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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-13-07_September 21, 2007 Joint City-County Meeting_3 LINKED-MINUTES OF THE JOINT CITY/COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING BOZEMAN, MONTANA September 21, 2007 ***************************** The Commission of the City of Bozeman met in a Joint Roundtable Discussion at the Community Room, Gallatin County Courthouse, 311 West Main Street, on Friday, September 21, 2007 at 7:00 am. Present were Mayor Jeff Krauss, Cr. Kaaren Jacobson, Cr. Jeff Rupp, City Manager Chris Kukulski, Assistant City Manager Ron Brey, Fire Chief Chuck Winn, Superintendent of Facilities James Goehrung, County Cr. Bill Murdock, County Cr. Joe Skinner, County Cr. Steve White, County Administrator Earl Mathers, and City Clerk Stacy Ulmen. 0:12:16 Call to Order - 7:00 am – Community Room, Gallatin County Courthouse, 311 West Main Street Mayor Krauss called the meeting to order at 7:11 am. 0:12:37 Public Comment Mayor Krauss opened and closed Public Comment. No comment received. 0:12:57 1. Discussion Regarding Fire Station/911 Shared Location 0:13:16 Mayor Krauss Mayor Krauss explained that 1 year ago the voters passed a levy for the Fire Station/911 shared location. The County and the City need to discuss where they are in the process for the facility. 0:13:37 County Administrator Earl Mathers Mr. Mathers stated that the City and the County are moving forward with the project and that some of the issues surrounding the project have been resolved. Mr. Mathers explained that there is discussion regarding whether the facility will be located in one or two buildings. The County recognizes the need to adhere to the City’s schedule for construction of the facility. 0:15:43 Bozeman City Manager Chris Kukulski Mr. Kukulski explained that he has reviewed the original timeline for the project and that in order to accomplish the April 7, 2008 ground breaking for the facility, an architect must be selected and begin the design of the facility the first week of October 2007. 0:16:47 Superintendent of Facilities James Goehrung Mr. Goehrung explained the importance of getting shared efficiencies, such as one architect, one contractor, and one facility to then begin to share mechanical systems and emergency backup. Mr. Goehrung stated that the legal issues pending are in regards to how these costs are shared between the City and the County. 0:19:09 Fire Chief Chuck Winn 19 Minutes of the Joint City/County Commission Meeting, September 21, 2007 Mr. Winn emphasized the importance of meeting the April 7, 2008 ground breaking because of inflationary costs that may occur if the project is delayed. 0:21:39 County Grants and Projects Administrator Larry Watson Mr. Watson stated it would cost around $3,200 to bring in a separate company to determine the emergency communication tower height. 0:22:09 Mr. Kukulski Mr. Kukulski explained that the City already has an architect chosen for the project. Mr. Kukulski asked if there is a way for the County to use the same architect for the project so that it can move forward. 0:28:18 County Commissioner Steve White Cr. White explained his concern of the rising costs of construction and the height of the proposed tower. The height of the tower needs to be looked at. 0:34:24 Mr. Mathers Mr. Mathers stated that there are critical matters that need to be addressed: the first is to engage a firm to determine the height of the tower, and the second is that the County Commission ensure that this issue is the highest priority at this time. 0:40:15 Mr. Kukulski Mr. Kukulski pointed out that the cost of delaying the project is estimated to be around $20,000 per month. 0:49:21 2. Discussion Regarding UTD or Municipal Mill Levy Streamline Bus System 0:49:36 County Commissioner Bill Murdock Cr. Murdock stated that the appointed board that was put together as a precursor to an urban transportation district has been meeting. The yellow Streamline buses have been running on an interim schedule by HRDC. The group has made a recommendation to the governing bodies that there should be an urban transportation district formed and that the district may ask for a mill levy. Cr. Murdock stated that the mill levy request should go before the voters in the next year with the boundaries being within the city limits of the City of Bozeman. Cr. Murdock explained that there has been discussion regarding making the system strictly a municipal bus system. The board does not agree with making the system only a municipal system because there is more flexibility for funding. 0:51:49 Cr. Murdock Cr. Murdock stated that even if the system was only used within the City limits, the County would still need to vote to put the issue in front of the voters. The Bozeman City Commission must vote to decide whether they are interested in forming an urban transportation district with a mill levy attached. 