Council approves street closure for barbecue

Havre City Council Monday approved closing a street to allow a local bank to hold a Community Appreciation Barbecue.

Council member Terry Lilletvedt, who is an employee of Independence Bank, said the bank is holding the barbecue to celebrate the opening of the bank’s new addition. The event will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 3.

The event also celebrates the bank’s 45th anniversary.

Lilletvedt said the bank will be providing tours of the new addition as well as offering chances at winning prizes during the event.

“Please come, everyone, it will be a good day,” Lilletvedt said.

The council also discussed the Ordinance Committee’s June 26 meeting where it looked at an ad hoc committee proposal for a Vacant Property Registration Ordinance. The ordinance would require owners of vacant properties to register the properties they own and would encourage owners to renovate, maintain or sell the properties.

Mayor Tim Solomon suggested that the ad hoc committee and the Ordinance Committee further discuss the item now that it has been looked over by the city attorney.

The council agreed to set a date for an Ordinance Committee and ad hoc committee meeting.

The City Council also approved an ordinance amending licensing fees to include a license for a distillery.

Council President Andrew Brekke said it was a straightforward change, with the distillery license being added to the licenses the city administers. Prior to the approval, no license fit the definition of a distillery, Brekke said. The change added a specific license that is similar in charges for the licensing of breweries.

The distilleries will have the same hourly restrictions as the breweries, Solomon said, and distilleries have a two-drink limit. Solomon added that they are not like bars.

The council also approved Monday the collective bargaining agreement with Local 601, International Association of Fire Fighters, and the ratification of insurance modifications.

Solomon said insurance provisions within the document created some confusion, and the motion was to pass revisions on the document to clarify items.

Fire Chief Mel Paulson said these changes were due to there being a three-tier system for insurance that needed clarification.

The council also approved Tamara Barkus’ sole bid for the city prosecutor services with a three-year contract of $78,000 a year.

The civil legal service bids, though, from Barkus and Hi-Line Law, were tabled until the next City Council meeting in two weeks.

Hi-Line Law made a three-year bid of $48,000 a year and Barkus made a three-year bid for $36,000 the first year, $40,000 the second and $44,000 the third.

The item was tabled to allow an interview process with both bidders and allow the council to further discuss the bids.

The council approved a resolution affirming active participation in the Bear Paw Economic Development district.

“This is money well-spent,” Solomon said.

The council approved a Federal Aviation Administration request to transfer entitlements from the White Sulfur Springs airport to the Havre City-County Airport and approved work to complete phase two of the airport renovation. This is to improve the taxiways at the airport. Construction will occur this summer.

The council approved the June claims and manual warrants as well during the meeting.

Lilletvedt also asked Solomon about any updates from Amtrak about the concerns raised during the last Council meeting regarding the passenger rail service eliminating the ticket agents at the Havre station.

Solomon said he has not heard back from any representatives of Amtrak.