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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-01-08 I."" - -------..- Ce"e'. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION BOZEMAN, MONTANA January 8, 1990 ************************ The Commission of the City of Bozeman met in regular session in the Commission Room, Municipal Building, January 8, 1990, at 2:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Stiff, Com- missioner Goehrung, Commissioner Frost (arriving at 2 :09 p.m.), Commissioner Knapp, City Manager Wysocki, City Attorney Becker and Clerk of the Commission Sullivan. Com- missioner Hawks and Commissioner-Elect Swanson were absent. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. None of the Commissioners requested that any of the Consent Items be removed for discussion. Minutes - January 2, 1990 It was moved by Commissioner Goehrung, seconded by Commissioner Knapp, that the Commission approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 2, 1990 as amended. The motion carried by the following Aye and' No votes: those voting Aye being Commis- sioner Goehrung, Commissioner Knapp and Mayor Stiff; those voting No, none. Discussion - FYI Items The City Manager presented to the Commission the following IIFor Your InformationU items. (1 ) Agenda and information for the r~gular monthly meeting of the City-County Planning Board, to be held at 7:00 p.m. this evening. The City Manager noted that informational sessions on specified sections of the zone code are to be conducted at this meeting. (2) The City Manager distributed to the Commission copies of a letter from Pete Lineberger, attorney representing the Bozeman Creek Water Users' Association, in the Chemodurow case. He noted this letter sets forth the sense of the final order of the court, which is generally favorable for the Association. He noted that Mr. Lineberger will be filing to have his costs paid by Dr. Chemodurow, since the case has been closed and the Water Court found so favorably for the defendant. (3 ) The City Manager presented his weekly report, as follows. (1) City crews worked hard to clear the streets, particularly the arterials and collectors, following last week's snow storm. He noted problems were incurred in clearing the snow from the nar- row residential streets, and some type of odd/even program or signing of the streets is being considered to assist the crews in their efforts. (2) The City has given notice on a 01-08-90 ", ~.... .. --.. -.. . .'''''!II'''7;l'''.' ~ - . .... - 2 - number of what appear to be abandoned cars, requiring their removal within a specified period of time. If the vehicles are not removed, the Police Department will issue citations; after which the vehicles will be removed and possibly auctioned at a later date. (3) Staff spent a considerable amount of time last week preparing for the meeting with Senator Baucus this morning. I n response to a question from Mayor Stiff, he indicated that probably County Commissioner Jane Jelinski, as Chairman of the newly-formed Transporta- tion Coordinating Committee, and Director of Public Service Phill Forbes will be designated as the point people for Senator Baucus. He noted this should help to maintain the City/ County cooperation which has been an important part of this project to date. (4) In an- ticipation of working with businesses such as CVR Oak, which was recently burned, the I ncoming Mayor has appointed Commissioner Knapp and Commissioner Swanson to a commit- tee to assist. He noted that he will meet with the committee later this week to develop a strategy for working with interested persons. Commissioner Frost arrived at 2: 09 p.m. (4) Commissioner Goehrung distributed to the Commissioners copies of a memo which he has sent to the Leadership Bozeman II participants concerning Earth Day activ- ities. He reminded the Commission that on April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was cele- brated; and on April 22, 1990, celebrations are planned once again. He indicated that he has been working, as an individual, on activities for Bozeman, suggesting that since the City's emphasis includes beautification and recycling, it may be appropriate for the City to become involved as well. He noted that the January session of the Leadership Bozeman program includes natural resources/energy and environment/agriculture, which might be an appropriate time to consider Earth Day activities. (5) Commissioner Knapp commended the City staff, particularly Director of Public Service Forbes and Planning Director Epple, on the presentation they made this morning during the meeting with Senator Baucus. (6) The City Manager thanked Commissioner Knapp for taking her tree to the City's dumping site so the Chronicle could get a picture. He noted that the program was implemented on short notice; and he feels it was appropriate due to the City's recent open support for recycl ing. Authorize absence of Commissioner Hawks It was moved by Commissioner Frost, seconded by Commissioner Knapp, that the Commission authorize the absence of Commissioner Hawks from this meeting in compliance with Section 7-3-4322(2), M.C.A. The motion carried by the following Aye and No votes: those voting Aye being Commissioner Frost, Commissioner Knapp, Commissioner Goehrung and Mayor Stiff; those voting No, none. 01-08-90 ..