Missoula City Council Administration and Finance Committee Minutes

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ZOOM Webinar
Members present:
  • Stacie Anderson,
  • Mirtha Becerra,
  • Heather Harp,
  • Jordan Hess,
  • Gwen Jones (chair),
  • Julie Merritt,
  • Jesse Ramos,
  • Amber Sherrill,
  • Sandra Vasecka,
  • Bryan von Lossberg,
  • and Heidi West
Members absent:
  • John P. Contos

1.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
 

1.1
Roll Call
 

1.2
Approval of the Minutes
 

2.
PUBLIC COMMENT
 

3.
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
 

3.1
FY21 Community Based Organization Contract – Climate Smart Missoula
 
Chase Jones

Chase Jones for Climate Smart and Home ReSource both meeting items 3.1 and 3.2 are very intertwined.  Need approval from council for Mayor to authorize.  Update on work done last year.  Partnerships with the City and Climate Smart and Home Resource are very beneficial.  

Climate Smart Missoula - As part of FY 2021, $30K allocated.  Amy Cilimburg, Executive Director, presenting with Climate Smart.  Presentation.  We think about work as Resiliency & Adaptation, Mitigation and Engagement regarding climates.  County will be hiring someone to also help (climatereadymissoula.org) Help things with changing conditions, summer smoke, etc.  HEPA filters to daycares, etc.  How to reduce carbon footprint, go solar, etc., clean electricity.  Need to develop a roadmap on how to encourage renewable energy and an implementation plan.  How to pay for this?  Continuing to work on that and how to take advantages of resources out there.  Carbon offset program may be a way for the City to reinvest in low-income housing.  Buildings for the future will be moving forward for green buildings, etc.  Also committed to work with community on Green House Gas initiative. A lot of engagement involves helping support other priorities with the City in helping foster Climate Change. 

Chase Jones - Contract to continue to support Climate Smart Missoula and 100% clean electricity roadmap and the Greenhouse Gas Emissions.  

Merritt - Moved

West - Thinks Climate Smart does a great job.  Having someone knowledgeable and helpful and handholding helped with getting solar installed in home.  Amazing programs.  

von Lossberg -Thank you to Chase and Amy.  Strongly in support.  A lot of reasons to make this investment.  Organization helps plan actions of values important to constituents, leverage dollars, creative and innovative thinking with partners in community.  

Refer to Council Meeting consent agenda.

  • Moved by: Julie Merritt

    Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign a FY21 Community Based Organization agreement with Climate Smart Missoula for $30,000. 

    AYES: (10)Mirtha Becerra, Heather Harp, Jordan Hess, Gwen Jones, Julie Merritt, Jesse Ramos, Heidi West, Amber Sherrill, Sandra Vasecka, and Bryan von Lossberg
    ABSENT: (2)Stacie Anderson, and John Contos
    Vote results: Approved (10 to 0)

3.2
FY21 Community Based Organization Contract – Home ReSource
 
Chase Jones

Chase Jones - $35K FY 2021 budget allocated.

Katie, Executive Director of HomeResource and Lee Ratterman from HomeResource.  

HomeResource

Katie -  FY2020 Accomplishments.  Zero waste infrastructure work.  Manager hired to generate zero-waste infrastructure.  In a throw-away culture, drives unsustainable demands on natural resources.  Need a smaller carbon footprint.  With the pace of growth in Missoula it is necessary to get ahead of the infrastructure needed with growth.  We know large amounts of waste in the construction industry.  We know what we need to do, it is concrete and tangible.  There is a demand.  People are asking for it and it puts Missoula in a leadership role in the region.  

Lee - Infrastructure vital to meet goal of zero waste by 2050.  Already made recommendations on Mullan area project.  Trying to track materials re-used and kept out of the landfills, working on case studies and recommendation report for the City and implementation of strategies.  

Sherrill - Moved

Harp - Supportive of contracts. Appreciates fact that working with bldg professionals is a win-win.

