Mayor Emmet D. Embody called the meeting of the Cut Bank City Council to order at 6:30 PM, Monday, February 1, 2010. The following council members answered roll call: Tim Curtiss, Tom Shock. Kelly Solberg and William McCauley. City Superintendent Jim Suta, City Clerk-Treasurer Diana Filban and City Attorney Robert Smith were also in attendance. All present stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Councilperson McCauley made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of the January 19, 2010 City Council Minutes, January 21, 2010 Payroll in the amount of $53,499.42 and the December 2009 Finance Reports. The second motion was made by Councilperson Solberg. The motion passed 4-0.

Councilperson Shock made the motion to approve the City Superintendent’s report. Councilperson Curtiss made the second motion. The motion carried 4-0.

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The Council had planned to take action on whether to bail cardboard for resale. City Superintendent Suta said during his report that the cost of labor for one ton was $40.00 and the resale price for one ton was $20.00 - $25.00. Councilperson Shock said he would like to see more research done and a business plan outlined to take a closer look at the viability of cardboard resale. He mentioned he would like to see a comparison with revenue raised reselling cardboard and the extra cost the landfill will charge the City for being over on their cardboard quota at the end of the year. Councilperson McCauley said there are too many variables right now to make a decision, and he asked for this item to be put back on the agenda when additional information could be gathered.

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Councilperson Shock expressed his concern that the City Ordinances are not being enforced properly and the lack of enforcement could be a liability to the City. Mayor Embody suggested the Council invite Code Enforcement Officer Gauthier to the next regularly scheduled meeting and offer his perspective on this matter. Mayor Embody also suggested the Council and anyone else who wished to could do another tour of the City and look for areas that are of concern.

City Attorney Smith expressed concern in regard to the issuance of business licenses to home businesses. His concern lies in the fact of what that particular business is and whether the area is zoned for such a business. After a brief discussion, it was decided that Superintendent Suta as the City’s Zoning Officer would review the home business licenses before they were issued.

It was discussed during the City Superintendent’s report how best to get the barricades down in front of the Presbyterian Church as soon as possible. The Council expressed concern about leaving the barricades up for so long. City Superintendent Suta explained that the patch work that was put on after repair of the water leak froze before it could set properly, and it would be dangerous to let vehicles drive over it and possibly sink. City Superintendent Suta said as soon as the weather warms enough to redo the patch he will have his crew out to fix it and remove the barricades.

Mayor Embody noted he is going to be promoting a Cut Bank Community Challenge 2010. Mayor Embody would like to challenge all the business organizations and community persons to do something beyond their normal realm to make Cut Bank a more attractive place. Mayor Embody said we need to improve the appearance of the community in order to make Cut Bank the most presentable City in the area and attract new businesses and families. Mayor Embody said he would like to see the Council take a leadership role in this project. There was some continued discussion on ways to improve the appearance of Cut Bank.

There was some general discussion regarding property in the Country Club Addition. This matter will be put on the next regularly scheduled Council Agenda.

There being no further business to come before the council, Councilperson Shock moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:21 PM. Councilperson Curtiss made the second motion. The motion carried 4-0.