Loading...
06/30/08 SP City Council MinutesA SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD AT 7:00 P.M., MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2008, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL IN KALISPELL, MONTANA, MAYOR PAMELA B. KENNEDY PRESIDED. COUNCIL MEMBERS JIM ATKINSON, KARI GABRIEL, BOB HAFFERMAN, RANDY KENYON, TIM KLUESNER, DUANE LARSON, HANK OLSON, AND WAYNE SAVERUD WERE PRESENT. Also present: City Manager James Patrick, City Attorney Charles Harball, City Clerk Theresa white, Chief of Police Roger Nasset, Public works Director Jinn Hansz, Fire Operations Chief Dan Diehl, Finance Director Amy Robertson, Parks Director Mike Baker, and Recording Secretary Judi Funk. Mayor Kennedy called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. A. AGENDA APPROVAL Larson moved approval of the Agenda. The motion was seconded. There was no discussion. The motion carried unanimously upon vote. B. PUBLIC COMMENT None. C. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUBSEQUENT COUNCIL ACTION C/1, RESOLUTION 5284 —CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT This resolution approves a construction agreement with the State of Montana to complete safety improvements at the intersection of woodland Avenue and Second Street East. Atkinson moved Resolution 5284, a resolution authorizing the Mayor of Kalispell to execute the construction agreement of Federal Aid Project No. HSIP 6715 (4) with the State of Montana, acting by and through the Department of Transportation. The motion was seconded, Hansz gave a staff report and answered questions. There was no further discussion. The motion carried unanimously upon roll call vote. Kalispell City Council Special Meeting Minutes .tune 30, 2008 Page 1. Cl2. AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT SAFER GRANT The fire department is requesting authorization to submit an application for a SAFER, or Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, grant through the Department of Homeland Security for three firefighters. Larson moved Council authorize the City Manager to submit the application for a SAFER grant to the Department of Homeland Security. The motion was seconded. Diehl gave a staff report and answered questions. Hafferman expressed concern that if the Council commits to this contract, it obligates future Councils when there is no mechanism for payment. He proposed the City turn down the grant and hire one firefighter in January 2009, and depending on the economy, another firefighter in January 2010 and January 2011. Hafferman said we would still get three firefighters, but without the monetary commitments. Olson agreed with Hafferman, stating he is also nervous about where the Council is taping the taxpayers. Larson retorted the Council needs to look at firefighter safety and public safety, adding this is a wise move. Saverud said his initial reaction to the grant is to ask what strings are attached, however, he feels we need to provide essential services and if the grant is awarded we should accept it. Hafferman reiterated he opposes this grant because the federal government will dictate the rules. Kluesner noted there was no request for additional firefighters in the budget and he is not in favor of this right now. Mayor Kennedy emphasized the City actually needs eight firefighters, but we cannot afford them right now. She said this is a chance to get three. The motion carried upon roll call vote with Atkinson, Gabriel, Kenyon, Larson, Saverud and Mayor Kennedy voting in favor, and Hafferman, Klu.esner, and Olson voting against. C13. PRELIMINARY BUDGET SPENDING AUTHORIZATION AND CALL FOR PUBLIC HEARING Each year the Council must grant preliminary budget spending authorization and set a public hearing. Following the hearing the Council will review public comments, make changes, and adopt a final budget in August. A public hearing on the budget would be scheduled for July 21. Kalispell City Council Special Meeting Minutes .tune 30, 2008 Page 2 Kenyon moved that until the City Council adopts the final 2008-2009 fiscal budget for the City of Kalispell, that the City Council grant the necessary spending authorization for the provision of services and operations of the City of Kalispell as projected by the 2008-2009 preliminary budget document presented to the City Council and call for a public hearing on July 21, Zoo8. The motion was seconded. Patrick gave a staff report, stressing that this is a preliminary budget, and answered questions. Kluesner moved to amend the motion to read: "That until the City Council adopts the final 2008-2009 fiscal budget for the City of Kalispell, that the City Council grant the necessary spending authorization for the provision of services and operations of the City of Kalispell as defined by the 2007-2008 budget .In UM budget and call for a public hearing on July 21, 2008." The motion was seconded. Kluesner explained that while he understands the need to pay employees and bills, he would like to halt other expenditures until the final budget is adopted. Atkinson stated he works for the County and they are in the same situation; they have been asked to hold off on new purchases. He said he has faith the City Manager will ask department heads to do the same. Hafferman stated he agrees with Kluesner's intent, but will vote against this and offer another amendment. The amendment failed upon vote with Kluesner voting in favor, and Atkinson, Gabriel, Hafferman, Kenyon, Larson, Olson, Saverud, and Mayor Kennedy voting against. Hafferman said he is extremely concerned with the present budget as it is right now and as long as he has been on the Council preliminary budgets never change. Hafferman moved to amend the motion to read: "That until the City Council adopts the final 2008-2009 fiscal budget for the City of Kalispell, that the City Council grant the necessary spending authorization for the provision of ongoigg services and operations of the City of Kalispell as projected by the 2008-2009 preliminary budget document presented to the City Council and call for a public hearing on July 21, 2008". The motion was seconded. Olson said we need to support staff, adding the more we change the worse it gets. Kluesner said he, like Hafferman, is deeply concerned with the budget and he is afraid once the preliminary goes forward it will become a done deal. Larson remarked we have approximately five weeks until the final budget has to be adopted and anyone can bring forward a budget cut. Kalispell City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 30, 2008 Page 3 The amendment failed upon vote with Hafferman and Kluesner voting in favor, and Atkinson, Gabriel, Kenyon, Larson, Olson, Saverud, and Mayor Kennedy voting against. The amain motion carried upon roll call vote with Atkinson, Gabriel, Kenyon, Larson, Olson, Saverud, and Mayor Kennedy voting in favor, and Hafferman and Kluesner voting against. D. MAYOR/COUNCIL/CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS (No Action) Mayor Kennedy asked that the graffiti be removed from benches and trash cans on Main Street prior to the Fourth of July parade. Hafferman referenced a letter to the editor by Eloise Hill questioning the placement of two bronze wildlife statues at Main and Idaho. He said he looked for money for the artwork in the budget and couldn't find it. Patrick replied the funds are listed in the UDAG budget. Hafferman also stated that people are concerned about ambulance services and asked for a report on where the ambulances are stationed. Kluesner complimented the police department for the extra patrols to stop theft, and public works for their work on paving the alley near his workplace and making an unscheduled trash pick up for a dead skunk. E. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. ATTEST: Theresa White City Clerk Approved July 7, 2008 Kalispell City Council Special Meeting Minutes June 30, 2008 Page 4