Contracts to Council consent agenda.

  • Moved by: Amber Sherrill

    Approve the contract

    AYES: (10)Mirtha Becerra, Heather Harp, Jordan Hess, Gwen Jones, Julie Merritt, Jesse Ramos, Heidi West, Amber Sherrill, Sandra Vasecka, and Bryan von Lossberg
    ABSENT: (2)Stacie Anderson, and John Contos
    Vote results: Approved (10 to 0)

3.3
Missoula Aging Services Professional Services Agreement Amendment
 
Karen Gasvoda

Original Missoula Aging Services contract was brought before A&F on 10/14 and was approved. This motion is to approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the professional services amendment.  A small amount was added to Missoula Aging Services in 2019 and was missed in 2020, so this was added to the budget and now the contract needs to be amended.   

Moved:  Merritt

Refer to Council consent agenda.

  • Moved by: Julie Merritt

    The committee recommends that the Missoula City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Professional Services Agreement Amendment with Missoula Aging Services, which increases the total amount by $16,251.00 to a total amount of $255,954.00, as previously approved in the FY21 budget.

    AYES: (11)Stacie Anderson, Mirtha Becerra, Heather Harp, Jordan Hess, Gwen Jones, Julie Merritt, Jesse Ramos, Heidi West, Amber Sherrill, Sandra Vasecka, and Bryan von Lossberg
    ABSENT: (1)John Contos
    Vote results: Approved (11 to 0)

3.4
Legislative Lobbyist Contract 2021
 
Dale Bickell

Jessica Miller with the Mayor's office presented.  This is a contract for legislative services lobbyist.  Going with John McDonald again this year, has always done a great job, knows who should we should talk to about what.  The rate is the same as the last three or four sessions, no increase.  As far as how the session is going to look, they are still trying to figure that out, in person or remote.  Know we will need the same services.  Communication may be a bit different this year.  

Sherrill - Could there potentially just be a budget session?  Does the contract have anything different in it, due to the nature of things currently?

Jessica - Don't know, but the contract no different. Whether session is in-person or digital, we still need help.

Merritt - Are there any specific bill drafts that the City already has their eye on?

Dale - We are continuing to monitor all of the bill drafts.  No specific legislation yet.  We are preparing to be able to play a defensive role in the session to protect state revenues we get now.

Anderson - Made motion.  I have worked with John Macdonald before.  It is a challenging session with a pandemic  ... and we need assistance being second largest city in the state.  We need our own lobbyist in a challenging session.  Having Mr. Macdonald, who understands the in's and out's is money well spent.  We haven't had an increase in contract for many years. 

Ramos Comment -  For the most part, I do not support this lobbyist, as I have not in the past. I think that government lobbying government is a bad practice overall.  In my opinion, I will not be supporting, as I think it is a bad practice, as I have in the past.

Jones Comment - I have been in Helena, worked with John MacDonald on issues for Missoula.  He is well-respected with an uncanny sense of when to pop into a committee meeting at right time and give great comment and be very effective.  During the legislative session, we always have a placeholder on our agenda for council meeting to discuss items coming up and and helpful to have Mr. MacDonald distilling down a huge amount of information and communicating with us.

Hess Comment - I want to push back that lobbyist goes against Missoulians' personal interests.  Bigger issues that need lobbyist to unite people of different political backgrounds along with municipalities and their differences and unique concerns that need to be represented in the legislature.  I do not believe it is as partisan as Mr. Ramos led us to believe, but is speaking to unique needs of cities and towns.  I am supportive and would like to think I am supportive if I wasn't in the majority, as well.  I think there is a lot of common ground that I think John Macdonald helps us out. 

Bicera Comment:  I completely agree with Mr. Hess' comments.  I think knowing when and how to participate in legislature has benefits to communities and directly impacts those we represent on the council.  We don't have time to keep track of what is happening in Helena.  I support having someone who can do that and report to us.  I will support the motion.

