Mayor Emmet D. Embody called the meeting of the Cut Bank City Council to order at 6:36 PM, Monday, March 15, 2010. The following council members answered roll call: Tim Curtiss, Tom Shock, Kelly Solberg and William McCauley. Payroll Clerk Tina Voise and City Attorney Robert Smith were also in attendance. All present stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC HEARING FOR BUDGET AMENDMENT TO FISCAL YEAR 2009-2010

City Attorney Smith called the public hearing to order at 6:36 PM. City Attorney Smith said the purpose of this hearing is to amend the fiscal year 2009-2010 budget with Resolution #10-01. The amended items are to recognize the revenue funds ($9,616.00) raised for the Civic Center from the Harlem Ambassadors event. The expenditure side of the Civic Center budget would then be amended to utilize the profits ($5,460.00) from this same event. In addition, the expenditure side of the budget would be amended to pay for a State of Montana General Obligation Bond from the Phase 4 SRF water line distribution project which was due this fiscal year. City Attorney asked twice if there were any further comments or questions. The public hearing was closed at 6:38 PM.

PUBLIC MEETING FOR INPUT ON EXPENTITURE OF CTEP FUNDS FOR CENTRAL PARK

Mayor Embody informed the public that the City of Cut Bank had been given $100,000.00 in CTEP funds from Glacier County. Mayor Embody expressed his interest in using the funds received from the County be used for improvements to Central Park. Chamber President Jeff Billman expressed his appreciation to Mayor Embody for obtaining the funds from Glacier County and voiced his support in using the funds to upgrade Central Park. Lara Poulton, representing The Cut Bank Beautification Committee and Jerilee Wilkerson, representing Cut Bank Development Corporation also expressed their support of using the CTEP funds in the upgrade of Central Park. LeAnne Kavanaugh inquired whether the City would also be contributing a portion of their CTEP funds to this upgrade. Mayor Embody informed Mrs. Kavanaugh that the City’s CTEP funds had already been voted to be applied to welcome signs at each entrance into the City. Mayor Embody asked if there were any further comments of questions. The public meeting was closed at 6:50 PM

OPEN BIDS FOR TANDEM AXLE DUMP TRUCK

There were two bids received for a Tandem Axle Dump Truck. Bid one was received from Bauma Truck Sales in the amount of $86,161.00. Bid two was received from I State Truck Service in the amount of $79,499.00.

Robert Young was present to voice his concern regarding weed maintenance charges in the amount of $397.50 incurred from July 2008 for property located at 130 5th Ave SE. Mr. Young purchased this property on October 9, 2009. He has asked the Council to have these charges removed from his property taxes as he was not the owner of the property at the time the charges were incurred. Mayor Embody has asked City Attorney Smith to look into this matter and see what can be done to alleviate this problem as well as any future problems that may arise. Mr. Young was asked to return to the April 5th City Council meeting to give City Attorney Smith time to research the situation.

Councilperson McCauley made the motion to approve the City Police Chief’s report. Councilperson Shock made the second motion. The motion carried 4-0.

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

Approval of Memorandum of Understanding with the Wishing Well Project Incorporated, Cut Bank Racquetball Association and Park Board for the Water Ionizer at the Civic Center has been postponed. City Attorney Smith needs to change the wording regarding the process involved in collection of monies as well as add that donations to the project must be monetary donations only.

Councilperson McCauley made the motion to approve the Adoption of Resolution 10-01 Budget Amendment to 2009-2010 Fiscal Year Budget. Councilperson Curtiss made the second motion. The motion passed 4-0.

Councilperson Shock made the motion to approve the acceptance of the bid for the Tandem Axle Dump Truck in the amount of $79,499.00 from I State Truck Service. Councilperson McCauley made the second motion. The motion passed 4-0.

Councilperson Solberg made the motion to accept the Resolution Supporting Expansion of the Designation of Theodore Roosevelt Expressway. Councilperson Shock made the second motion. The motion passed 4-0.

Councilperson McCauley made the motion to accept the Updated Room Rental Agreement for the Civic Center. Councilperson Shock made the second motion. The motion passed 4-0.

City Attorney Smith addressed the Council regarding the pay rate for Jack Hughes. Jack Hughes was hired as a Probationary Patrolman November 13, 2009. Upon his hiring, it was stipulated that he would be paid $14.75 per hour and be raised to $15.00 per hour on July 1, 2009. Officer Hughes attended and graduated from the Police Academy January 1, 2009 – March 4, 2009. On November 13, 2009, Officer Hughes had completed his one year probationary period and received a pay raise to the amount of $17.50 per hour. The argument is that Officer Hughes is as qualified as two officers who receive a pay rate of $0.50 per hour above his rate of pay. Attorney Smith proposes that Officer Hughes wages be adjusted and paid retroactively to reflect a rate of $15.00 per hour beginning July 1, 2009 and a rate of $18.00 per hour beginning November 13, 2009. Councilperson McCauley approved the rate change for Jack Hughes for fiscal year 2009/2010. Councilperson Shock made the second motion. The motion passed 4-0.

Councilperson McCauley made the motion to approve Resolution 10-02 stating the City of Cut Bank is applying to the Montana Department of Commerce for financial assistance from TSEP to make improvements to the community’s water distribution system. Councilperson Curtiss made the second motion. The motion passed 4-0.

None

City Attorney Smith stated he had received no input regarding the proposed Litter Ordinance. Mayor Embody stated that if anyone has any concerns about this ordinance to get in contact with City Attorney Smith. Mayor Embody would like to see the first reading of Ordinance 2010-01 take place at the April 5, 2010 City Council Meeting.

There being no further business to come before the council, Councilperson Solberg moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 PM. Councilperson Curtiss made the second motion. The motion carried 4-0.