0:53:43 County Commissioner Joe Skinner 2 20 Minutes of the Joint City/County Commission Meeting, September 21, 2007 Cr. Skinner asked, “If the urban transportation district was formed, how would the County’s funding be affected that is currently given to the bus service?” 0:53:52 Cr. Murdock Cr. Murdock stated that he is not sure how it would affect the funding. 0:54:11 City Commissioner Jeff Rupp Cr. Rupp stated that the estimated cost is around $600,000 annually to run the current bus system. The ideal system should be determined, and then the mill levy amount should be figured upon that system. 0:57:25 Cr. Murdock Cr. Murdock asked the City Commission to make a decision regarding forming the urban transportation district. Cr. Murdock stated that the County is going to wait until the City decides what they want to do with the issue. 0:57:54 Mayor Krauss Mayor Krauss stated that this issue and the decision will be deferred to a later date. 0:58:20 3. Discussion Regarding Proceeding with Interlocal Agreement re: SB 201 0:58:55 4. Discussion Regarding Gas Tax 0:59:09 Mr. Kukulski Mr. Kukulski stated that there has not been any discussion with the City or County Commission regarding this issue. Mr. Kukulski suggested that this item be rescheduled during the first part of 2008. 1:00:12 Mayor Krauss Mayor Krauss stated his concerns are how to pay for roads and suggested that when the gas tax is discussed, the Interlocal Agreement should be included. The two issues should be a combined discussion with City Planning. 1:02:23 Cr. Skinner Cr. Skinner stated that there needs to be a common goal that is agreed upon about how the gas tax money is spent between the City and the County. Cr. Skinner explained that he hadn't thought of incorporating the gas tax into an interlocal agreement, but it may be an option. 1:03:57 Mayor Krauss Mayor Krauss gave an overview of Senate Bill 201, stating that it is mainly in regards to County development. 1:06:18 Mr. Kukulski Mr. Kukulski stated that there are not many cities or counties around the state that have done much to fund transportation locally. Bozeman has taken the initiative to do this. 3 21 Minutes of the Joint City/County Commission Meeting, September 21, 2007 1:07:44 5. Proposed 2008 Meeting Schedule (all in Community Room) 1:08:15 6. Other Areas of Concern 1:08:24 Jail Location 1:09:24 Cr. Murdock Cr. Murdock stated that the Capital Improvement Program Committee has a different perspective on the issue and are ready to make a recommendation to the Commission, and he asked Krauss if he would allow them to speak. 1:09:45 Mayor Krauss Mayor Krauss gave his consent to allow the presentation. 1:10:21 Capital Improvement Program Committee Member David Smith Mr. Smith stated that a letter has been handed out to the City Commission from the County asking that the City announce what the City's general policy is regarding a joint campus site. The letter derived from an article that was in the local newspaper. Mr. Smith stated that it is the CIP Committee's desire to have a joint campus. 1:11:51 Mayor Krauss Mayor Krauss stated that his position is to have the jail remain on South 16th and emphasized that the jail issue has been in the works for 14 years. The City does want to work together, but the City needs a more central location. 1:13:17 Mr. Smith Mr. Smith stated that the CIP Committee wants to see an answer that will serve the needs for the next 50 years. 1:14:27 City Commissioner Kaaren Jacobson Cr. Jacobson stated that she agrees with what the CIP Committee has come up with and explained that it is not for certain where the City center will be in 50 years. She is in support of having a joint campus. 1:15:26 Capital Improvement Program Committee Member Dave Weaver Mr. Weaver stated that the needs are not adequate at the existing site on South 16th. Mr. Weaver explained that it is important to keep the justice campus co-located. 1:17:14 Mr. Kukulski Mr. Kukulski clarified that what he has said in the past is that it is the City's desire to have a joint campus but that the City must be on its own timeline. The location has been the biggest issue. 1:20:17 Cr. Skinner Cr. Skinner stated that the County would like something in writing regarding the City's position for the joint campus. 4 22 Minutes of the Joint City/County Commission Meeting, September 21, 2007 1:22:11 Mr. Kukulski Mr. Kukulski emphasized the importance of the location being decided upon. 1:27:41 Meeting Adjourned Mayor Krauss adjourned the meeting. ______________________________________ Jeffrey K. Krauss, Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________________ Stacy Ulmen, City Clerk PREPARED BY: ______________________________________ Stacy Ulmen, City Clerk Approved on ___________________________. 5 23