Loading...
08/07/00 City Council Minutes1661 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:00 P.M. MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2000, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL IN KALISPELL, MONTANA. MAYOR WILLIAM E. BOHARSKI PRESIDED. COUNCIL MEMBERS 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. COUNCIL MEMBER JIM ATKINSON WAS ABSENT. 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 Van Natta. There was no discussion. The motion carried unanimously upon vote. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL 1. Council Minutes - Special Meeting - July 10, 2000 Council Minutes - Regular Meeting - July 17, 2000 2. Approval of Claims per Payables Register-$583,080.42 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 Mayre Flowers, Citizens for a Better Flathead, complimented the Council on its decision to revise the Growth Policy Plan, however, she said she's concerned with the Council's plan to only accept public input once the revisions are presented. She suggested Council hold an "open house" with the public to make everyone fully aware of the issues, and suggested members look at other communities to see what they have done. David Downey, President of the Friends of Lawrence Park, said he's concerned with the recent vandalism at the park and asked the Council to lock the gate at 10:00 p.m. Kukulski commented there has been a high amount of park vandalism this year and closing the parks has been discussed as an option. He said in the meantime, police patrol has been increased. ORDINANCE 1357 - 2ND READING - ORDINANCE AMENDING THE KALISPELL SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS Currently, the regulations provide for review of subdivisions under the generic term "days". House Bill 300 clarifies the review time line to mean "working days", which in effect increases the amount of time available to local governments to review and act upon subdivision proposals. Council approved the ordinance on first reading July loth. Scarff moved second reading of Ordinance 1357, an ordinance amending the Kalispell Subdivision regulations by clarifying the Kalispell City Council Minutes August 7, 2000 1662 amount of time allowed for reviewing major and minor subdivisions in order to comply with State statute, and declaring an effective date. The motion was seconded by Larson. There was no discussion. The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote. ORDINANCE 1358 - 2ND READING - SALARY ORDINANCE AMENDMENT A change in the salary ordinance is required following the recent ratification of the AFSCME Contract. Council approved Ordinance 1358 on first reading July 17th. Van Natta moved second reading of Ordinance 1358, an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1353, 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., commencing on the dates indicated herein, and repealing all other ordinances in conflict therewith. The motion was seconded by Larson. There was no discussion. The motion carried upon roll call vote with Haarr, Scarff and Boharski voting against. ORDINANCE 1359 - 1ST READING - UNIFORM FIRE CODE The City needs to adopt the 1997 Uniform Fire Code and the Appendices and Uniform Fire Code Standards just as they were approved by the State Fire Prevention and Investigation Program. Larson moved Ordinance 1359, an ordinance to adopt, by reference, the Uniform Fire Code and the Appendices, 1997 Edition (UFC), and the Uniform Fire Code Standards, 1997 Edition (UFC Standards), with the additions, amendments, and deletions enumerated by the Fire Prevention and Investigation Program (FPIP) in ARM 23.7.301 through 23.7.310, as the Fire Codes of the City of Kalispell, and applicable within the corporate boundaries of the City, to provide a penalty for the violation of any lawful order issued pursuant thereto, and establishing an effective date. The motion was seconded by Counsell. There was no discussion. The motion carried unanimously upon vote. RESOLUTION 4568 - ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS This resolution is adopted annually to provide budget authority for the operation of the City. Larson moved Resolution 4568, a resolution fixing the annual appropriations for the City of Kalispell, Montana, as set forth in the 2000-2001 Budget adopted by the City Council. The motion was seconded by Van Natta. There was discussion. Kukulski explained that with legislative changes, the City needs to levy 122 mills this year to create the same revenue as the 114 mills levied last year. Kalispell City Council Minutes August 7, 2000 Page 2 of 7 1663 Leistiko asked Kukulski to explain what funds are available in the Downtown Tax Increment District concerning the renovation of City Hall and the Streetscape Program. Kukulski said it's estimated that approximately one million dollars will be available in the Downtown District this fiscal year. He reminded everyone that the Council has yet to approve either the Streetscape Project, or the renovation of City Hall, and several workshops will be held concerning both. Haarr said he can't support the budget, primarily because of the procedure. He said he feels it's backwards to have all of the expenditures