MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

DILLON CITY COUNCIL

February 21, 2007

 

COUNCIL

PRESENT:   Nils Troedsson, Ray Graham, Jim McIsaac, Frank Mastandrea, Mike

Klakken, Al Lawson, Tom Straugh, and Mayor Martin Malesich.

 

COUNCIL

EXCUSED:    Mike Riley

 

STAFF

PRESENT:     Amber Herzog, City Hall Clerk; John Gutcheck, Chief of Police; Rick Later, Fire Marshall; Ty Cobb, City Treasurer; W.G. Gilbert, City Attorney.

 

STAFF

EXCUSED:    J.S. Turner, Director of Operations. Faye Jones, City Clerk.

 

ABSENT:      Virginia Compton, City Judge.

 

            Mayor Martin Malesich called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.  Mayor Malesich asked Councilperson McIsaac to lead the pledge of allegiance.

 

The first order of business was the approval of the 10 January 2007 regular meeting minutes. Councilperson Troedsson moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Councilperson Straugh and the minutes were approved unanimously.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

 

The next item of business was the approval of the 7 February 2007 regular meeting minutes.  Councilperson Straugh moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Councilperson Troedsson. The following corrections were noted:

 

  1. Page 10, Line 23, The Board “has adopted…” should read, “is in the process of reworking the Model 5 regulations…”
  2. Page 6, under the Public Comment section, add the public input would be closed on March 7, 2007.
  3. Page 11, Line 6, “…largest City in Dillon…” change to “…largest City in Montana…”

 

Councilperson Troedsson moved to approve as corrected, seconded by Councilperson Straugh and approved unanimously.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

 

 

 

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City of Dillon Council Meeting

February 21, 2007

 

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS: 

1.      Letter from Randy Piper informing Mayor Malesich and the City Council about the first-rate public service performance of water department employees, Bob Cottom, Jason Johnson and Allen Jones. The letter will be placed in the individuals personnel file.

2.      Letter from Governor Brian Schweitzer thanking Mayor Malesich for sharing the Dillon Council Resolution 977 expressing the Council’s concerns about the Military Commissions Act passed the last Congress. He informed that legislation had been introduced in the 110th Congress to restore the habeas corpus protections stripped by previous Congress.

3.   Kevin Button Condominium Question. Mayor Malesich stated this was a moot                                                                                                                                               

issue at this time. A discussion regarding the definition of a condominium ensued.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT ON PUBLIC MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA:

            Mayor Malesich asked the citizens present if they wished to address the council: 

Police Chief John Gutcheck introduced Dillon’s new police officer, Ken Peterson. Mr. Peterson is a native of Beaverhead County, he was raised in Lima and worked for the Sheriff’s Department prior to joining the Dillon City Police Department.

 

Councilperson Lawson informed the councilmembers he would like to show support of Jessica’s Law. He will look into an action item in the near future.

 

MAYOR’S REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL:

 

  1. Ordinance amending the Dillon Municipal Code, Title 2, adding new subsection to Section 2.08.100 – Second Reading. Councilperson Klakken moved to approve, seconded by Councilperson Mc Isaac. Mr. Gilbert was asked if this changed the Charter. Mr. Gilbert replied he did not think this changed the Charter.

 

Mayor Malesich stated Mr. Riley could not be at the meeting, however, he presented the Council with a copy of a letter Mr. Riley wrote the Dillon Tribune’s Editor addressing part of the ordinance.

 

Mr. Klakken would like to see the changes of, “…by the vote…” to read, “…by an affirmative vote…” and on the 1st paragraph, change the word “changing” to read “clarifying or specifying.” Mr. Gilbert stated it did not matter because the title of the thing was not part of the enactment.

Mayor Malesich called for the question and a poll vote:

Troedsson: No;  Graham: Yes;  Mc Isaac: Yes;  Mastandrea: Yes; Klakken: Yes; Lawson: Yes;  Straugh: Yes.

6 – YES,  1 – No, 1 – Excused.

MOTION CARRIED.

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City of Dillon Council Meeting

February 21, 2007

 

  1. Resolution of Street Discontinuance – Oregon Street

Mayor Malesich stated the Public Hearing had now taken place and he requested the Council vote on the discontinuance of a portion of Oregon Street. Councilperson Troedsson moved to approve, seconded by Councilperson Straugh. Councilperson Klakken asked if the City had proven the closure of the portion of Oregon Street was not a detriment to the public. Mr. Gilbert stated Mr. Turner had shown proof with his report of the circumstance that existed there and what effect the change would make and so forth. There was a finding that showed it would not adversely affect the public interest.  Mr. Klakken asked if the City was keeping a portion of Oregon Street for a sewer easement, etc.  Mr. Gilbert replied the City kept a little more than a third of it, which provides room between the Dillon Canal and the property lines.

 

Mayor Malesich called for the question and the motion was approved unanimously.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

  1. Fire Hall Report was presented and Councilperson Straugh moved to accept the Fire Hall Report as written, seconded by Councilperson Lawson and approved unanimously.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

  1. Citizen’s Requests was presented by Mayor Malesich. Councilperson Lawson questioned item 8580. The Water and Sewer Committee will review it.

 

Mr. Ken Kailey asked if the depth of the main lines had been reviewed to prevent frozen pipes. Mr. Gilbert gave a brief history of how the water lines in the City were built in the past.

 

Mr. Klakken would like the public informed that using a welder may not be the best way to thaw a frozen pipe.

