The regular meeting of the Glendive City Council was held Tuesday, August 16, 2016. Mayor Jerry Jimison called the meeting to order with the following Council members present: Avis Anderson, Doug Baker, Leon Baker, Rhett Coon, Mike Dryden, Betsey Hedrick, Clyde Mitchell and Gerald Reichert. Others present included: Treasurer Darci Saeman, Police Chief Brad Mitchell, Assistant Public Works Director Pete Leath and Recreation Director Dean Svenvold. Jason Stuart from the Ranger-Review was present; along with, numerous members of the public. Director of Operations Kevin Dorwart and Fire Chief George Lane were both absent.
Mayor Jimison opened the Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Coon moved to approve the minutes of the August 2, 2016 regular Council meeting; second by D. Baker. Mitchell asked that his name be added to the minutes as he was in attendance at the August 2nd meeting, but his name is not listed. The motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS
Street Committee
Tuesday August 9, 2016, 4:00pm
Glendive City Hall Council Room
Present: Gerald Reichert, Rhett Coon, Mavis Anderson, Kevin Dorwart, Jerry Jimison, Clyde Mitchell, Jack Rice, Mike Dryden, Betsey Hedrick, David Wedel, Karel Huether, Jen Fladager, Peggy Iba, Christine Whitlatch, Jerry Geiger and Ranger Review.
Agenda Items
- Mr. Jack Rice informed the Street Committee that the Public Works Department recommends awarding the 2016 Milling and Overlay contract to High Country Paving in the amount of $408,100.00. The current project will cover 22 city blocks. Bid amounts are attached.
- The Street Committee accepted Montana Department of Transportation Merrill Avenue Traffic Study for review and will discuss the recommendations at our next committee meeting in September.
- Peggy Iba, Jen Fladager and Karel Huether all made public comments endorsing the preferred alternative of three lanes for Merrill Avenue with some reservations such as lane width and snow removal. Christine Whitlatch, asked the committee if downtown business owners would have an opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have prior to a final decision.
Adjourned 4:23 pm
Gerald Reichert
**After Reichert read the Street Committee minutes, Hedrick asked that her name be taken off the minutes as did not attend the Street committee meeting. Also, Reichert stated he is confused as to Peggy Iba’s standing on changing Merrill Avenue from four lanes down to three. He feels like he got conflicting reports between what was said at the Committee meeting and what was reported in the Ranger Review.
Personnel Committee
August 11, 2016
Members present: Mayor, D. Baker, L. Baker, Betsey Hedrick, Clyde Mitchell.
Others: Kevin Dorwart, Josh Jensen, Bill Sadorf, Paul Miller, Rex Kunick.
Agenda
1. Union Negotiations with AFSCME 852.
Committee met with members of AFSCME 852 for negotiations on a new two year contract. Both sides came to a tentative agreement pending ratification from city council and AFSCME 852.
Action: Committee recommends council approving contract.
Submitted by Doug Baker Ward III
PUBLIC COMMENT
Peggy Iba, 1 Sussix Court, approached the Council to clarify that she in favor of Merrill Avenue going from four lanes down to three lanes. After getting her mirror ripped off when she opened her car door on Merrill Avenue, she found out there were 95 accidents on Merrill Avenue from 2010-2014. She feels that Merrill should be changed from 4 lanes to 3 lanes.
NEW BUSINESS
Accept bid from High Country Paving in amount of $408,100.00 at per unit bid price – L. Baker moved to accept the bid from High Country Paving in amount of $408,100.00 at per unit bid price; second by Coon. Leath stated High Country Paving is hoping to start in September, but they have not committed to a start date as of yet. D. Baker asked Leath why High Country Paving’s bid was $67,000 less than the other bids. Leath explained partly because of the down turn in the Bakken and also because High Country Paving wants to have a presence in Glendive. He also stated High Country Paving is doing a project nearby so they don’t have to move a lot of their equipment. The motion passed.
Approve request for vendors to sell at Badlands Board fest at JC West Park on August 26th & 27th
Hedrick moved to approve request for vendors to sell at Badlands Board fest at JC West Park on August 26th & 27th; second by Mitchell. The motion passed.