presented and then set a mill levy to pay for them. Haarr stated instead, the Council should determine how much money there is to spend and let the Department Heads build a budget around that amount. He said it's time the Council consider the lower income citizens who have to cut their grocery budget when taxes are increased. Larson said nobody likes to raise taxes, but the City is affected by inflation the same as everyone else. He said all costs have gone up because of inflation and the City doesn't have any control over it. Larson added, however, that he would be willing to look at a different method of handling the budget. Leistiko said he enjoyed the budget process and felt it was very informative. He said even though it's a lengthy process, it needs to be done. As far as raising fees, Leistiko stated there hasn't been rate increases in years and it's long overdue. Scarff agreed, commenting previous Councils have neglected their duties by not raising rates a little bit at a time instead of waiting until the enterprise funds are in trouble. He suggested the Council establish a policy to raise rates a little bit every year to prevent this kind of an increase happening again. Boharski said his property taxes have actually gone down, but when the rate increases for sewer, water, garbage and the urban forestry district are added, he will be paying an additional sixty to seventy dollars next year. He said in a growing community, there are several things you can do to raise revenue like raising fees, putting more people on the tax rolls and figuring out ways to cut costs. Boharski said all options need to be explored because there are a lot of people who can't afford the increases. Mayre Flowers, Citizens for a Better Flathead, complimented the Council on making some tough choices and positive strides with the budget, but added that she feels its inappropriate to consider using TIF monies for the renovation of City Hall. The motion carried upon roll call vote with Haarr, Scarff and Boharski voting against. RESOLUTION 4569 - ANNUAL TAX LEVIES This resolution is adopted annually to provide a levy to fund the City's Budgets for the General Fund, Comprehensive Insurance Fun, Health Insurance Fund and the Retirement Fund. Kalispell City Council Minutes August 7, 2000 Page 3 of 7 1664 Leistiko moved Resolution 4569, a resolution making the annual tax levies for the City of Kalispell for the Fiscal Year 2000-2001. The motion was seconded by Larson. There was no discussion. The motion carried upon roll call vote with Boharski voting against. RESOLUTION 4570 - STREETS AND AVENUES This resolution is adopted annually to provide a levy to fund the cost of street maintenance within the City of Kalispell. Haarr moved Resolution 4570, a resolution levying an assessment for the cost of special maintenance for the purpose of maintaining the streets and avenues of the City of Kalispell for the Fiscal Year 2000-2001. The motion was seconded by Scarff. There was no discussion. The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote. RESOLUTION 4571 - SPECIAL LIGHTING DISTRICT This resolution is adopted annually to provide a levy to fund the cost of maintenance and electricity for City street lights. Scarff moved Resolution 4571, a resolution levying an assessment for the cost of lighting the streets and alleys in the City Special Lighting District for the Fiscal Year 2000-2001. The motion was seconded by Van Natta. There was no discussion. The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote. RESOLUTION 4572 - DECORATIVE LIGHTING DISTRICT This resolution is adopted annually to provide a levy to fund the cost of maintenance and electricity for decorative lights in the Downtown Lighting District. Scarff moved Resolution 4572, a resolution levying an assessment for the cost of lighting the streets in the City Downtown Decorative Lighting District for the Fiscal Year 2000-2001. The motion was seconded by Larson. There was no discussion. The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote. RESOLUTION 4573 - STORM SEWER MAINTENANCE This resolution is adopted annually to provide a levy to fund the cost of storm sewer maintenance and debt service for the sewer revenue bonds. Van Natta moved Resolution 4573, a resolution levying assessments for the cost of storm sewer maintenance for the Fiscal Year 2000- 2001. The motion was seconded by Counsell. There was no discussion. The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote. Kalispell City Council Minutes August 7, 2000 Page 4 of 7 1665 RESOLUTION 4574 - GARBAGE REMOVAL This resolution is adopted annually to provide a levy to fund the cost of the removal of garbage and other offensive matter. Boharski explained a ten dollar fee increase for garbage removal is included in the budget for residential buildings taking the cost from seventy to eighty dollars per year. Leistiko moved Resolution 4574, a resolution to levy the cost of removal of garbage or other offensive matter from streets, alleys or on any premises as a special tax against property from which such matter was deposited, and the disposition thereof. The motion was seconded by Van Natta. There was discussion. Haarr said the increase