Tree-branch disposal discussed at city council meeting

Who is responsible for tree-branch and brush disposal was a question raised during Monday’s City Council meeting.

The city announced that, due to expenses from a blizzard last October and a harsh winter following, it was enforcing city ordinance that requires tree branches and brush to be cut in 4-foot lengths and bundled or property owners would be charged for its removal.

During the public comments section at the end of the meeting, Kim Cripps, who said she lives on Lincoln Avenue, asked the council how it would determine who owns the branches when they are piled by the garbage cans?

Mayor Tim Solomon said the city will first find out whose branches they are before moving forward with charges, fees or fines.

“Before we charge someone with it, we find out who put them there,” Solomon said.

He added that the city’s funds are running short after last year’s winter and the October storm that damaged trees throughout the city, and Havre’s chipper will not be running all summer. He said the city usually doesn’t pick up private branches, but disposes of branches on the boulevards and then, in the fall, will dispose of private branches if able to.

Director of Public Works Dave Peterson added that for branch pick up, property owners are required to cut the branches into 4-foot lengths, bundle them, stick them next to the trash cans and they will be picked up. Although, he added, some people are abusing the system for branch clean up, making it more difficult for the process.

“Unfortunately, we probably created this situation a little bit, because of the convenience of (what the city usually does), but it has gotten so far out of hand that people are cutting down trees, hauling them to the boulevards and everything else,” Peterson said.

Peterson said the city has also not begun on the boulevard cleanup because of the situation that the city is in, continuously working on the street clean up.

He added that people are going to be responsible for getting their branches to the landfills themselves if they will not comply with the ordnance and that the bundles have to be tied.

The council, after extentsive discussion, also approved a water use agreement for subdividing Magpie Hills just east of Havre.

The company Magpie Hills is developing seven lots on the former Quantum 5 golf course property. The company requested the city grant it the right to allow the development to drill wells for the development.

Solomon said that after the initial seven developments, if Magpie Hills wanted to expand the development the company would have to put in an additional request for water for review by the City Council and the goal is to eventually have the development hook into the system that provides water treated at the Havre Water Treatment Plant.

Solomon added that Magpie Hills has already agreed and understand that if the development expands it will need to go back under review under the City Council.

“They’ve been good with working with us,” Solomon said. “This group is great.”

Peterson said Magpie Hills will, for now, drill its own well and is just requesting to use the water that is under the city’s water rights.

The city had annexed the property after the Quantum 5 company proposed building a golf course and resort on the land there. That proposal fell through.

Council Chair Andrew Brekke said the city de-annexed the area after the city determined it couldn’t provide services there.

“This is probably the only way that we can get development going there, in my opinion,” Brekke said.

Peterson added that there are some test wells on the property that were built when Quantum 5 owned the land.

The council also approved several items on the agenda as well as taking on a proposal requested by a community member during the meeting.

• The council Ordinance No. 905, regarding the licensing fee for distilleries, was passed.

• The council approved a loan in the amount of $82,913 from the Montana Aeronautics Division for the Havre City Airport.

Solomon said that attached to the loan is a grant of $35,000, and the airport will pay back the loan though the airport’s own revenue. The city will just be guaranteeing and sponsoring the loan.

• The council approved the Independence Bank pledge securities for quarter ending June 30.

• The council awarded the city attorney civil legal service contract to Hi-Line Law.

• The council approved street closure for Second Avenue between First and Second Street for the first Montana State University-Northern Homecoming Block Party Sept. 15. Old Station Brewing Co. and the Eagle’s Club will also participate in the event, Alumni Associate Becka Stone said in her proposal to the City Council.

• The Council approved street closure for the Hill County Health Department’s annual Lil Shot’s Carnival. The street closure will be from the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Third Street to the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Fourth Street Aug. 10 from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m., Kimberly Larson, Hill County public health director, said in her written proposal to the City Council.

• Judy Handstede, a resident on 16th Street, proposed during the public comments section that the city consider placing more signs on 16th Street due to a large amount of  vehicles speeding and the large amount of foot traffic the street gets.

“I really think it would be helpful,” Handstede said. “I’m just amazed that some kid hasn’t been hit.”

She said her concerns are that there is only one 15 mph speed limit sign facing west on the street. She proposed more be placed because Elk Park is close and a large number of kids cross the street. She also thanked the city for work it has done at the park.

Solomon said the council will take adding signs under consideration, study and discuss this topic further.

• Peterson said Public Works will be starting Phase Two of the city water tank maintenance plan. He said the city took down the west water tank to recoat the inside last September.

He said work on the east water tank will begin in August.

“Come end of August we’ll be shutting the parks down and we will be asking that people start cutting back on water,” he said.

He added that no services will be cut.

He added that one of the ways people can cut back on water use in August is to water their yards only once a week.