Special Board Meeting, April 12, 2012

[Diane Blevins]

Proceedings of the Board of Trustees

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

April 12, 2012

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

The Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, and High School District, Yellowstone County, Montana, and Billings Council members was duly held at The Lincoln Center, 415 North 30^th Street, Billings, Montana, April 12, 2012 at 12:00 p.m.

 

Members present included Trustees Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, District Clerk Leo Hudetz, and Superintendent Jack Copps. Members of the City Council in attendance were Mayor Tom Hanel, Council Members Brent Cromley, Jim Ronquillo, Angela Cimmino, Denis Pitman, Jani McCall, Ed Ulledalen, Ken Crouch, City Administrators Candi Beaudry of the City Planning Department and City Administrator Tina Volek.

 

Registered guests included Pam Christianson, Royal Johnson, Lucy Brown, Angela Cimmino, Bruce McCandless, and Laura Holmlund.

 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC

 

The Board recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of listening to members of the public in its meetings. The Board also recognizes the statutory and constitutional right of the public to participate in governmental operations. The Board encourages members of the public to participate in and express opinions about issues important to the District. This part of the Board’s meeting is dedicated to public comment on any public matter that is not on the agenda of this meeting and is within the jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees. Members of the public may also address particular items on this agenda either now or at the time the Board considers the particular item.

 

Pam Christianson addressed those present to discuss the lack of transparency. She urged those present to be transparent for the community.

 

Vince Ruegamer stated he was glad the trustees and city council were meeting and working together.

 

EPA SMART GROWTH IMPLEMENTATION ASSISTANCE

 

Candi Beaudry, City Planning Department, reported the city and school district were granted the USEPA award. There was some confusion how the two groups worked together to gain approval. The award is for facilitation and technology services with no monetary award given. Ms. Beaudry reported the city continues to grow toward the west which puts strains on schools. There have been conflicts between various groups when discussing the growth of Billings. Ms. Beaudry informed those present that she worked with Trustee Aragon to put the proposal together in order to gain the award. EPA will listen to the needs of the city and school district and attend the kick-off meeting to gain input from the community. They will then compile the data and come back with a proposed program. Consultants would visit Billings and interview people in the community and would not focus on one single program.

 

Trustee Ellis stated her concern was that this award and its application must comply with school statutes. She heard about this application for the first time in November and believed it was not a good beginning for collaboration, as the full board was not aware of the application. Her foremost responsibility is to the students of the district and not to build schools while closing others. Trustee Ellis asked how we get everyone involved and up to speed. Superintendent Copps reported meetings have been held with City Administrator Volek and the collaboration will benefit both groups. The district needs to recognize the benefits and move forward by appointing a citizen’s committee with three members chosen by Ms. Volek and three by the school district. Those individuals would represent the different geographical areas of Billings. Ms. Volek agreed with the superintendent and believed both groups could benefit from the award in assistance. Riverstone Health is another group that could give assistance to the two entities.

 

Mayor Hanel did not feel it was transparency that was the issue but to have all of the information given to all parties. Personal agendas need to be put aside and the groups need to work together for the betterment of the city. Superintendent Copps reported he would appoint three members to serve on the committee, as well as an administrator to serve as a liaison. Trustee Stroebe stated it is important for someone to bring the information back to the full board and suggested the superintendent work with the city council. Ms. McCall felt a determination needs to be made as to how the information will be disseminated.

 

UPDATE ON COMPREHENSIVE MASTER FACILITY PLANNING PROCESS

 

Trustee Moen reported the board has approved the Request for Proposal for the master facilities plan as past plans were not comprehensive.

 

CITY CIP PROCESS

 

David Mumford, Public Works Director, reported his department has developed a five-year plan which is updated annually. He encourages people to attend the planning meetings to give their input. Every department puts in their proposals . Mr. Mumford stated he likes to plan forward recognizing the growth in the city. Annexation is studied to determine if services are affordable. The more information gained allows the Public Works Department to plan accordingly.

 

ARGIS COLLABORATIVE PLANNING TOOL

 

As Trustee Aragon was not in attendance, this item was rescheduled for a future meeting.

 

ANNEXATION MAP AND POLICY

 

Tina Volek stated, in 2004, it was determined that the annexation policy would be reviewed. A new policy has been approved and a cost analysis will be done before a determination is made for annexation. It was determined to be too large of a cost to provide services to Lockwood without annexation. Ms. Beaudry stated it is the plan to only annex lands that services can be cost affective according to the five-year plan. Ms. Volek reported that Billings has an approximate population of 100,000 but services are provided for 300,000 to 500,000 people in the surrounding area and growth is expected due to the Bakken oil boom.

 

Trustee Ellis asked if the city had the ability to charge developers more in order to be able to afford the necessary services. Ms. Beaudry stated schools can ask for land for a school and infrastructure improvement but it must to be proportional to development. State laws preclude impact fees for school districts.

 

Kevin Nelson addressed those present and stated people move in and out of neighborhoods when they do not feel safe. He asked the trustees and city council members to address this issue at a future meeting.

 

The next meeting of the school district trustees and city council members was set for July 19, 2012 at the city offices.

 

As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Teresa Stroebe, Chair

 

 

Diane Blevins, Recorder