concerned the salary
is within 15% of
$24,549,
the bottom of the pay scale for that
manual § 50-2 requires all new employees
position. He said policy
start at the bottom of the
pay scale unless a window is needed to work within which
case the
maximum is 15% above the base pay. Boharski said he felt
the idea
of combining the jobs and saving money
is a good idea,
but what
happens is the salary window gets wider
for the Clerk's
job which
will have a budget impact over time.
Krepps agreed but added normally in personnel policy when jobs are
changed, and additional responsibilities are added, you pay for
those additional responsibilities.
Haarr questioned Krepps about problems City Service is having with
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the proposed Meridian Road site and requested the Council check
into what the proposal is doing to that business.
Krepps said he understands that City Service is having trouble with
the proposed turning radius' proposed by Montana Department of
Transportation which presents some problems for large trucks going
in and out of City Service, but he added MDOT is looking at the
proposal from a safety standpoint. He said Public Works Director
Jim Hansz has written to MDOT asking for reconsideration, but the
final decision rests with the State.
Haarr, on another issue, commented on the negative press the
Council has been receiving lately and he feels the Council and the
Manager have been avoiding the issue. Haarr said he doesn't know
where the negative press has emanated from but a "clearing of the
air" is needed. He said each Council member was elected by
constituents from their respective wards, the Mayor was elected
from all four Wards, and the Manager serves at the pleasure of the
Mayor and Council. Haarr said if the Council can't ask questions
of the Manager as to specific issues then there is a problem. He
said he feels like he "operates in a vacuum" with the only
information he receives coming in the form of a notebook every two
weeks. Haarr said he doesn't think any of the Council wants to do
away with the Manager form of government, which has been suggested
in the press, and he certainly doesn't want to get involved with
personnel hiring and firing, but he does want timely information to
make an educated decision. As an example, Haarr said the Council
may have received a phone call about the change in the Clerk's
position but they never heard anything else. He said he just wants
to get away from the negative and hopes at the session on March 28rh
the Council and Manager can clear the air.
Boharski added in his opinion, which is in conformance with the
City Manager form of government, he or any Council member has the
right to give any input to the manager, whether the manager agrees
or not, on any issue in this City. He said even if he has a friend
that he thinks is a great employee he is going to pass the
information along to the manager, even though the manager has the
final decision. Boharski said at some point the Council has to get
involved. He stated one of the reasons he ran for Mayor is because
he felt the previous Council was just "cruising along." He said he
feels the current Council has moved forward on more things in the
last two and one half months than the previous Council did on a lot
of things. He concurred with Haarr's statement that the Mayor and
Council cannot be successful at their jobs unless they know as much
as possible about what is going on in the City of Kalispell.
Larson said he respectfully disagreed with the comments made by
Boharski and Haarr saying he thought a lot of the negative things
in the press originated at the Council table. Larson said if
Boharski wasn't concerned about the hiring and firing, why did he
ask Neier for an opinion on whether the Council can change the
policy. Larson added part of Boharski's campaign included bringing
the Council into a more harmonious condition but that hasn't
happened and it's not likely to happen as long as behind the scenes
meetings take place, engineering of the agendas takes place and the
control of the communications takes place. He said the Council's
decorum at the meetings influences what is printed in the press.
Van Natta said he doesn't feel the problem lies with either the
City Manager or the Mayor but he does have a problem with the
agenda by adding to the agenda each week at the beginning of the
meetings and moving things around in the agenda. He added he thinks
there is an agenda "behind that." Van Natta said he hopes everyone
can get together and function as a group for the good of the people
of Kalispell, not certain individuals that may receive some
favoritism.
Donahue, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, passed out Ancient Order of
Hibernian pins to each of the Council members and the City Manager
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and made each of them an honorary Irishman for March 17.
Donahue moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Atkinson.
The motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
ATTEST:
7a�
Theresa White
Clerk of Council
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6JM.E .B&ar*! .
Wm. E. Boharski, Mayor