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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-10-14 Inter-Neighborhood Council Minutes THE INTER-NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL (INC) MEETING OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA  DRAFT MEETING MINUTES Thursday, July 10, 2014 Attending: Jennifer Rockne (SCAN) moderator, Kirk Johnson (MarLin), Gary Gulickson (BPNA), Joe Genovese (NHVN), Ginny Cowan (BCNA), Kathy Powell (UNA), Bob Wall (SENA), Deputy Mayor Carson Taylor (City Commission liaison), Capt. Mark Johnson (Bozeman Police Department), Craig Woolard (Bozeman Director of Public Works) QUORUM MET  4:32 Jennifer convened the meeting Review of June minutes. Joe moved to approve the minutes. Gary seconded. Motion passed unanimously. No public comment. Capt. Mark Johnson – Police Activity Report Car thefts are increasing, all over town. Windows are not being broken. Garage thefts also increasing – people are leaving garage doors open. There is an increase in transients and homeless people. They are becoming more aggressive. Parking enforcement is now checking neighborhoods. This group is not associated with the Bozeman Police Department. Scott Lee supervises them. Code enforcement – Kathy mentioned that Mark Carpenter is doing a good job. Joe mentioned inconsistencies in sign placements (speed limit and street signs).  5:00 Presentation on street improvement projects and methods of financing by Craig Woolard, Director of Public Works The city is close to completing the first system-wide assessment of Bozeman’s pavement. The City Commission approved another $200,000 in the budget for preventive maintenance. This spring, the Public Works Department proposed a policy for local street reconstruction. The police was passed by the City Commission. (Preventive maintenance is separate.) Local street cost will be shared between the property owners facing the street and the general street assessment fund. The percentage shared by owners is based on the traffic on the street. This percentage is levied using a Special Improvement District (SID). On local streets, classified as having 800 cars/day or fewer, owners will pay 75% of the reconstruction cost, and the City will pay 25%. On minor collector streets, classified as having 800-1500 cars/day, owners will pay 50% and the City will pay 50%. On major streets, classified as having 1500-4500 cars/day, owners will pay 15% and the City will pay 85%. On arterials, classified as having more than 4500 cars/day, owners will pay nothing and the City will pay 100%. When the assessment is complete, the Department of Public Works will assemble a long-term plan to systematically replace the worst streets. In addition to street and curb work, the Department must also consider water and sewer repair. The SID amount owed by each owner is based on the lot frontage on the street being reconstructed. The SIDs have a maximum payout period of twenty years, but owners can pay off the remaining balance earlier. Story St. is on hold because bids came in so high – two to three times the bids at the height of the boom. The Department decided to pull the project back. Stormwater discharge handling is also being improved. The Department requested $1.2 million/year for the budget (currently it is $200,000/year). This amount is estimated to maintain a fully functional stormwater system. Rates will increase significantly, from $20/year to $60/year. The rate is based on the amount of impervious areas, with credits for retention ponds and green space. The credit is initially focused on commercial properties. Residential rates will likely use an average across all residential properties in the city. This proposal will probably go to the Commission around October. The goal is to have the rate increase in place by Jan. 1. HOAs will need to keep stormwater retention ponds functional. There are not many contractors to help with these projects now, but there probably will be soon. The City is implementing policies to improve stormwater handling by contractors. It is important to fix bad construction practices that are causing problems (sediment getting into the stormwater systems). Sidewalks are also an issue. In the new part of town, many streets have gaps in the sidewalks. Contractors have three years from the time permits are granted to get them installed. In the old part of town, the City has surveyed sidewalks east of Willson. There are 7000 ft. of failed sidewalks. Repair is the responsibility of homeowners. The City has sent out notices for the biggest problem areas. Homeowners have the option to replace their sidewalks within the next year, or the City can do it after next June and charge the landowner. The estimate is $50/linear foot. Homeowners should probably start sooner – as demand increases, prices may start to rise. Could the City make arrangements with contractors so homeowners can get economy of scale on price? This might be a good thing for neighborhood associations to organize on behalf of affected neighbors. 6:05 Action Items On Sept. 30 and Oct. 2, there will be candidate forums sponsored by the Bozeman League of Women Voters. The Chronicle is partnering with them. Bob moved to direct Allyson to partner with BLWV for the forums. Kirk seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Neighborhood District Specialist position was approved in the City budget. 6:10 FYI Update from Deputy Mayor Carson Taylor: the budget was passed on June 30. There was no increase in the general fund amount from 2009-2012, but fees did increase in that period. Water infrastructure costs were mostly responsible for that increase. The Commission started with a suggested $136 increase for the City portion of taxes and fees on the median house. This included street and stormwater funds. $60 was allocated for the general fund. The City has rehired people in planning and code enforcement, and is adding to the police force. The amount of the increase was adjusted to under $100. This was accomplished by deferring some work. This will cause increases in the future. $22 million allocated for the police building will be done with bonds, not by taxes. If the ballot issue fails, the project won’t be done. The City couldn’t resolve issues with the County regarding placing the new police building and municipal courts in the Law and Justice Center, so the City will move ahead with a land swap with the MT Department of Transportation, and they will build the new center on Rouse. An aquatic center is proposed at the 100 acre park. It will be a collaboration with the County and the YMCA. A presentation on the police and court mill levy can be requested from the City for neighborhood association meetings. The next meeting will be Aug. 14. 6:28 Joe moved to adjourn. Gary seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Minutes recorded by Bob Wall.