Minutes

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN OF COLUMBUS,

 

COLUMBUS, MONTANA HELD SEPTEMBER 8, 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.

Dave Armstrong, Betty Ann Roan, Irmgard Houghton, Thomas Arrowsmith, Dwight Day, Jess Wilson and Jennifer Ries.

The Mayor state that this was the time and place advertised for a public hearing on the request to close portions of alleys. The Mayor asked if there were any comments. Jess Wilson spoke against closing any alleys. He suggested that it would be giving preferential treatment to certain individuals. Paul Edwards stated that the adjacent land owners had already stated that if there was ever a need to access utilities, they could go right across the lawn. He was in favor of the request.

The Mayor asked if there any more questions? Hearing none, he declared the hearing closed at 7:34 p.m.

The Mayor asked if there was a motion on the request? Attorney Howard suggested that he write a resolution on the closure and have it for next meeting. It will be on the next agenda.

The Mayor asked if Council had reviewed the minutes of the 8/17/09 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 approval of the August claims. Nystul moved to approve the claims, seconded by Houghton, roll call; all-yes.

Petitions and Communications

Dave Armstrong and Betty Ann Roan, from Alternatives, Inc. Were here to reemphasize their request for $7,500 of funding from the Town. Armstrong stated that the County Commissioners had approved their contract for $33,000. He added that he thought that Columbus used 28% of Alternatives services and they were asking for 18.5% of the costs. Nystul asked who was responsible for the costs incurred by the prisoners? Attorney Howard stated that he had done a memo on this matter. The Sheriff is responsible for all prisoners and their related costs except those that might be arrested under municipal code.

Anderson said that he had changed his mind after seeing what Alternatives had done to remedy the problem of someone he knew personally. He was in favor of supporting Alternatives. The Mayor thanked Alternatives for their time and said this request would be taken up during the budget process.

The next item was the Mourning Dove Subdivision. Cal Cumin and Forrest Mandeville were not available so Thomas Arrowsmith spoke with Council. He stated that the City/County Planning Board had voted to recommend to the Town Council to allow the developers to proceed with their development using the conditionally approved master plan for the subdivision and the revised Subdivision Improvements Agreement, which reflects the sale of the northernmost 20 acres of the proposed master plan. Tom said that the configuration is the same, the conditions are the same and the park only decreases by a small amount. He wants to begin as soon as the economy turns around.

Council asked if AHO was building the hospital? Tom said that they were not, but had given them some technical information that would help them. Dennis said that the hospital project would have to go through the planning process at some point. Mourning Dove will be on the next agenda.

The next item was the Subdivision Regulation revisions. Council had just received this information so it will also be on the next agenda.

Reports of Officers

Rich reported on the recent Eagle Mountain fire. He stated that since it was so close to several houses and the Fireworks Factory, FEMA was immediately involved. Therefore, some of the costs for the fire will be paid by FEMA.

Bill reported that he had been told that he would receive the grant for radios and light bars, but they did not like the radios he had picked. They were going to approve the more expensive ones. Council asked if the car bids were comparable? Bill said that the Chevys were identical. Sundberg asked what his recommendation was? He said the lowest bid. Sundberg moved to accept the bid from Menholt Chevrolet, seconded by Nystul, roll call; Anderson-no, Sundberg, Nystul, Brown, Edwards, Houghton-yes, motion carried.

Dennis asked Council to approve a late claim he had just received and had not had a chance to get to Ron. Sundberg moved to approve the claim, seconded by Edwards, roll call; all-yes.

The Mayor asked Dennis if he was involved with the light pole by the Atlas Bar? Dennis and Bill did not know about it. It had apparently been blown over by the wind on Sunday. Fortunately it did not touch any people or vehicles.

Nystul asked about the condition of the big pine tree in Heritage Park? Dennis said that he had been watching it and he thought that it looked better after getting water back on it. He will keep an eye on it.

There were no questions for Doug.

Ron said that he would address his concern after Dennis’ budget presentation.

There were no Committee Reports.

Unfinished Business

The first item was the Public Works budget. Dennis had passed out his budget papers. He stated that he had budgeted one step and COLA for his people.

He then went through each section of his budget, from his sections of the General Fund to Gas Tax, Water, Sewer, Garbage and all of the related Replacement Funds. He had shown any changes from the previous year in yellow.

When he got to the Airport section, the Mayor made mention that the County may be proposing a County wide mill levy for maintenance.

Dennis added an additional $20,000 to trim trees at the Cemetery. He suggested that a Cemetery District would be great.

He reported that the pool people had already received two wage increases. The new people had started at $6.50 but Federal wage increased to $6.90 and then again to $7.25 in mid July. Guards who had previously been with us would get 50 cents.

Sundberg asked several questions about bulk water. She wanted to know how much it cost the Town to deal with bulk water. She didn’t think we should compete against private businesses.

Dennis said that he would be bringing some information regarding costs of allowing septic companies to use our facility later this fall.

He referred to changes in the collection and disposal contracts for solid waste. He was asked about compost. Dennis said that DEQ would be requiring a permit in the future. He is working with them on the paperwork.

He then provided a list of proposed projects and equipment purchases. The Mayor wanted cemetery fencing added to the list.

After Dennis was finished, Ron passed out a completed preliminary budget based on all of the requests submitted by the Department Heads, with the exception of adding the two step pay request by two Department Heads. He wanted to be told by Council to do that. Ron briefly explained some of the highlights on the budget. He recommended that Council review the budget and make notes and ask questions at the next meeting.

There was no new Business.

The Mayor asked if there were any comments not on the agenda. Irmgard Houghton asked if residents could be notified when the crew would be out with the sweeper so people could move their vehicles.

There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

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GARY WOLTERMANN, MAYOR

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RONALD D. BARNDT, CLERK-TREASURER