Minutes 11/2/2009

 

 MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN OF COLUMBUS,

COLUMBUS, MONTANA HELD NOVEMBER 2, 2009 AT 7:30 P.M.

 The meeting was called to order with the Pledge with Mayor Woltermann presiding. Council persons present were Gary Anderson, Patty Sundberg, Terry Nystul, Jon Brown, Paul Edwards and Harold Houghton. Officers present were Fire Chief Cowger, DPW Holten, Attorney Howard and Clerk Barndt.

Chuck Egan, Chris Mehus, Jennifer Ries

The Mayor asked Council if they had reviewed the minutes of the 10/19/09 meeting and were there any additions, deletions or corrections? Nystul moved to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Brown, roll call; all-yes.

The Mayor asked for approval of the October claims. Sundberg moved to approve the claims, seconded by Nystul, roll call; all-yes.

Petitions and Communications

Chris Mehus and Chuck Egan, Beartooth RC&D, were here to make their annual report. Mehus passed out a written outline and gave the highlights to Council. He thanked them for their continued good working relationship. He also stated that Melissa Kramer, Stillwater County Economic Development Coordinator, had been a valuable asset in helping County residents.

Mehus also pointed out that there continued to be funding available for "fuels reduction work" and this would benefit Chief Cowger’s efforts there.

Reports of Officers - Rich, Bill, Dennis, Doug and Ron had submitted written reports.

Rich gave a brief report on the new hospital and the fact that they plan for 8th Ave. to be the main entrance. This will add to the impact we now have regarding Town Pump issues.

Dennis reported that bid had been opened for the Tank Erosion & Security Fence project. Stillwater Excavating was the low bidder and Interstate Engineering recommended the Mayor sign the Notice of Award. Sundberg moved to have the Mayor sign the Notice, seconded by Brown, roll call; all-yes.

The next item was that Interstate Engineering had given Dennis an estimated cost in acquiring a license from DEQ for composting at our site. He stated that composting of grass & leaves helps reduce the cost and volume going to Billings. Nystul wondered if we would then need a certified operator at the site? Dennis said no.

Doug stated that he had prepared a Notice of Public Hearing on the Subdivision Regulations scheduled for 11/16/09 after which we could have the second reading of that ordinance.

The Clerk had nothing further to report.

There was no Unfinished Business.

There was no New Business.

Comments Not on the Agenda.

Nystul reported talking with Larry Vigessa, Engineer for the Pool Bath House Project, Vigessa thought a bidder could get the required information from his plan sheet and did not think a spec sheet was necessary. Nystul said he would get a couple more copies for City Hall. Council decided that the bath building should be the same color as the Heritage Well Building.

Council discussed tearing down of the old building and when the best time to do it. The Engineer thought that a March 1st bid would be good, but Dennis thought we should be complete with the bids by the 1st of February with a completion date of May 15th.

Council wondered if some of the prep work could be done before bad weather sets in.

Nystul asked Dennis if the Heritage well was on line yet? Dennis said no, we are waiting for some electrical parts and a couple of other issues.

Sundberg asked Dennis if it would be a good idea to look into solar powered flashing lights for the school zones? Dennis will research this idea.

There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

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GARY WOLTERMANN, MAYOR

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RONALD D. BARNDT, CLERK-TREASURER