Mayor Emmet Embody called the meeting of the Cut Bank City Council to order at 6:33 PM, Monday March 5, 2012. The following Council members answered roll call: Timothy Curtiss, Kelly Solberg, William McCauley and Kimberley Butterworth. City Clerk-Treasurer Diana Filban, City Attorney Robert Smith, and City Superintendent James Suta were also in attendance. All present stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

VISITORS:

Mayor Embody moved New Business to the beginning of the meeting for the benefit of the visitors. Dallon Bunting presented his Eagle Scout project to the Council. He said he would like to redo the horseshoe pits at the Main Street Park and add two new pits. Mr. Bunting explained how he planned to make room for two additional pits and showed the Council his drawing. Mr. Bunting asked the Council for financial assistance and help with some heavy equipment to aid in his project. Mayor Embody said that with the addition of more pits, Cut Bank could possibly host horseshoe tournaments. Councilperson Curtiss asked City Superintendent Suta if there would be sprinkler heads that could get in the middle of the project. City Superintendent Suta said he thought so, but he would need to walk the area where Mr. Bunting was referring to. Councilperson Butterworth commented that she wondered if the costs of an Eagle Scout project should be paid for by the City of Cut Bank. After further discussion, Councilperson Curtiss made the motion to move Mr. Bunting’s request to the second meeting of the month at noon on March 12th. Councilperson Butterworth made the second motion. The motion carried 4-0.

Councilperson Solberg made a motion to approve the claims through March 5, 2012 at the cost of $37,086.24. Councilperson Butterworth made the second motion. The motion passed 4-0.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:

Councilperson McCauley wanted to talk about the Vogt addition and about a meeting with the County Commissioners. Councilperson Butterworth wanted to discuss economic development.

CONSENT AGENDA:

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Letter of Condemnation for house on NW side of the City – City Attorney not prepared

Zoning Ordinance – City Attorney not prepared

Litter Ordinance – City Attorney not prepared

Budget Amendments – City Attorney not prepared

Community Garden – City Attorney not prepared

CORRESPONDENCE:

None

WORK SESSION:

Councilperson McCauley said he met with Jason Bronec from Glacier Electric regarding getting a loan to begin the sewer lines in the Vogt Addition. Mr. Bronec will bring the matter to his Board for review. It would be a 50% loan and 50% payout for the project. City Superintendent Suta voiced his concern over setting a precedent in establishing a sewer system in that development with assistance from Glacier Electric when other developers have not had that advantage. Councilperson McCauley said we are not putting it in for them; they will have to pay for the services. Everyone would have to pay for their proportionate share. Councilperson Butterworth said she understood it was being done to avoid the developers from having to put in septic systems. Councilperson Curtiss said he had concerns about the entire area of the Vogt addition being developed; what if we did this and nothing else was developed we wouldn’t get our money back for putting in the sewer line. City Superintendent Suta said when we were working on subdivision laws we said we were not going to do this. Any developers would have to bear the cost of putting in lines to their property. There was an extensive discussion about where the sewer lines would run because of the tie-ins to the manholes. City Superintendent Suta brought out a map to help explain how the sewer lines could run and the effect that would have on the properties.

Councilperson McCauley asked the City Council to bring to their meeting with the County Commissioners a way to control the three mile radius outside of the City, when and if the man camps come because of the oil industry. Councilperson McCauley’s other concern was if a man camp came to the airport, there would be enough water to supply the camp. Councilperson Curtiss mentioned his concern about the man camps and the strain, it would put on the police department. Therefore, if the man camps were in the County would the Commissioners be able to hire more deputies to aid the situation. There was a discussion about whether there will be an increase in the temporary population or not and the effects on the community.

Councilperson Butterworth reported on the Economic Development meeting for the Chamber of Commerce. She said they have been following through on the car rental situation, but nothing has come from it so far. The jewelry store is still going forward. They are working on the building being fully owned by the Chamber of Commerce.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Embody adjourned the meeting at 7:44 PM.