MINUTES FOR THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN REGULAR SESSION OF THE
JANUARY 17, 2019 MEETING AT THE CITY OF BILLINGS
CITY HALL AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
WOODS PRESENT
FENDER ABSENT
BROWN PRESENT
GOLD PRESENT
KUCERA PRESENT
HUFFMAN PRESENT
Present were: Mayor David Rauch, Attorney William Petrus, Lt. Bruce Belin, Water & Sewer
Supt. Randy Poindexter, Building Inspector Terry Danley, Treasurer Chris M. Hopkins and
City Clerk Ruth M. Haskins.
Citizens and guests present were: Tina Didreckson, Nicole Browning, Jack VanZandt, Karen Foster, Robert Foster, Tim Fields and Mr. McLiney with the Bonding Company.
Mayor asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor’s Comments.
Mayor mentioned as a follow-up the approval of a bench for the Cloud Family land donation.
Mayor has talked to Mr. Woods and Ken Cloud as to where the bench should be placed and they were both in agreement that the Park would be the best place. If no one objects to this,
it will be turned over to the Park Board as to where they want it place in the Park. The
inscription was left up to the Mayor, there was 70 letters that went with the granite bench.
Mayor tried to keep as close to 70 as possible. It will read as follows: Thank you to the Donald and Carolyn Cloud Family for the property gift to the City of Billings. There will be an additional charge $8.75 to Wommack as there is 75 letters.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
Mayor asked if anyone would like to speak to the board.
Karen Foster, a member of the Park Board, and a citizen and lives at 104 Logan Street. On the agenda for tonight it states the Park Advisory Board, that indicates we just advise. The Ordinance states that they have control over all matters for the Park. Mayor stated it should be just the Park Board, this language is the state stature. The Park will keep the Board in the loop as to the actions.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
- Poindexter stated only one bid for the repairs to the generator, would like to postpone to next meeting. Motion made by Gold to Postpone to next meeting seconded by Brown. Voting
“Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
NEW BUSINESS, MEMORIALS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ORDINANCES.
- Consent Agenda. Discussion there is an amended set of Minutes of December 7, 2018. Two of the employees were given more raise than of approved. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda made by Kucera seconded by Woods. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
- BILL NO. 19-01 — An Ordinance Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. Motion made by Huffman seconded by Brown to have the First Reading of Bill 19-01 by Title Only. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. Mayor asked Haskins to read Bill No. 19-01 by Title Only. Haskins read Bill No. 19-01 by Title Only. Motion made by Gold seconded by Woods to accept the First Reading of Bill No.19-01. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. Motion made by Huffman seconded by Kucera to have the Second Reading of Bill No. 19-01 by Title Only. Mayor asked Haskins to read Bill No. 19.01by Title Only. Haskins read Bill No. 19-01 by Title Only. Motion made by Kucera seconded by Gold to accept the Second Reading and for Final Passage Thereof, of Bill No. 19-01. ROLL CALL VOTE. Woods – Aye, Brown — Aye, Gold – Aye, Kucera — Aye, Huffman — Aye. Motion that Bill No.19-01 made by Brown seconded by Woods be accepted as Ordinance No. 19-01. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. Bill No. 19-01 is now Ordinance No. 19-01.
- BILL NO. 19-02 — An Ordinance Electing and setting Forth the Duties and Salary and Term of the Office of the City Clerk. Motion made by Woods seconded by Gold to have the First Reading of Bill No. 19.02 by Title only. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. Mayor asked Haskins to read Bill No. 19-02 by Title Only. Haskins read Bill 19-02 by Title Only. Motion to accept the First Reading of Bill No. 19-02 made by Brown seconded by Huffman. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. Motion made by Gold seconded by Huffman to have the Second Reading by Title Only. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. Mayor asked Haskins to read Bill No. 19-02 by Title Only. Haskins read Bill No. 19-02 by Title Only. Motion made by Kucera seconded by Woods to accept the second reading and for Final Passage, Thereof. Roll Call Vote. Woods –Aye, Brown – Aye, Gold – Aye, Kucera – Aye, Huffman – Aye. Motion made by Gold seconded by Huffman that Bill No. 19-02 be accepted as Ordinance 19-02. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Bill No. 19-02 is now Ordinance 19-02.