 

REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND BOARDS OF THE CITY:

 

ATTORNEY – W.G. Gilbert, III - Mr. Gilbert reported he did a District Court sentencing and a DUI case on Monday and mentioned the City is getting a lot of criminal cases. There have not been many motions to dismiss or suppress and they had four in this week. He attended five night meetings last week. He heard from both of the sub-dividers (by the interstate and behind Safeway) and they still have interest. The Piat lawsuit is scheduled for mediation in Anaconda on February 27, 2007. The Police Retirement lawsuit has had a scheduling conference. The Police Officers labor contract has not had any action for this past month. Regarding the Yetter’s case, the attorney representing the

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City of Dillon Council Meeting

February 21, 2007

City filed a motion to dismiss on the grounds that it didn’t fit the statute. Yetter’s attorney’s mother died so she asked for more time, so her response to our motion to dismiss came in recently. There should be something scheduled soon.

 

PLANNING BOARD: -- Jim Carpita- The Planning Board is making good progress on the remodeling of the Model regulations; the County is doing the same. Second reading on the by-law change will be the 27th of February 2007. The CIP preliminary docs were handed out to the planning board and they will review them. City/County Taskforce concerning the one-mile prime development area around the town had members that presented existing ordinances, CIP as presented, and an overlay map; the members continue to meet twice a month.

 

CITY COURT – Judge Virginia A. Compton – The Judge’s Report for January 2007 was presented to the council. Councilperson Straugh moved to approve, seconded by Councilperson Mc Isaac and unanimously approved.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

 

TREASURER – T.P. Cobb – No report. Ty Cobb explained to the Council as to why he did not have a report for presentation; new employees input incorrect data into the accounting software and it is being reconciled. This matter will be referred to the Finance Committee if not resolved soon.

 

POLICE CHIEF – John Gutcheck – Mr. Gutcheck presented the Officer Activity Report for January 2007. Councilperson Mc Isaac moved to approve the report, seconded by Councilperson Troedsson and unanimously approved.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

 

FIRE MARSHALL – Rick Later – Mr. Later reported there was a problem with #1City Engine; it has a front bearing seal out and they are in the process of replacing that.

 

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS – J.S. Turner – The Zoning Compliance Certificates applied for:

            #1930 – Tim Peck, 236 S. Dakota St. – 6’ x 28 ½” Addition.

   

            Compliance Certificates issued: None

No variances were applied for, nor granted.

 

Mr. Klakken asked if J.S. Turner wrote the response to Ms. Bergeson’s letter of request. He disagreed with Mr. Turner’s response to her requests. Mr. Klakken disagreed with how Mr. Turner handled the open document law. Mayor Malesich stated they requested Ms. Bergeson specifically request items.

 

 

                       

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City of Dillon Council Meeting

February 21, 2007

 

LIBRARY BOARD – Marie Habener – No report

Mr. Troedsson asked if the library had presented reports for 2005/2006 to the County as requested? Marie mentioned that Mr. John Warren was working on this item. The income from the inter-library loan will be used for inter-loans only. She is also working with an energy company to procure a grant to place solar panels on the roof of the library. The panels will reduce the lighting costs.

 

STANDING COMMITTEES:

 

JUDICIARY – Mike Riley, Chair – The minutes of the February 14, 2007 meeting were presented for approval by Councilperson Mastandrea. The committee dealt with off-street parking and a recommendation to deny Ms. Berry’s request was approved unanimously.

Councilperson Klakken moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Councilperson Lawson and unanimously approved.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

 

Mr. Troedsson also mentioned the Street and Alley Committee also made the recommendation to deny Ms. Berry’s request.

 

FINANCE – Mike Klakken, Chair – No report

 

CITY HALL – Al Lawson, Chair – No report

 

FIRE AND ORDER – Frank Mastandrea, Chair – No report.

 

PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS – Nils Troedsson, Chair  - No report.

 

CEMETERYRaymond Graham, Chair – No report.

 

HEALTH AND WELFARE – Tom Straugh, Chair – No report.

 

STREETS AND ALLEYS – Jim McIsaac, Chair – Mr. Mc Isaac presented the minutes of the February 13, 2007 meeting for approval. Councilperson Klakken moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Councilperson Mastandrea and unanimously approved.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

 

Mr. Mc Isaac stated the first item was the request from Ms. Berry requesting a parking permit plan for 300 and 400 blocks of South Idaho Street. The recommendation for the permit is that it be denied.

 

 

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City of Dillon Council Meeting

February 21, 2007

 

Other items that were discussed during the meeting include the Plutt garage issue; the status of obtaining a lease from the railroad on the Carpita building; the street repairs, sweeping schedule and chip sealing; the issue of the Bannack Street crossing and the CTEP Grant; The railroad police threatening citizens crossing the tracks at sites which are not crossings and the matter of the closed crossing at Helena Street.

 

Mr. Klakken asked what was the Plutt garage item about and Mr. Mc Isaac responded that Mr. Turner is now in the position of asking what Mr. Plutt would find satisfactory. Mr. Klakken asked why it was taking J.S. Turner so long negotiating a lease with the railroad on the Carpita building. Mr. Klakken stated we should obtain someone with connections to the railroad to help us obtain a lease.

 

WATER AND SEWER – Mike Klakken, Chair: No report – Mr. Klakken stated they were having a meeting Friday, February 23, 2007 at 5:30 P.M. on CIP.

 

            There being no further business the motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Graham, seconded by Councilperson McIsaac and unanimously approved.

MOTION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

 

 The meeting adjourned at 8:15 P.M.

 

            The above minutes were transcribed from a tape recording of the actual meeting and such minutes include the substance of all matter proposed, discussed or described.

 

 

                                                                        Submitted by:

 

 

                                                                        _____________________________

                                                                        Amber K. Herzog, City Hall Clerk

ATTEST:

 


____________________________

Martin R. Malesich, Mayor

 

                                                                        Approved by:

 

 

 

                                                                        _____________________________

                                                                        Faye E.  Jones, City Clerk