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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-07-07 Minutes, City Commission, SPEC ---.--.-.-.- -- MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION BOZEMAN, MONTANA July 7, 2003 ***************************** The Commission of the City of Bozeman met in special session with the County Commissioners in the meeting room at the Rocky Mountain Roasting Company, 701 West Main Street, at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 7, 2003. Present from the City were Mayor Steve Kirchhoff, Commissioner Marcia Youngman, Commissioner Lee Hietala, Commissioner Jarvis Brown, Commissioner Andrew Cetraro, City Manager Clark Johnson and Clerk of the Commission Robin Sullivan. Presentfrom the County were County Commission Chair John Vincent and County Commissioner Bill Murdock. County Commissioner Jennifer Smith Mitchell was absent. Informal work session with County Commissioners County Commission Chair John Vincent stated County Commissioner Smith Mitchell feels they should be meeting not only with the Bozeman City Commission, but the Belgrade City Council and the Manhattan City Council as well. He recognized that probably 75 to 80 percent of the city/county related issues pertain to Bozeman and Gallatin County and suggested that, on those occasions when other municipalities are involved, they can be invited to attend meetings. County Commission Chair Vincent noted that the County Commissioners and other County elected officials meet once a month, with no agenda, to simply talk, get to know each other, and understand each other's perspectives. He suggested that similar discussions between the two governing bodies could also be beneficial, particularly where issues affecting mutual constituents are involved. He proposed meetings on a fairly regular basis, in an informal setting. County Commission Chair Vincent stated that the Bozeman Shelter Care is a current hot topic, particularly since the issue is scheduled for discussion at this evening's City Commission meeting and a meeting of various groups has been scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Thursday to also discuss the issue. He recognized the importance of saving the facility, but suggested that a task force be given the opportunity to review the situation and develop a plan before any action is taken. County Commissioner Bill Murdock stated he feels it is important for the needs of several different agencies to be addressed by a youth shelter; and it is imperative that youth in crisis be retained in the community. He asked that both governing bodies give the task force time to develop a management model that will work, noting that there is a model in Missoula that has been quite successful and could possibly work here. County Commission Chair Vincent noted that very initial discussions have suggested a youth shelter could be structured so that local government subsidy could be phased out within the next few years. He contrasted this to the continually increasing subsidy to Bozeman Shelter Care over the past six years. County Commissioner Bill Murdock stressed that welfare programs were assumed by the State approximately six years ago, leaving Counties no longer responsible for administration of any programs and without any taxing authority for them. He noted that, as a result, cities and counties are on equal footing when it comes to responsibility for the programs; and the County has dipped into its general fund when it felt imperative to do so to support a local program. Commissioner Youngman noted the State is not living up to its responsibilities in this area; and whenever both the City and the County share in funding of local programs, city taxpayers end up paying twice. She also voiced concern that every program hurt by the last legislative session will seek funding assistance from local government. County Commissioner Bill Murdock asked that each Commissioner identify those issues on which dialogue and/or cooperation might be beneficial. 07 -07 -03 Special -------------- - 2 - Commissioner Hietala submitted the following: Several large ticket capital projects have been identified, including a new performing arts center, a new library, a health department building, school upgrades, new shop facilities for both the City and the County, transfer station, solid waste district, regional park, transit system, new detention center and County administrative offices. Commissioner Hietala proposed that, rather than working on these issues individually, it may be more appropriate for the City and the County to combine forces and develop a long-range plan that looks at the capital needs for the next twenty years. He suggested that combined facilities could help to reduce the costs to taxpayers while meeting the needs of both entities. Commissioner Cetraro submitted the following: Need for better presentations from entities seeking funding from local governments. He cited the requests from Shelter Care and the transit task force as examples of poor presentations. He then expressed an interest in knowing how other Counties address this type of issue. Commissioner Brown submitted the following: Concern about the issue of double taxation, discussions on welfare and identifying priorities rather than considering individual requests in a vacuum, detention center/Law and Justice Center/administrative office issues, a transit system, and potential issues revolving around the regional park and its development. He noted it is critical for Commissioners to participate in a unified effort, with all of them pulling in the same direction. Commissioner Youngman thanked the County Commissioners for supporting a CDBG application for first time homebuyers, noting it blends well with the City's efforts to address affordable housing issues. She then identified the following topics and issues: A transit system, an interlocal agreement for planning, a trail corridor that provides linkages from Sourdough Trail to the Hyalites, park and recreation services, the new library project, master planning of the Law and Justice Center site, social services, and a cable television franchise agreement that includes a public access channel. She asked if another coalition meeting that involves the groups that met prior to the legislative session would be beneficial in addressing the social service issues resulting from actions of the Legislature. She also suggested the possibility of creating a district in the county that would pay a fee comparable to the cable franchise fee since those residents will benefit from the public access channel but will not be subject to the fee. Mayor Kirchhoff stated he feels the City and the County cooperate quite well, citing police services, 9-1-1 services, and plowing each other's streets as examples; and his top priority for the next joint effort would be the interlocal agreement. He stated, however, that he feels joint meetings of the governing bodies could be beneficial. County Commissioner Bill Murdock listed mental health, 9-1-1, health services, solid waste district and transit system as issues to be discussed. He noted the City has the advantage of a professional manager who is responsible for the day-to-day operations, while the County Commissioners are often overwhelmed with administrative duties that keep them from doing legislative activities. He acknowledged that the County often has a different perspective from the City on a given issue, and those perspectives can sometimes clash. In response to County Commission Chair Vincent, all of the Commissioners expressed an interest in breakfast meetings to continue general discussions about issues of interest to both governing bodies, recognizing that items of special importance may enter into those discussions. It was noted that a relaxed atmosphere allows for improved communication between the bodies and should create a better working relationship. As a result of discussion, the Commissioners agreed that the discussions will remain informal, with no agenda. If that discussion leads to the need for action, such action will be taken at a formal meeting of the governing body. Also, the two Commissions may meet in formal meetings as necessary to deal with specific subjects. Adjournment. 4:50 D.m. There being no further business to come before the Commissions at this time, the meeting was adjourned. 07 -07 -03 Special ----..,.-------- -....-....--- .. . .-....--..--....,..".- .. ..----_._--------~-_. - 3 - d; ~~~ STEV R. KIRC OFF, Mayor If (- ATTEST: rJp of d#~ R L. SULLIVAN Clerk of the Commission 07 -07 -03 Special