PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
April 18th, 2023
7:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in Attendance: Mayor Daniel Reddish, Gary Fujinami (video), Carl Sundstrom, Jason White, Scott Lyons, Lorraine Dell-Bishop, and John Laigaie. Others in attendance: Town Clerk Reed Speegle, Grant Writer Maureen Conner, Derek Kimball, and DuWayne Ulrich (video).
Minutes of Prior Meeting
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the minutes from 4/4/23 with an edit, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Bills Payable
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the bills payable, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Financials
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the financials, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Journal Vouchers
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the journal vouchers, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve Pioneer Technical invoice #19466 which had previously been tabled, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Maureen Conner told the Council that the Town was still waiting on final approval from the DEQ and then the Town would go to bid for construction.
Growth Plan Update
Mayor Reddish reminded the Council that there would be a public hearing on May 2nd at 6:00 p.m. to present the addendums.
ARPA #2 Strategy
Mayor Reddish recapped a discussion he had had with NX Filtration and HDR Engineering. A contract would be presented to the Town in the near future with the idea of the project getting started this spring. Maurren Conner talked about a few of the specifics related to the pilot filtration program. Councilman Sundstrom brought up the topic of a hydrology study.
Public Works Director
Councilman Lyons had a meeting with the candidate and got an idea of what the candidate would want in compensation. It was the Council’s opinion that they could not provide that level of compensation. There was then a discussion about restructuring the positon to more a foreman role. Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to offer the candidate the initial proposed fee and if he rejected to then review the job description, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Update Preferred Contractor List (Engineering/Construction)
Mayor Reddish stated that this process was ongoing.
County Dump Lease
Mayor Reddish said this topic had already been discussed in the prior meeting.
Timeline for Completion of Ordinance Review
Councilman Sundstrom said he wanted to get the process going again. The Council determined that they would commence the process in May.
NEW BUSINESS
Agricultural Well Variance Request
Mayor Reddish gave some background on the top. Derek Kimball talked about the property and the specific of what he was planning on doing. The idea was to create an agricultural site but he did not want to use Town water because of the chlorine. Mayor Reddish stated that this would be specifically for agricultural purposes and that any livable building would need to be tied in to the Town’s water and sewer system. Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the request pending the public works review of the project through a Utility Inspection Application, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Courthouse Drain Project
Mayor Reddish talked about the proposal that was being put forth by the County. The Council determined that they could pay up to ½ of the quote if the County requested.
Brewery Technical Memo
Mayor Reddish said he had forwarded this item to everyone on the Council and that there would be a press release in the next Philipsburg Mail. He discussed his meeting with one of the Brewery owners and said it was productive. The Town would be looking for a proposal from the Brewery by July 1st.
NON AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Councilman Laigaie reminded the Council that the following day, April 19th, was the commencement of the American Revolutionary War.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
DuWayne Ulrich suggested that members of the Council stop and talk with employees in the Public Works Department from time to time.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to adjourn at 8:35, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.