Merritt Comment:  I also support motion and what Mr. Hess explained.  The states and federal government don't always see eye to eye.  States need interests represented at federal level, just as we do at the state level.

Harp Comment:  I too am in support of this particular motion. Being able to work together is really critical.  Mr. MacDonald has been very effective advocating for our voice.  The state legislature does not understand day-to-day needs.  

Refer onto Council committee report.

  • Moved by: Stacie Anderson

    Approve and authorize the mayor to sign a contract with John MacDonald Consulting, LLC, in the amount of $32,000.

    AYES: (9)Stacie Anderson, Mirtha Becerra, Heather Harp, Jordan Hess, Gwen Jones, Julie Merritt, Heidi West, Amber Sherrill, and Bryan von Lossberg
    NAYS: (2)Jesse Ramos, and Sandra Vasecka
    ABSENT: (1)John Contos
    Vote results: Approved (9 to 2)

3.5
Resolution to authorize lease and approval of contract for transfer center
 
Dale Bickell

Dale Bickell - Renewal on lease for transfer center with Missoula Urban Transportation Mountain Line for 20 years at rate of $1 per year.  Biggest change is 24-month notice for termination.  That is important for Mountain Line for both the building and right-of-way in front of the building.  Whenever the City sells or leases property, it has to go before Council. 

Hess - The federal building is going to impact this block.  Is there a planning process underway for the transfer center?

Dale - Current conversations say to stay on-site.  While City Hall may end up moving, this area is still going to be a downtown up and center for local government.  Also, the courthouse is not going anywhere.  If better area comes up, we will work with Mountain Line.

Hess - Right of way for Pine street still intact?  

Dale - That is outside of the lease.  There is a right-of-way use agreement. 

Hess - Golden Yolk Griddle is leased through City?

Dale - No, through Mountain Line.  

von Lossberg - I will make the motion.

On to consent agenda. 

Jones - This is based on the lease from 20 years ago.  Part of the lease calls for possible construction of basement and used by city this was done in last 20 years.

von Lossberg - Very good partnership with Mountain Line.   

Jones - Agree.  This has strong community support for our bus service in town.  

West - I thinks Mountain Line is a great service for community.  It is a great social equalizer. I fully support this. 

  • Moved by: Bryan von Lossberg

    Adopt a resolution of the Missoula City Council to authorize lease of the real property located in the City of Missoula in the 200 block of West Pine.

    Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign a lease agreement with Missoula Urban Transportation District for the property located in the 200 block of West Pine, Missoula, Montana in the amount of $1 per year for a term of 20 years.

    AYES: (11)Stacie Anderson, Mirtha Becerra, Heather Harp, Jordan Hess, Gwen Jones, Julie Merritt, Jesse Ramos, Heidi West, Amber Sherrill, Sandra Vasecka, and Bryan von Lossberg
    ABSENT: (1)John Contos
    Vote results: Approved (11 to 0)

3.6
City Council meeting schedule for 2021
 
Marty Rehbein

Marty Rehbein - Council needs to set meeting schedule for the next year. This is published in paper. We are proposing meeting first four Mondays of the month, not the fifth. Of note, the 4th of July falls on a Sunday, and City offices are closed on Monday. July 5th there will be no City Council meeting. I wanted to put options to put before the Council. Traditionally it has been hard to get quorum on Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS) spring break. March 15th is spring break with MCPS. There are five Mondays in August. Typically we wouldn't meet 8/30, but in midst of budget, the calendar gets so full. I recommend we forgo the fifth Monday and hold a meeting on 8/30 so can get through budget process in a timely manner. City Council is required by State Law to adopt a budget and fix tax levies within a specific timeframe. These come in on the first Monday in August and after Council adopts a budget, we have to do tax levies for Road and Park. At the end of December, look at the 27th of December, the week between the Christmas and New Year's holiday.