- Bill No. 19-03 — An Ordinance Setting Salaries of all Officers and Employees of the City. AS AMENDED. Motion made by Kucera seconded by Huffman to have the First Reading of Bill 19-03 as amended by Title Only. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay”. Mayor asked Haskins to read Bill No. 19-03 as amended by Title Only. Haskins read Bill No. 19-03 as amended by Title Only. Motion made by Gold seconded by Kucera to accept the First Reading of Bill 19-03. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. Motion made by Huffman seconded by Woods to have the Second Reading of Bill No. 19-03 as amended by Title Only. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. Mayor asked Haskins to read Bill No.19-03 as amended by Title Only. Haskins read Bill No. 19-03 by Title Only. Motion made by Woods seconded by Kucera to accept the Second Reading and For Final Passage Thereof. Roll Call Vote. Woods – Aye, Brown – Aye, Gold – Aye, Kucera – Aye, Huffman – Aye. Motion made by Huffman seconded by Brown the Bill No. 19-03 as amended be accepted as Ordinance No. 19-03. Bill No. 19-03 is now Ordinance No. 19-03.
- Mr. McLiney whatever the city is doing, just keep doing this. The City numbers were very good, extremely well. The City ratio is 1.9, this is extremely high. Your management is great and your numbers are fantastic. Woods stated cannot maintain the increases without a sunset. Mr. McLiney stated the rates need to be reviewed every year. Brown asked if Mr. McLiney to come every year. McLiney stated any time the City needs for him to come to a meeting he will be here. McLiney needs to be hired tonight and then when the projects are ready, he will be back. Motion to hire the McLiney Company made by Huffman seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None.
- Board to make nominations for President of the Board. Huffman nominates Brown for the President of the Board. No further nominations. Motion made by Huffman seconded by Kucera to approve Brown as President of the Board. Voting “Aye” Wood, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. Brown abstains.
- Mayor recommendations of the list of City employees and contractors in aggregate. Motion to accept the Mayor’s recommendation of appointments made by Gold seconded by Huffman. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
- Mayor recommends Jan Morrison and Ivy Maxwell for a two term to the Library Board. Motion made by Kucera to approve the recommendations seconded by Woods. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
- Didreckson states the Library now has a 501c3. There are some grants that they can apply for, however they will probably need partners. Didrecksons company that she works for is donating computers.
- Mayor stated the Park Board Members have been appointed. Motion to approve terms for the Park Board Members made by Huffman seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None.
- Board needs to approve the following names as authorized signers for the City of Billings Asset Management Account at the Bank of Billings: David Rauch, Mickey Brown, Chris M. Hopkins and Ruth M. Haskins. Motion made by Gold seconded by Huffman. Voting “Aye” Woods, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. Brown abstains.
- Woods to discuss water and sewer rates. Woods is concerned the meters are not read every thirty days. Some months it goes over the minimum and the rate increase every year. Woods proposes the minimum usage to 3,000 gallons. Woods talked to Gail and that would be a loss of about $40,000.00. Penalty fees received last year was about $16,000.00 for both water and sewer combined. Motion made by Gold to do an analysis of the annual impact by raising from 2,000 to 3,000 gallon by Gail for next month.
- Woods discuss sidewalk to Dollar General. Highway Department will not allow the City to put in a sidewalk on highway right-of-way. Woods would like bids on sidewalk on Mt. Vernon from Mobile Home Park to Republic Street. Mayor asked Woods to check on prices.
- Woods stated when it was decided on Veterans wall for the City to pay he voted for that, however now would like to rescind the $15,000.00 for a Veterans Wall on the other side of the lot from the Mural. Motion to rescind approval of the $15,000.00 for the wall made by Woods seconded by Huffman. Brown stated he wants to rescind. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None. No abstentions.
- Kucera discussed the City’s website, getting bid to revising City’s website. Trying to get someone to build and maintain our website.
- Brown to discuss a part-time employee supervisor, pay $12.00 per hour to show Keith what to do two days a week. Randy would not have to do that. Mayor states work on job description and come back next month.
- Mayor stated Randy is now attending classes for higher certification from a DSII to a DSIII, this is as high as he can go. Mayor stated when certification is enhanced do we pay a higher wage.
- Mayor to appoint a Policy and Procedure Committee, would like to have Kucera, Brown and Gold on the committee to study this.
- Motion to approve wages, expenses, expenses, bills, statements and other expenditures for the month of December, 2018 made by Huffman seconded by Brown. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman.
No further business.
Motion for Adjournment made by Huffman seconded by Kucera. Voting “Aye” Woods, Brown, Gold, Kucera and Huffman. Voting “Nay” None.
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David Rauch, Mayor
ATTEST
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RUTH M. HASKINS, CITY CLERK