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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-14 Minutes, City Commission MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION BOZEMAN, MONT ANA April 14, 2006 *********************.****,*** The Commission of the City of Bozeman met in regular session in the Community Room, Gallatin County Courthouse, 311 West Main Street, on Thursday, April 14, 2006, at 7:09 a.m. Present were Mayor Jeff Krauss, Commissioner Steve Kirchhoff, Commissioner Jeff Rupp, Commissioner Kaaren Jacobson, Commissioner Sean Becker, County Commissioner John Vincent, County Commissioner Joe Skinner, County Commissioner Bill Murdock, City Manager Chris Kukulski, and Acting City Clerk Devin Harbour. Siqninq of Notice of Special Meetinq Each member, in turn signed the Notice of Special Meeting. Public Comment No public comment was received. Discussion reqardinq detention center and location of law enforcement offices City Manager Kukulski gave some background about the City's space needs and the possibility of the police department moving out of the Law and Justice Center. He stated that we value and benefit from the law enforcement being in the same facility, but if we are ten years or more away from dealing with the space issue at the Law and Justice Center, then administratively, we can't continue to function in the 4,000- 5,000-square-foot area. Mr. Pertzborn's work indicates we are really occupying about 8,000 square feet, but we need about 14,000 square feet. Larry Watson, noted they have a consultant working on space issues for the county. They also met with the county CIP Committee, and they are looking at design alternatives and funding alternatives. The County Commission is looking at January or February of 2007 for action on that issue. They are also looking at possibilities for site location and whether it's on the right site or not. Cr. Murdock requested that the City consider staying with the County in the same location. If 911 moves, maybe they can find interim room for expansion for the Bozeman Police Department. It's something they can consider. He mentioned that there is a disconnect between what staff knows when they sit in meetings and what the public knows. Here we are again, ten years later talking about moving the jail, and the public's not going to go for it. If it might mean a joint bond issue to keep the Bozeman Police Department in the Law and Justice Center, then he's willing to go there. City Manager Kukulski noted that 911 and the jail are integral parts of our law enforcement. Most people understand that the 911 Center doelm't need to be in that building. Cr. Kirchhoff noted that keeping things under one roof might be superior, but that may not be what is in our best interests right now. Cr. Murdock noted that the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council met with the City Manager to try and convince the City to stay with the County. He agrees that the Law and Justice Center has flaws, and he wants to rip the current one down and build a new Law and Justice Center. Cr. Skinner noted that the a new jail needs built first. Mayor Krauss stated that the City Commission voted 4-0 to help fund the new jail, and they think it's a big priority for this community. After that we're looking at $20-30 million for the rest of the Law and Justice campus. He stated that this is a different century than when we built these building, we can try to 04-14-06 - 2 - pass giant bonds or try to find solutions that are focused on providing service to the community. Having seen that we've not been able to produce the jail, it's going to be that much harder to convince people that we're going to replace the Law and Justice Center. At some point we have to demonstrate that we built a jail, on budget, and if we find a solution that buys us five years, we may have a jail then and then maybe the public will be ready for the next step. Cr. Skinner understands the City's concerns, and agreed that we do need to look at creative solutions. Responding to Cr. Jacobson, City Manager Kukulski noted there probably isn't enough room in the old library to combine the County and City Police Departments. Responding to Cr. Rupp, City Manager Kukulski noted that when we looked at this in the committee, we noted there is a value in the courts being together; it's the last thing that we should splinter off. The Police Department said they can deal with the courts not being in their building, but the courts and jails need to be close. Cr. Kirchhoff noted our current City Library could be retooled for the City Police Department, that building, in different dimensions might be able to hold both. He stated that it is an underutilized piece of land, and there is room to expand that building. The City Manager noted there has been analysis on how to expand that library, and we can look at why they didn't expand that building. He mentioned that every property asset we own, and even the Kenyon Noble site, should be evaluated. City Manager Kukulski noted that we have tens of millions of dollars to invest, our fire impact fee is only a couple of hundred dollars per house, and it will pay for one station with what we have now. We need the police impact fee. It adds up and we gain credibility and don't need to ask the public for so much. Cr. Murdock noted that if the City moves out of Fire Station 2, that site will work for the 911 Center, and if 911 moves out, then we have a couple thousand square feet to expand the Bozeman Police Department. Cr. Vincent noted there are four handicaps as he sees it, 1. Our growth rate, 2. 100.percent dependence on the property tax, 3. Inflation of construction costs. 4. Limited bonding capacity. When you add that up, we're going to be sitting around for a number of years pasting stuff together. Discussion on miscellaneous issues/topics Review of draft resolution of cooperation - This topic was not discussed. 10-min update on planning issues - This topic was not discussed. City-County litter ordinance Cr. Becker noted this could help rectify some of the problems with litter on the freeway, etc. Cr. Murdock noted that a litter ordinance with some enforcement authority will be addressed by the County Commission in the future. Crs. Becker, Kirchhoff, and Rupp noted they would be interested in discussing a convenience site within the city. Cr. Vincent noted that the county is investigating a bailing system to move refuse from the convenience site to the dump. Cr. Kirchhoff noted that a roll-off container would be nice. He mentioned the separation system, and the possibility of opening another cell at the City Landfill. At the time we were thinking about it, there was said to have a lifespan of 5-7 years; it's an asset that is just sitting there. Cr. Murdock noted that the draft bylaws have two vacant seats on the Solid Waste Management District for city representatives. 04-14-06 - 3 - Mayor Krauss noted that the federal government is going to mandate some recycling, so it will have to be done at Logan. Larry Watson, noted they are moving towards basing fees on routes. We started as a cooperative, and are now the largest recycling cooperative, and per capita rate isn't going to carry us into the future. The real economy doesn't allow us to drive all the way to Logan before you start separating. Mr. Watson noted that the recycling program would have never gotten off the ground without the per capita fee, but it won't carry us into the future. Update on Bozeman Deaconess Foundation property - This topic was not discussed. Misc topics Cr. Rupp noted we bought two yellow busses and we are now looking at the route system. We are on track for August 1, 2006, rollout date, and maybe we can borrow three busses from the park for the first 60-90 days. Cr. Murdock noted that if Belgrade doesn't contribute they won't get a lot of service. Select Maior Topic for next MeetinQ (Mav 19) Mayor Krauss noted that we meet here May 19, as far as major topic, the planning update will be there. We are in discussion about the Law and Justice Center. 911 financing will be on the next agenda. He noted that we will not get yes votes out of some Commissioners. Cr. Becker asked for an update for impact fees for the city and county at the next meeting, if the formulas are different there will be a conflict. City Manager Kukulski noted that we need to look at option taxes. Mayor Krauss noted that the sales tax goes down anyways. He added that Commissioners don't have much influence. City Manager Kukulski noted that a local option tax maybe should be a future agenda issue. Adiournment - 8:16 a.m. There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, Mayor Krauss adjourned the meeting. J~~AUi~{~ ATTEST: 1)/lJ!J- Devin M. Harbour Acting City Clerk Approved April 24, 2006 04-14-06