HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-01-09 Joint City-Town/County Meeting MinutesLINKED MINUTES OF THE JOINT CITY-TOWN/COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
BOZEMAN, MONTANA
May 1, 2009
The quality of the audio for this meeting is poor.
The Commission of the City of Bozeman met in a Joint Roundtable Discussion at the Country
Kitchen, 6269 Jackrabbit Lane, Belgrade, Montana, on Friday, May 1, 2009 at noon. Present
were Deputy Mayor Jeff Krauss, Cr. Becker, and Cr. Bryson, City Manager Chris Kukulski,
County Cr. Bill Murdock, County Cr. Joe Skinner, County Cr. Steve White and City Clerk Stacy
Ulmen.
0:00:42 Call to Order
Belgrade Mayor, Russ Nelson called the meeting to order.
0:01:32 1. Pine Beetle Community Effort Update (Joe Skinner)
County Commissioner Joe Skinner spoke regarding efforts of getting rid of Pine Beetle affected
trees. The County coordinated with the Conservation District to find businesses that will take the
trees and process them to help reduce infestation. The Conservation District will keep a list of
these businesses.
0:04:30 Crystal Turner, County Commission Assistant
Ms. Turner stated that she has the press release and will distribute it to the Towns and Cities.
0:04:42 Cr. Skinner
Cr. Skinner stated that the he heard that the landfill is also taking the trees and chipping them.
There would probably be tipping fees involved for doing this.
0:05:56 2. Discussion on the County's Proposal to Reorganize the Gallatin Solid Waste
District Board and Amend the Interlocal Agreement with the Participating Entities (NO
DECISIONS WILL BE MADE REGARDING THIS ITEM)
0:06:09 Bill Murdock, County Commissioner
Cr. Murdock stated that the County came to the Towns and Cities a few years ago to sign an
interlocal agreement regarding the Landfill. The Landfill is operating with cash reserves. Cr.
Murdock stated that the County does not want to change anything that the board is doing on
management of the landfill, but only in the areas of the budget, and matters of personnel. He
spoke regarding personnel policies. The County is asking to have the interlocal agreements
amended on those two issues.
Linked Minutes of the Joint City-Town County Meeting, May 1, 2009
0:09:00 Cr. White
Cr. White spoke regarding what has been going on the landfill. There has been a lot of transition
in the board. It is not a political subdivision. All the members are appointed by the County
Commission. He thinks that there should be more involvement from the County. He spoke
regarding the stipends. He spoke regarding a land purchase. There are fiscal and statutory
responsibilities.
0:19:12 Cr. Skinner
Cr. Skinner stated that this is a great time to change the structure of the Board. The County is
not looking for big changes. It will just work better.
0:31:29 Jody May-Board Member
Mr. May stated that he is a Board member on the Solid Waste Board. He spoke regarding
representation on the board and his concern of the changes the County is proposing.
0:33:45 Deputy Mayor Krauss
Deputy Mayor Krauss stated that the liability falls on the County. With a great board,
administration can be fine. It is a component unit of the County. We are not running a landfill.
This is not what he wanted the district to do. He is willing to try it differently. He wants solid
waste professionals in there. He wants professionals to listen to the County Attorney. He prefers
an advisory board rather than an administrative board. It is a County liability and responsibility.
He wants to see the operation professionalized.
0:39:58 Storm Shirley-Board Member
Mr. Shirley spoke regarding the landfill being classified as a regional landfill.
0:42:35 3. Update/Discussion Regarding "Swine" (H1N1) Flu
0:42:49 Stephanie Nelson-Health Officer with Gallatin County
Ms. Nelson Introduced Betty Kalakay who is the Emergency Coordinator for the County Health
Office. Ms. Nelson spoke of the preparedness regarding the H1N1 (Swine Flu). She reflected
on the last week and stated that she is not sure why this strain from Mexico is so powerful. There
have been 333 cases in 11 countries with most in Mexico. In the US there are 19 states with 141
confirmed cases. Gallatin County is part of the Unified Health Command. The Unified Health
Command has met and will be providing a recommendation. In the Health Department, the first
goal is surveillance. She spoke regarding how they are doing this. We are in a heightened
surveillance. They are participating in testing. It appears today that the virus tends to look like a
seasonal virus. They are working on communication including the social networking site
"Twitter". The federal cash support for the outbreak masks, gloves has been released from the
federal level to the State. The County will be receiving tama flu, masks and gloves.
Linked Minutes of theloint City-Town County Meeting, May 1, 2009
0:56:47 Mr. Nelson
Mr. Nelson asked how long masks are good for.
0:56:56 Ms. Nelson
Ms. Nelson spoke regarding the mask life. They tend to give a false sense of security.
0:58:42 Deputy Mayor Krauss
Deputy Mayor Krauss regarding the impact locally and threat levels.
0:59:10 Ms. Nelson
Ms. Nelson spoke regarding the Global Public Health levels.
1:00:08 Ms. Kalakay
Ms. Kalakay spoke regarding the Center of Disease Control's process including reviewing each
country to see how outbreaks are affecting the public. A lot of the schools around the United
States are closing as a precaution.
1:02:48 4. Anything else?
1:02:47 Chris Kukulski, Bozeman City Manager
Mr. Kukulski asked how many other Cities or Towns have a contract with the Heart of the
Valley and if not, wondered where they take their animals. Mr. Kukulski wondered if those that
do take their animals to the Heart of the Valley could pool together to try to get a cheaper price.
The Heart of the Valley has doubled their prices.
1:05:42 Mr. Kukulski
Mr. Kukulski stated that it looks like a total of almost 1 mill from Bozeman goes to the Heart of
the Valley.
1:07:12 5. Time /Date /Host of next meeting
Manhattan will host the next meeting sometime in late June or early July.
ATTEST:
VI
Stac U1 en, C C, City Clerk
Jeff a eputy Mayor
Linked Minutes of the Joint City-Town County Meeting, May 1, 2009
PREPARED BY:
Sta U en, C C, City Clerk
Approved o Q