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Home My WebLink About02-26-10 Minutes, Joint City-Town/CountyMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE JOINT CITY-TOWNICOUNTY BOZEMAN, MONTANA February 26, 2010 The Commission of the City of Bozeman met at the Pour House, 15 North Rouse on Friday, February 26, 2010 at Noon. Present were Mayor Jeff Krauss, Commissioner Sean Becker, Commissioner Chris Mehl, Commissioner Carson Taylor, Assistant City Manager Chuck Winn, Finance Director Anna Rosenberry and City Clerk Stacy Ulmen. "An audio ofthis inecting is not available, The P'ofloii-ing Minutes ii,ere transcribed hY Counti, ConunissionAssistant 0-vstal Turner, February 26, 2010 Local Government Luncheon Bozeman, Montana (Pour House Restaurant) Present were: Sean Becker, Joe Skinner, Russ Nelson, Anne Koentopp, Ed Tharp, Gene Townsend, Amy Waring, Pierre Martineau, Jamie Greene, Crystal Turner, Jeff Krauss, Bill Alurdock, Steve White, Maren Olsen, Stacy LTInjen, Chuck Winn, Chris Mehl, Carson Taylor, Anna Rosenberry, Allison Sweeney, Michael Tucker (Belgrade News) and possibly others. Bozeman Mayor Jeff Krauss called the luncheon meeting to order and asked everyone to introduce themselves. 2011 Legislative Session Bozeman City Manager Chris Kukulski asked for this item to be on the agenda, although Chris was not in attendance so Mayor Krauss presented for him. Mr. Krauss asked if the group would like to host another meeting with the legislative candidates as well as those still serving to discuss the following (or any other) issues: • Local Option Tax • Public Defender Issues • DLTI Fines Mayor Krauss asked if anyone was interested in bringing up the Local Option Tax again with the Legislature. If allowed by the State we could adopt this couilty-wide, or by specific municipalities, and Mayor Krauss suggested that 100% go to property tax relief. There was not much comment on this but someone did say (did not see who was speaking) that they did not believe it was a good time to try to implement any new taxes, even with a relief elsewhere — it just wouldn't "sell" well with the public. Minutes of the Joint City-Town/County Meeting, February 26, 2010 There have also been (legislative) changes to the public defender system which is putting a huge burden on Bozenian's ability to offer speedy trials, we have difficulty finding resources to match what the State is doing. We'd like to discuss this with the legislative candidates. Mayor Krauss also mentioned that Bozeman would like to bring up DUI fines to the legislative candidates as the fines do not cover all the costs of the process. Basically law abiding citizens are subsidizing DtTIS right now. (There didn't seem to be much interest based oil lack of comments.) Medical Marijuana (agenda itern out of order) The biggest issue currently facing Bozeman is the medical marijuana and its boons of business in various zoned areas of the Citv. There are alreadv a number of cities across the State proposing zoning (distance to churches, Schools, parks, etc...). Bozernan will hear, a possible emergency zoning ordinance on March 2210. The County Commissioners said the County has twenty-two existing zoning districts and isn't interested right now in implementing a county - Wide district to prohibit medical marijuana businesses just vet. Mayor Krauss said they don't want to overact right now, but don't want to under -act either. Chickens in City Limits (agenda 4enda itern out of order) Belgrade Mayor- Russ Nelson just wanted to update everyone that the Belgrade Council voted down the allowance of chickens within city limits. Even though they are more rural, Belgrade is concerned about the stench and issues of rodents (skunk, raccoons, fox, etc...) being drawn to the city because of the chicken's food or being drawn to the chickens themselves. There was significant public outcry against chickens in town. Speed Limits Around Schools (agenda item out of order) Mayor Nelson also stated that residents in Belgrade have requested speed zones be changed (raised) when children aren't present in school zones. Belgrade set speed zones years ago in the school zones to SAS'-5PA41Monday through Sunday all year long. The entire year was selected because the officer and speeder could debate about what -children being present" meant-, there is a lot of activity all year long. Follow-up to holding an annual County -wide clean day sometime around Earth Day County Code Compliance Specialist Amy Waring said that this