Councilperson McCauley moved to approve the consent agenda consisting of the December 17, 2007 City Council Minutes; the November 2007 Finance Reports and the December 27, 2007 payroll in the amount of $46,530.79. The second motion was made by Councilperson Shock and the motion passed 4-0.

The City Superintendent’s Report was reviewed by the Council. Superintendent Suta informed the Council that some asbestos has been found in the old jail. Tetra Tech the inspectors have suggested the City hire an asbestos abatement contractor to remove these materials prior to demolition of the building. Superintendent Suta will bring an estimate of the cost at a future meeting. Some questions were asked about the sewer backup on December 26, 2007 residence. Superintendent Suta reported the backup was in a residence on East Main. The resident has been informed to file a claim at City Hall for damages as the backup was due to tree roots in the City’s portion of the sewer line. Councilperson Eaton motioned to approve the City Superintendent’s report which was seconded by Councilperson Brotnov. The vote was 4-0 in favor.

An annual lease from Bayside Disposal Inc. was presented to the Council for approval. Superintendent Suta noted the lease enables the City to pick up rural trash within a ten mile radius of Cut Bank with the exception of land on the Blackfeet Reservation. Councilperson Eaton made a motion to approve the renewal of lease #9412 with Bayside Disposal to continue to allow the City of Cut Bank to operate their rural trash system. The second was made by Councilperson Shock and the vote was 4-0 in favor.

Superintendent Suta requested the Council approve a vent system and the installation of an emergency shower at the city shop. Superintendent Suta said there is a poor air quality issue within the shop when the vehicles are running. The estimate for the vent system is $3,500. In addition, the Superintendent explained the need for an emergency shower such as last year when one of the crew members was covered in asphalt. The cost estimate for the shower is $750. Superintendent Suta indicated he had funds in his small machinery budget for both items. Councilperson McCauley made the first motion for approval and Councilperson Shock was the second motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Superintendent Suta requested the approval to move forward with local bids for a new pickup. The water department’s pickup has over 100,000 miles on it. The council members discussed the need for the purchase at this time or wait until the next budget year. Superintendent Suta said he has $25,000 set aside in his budget. Superintendent Suta suggested bids be put out and if they come in higher than the budgeted amount, the purchase can wait until the next fiscal year in order to have adequate funds. Councilperson Eaton moved to let out bids for a pickup which was seconded by Councilperson Brotnov. The motion carried 4-0.

The final dispatch agreement with Glacier County was put in front of the Council for approval. The terms of the agreement had previously been accepted at the October 15, 2007 council meeting. The final contract had not been approved and neither parties from the County or the City had signed the documents. Chief of Police Abbott explained the final agreement dealt with nothing but the dispatch services. Councilperson Shock moved to approve the dispatch agreement from June 2007 through July 2012. The second motion was made by Councilperson McCauley; the motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Stewart asked the Council to approve an Arbor Day Proclamation for April 25, 2008. Mayor Stewart noted the grant was for $350 with a 35% match of $105 which can be work in kind. Councilperson Eaton moved to approve the Arbor Day Proclamation and Grant. The second motion was made by Councilperson Brotnov. The motion carried 4-0.

Mayor Stewart asked the Council to consider joining Tree City USA. The requirements are setting up a tree board or department, write a tree care ordinance and commit at least $2.00 per capita annually to your community forestry program and celebrate Arbor Day. The per capita amount would be approximately $6,400 per year. There is a grant available with $1,000 towards the purchase of new trees, with a match like the Arbor Day grant. The appropriation can include all the maintenance which is performed in the parks and tree trimming, etc. Mayor Stewart asked the council to approve participation in the program and it will then go to the Park Board in February for approval. Mayor Stewart noted the final ordinance will come back to the City Council for final approval. Councilperson Shock moved to allow participation in the Tree City USA program. The second motion was made by Councilperson Eaton. Patrick Ridgeway, 815 2nd Street SE, asked if the city crew will do the work and Mayor Stewart answered yes. Mr. Ridgeway asked if it could be a public chaired program and the mayor said yes, volunteers would be appreciated and count towards the in kind amount. The call to vote was in favor of the motion 4-0.

Mayor Stewart noted she recommended Payroll Clerk Ostby attend a How to Supervise People Seminar in order to step when the Clerk-Treasurer is out of the office. Councilperson Brotnov moved to approve the travel request for Payroll Clerk Ostby to attend a How to Supervise People Seminar in Great Falls on February 15, 2008 at the cost of $99.00. Councilperson McCauley made the second motion which passed unanimously.

Patrick Ridgeway from NW Energy said his company does some training which the City could possibly utilize as well as their employees.

Councilperson McCauley moved to approve Mayor Stewart’s travel request to the Montana Mayor’s Academy in Bozeman from January 30 – February 1, 2008 for the cost of $197.22. The motion was passed 4-0 after a second from Councilperson Brotnov.

Councilperson McCauley moved to approve the Recreation Director job description. Councilperson Eaton made the second motion which passed unanimously.

Mayor Stewart requested the Council allow the purchase of recycling bins and a mandatory recycling program within the City of Cut Bank buildings. A discussion followed by the council, mayor and audience regarding a recycling program. Superintendent Suta said the crew at the shop is already recycling and would not need the bins at this time. Mayor Stewart said she would like to see a set of bins at city hall, police department, civic center and the pool. Councilperson Shock moved to approve the purchase of four sets of bins and enter into a mandatory recycling program within the city buildings. The second motion was made by Councilperson Brotnov. The vote was 4-0 in favor.

Mayor Stewart reminded the Council of a Border Roundtable Meeting Tuesday at the CMR Museum at 2:30 PM. The Mayor of Great Falls and the Consultant General of Canada will be at the meeting. Councilperson McCauley said he would like to attend the meeting.

Mayor Stewart informed the Council, she had received a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the COPS in School Grant #2002SHWX0674. The grant ended in February 2007 and was closed in October by the federal government. The letter noted the City of Cut Bank cannot get out of the obligation to have a SRO in the school system for one full budget cycle after the grant has closed. Mayor Stewart said Chief of Police Abbott will speak with Wade Johnson, Superintendent of the School System about the matter.

Mayor Stewart said the Recreation and Park Levy Committee met last week. The committee came up with the sum of $60,000.00 to bring before the citizens of Cut Bank for a levy. Mayor Stewart said there will be a resolution of intent to seek this levy on the January 14, 2008 agenda for passage in the fall.

Mayor Stewart said job descriptions need to be updated and adopted. The Council and Mayor asked each department head to address the job descriptions that fit in their department. The job descriptions will be put on future agendas as they are finished.

Gloria Taylor, 422 9th Ave SE, asked the council about the procedures for reserving the civic center for the annual Chamber banquet. Mayor Stewart said to contact Jennifer Biegler at the civic center who will set up the rental agreement. Mrs. Taylor asked about getting the center for no rental cost. Mayor Stewart noted the Chamber will have to go in front of the Park Board and make the request at their meeting in February.

Councilperson McCauley suggested the Council support the continuation of jobs with the Cut Bank Gas Company staying in Cut Bank. Leanne Kavanagh, Pioneer Press, said there will be meetings set up by the company planning to purchase the Cut Bank Gas Company.