Jones - In favor of not having meetings on 12/20 and 12/27, given lots of people will probably be traveling next holiday season, due to being home this year. I think we should have 8/30 scheduled as a meeting, but swap it and take 8/2 off, instead. That way, people can plan vacations before budget season.


Merritt - If we took 8/2 off instead of 8/30, would you anticipate we would have committee meetings on Wednesday 8/4?


Jones - I think we figure out the committee meeting days as we go.


von Lossberg - We should not assume a rule of no committee meetings after a Monday that is off for City Council. Often business comes up on Mondays even if there was no business on the previous Wednesday. We have some flexibility around Wednesdays.


Vasecka - I propose switching 11/29 for 11/22 due to probable travel.


Sherrill - I like both August and November date swap ideas. Spring Break is going to be hard to have a quorum if people want to start traveling. I would like to suggest a swap of 3/29 for 3/15.


Jones - We just need to maintain flexibility.


West - Consideration of some Wednesdays. Obviously we should mark 12/22 as a day we would not meet and the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Maybe we should block those out as known no's.


von Lossberg - This is helpful to get a list of Wednesdays that we will work to avoid. Spring break, day before Thanksgiving and Christmas break due to potential upcoming travel schedules.


Marty - It is hard to say what the demands will be, but if we have some guidance set up by City Council, then we can give out some direction as far as planning. The more notice we have on that, the better we can plan.


Merritt - Support idea of 3/15, 8/2 instead of 8/30 and I can go either way on the November date.


West - What are the dates of Spring Break?


Jones - I believe it is the week of March 15th.

Main Motion -
Moved by: Bryan von Lossberg
Set the City Council meeting schedule for 2021 and direct the City Clerk to publish notice of the schedule in the newspaper.
von Lossberg - I will make a motion with amendments to include not meeting on 3/15, swap the dates in August, to meet on the last Monday, but not the first Monday, to not meet on both 12/27, as well as 12/20, and then I am going to leave it at that. As for November, we just take that on a quick vote on an amendment.
Vasecka - I suggest an amendment to vote on swapping November.

Amendment:
Moved by: Sandra Vasecka
Amend the November schedule to not meet on November 22 and hold a meeting on November 29, 2021.
AYES: (9): Mirtha Becerra, Heather Harp, Gwen Jones, Julie Merritt, Jesse Ramos, Amber Sherrill, Sandra Vasecka, Bryan von Lossberg, and Heidi West
NAYS: (1): Jordan Hess
ABSENT: (2): Stacie Anderson, and John Contos
Vote results: Approved (9 to 1)

Jones - Vote on main motion.

AYES: (10): Mirtha Becerra, Heather Harp, Jordan Hess, Gwen Jones, Julie Merritt, Jesse Ramos, Amber Sherrill, Sandra Vasecka, Bryan von Lossberg, and Heidi West
ABSENT: (2): Stacie Anderson, and John Contos
Vote results: Approved (10 to 0)

On to Council Consent Agenda.

  • Moved by: Bryan von Lossberg

    Set the City Council meeting schedule for 2021 and direct the City Clerk to publish notice of the schedule in the newspaper.

    AYES: (10)Mirtha Becerra, Heather Harp, Jordan Hess, Gwen Jones, Julie Merritt, Jesse Ramos, Amber Sherrill, Sandra Vasecka, Bryan von Lossberg, and Heidi West
    ABSENT: (2)Stacie Anderson, and John Contos
    Vote results: Approved (10 to 0)
  • Amendment:
    Moved by: Sandra Vasecka

    Amend the November schedule to not meet on November 22 and hold a meeting on November 29, 2021.

    AYES: (9)Mirtha Becerra, Heather Harp, Gwen Jones, Julie Merritt, Jesse Ramos, Heidi West, Amber Sherrill, Sandra Vasecka, and Bryan von Lossberg
    NAYS: (1)Jordan Hess
    ABSENT: (2)Stacie Anderson, and John Contos
    Vote results: Approved (9 to 1)

4.
ADJOURNMENT
 

Meeting adjourned at 11:53

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