MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE BILLINGS BOARD OF ALDERMEN
MEETING ON DECEMBER 20, 2018 AT BILLINGS CITY HALL AT 7:00 P.M.
Present were: Mayor David Rauch, Attorney William Petrus, Lt. Bruce Belin, Water and Wastewater Supt. Randy Poindexter, Building Inspector Terry Danley, Treasurer Chris M. Hopkins and City Clerk
Ruth M. Haskins.
Citizens and guest present: Tina Didreckson, Jack VanZandt, Jan Morrison, Nicole Browning,
Jessie Coker and Melissa Venable.
ROLL CALL.
Woods Present
Fender Present
Brown Present
Gold Present
Kucera Present
Huffman Absent Arrived at 7:10 p.m.
Mayor Rauch asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor’s Comments.
The lift Station that was damaged since July is now up and going. Were able to take the pumps back.
You may recall that lightning was the cause of the damage at the lift station and the water will #2.
Insurance claims were filed, one was with EMC which would cover it in case of lightning. The other one, Hartford Steam that would cover in case of mechanical failure. EMC questioned whether it was lightning, interestingly because the controls were welded together, something happened to cause that. However the two pumps down below were damaged and the company requested the pumps
be taken somewhere to be dissected. Conclusion was the damage was not due to lightning, it was a
mechanical malfunction. At one time, the conclusion was that the secondary company would cover the damage if it was not lightning. The cause of the problem at the lift station was wear and tear, this item is not covered by either insurance company. So the City has incurred the cost of repairs to the pumps at $1,400.00 each. EMC would only pay for only a few months on the portable pumps so the City will pay the balance for the temporary pumps. We have an ongoing conversation with the insurance on the control panel, the welded wires would have to be some kind of electrical problem. So this is still up in the air. At one time, the City thought that everything would be paid including a completely new lift station, however that did not happen and has ended up costing the City a significant amount of money. On top of, the City is under a new Insurance policy that came due on November 7th and the premium is higher, due to the outstanding claim on the old insurance company.
Two weeks ago the portable generator was stolen from the lift station and have no idea what happened there, there is a light out there now Thanks to Terry. The other issue is about the plumbing insurance that is being offered to the water customers of the City. It has created a lot of confusion on the Facebook page. The example of replacing the sewer line at my late Mother’s home and it cost us $2,300.00, if we had taken this insurance it would have been completely covered. The use of the City’s logo for the use of this company was problematic for me, however the contact called for the use of the logo.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. Mayor asked if anyone wanted to speak. No response.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
- Woods has two bids on the bench from one from SSD for $1,526.25. The other bid is from Wommack Monument for $1,153.00 for a 3 foot with 70 letters and delivery. Brown stated it would be nice to acknowledge the gift. Motion made by Woods seconded by Huffman. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
- Attorney needs some more information from Chief Taylor.
NEW BUSINESS, MEMORIALS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ORDINANCES.
- Consent Agenda. Motion made by Fender to approve the Consent Agenda seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
- BILL NO. 18-11 — An Ordinance for Establishing the Budget for the Fiscal Year January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Motion made by Huffman seconded by Brown to have the First Reading of Bill 18-11 by Title Only. Roll Call Vote- Woods – Aye; Fender — Aye; Brown —Aye; Gold – Aye; Kucera – Aye; Huffman —Aye. Mayor asked Haskins to read Bill No. 18-11. Haskins read Bill 18-11 by Title Only. Motion made by Kucera seconded by Huffman to accept the First Reading of Bill No. 18-11 by Title Only. Roll Call Vote. Woods – Aye; Fender – Aye; Brown – Aye; Gold – Aye; Kucera – Aye; Huffman – Aye. Motion made by Gold seconded by Woods to have the Second Reading of Bill No. 18-11 by Title Only. Roll Call Vote. Woods – Aye; Fender – Aye; Brown – Aye; Gold – Aye; Kucera – Aye; Huffman – Aye. Mayor asked Haskins to Read Bill No 18-11 by Title Only. Haskins read Bill No. 18-11 by Title Only. Motion made by Huffman seconded by Gold to accept the Second Reading and For Final Passage Thereof. Roll Call Vote. Woods – Aye; Fender – Aye; Brown – Aye; Gold – Aye; Kucera – Aye; Huffman – Aye. Motion made by Brown seconded by Huffman that Bill No. 18-11 be accepted as Ordinance 18-11. Roll Call Vote. Woods – Aye; Fender – Aye; Brown – Aye; Gold – Aye; Kucera – Aye; Huffman – Aye. BILL NO. 18-11 is now ORDINANCE 18-11.
- Poindexter asked the Board to approve the purchase a generator from Terry for $700.00. Motion to purchase the generator for $700.00 made by Kucera seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
- Poindexter stated the generator at the Wastewater plant cost would be $33,000.00. Woods stated on the Internet cost would be $17,600.00. Terry stated carb. cost would be $700.00. Motion by Brown to get estimate on repairs seconded by Fender. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
- Gold discussed giving the Library $500.00 from Cell Phone Tower money. Motion made by Kucera for 2019 seconded by Woods. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “ Nay” None. No abstentions.
- Brown has quotes for guttering for the storage building. Brown would use G & L Roofing for $910.00 for 6 “ gutter. Motion by Gold to bolt on stoppers and 6” gutter up to $1,500.00 seconded by Fender. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
- Kucera discussed Taylors request for time off instead of pay for accrued vacation, time off to be carried over to next employment year. Lot of discussion. Attorney stated if you do that for Taylor then it would also have to apply to everyone. Future discussion to change policy. Motion made by Huffman to Table this item seconded by Kucera. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
- Hopkins discussed having the Board authorize the Mayor to sign the Project Authorization to proceed with placing the Codes on the Internet. Motion made to authorize made by Huffman seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
- Hopkins discussed prepayment to A.M. Pyrotechnics $5,000.00 for the Fireworks on June 29th. Motion made by Fender to pay seconded by Huffman. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
- Hopkins asked for authorizing Treasurer to move $10,000.00 out of Operation Budget of Public Works to set up an Asset Management Savings Account. Motion made by Huffman to authorize to sign for Saving Account seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
- Hopkins asked Board to authorize removing the name of Mike Hodges from the Safety Deposit Box and add the names of David Rauch and Mickey Brown. Motion to remove and add made by Kucera seconded by Huffman. Voting “Aye’ Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
- Hopkins requests permission to amend 2018 Budget to 12 month actuals as of December 31, 2018. Motion made by Fender seconded by Huffman. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
- Mayor recommends the following for the Park Board: Betty Hale, Bill Wilson, Jennifer Fritsche, Tim Fields, Nick Harter, Karen Forest, Nicole Browning and Doug Corrie. Motion made by Kucera seconded by Huffman. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
- Motion to approve the wages, expenses, bills, statements and other expenditures for the month of November, 2018 made by Gold seconded by Huffman. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
Mayor asked if anyone wanted to make a motion to go into Closed Sessions. No response.
No further business.
Motion to adjourn made by Huffman seconded by Woods. Voting “Aye” Woods, Fender, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
____________________________________
David Rauch, Mayor
ATTEST
___________________________________
Ruth M. Haskins, City Clerk