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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 Kalispell City Council Minutes June 19, 2000 Page 2 of 5 1641 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 Kalispell City Council Minutes June 19, 2000 Page 3 of 5 1642 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. Kalispell City Council Minutes June 19, 2000 Page 4 of 5 1643 1 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 Kalispell City Council Minutes June 19, 2000 Page 5 of 5