year is the 4011, anniversary of Earth Pay, Saturday the 24th is the proposed day to hold this event. Each community could provide a contact person to help Amy coordinate the event, and to help get volunteers and sponsors. She suggested lunch, gloves, bags all be donated and will ask the Logan Landfill to take the trash for free on this day (best case scenario) but is at least hoping for a reduce tipping fee. Bozeman Finance Director Anna Rosenberry said that Bozeman is holding a week-long event which would end with ail Earth Day celebration at Bogert Park with a band and lunch served. They have budgeted $2-3,000 and are working on getting sponsors/donations, advertising, reduced tipping fees, vests and staff help. Bozeman does set up a booth and opportunities for vendors as well like Stuart Cars, Solar, etc... Belgrade Council \4eniber Anne Koentopp said that Belgrade has not coordinated a date yet. She agreed to work with the City Manager and try to get something started as well for the April 2411, date. Three Forks' Mayor Gene Townsend said that the April 24t" weekend will not work for Three Forks as it is their annual horse drive weekend. Department of Transportation provides Three Forks with safety vests and bags for the highway cleanup done each year, so suggested for any cleanups around state highways to contact POT. He also suggested e-waste 2 Minutes of the Joint City-Town/County Meeting, February 26, 2010 be coordinated at this same tinie. Three Forks already contracts with Allied Waste to host two clean-up days a year where pretty much anyone around the area (City or County residents) can bring yard waste /clippings as long as they are cut to size to fit in the dumpsters and Allied typically gets 6-8 dunipsters filled in a day. Amy Waring said she'll continue to work on this and hopes we can have another meeting before the event to finalize all plans. She will be attending the next Solid Waste Management District meeting and will get their answer regarding reduced tipping fees back to the Local Government group. Anything Else? • Legislative, Treasurer, County Commission Primaries o Mayor Krauss asked if there was interest in inviting them to our next Local Government luncheon to introduce themselves and tell us how they would work with the cities and towns. Crystal Turner will work on coordinating this and inviting the candidates to the next luncheon. • Stimulus Funds? o Commissioner Murdock asked what everyone's opinion was on the prosIcons of using stimulus money. Town Managerjainic Greene said that West Yellowstone received a COPS grant in the aniount of $180,000 which enabled thell, to hire a new officer but they don't have it figured out yet how they will budget the officer's retention by the timeline required - they hope operating funds will tic able to cover it due to the grant's funds allowing them to purchase equipment and other things for the officer. Mayor Townsend said that Three Forks was able to chipseal streets in town that would not have been on the schedule for another few years because of a stimulus grant, as well as a SRS loan for a new water well that has a 5090' forgiveness of the loan included. Three Forks has also received a $17,000 Department of Energy grant to redo the lights and other things like that in the city buildings. Mayor Nelson said that Belgrade was able to expand their water prqject (which was already planned) but stiniulus, funds have allowed theiii to offset some of that cost. How 1114111Yjobs all this stimulus iiioney has kept or created was difficult for each city to answer - but Red Tiger Prilling, (who dug the well for Three Forks) did not have to lay off Lilly employees and they thought they would have to this year, as Well as knife River (who perforined the chipsealing project) worked and extra two days for that project. Time / Date / Host of Next Meeting ,Mayor Nelson said that Belgrade would host the next meeting. Crystal Turner will work to find a best date and will invite the local government position candidates. She will also work to obtain a candidate list for all legislative candidates and current members but will ask the Local Government group if they want her to extend the invitation to all candidates at that time as well, or do the legislative candidates at a later iiiecting date. b ,jet4 K/Krauss, Mayor KI Minutes of the Joint City-Town/County Meeting, February 26, 2010 ATT,F, BO 01 Xitv Clerk, ,A' _7 33 PR -PARkV,�BcT* Crystal Turner, County Commission Assistant Approved on 2A;Dri