Approve Open Container and Noise Variance for Gate City Firemen’s Bash fundraiser at VFW parking lot August 20, 2016 from 8:00 pm – 1:00 am – Coon moved to approve Open Container and Noise Variance for Gate City Firemen’s Bash fundraiser at VFW parking lot August 20, 2016 from 8:00 pm – 1:00 am; second by Mitchell. Coon explained this is the main fundraiser for the Firefighters Association and the Association has been having this fundraiser for over 100 years. Dryden asked Coon to explain what the funds are used for. Coon explained that this year (for the first time ever), the funds are going to be used to purchase a thermal imaging camera for the City of Glendive Fire Department. The motion passed.
Approve tentative contract with AFSCME Local #852 – D. Baker moved to approve tentative contract with AFSCME Local #852; second by Anderson. D. Baker explained that both parties (Personnel committee and employees/union members) met several times and D. Baker feels the negotiations went rather smoothly. Dryden asked if it was the City who wanted to increase the probationary period; D. Baker asked yes as the probationary period has been four months. The motion passed.
Adopt Preliminary Budget for 2016-2017 – Coon moved to Adopt Preliminary Budget for 2016-2017; second by Dryden. Mayor Jimison asked the Council members to get ahold of Dorwart, prior to adopting the final budget, if any of them has any changes or requests. Coon added that any of the council members can also contact any Finance committee member. The personnel committee members have had the budget for about a week. The motion carried.
Set Public Hearing for 2016-2017 Budget – Mayor Jimison suggested to the Council that the Public Hearing for the 2016-2017 Budget be set for Tuesday, September 6th at 6:30 pm. It will then go in front of the Council for approval at the Council meeting at 7:00 pm that same evening. The budget has to be set within 30 days of the City receiving taxable values so the deadline for setting the budget is September 8, 2016. Coon moved to set the Public Hearing for the 2016-2017 Budget for Tuesday, September 6th at 6:30 pm; second by Mitchell. Dryden asked if the Permissive Mill levy needs a public hearing as well. Mayor Jimison stated yes, it will be held on the same night and the Mill Levy will also be approved that night. The motion carried.
Accounts Payable Claims: $113,274.04 – Hedrick moved to approve accounts payable claims in the amount of $113,274.04; second by L. Baker and the motion passed.
DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS
Public Works – Leath thanked the Council members for approving the paving bid as a lot of streets will get paved. The cross walks are getting painted, the sewer drain by DCHS has been repaired and lead/copper sampling will be done this week. Coon asked Leath how long the summer workers stay on. Leath stated there are three summer workers who will stay on until the end of September (the City had 8 summer employees) and added that the downturn in the Bakken has helped with getting more summer workers. Dryden asked Leath if the summer workers need CDL’s. Leath stated they don’t need CDL’s as they only drive pickups; no dump trucks, etc.
Recreation – Recreation Director Svenvold stated that due to the higher number of employees, the pool will stay open later than usual. All swimming lesson sessions are over and soccer sign-ups are still on-going with over 200 kids already signed up. The soccer season begins after Labor Day weekend.
Police – Police Chief Mitchell stated the fair went very, very well. It was the best behaved fair in years. Chief Mitchell added that Officer Hibbert is off due to just having a baby.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Congratulations – Dawson County Fair
08/24 – Elected Officials Training – 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
08/24 – Opening Day of School
08/26 & 27 – Badlands Board fest – JC West Park
09/02-09/04 – Glendive’s Super Con
**During Mayor’s comments, Mayor Jimison reported to the Council that he, Mike Dryden and Scott Herring all received the letter that Betsy had received a copy of 10 days earlier. Mayor Jimison referred to Article II, Section IX that governs whether a meeting can be closed and stated he and the paper’s law firm are both in agreement with how things were handled.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Street Committee – Tue., Aug. 22nd - 4:00 pm
F/U/P/R Committee – Tue., Aug. 22nd – 4:15 pm
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
City Court – July 2016
OTHER BUSINESS
G. Reichert made a motion to adjourn the meeting; second by D. Baker and the meeting was adjourned.
Dated this 16th day of August, 2016.
Approved the 6th day of September, 2016.
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Jerry Jimison, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Darci Saeman, Treasurer