Minutes 09/21/2009
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN OF COLUMBUS,
COLUMBUS, MONTANA HELD SEPTEMBER 21, 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, Chief Pronovost, DPW Holten, Attorney Howard and Clerk Barndt.
Cal Cumin, Forrest Mandeville, Mina Morse, Jeff Limburg, Tom Arrowsmith, Irmgard Houghton, Paul Caraway, Jennifer Ries.
The Mayor asked Council if they had reviewed the minutes of the 9/8/09 meeting and were there any additions, deletions or corrections? Sundberg moved to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Nystul, roll call; all-yes.
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the delinquent shut off list after proper notice. Nystul moved to approve the request, seconded by Edwards, roll call; all yes.
Petitions and Communications
The first item was the Mourning Dove Subdivision. Cal Cumin stated that the Planning Office was working with Attorney Howard toward resolving any problems regarding the revised Master Plan. This item was placed on the next agenda.
Reports of Officers
Rich presented three new members to be confirmed for CVFD. They are: Doug Brantley, Christy Brantley and Sean Ryan. Houghton moved to approve the members, seconded by Nystul, roll call; all-yes.
There were no questions for the Police Chief.
Edwards asked Dennis if there had been any abuses with the new garbage system? Dennis reported that we are still having a few problems, but not real serious.
Nystul reported to Council that he had spent some time observing the intersection and the parking lot at Town Pump. He counted an average of 37 trucks using the parking lot over a several night period. He also stated that the traffic problem seemed to have been resolved but it has now moved to 8th Ave. Where trucks block the street waiting to get to the pumps. Dennis said that he will continue to work with Town Pump. He had noticed that the truckers are still observing the driving lane that was established while the intersection was closed.
Doug had nothing additional to report.
Ron had nothing additional to report.
Unfinished Business
The first item was a resolution to close an alley.
Res. No. 704
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF COLUMBUS, MONTANA, PERMANENTLY CLOSING THE NORTH-SOUTH STUB ALLEY AND THE WEST ONE HUNDRED FEET OF THE EAST-WEST ALLEY LOCATED IN BLOCK 6 OF THE NORTON’S SECOND ADDITION TO THE TOWN OF COLUMBUS.
Edwards moved to waive the reading, seconded by Brown, roll call; all-yes.
Nystul moved to approve the resolution, seconded by Houghton, roll call: all-yes.
The next item was the discussion of the Subdivision Regulations. Doug said that he was still reviewing them and hoped to have something by next meeting.
The next item was the request for funding for Granite Peak Park. Jeff Limburg and Mina Morse, representing the Granite Peak Park Recreation Committee, passed out a report of projects completed at the Park and also projects which need to be completed and also need additional funding. Mina reported that the School and County had given them funds to help complete the new softball field and continue with the new soccer field. They requested about $10,000 to purchase compost for that field so grass could be started this fall. Council discussed this matter at length. Anderson, Edwards and Sundberg spoke in support of the Park stating that this was part of the overall Master Plan for the Park. Morse stated that the Master Plan needed to be revised as what shows on the plan is not exactly what is on the ground. This item was to be discussed during budget.
The next item was Budget discussion. Sundberg began by discussing the wage requests and stated that while she thought it was important to pay our people, she also was concerned about the economic impact to our taxpayers in these current times. She recommended only a 1.5% increase for employees. Nystul, Edwards and Brown echoed the same sentiment. Nystul moved to approve the 1.5% wage increase for FY 09-10, seconded by Sundberg, roll call; all-yes. Clerk Barndt pointed out that while he was disappointed with the decision, he said that this was the first time in 22 years he had been given direction on wages.
The Mayor asked Council what they wanted to do about the request for funds for Granite Peak Park? Anderson wants to support the Park and he would also like to see water and sewer out there. Council discussed the amount of support for quite awhile and then Anderson moved to proved $12,000 for Granite Peak Park, seconded by Sundberg, roll call; Anderson, Sundberg, Nystul, Brown and Edwards voted yes; Houghton voted no, motion carried.
The next item was the request for funding from Alternatives Inc. Nystul felt that this request is part of the Counties responsibility as we are part of the County. After considerable discussion, Brown moved to table the request until next year, seconded by Edwards.
The Mayor asked about the Legal Contingency line item and wondered if it was still necessary? Attorney Howard stated that there was a current issue still pending and recommended that the amount remain.
Nystul stated that he would like to see the funds from the Industrial Park Fund earmarked for the Public Works Facility. Sundberg moved to transfer that fund to the Public Works Building line item, seconded by Nystul, roll call: all-yes.
Clerk Barndt referred to funds available in fund 2391-Hard Rock Mine Impact. He stated that the 1998 HRMI Amendment tax credit agreement with Stillwater Mining has been satisfied and he stated that this was an amount not spent and interest accrued over a ten year period. He also thought that permission from the HRMI Board was required. SMC and the Mayor had written a letter to the HRMI Board in January 2009 and we have heard nothing from them regarding any decision. Council wanted those funds moved to the Public Works Building line item after approval.
There being no other budget questions, the Mayor asked if there were any comments not on the agenda.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
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GARY WOLTERMANN, MAYOR
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RONALD D. BARNDT, CLERK-TREASURER