amounts to over fourteen and a half percent. He said there's never been any talk of a problem with the garbage fund the entire time he's been on the Council, and he doesn't understand why, in one year, such a high increase is needed. Van Natta said there's never been an increase before because previous Councils have ignored the need to replace capital equipment. He said now the City is faced with replacing a $150,000 piece of equipment and the increase is needed. Leistiko said the City needs to start planning for equipment replacement and part of the increase is planned as a reserve for future replacement costs. Kukulski said equipment has been purchased in the past and the City was able to purchase it with cash. He said, however, the cash is running out and this past year major breakdowns amounted to about $35, 000 in repair costs. Kukulski said the increase is essential to replace the trucks when needed, with two new vehicles planned for purchase in the next six to eight months. Public Works Director commented the department has one unit that is eighteen years old and another that's nineteen years old. He said the newest side arm loader that the department runs already has over seventy thousand miles on it. Scarff said the City, instead of waiting and implementing a large increase, should plan for small increases each year. The motion carried upon roll call vote with Haarr, Scarff and Boharski voting against. RESOLUTION 4575 - URBAN FORESTRY MAINTENANCE This resolution will provide a levy to fund the cost of the Urban Forestry District, a new district, at approximately $6.75 for a ten thousand square foot City lot with a cap of $150.00 per parcel. Leistiko moved Resolution 4575, a resolution levying an assessment for the cost of urban forestry maintenance in the City for the Fiscal Year 2000-2001. The motion was seconded by Counsell. There was discussion. Kalispell City Council Minutes August 7, 2000 Page 5 of 7 1666 Leistiko said the Council looked at this district very carefully and by looking at other funds, and moving some funds, the cost to the residents has been cut in half from what was first proposed. Haarr said he hasn't been in favor of the district from the beginning because he feels it's a general fund responsibility. He said the City has always come up with the money to take care of the trees and this is nothing more than an additional tax. Counsell said several people at the public hearing stated the trees are not being properly maintained now. He said by establishing the district, the Parks Department will have the funds needed to maintain the trees and plant new ones. Kukulski clarified the district will only maintain the trees in the public right-of-way, not the trees in "somebody's backyard". The motion carried upon roll call vote with Haarr, Scarff and Boharski voting against. RESOLUTION 4576 - PARKING COMMISSION Ths resolution is adopted annually to provide budget authority for the operation of the Kalispell Parking Commission. Van Natta moved Resolution 4576, a resolution setting the annual appropriations for the Parking Commission as set forth in the 2000- 2001 Budget adopted by the City Council. The motion was seconded by Scarff. There was discussion. Boharski asked what revenue source is funding the $20,000 parking lot improvements. Kukulski said the money received for tickets and parking lot permits. The motion carried upon roll call vote with Haarr voting against. RESOLUTION 4577 - CITY -COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT This resolution is adopted annually to provide a levy to fund the City's portion of the City -County Health Fund which is administered by the County. Counsell moved Resolution 4577, a resolution making the annual tax levy for the City -County Health Department of the City of Kalispell, Montana, for the fiscal year 2000-2001. The motion was seconded by Van Natta. There was discussion. The motion carried upon roll call vote with Boharski voting against. EVERGREEN SEWER RATE APPROVAL Each year the City determines charges to be levied on the Flathead County Water & Sewer District #1 for treatment of sewage by the City's wastewater treatment plant. The proposed rate for maintenance, operation and replacement is the same as last year at $1.61 per thousand gallons. The debt service amount is $10,077.16 per month, a decrease of $48.01 per month. Kalispell City Council Minutes August 7, 2000 Page 6 of 7 1667 1 Van Natta moved approval of the Evergreen Sewer Rate for. Fiscal Year 2000-2001. The motion was seconded by Leistiko. There was discussion. The motion carried upon roll call vote with Scarff voting against. MAYOR/COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Haarr asked how the City is proceeding with dust abatement in the construction zones. Kukulski said staff is strictly monitoring the situation north of Kalispell, and the contractor has been warned if the dust cannot be controlled as required under City Code, the City will take measures to stop the project. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. ATTEST: resa White City Clerk Approved September 5, 2000 Wg.F-.5ohar*I . Wm. E. Boharski Mayor Kalispell City Council Minutes August 7, 2000 Page 7 of 7