Mayor Emmet D. Embody called the meeting of the Cut Bank City Council to order at 6:30 PM, Monday, June 21, 2010. The following council members answered roll call: Tim Curtiss, Kelly Solberg and Tom Shock. Councilperson William McCauley absent. City Superintendent James Suta, City Clerk-Treasurer Diana Filban, Chief of Police Jeff Kraft and City Attorney Robert Smith were also present. All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

City Attorney Smith called to order the public hearing for the increase of water rates at 6:35 PM. City Attorney Smith swore in Clerk-Treasurer Filban and asked her if this hearing had been duly advertised as a duty of her office. City Attorney Smith swore in City Superintendent Suta and asked if it was his responsibility to calculate the water increase. City Attorney Smith asked Superintendent Suta why there was a necessity for an increase in the water rates. Superintendent Suta answered the City had to go into additional indebtedness in order to continue with the water distribution line replacement as set out for Schedule II of the Phase IV water updates. An additional reason was the increase in the operating and maintenance costs of running the water department for the City.

Joan Wiedeman asked to speak regarding the water increases when City Attorney Smith requested public input. Mrs. Wiedeman said her monthly water bill was already too high for the amount of water she feels she uses each month. Mrs. Wiedeman said she felt it would be difficult for persons living on Social Security benefits and for businesses to pay the extra monthly increase. Mayor Embody thanked Mrs. Wiedeman for attending the hearing and indicated he would have Superintendent Suta take a look at her water consumption and check her home fore any problem areas.

City Attorney Smith asked twice for additional public comment of which there was none. The public hearing was closed in due order at 6:45 PM.

Councilperson Curtiss moved to approve the consent agenda consisting of the June 7, 2010 and June 14, 2010 City Council minutes and the June 10, 2010 payroll in the amount of $63,697.95. The second motion was made by Councilperson Shock. The motion was approved 3-0.

Councilperson Solberg made a motion to approve the report of the City Superintendent. Councilperson Shock made the second motion. The motion passed 3-0.

Councilperson Shock made the motion to approve the report of the Police Chief. Councilperson Curtiss made the second motion. The motion carried 3-0.

None

Councilperson Shock made a motion to approve the Resolution 10-08 relating to the ISSUANCE OF Bonds for Schedule 2 of our current water project. Councilperson Curtiss made the second motion. The motion carried 3-0.

Councilperson Solberg moved to approved Resolution 10-09 for an Increase of Water Rates. Councilperson Shock made a motion to continue the parking on Central Avenue on the first 19 block north and south as diagonal on the east side of the block. Appropriate signs will be fit announcing a designated parking area with a white line; vehicles must be not longer than approximately nineteen feet. Councilperson Curtiss made the second motion. The motion carried 3-0. Note this will now go to City Attorney Smith for an amendment to the current parking ordinance.

Councilperson Curtiss moved to accept the negotiation proposal with the union as presented. The second motion was made by Councilperson Solberg. The motion passed 3-0.

Councilperson Shock moved to appoint Patrick Montalban and Kristen Dellinger to the Park Board replacing Sonja Ray and Nicole Altenburg whose terms had expired. Councilperson Curtiss made the second motion. The motion was approved 3-0.

Mayor Embody said he had a meeting with Santa Fe Burlington personnel regarding the train depot. There may be a possibly of the City or some other civic organization buying the train depot: BN would then rent a portion of the building for storage.

Mayor Embody said Senator Rehberg will have a city wide meeting in Cut Bank on July 5th.

Councilperson Curtiss reported the Beautification Committee is continuing to work on the Adopt a Block program and the signs for the entrances into Cut Bank.

Mayor Embody question how to get an individual or company to buy a business license after they were hired to do so. City Superintendent Suta noted the ordinance on business license allows for a citation to be issued for a misdemeanor offense.

The final business for the evening was review of the Police Chief's budgets for 2010-2011.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Curtiss moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 PM. Councilperson Shocked made the second motion. The motion carried 3-0.