Council Minutes

The City of Libby, MT

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City Council in session

THE 1180^TH MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON FEBRUARY 7, 2000 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

Mayor Berget called the meeting to order and led the pledge of allegiance. Roll was called. Councilmembers Bauer, Johnston, Porter, Stephens and Thom, City Clerk, Kim Aarstad and Supervisor Dan Thede were present. The minutes from the January regular and special meeting were presented and approved.

Mayor Berget read Councilmember Ed Baker’s resignation.

Mr. Baker moved to accept Mr. Baker’s resignation.

Mr. Stephens seconded.

Motion carried.

ORDINANCE & RESOLUTIONS

Ordinance # 1569, Building Code Amendments, was read.

Mr. Johnston moved to accept the first reading on Ordinance #156

Mr. Bauer seconded.

Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

Chris Swenson, Libby Ignitors Club, again asked the councils permission to close Mineral Avenue on August 9^th, for Hot August Nights. All businesses that will be effected by this closure has been contacted, as per councils request.

Mr. Bauer moved to grant the Ignitors Club request to close off Mineral Avenue for Hot August Nights.

Mr. Stephens seconded.

Motion carried.

Mayor Berget again reminded the sewer committee that they would need to look into a sewer rate increase.

NEW BUSINESS

Mrs. Porter read a letter from Kate Falkner requesting permission to close Mineral Avenue for the Irish Fair Parade on March 11^th, 2000.

Mrs. Porter moved to allow the closure of Mineral Avenue on March 11^thfor the Irish Fair parade.

Mrs. Thom seconded.

Motion Carried.

Mr. Bauer moved to have Mayor Berget sign the environmental assessment paperwork for the Kootenai Heritage Council project.

Mrs. Porter seconded.

Motion carried.

Mr. Thede read a letter from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks stating that the Libby ball fields on Second Street and Hwy 37 was developed with Land & Water Conservation Funds, a federal program. When these funds are used, the properties they are used on must be held in perpetuity for outdoor recreation use. If they are taken out of that use replacement property must be found of equal or greater value. This is the case when the Montana Department of Transportation realigned the overpass and needed to take a portion of the City ball field property. The replacement property for the ball field was found adjacent to the south side of the cemetery park property. This property (Bertelson) was acquired to mitigate the taking of the ball field land. Because LWCF funds were used originally, the replacement property now also becomes encumbered with LWCF. Mr. Thede explained that the city council could encumber just this new piece of property or include the entire ball fields and parking area, putting the entire property under theLWCF protection.

Mr. Bauer moved to encumber the new acquired property only.

Mrs. Thom seconded.

Motion carried.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Mrs. Thom, City-County Liaison, reported on the following committees:

Animal Control: Submitted January report.

Mr. Stephens, Fire Committee, reported that the city sold the 1975 Ford fire truck to Stimson International for $1.00. Stimson will purchase on spot chains for the city fire trucks, and the fire truck will be used as a back up on city fires. Stimson will also return the fire truck to the City if the company moves out of town.

Mr. Stephens moved to sell the fire truck to Stimson International

Mr. Bauer seconded.

Motion carried.

Fire Chief, Tom Wood, updated the council on fire calls answered for the month of January.

Mr. Johnston, Building Committee, reported that the Montana Athletic Club was requesting that their rent continue to be based on their membership @ 2.00 per member. Current contract states that they should be paying 2.50 per membership. Matter put into the Building Committee, with a report to be made by March meeting.

Mr. Johnston also reported that the committee will hold a meeting with Carolyn Stamy, Lincoln County Community Foundation, in the month of February.

City Sergeant, Barzia Teske, updated the council on police calls answered for the month of January.

Mr. Bauer, Personnel Committee, advised the council that the personnel committee meet on a personnel issue that resulted in employee reprimand

Water Supervisor, John Knudson, updated the council on the water filtration plant operation. Mr. Knudson also announced that the new meter reader had injured his back and was off for a couple of days.

Mayor Berget reminded the council that DEQ will be in Libby on February 28, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss issues on the Water Filtration Plant.

Mr. Johnston, Sewer Committee, explained that the Sewer Committee has formed a sub-committee consisting of Paul Rumelhart and Fred Brown. This committee will try to locate federal appropriation monies. Mr. Johnston also stated that the committee would like to hold off making a decision on raising the sewer rates until we find out if the city will qualify for federal appropriations.

Mayor Berget announced that he had received the lighting contract from Flathead Electric for lighting on Johnston acres.

Mr. Stephens, Street Committee, reported on the snow removal effects of the city street crews.

Mrs. Porter updated the council on the city’s web page.

Mayor Berget reminded the council on the public hearing that will be held on March 6^th and 20^th,, for public comment regarding the community development needs and priorities for the City of Libby.

It was moved, seconded and carried to pay the claims as per the claims approval list.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

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