------- ~ . tV - 3 - Commission Resolution No. 2766 - establishin a olic re tax benefits for remodel in , re- construction or expanSIon 0 eXIsting UI Ings or structures City Manager Wysocki presented Commission Resolution No. 2766, as prepared by the City Attorney, entitled: COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 2766 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA, ESTABLISHING A POLICY TO CONFER TAX BENEFITS AS AU- THORIZED BY 15-24-1501 M.C.A. TO QUALIFYING PROJECTS FOR REMOD- ELING, RECONSTRUCTION OR EXPANSION OF EXISTING BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES. The City Manager noted that the City has enacted two tax incentive programs au- thorized by State law; and this is a third tax incentive program allowed by the statutes. He indicated this program is slightly different from those previously adopted, highl ighting the provisions of the resolution. He stated that existing non-residential structures where remodeling, reconstruction or expansion projects in excess of $50,000 which increase the taxable value by at least 2! percent would be eligible for this tax benefit. He noted that the percentages of tax benefit realized for the five-year program are taken directly from the State statutes. He also noted that the tax benefit is provided only upon application. City Manager Wysocki stated that calculations revealed that on a $50,000 project, a $245 tax benefit would be realized in the first year; on a $35,000 project, the benefit would be $171 the first year. He then noted that scanning the listings of building permits issued for commercial structures in the past two years revealed that in 1989 there were three building permits issued for $35,000 to $50,000 projects and eleven for over $50,000; and in 1988 there were six permits issued for $40,000 to $50,000 and thirteen over $50,000. Mayor Stiff noted that the City of Billings set a $100,000 minimum for this type of project when they adopted this tax benefit program. City Manager Wysocki, noting that the purpose of this program is to provide an in- centive for remodeling, reconstruction or expansion, stated he feels it is appropriate to establish a lower minimum in Bozeman. He noted there are several smaller businesses which would not be able to take advantage of the program at $100,000; but they may be able to at $50,000. In response to another question from Mayor Stiff, the City Manager indicated this resolution eliminates all residential projects, including mUlti-family units; however, a motel would qualify since it is considered a commercial activity. In response to a question from Commiss.ioner Knapp, the City Manager stated there is no ceiling on this program. Mayor Stiff stated support for the proposed $50,000 minimum, noting it is appropri- ate for the type of development which Bozeman has. In response to a question from Mayor Stiff, Mrs. Dixie Swenson, Executive Director 01-08-90 ..' - 4 - of the Gallatin Development Corporation, stated she feels the $50,000 minimum is appropri- ate. She noted that not a lot of savings will be realized as a result of this tax benefit program; however, she feels it does provide an indication of City support, and it does provide an incentive. Commissioner Frost asked if reconstruction would include projects like CVR Oak, which was destroyed by fire. City Attorney Becker stated the State statutes refer to reconstruction; however, he noted it is not defined in that section. The City Manager then noted that the State statutes do not prohibit using this pro- gram in conjunction with another tax benefit program or other funding program, such as the Community Development Block Grant monies. Commissioner Frost noted that Section 5 of the resolution as submitted does not al- low combining this program with any other tax incentive or funding program. Following a brief discussion, the Commissioners concurred that section should be eliminated. Commissioner Goehrung stated he feels the $50,000 minimum is reasonable. He sug- gested, however, it may be beneficial to review the program after two years to determine how many have taken advantage of the program and whether the figure seems appropriate. In response to a question from Mayor Stiff, the City Manager stated that for any qualifying project over $50,000, the tax benefit would apply to the entire amount of new valuation. It was moved by Commissioner Knapp, seconded by Commissioner Goehrung, that the Commission adopt Commission Resolution No. 2766 ,as revised to delete Section 5, es- tablishing a policy concerning tax benefits for remodeling, reconstruction or expansion of existing buildings or structures. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Commissioner Knapp, Commissioner Goehrung, Commissioner Frost and Mayor Stiff; those voting No, none. Consent Items City Manager Wysocki presented to the Commission the following Consent Items. Building I nspection Division report for December 1989 Claims It was moved by Commissioner Goehrung, seconded by Commissioner Frost, that the Commission approve the Consent Items as listed, and authorize and direct the appropriate persons to complete the necessary actions. The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Commissioner Goehrung, Commissioner Frost, Commis- sioner Knapp and Mayor Stiff; those voting No, none. 01-08-90 .. '! 110 ",.r' - 5 - Adjournment - 2:33 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, it was moved by Commissioner Frost, seconded by Commissioner Knapp, that the meeting be ad- jou rned . The motion carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Commissioner Frost, Commissioner Knapp, Commissioner Goehrung and Mayor Stiff; those voting No, none. 01-08-90