PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA
APRIL 2ND, 2024
6:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in attendance: Carl Sunstrom (online), Jason White, Scott Lyons, Mayor Daniel Reddish, John Laigaie, and Gary Fujinami. Council absent: Lorraine Dell-Bishop. Others in attendance: Clerk Rachel Parret, Special Projects Maureen Connor, Foreman Ed Roseboom, Senator Becky Beard, Ben Grass, Cassie Nelson, Susie Mullen, Shirley Beck, Dale Siegford, Elena Gagliano (online), and Amelia Wood (online).
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Reddish called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Senator Becky Beard
Mayor Reddish introduced Senator Beard to the Council. Senator Beard has been in the legislature for the last four sessions. Senator Beard explained that district 38 has been redistricted and Granite County is now part of this district. Senator Beard is also on the tax committee and has been working on the property tax issues. Senator Beard explained that property taxes are based on market value. Councilman Lyons asked Senator Beard where she lives. Senator Beard lives in Elliston, MT. Councilman Fujinami asked if the property taxes would decrease now that the market is balancing out. Senator Beard stated that property taxes are reevaluated every two years.
Ben Grass – Pintler Classic Road Race
Ben Grass is a doctor in Missoula, MT who has started Frontier Racing. Dr. Grass would like to have a race in Philipsburg on July 13, 2024. The race would be approximately 50 miles with a possibility of having up to 200 racers. Mayor Reddish stated that Philipsburg loves to have events in Town. The Mayor asked if they have enough personnel to hold an event of this size. The Town would also need a finalized map to coordinate with the Race and the road closures. The Council stated that Dr. Grass would have to coordinate with the County and the Department of Transportation.
STANDING REPORTS
Sheriff
Sheriff Dunkerson submitted a monthly report to the Council. Clerk Rachel Parret reported that Dave Lucero will be retiring from the Sheriff’s Office this week and that Bryce Parret graduated from the Law Enforcement Academy March 26th, 2024.
Fire Department
No Report.
Public Works Foreman
Foreman Ed Roseboom submitted a report to the Council. Councilman Lyons thanked Public Works for plowing the roads.
Attorney
Mayor Reddish will be meeting with Attorney Greg Overstreet 4/3/24 at 11:00 am. The Mayor will be discussing the following topics with the Town Attorney: water restrictions for summer, letter to property owners on East Broadway addressing construction, easement for another water tank, and Ordinance language.
Town Clerk
Clerk Rachel Parret stated that AFR for FY23 has been submitted. Rachel Parret submitted a report to the Council about the MRW conference in Great Falls, MT.
Minutes of Prior Meeting
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the minutes from 3/19/24, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the minutes from 3/25/24 with corrections, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Bills Payable
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the claims, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and the motion passes unanimously.
Great West bills will be paid after reimbursement from the grants are received by the Town.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the Great West invoice #32074 in the amount $1923.25, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the Great West invoice #32100 in the amount $2910.65, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the Great West invoice #32098 in the amount of $118,885.87, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Water and Sewer Adjustments
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the water and sewer adjustments, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Special Projects Maureen Connor updated the Council on the Lagoon Project. The Town will have the bills by the 1st Tuesday meeting to approve, a request for relief will be submitted for reimbursement, and then the contractor and engineers will be paid. The DEQ issued the Town a letter to test the well at the lagoon. An addendum will be issued after the well is tested. The Town will issue a Notice to Proceed within a week or two of the well results. Council Lyons made a motion to have the Mayor sign the Notice to Proceed, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Reddish stated that the activity at the Lagoon is mobilization and dewatering. The Army Corps will be in Town in May to inspect the Lagoon Project.
Water ARPA Update
Special Projects Maureen Connor updated the Council on the water projects. The Silver Springs Project is waiting for the DEQ approval, this could take up to 6 weeks. The Broadway/Montgomery ad should be in paper the paper this next week. The bid opening will be 3/25/24 at 1:30 pm and pre-bid meeting will be 3/18/24 at 1:30 pm. Triple Tree Engineering and WET are currently working on the pipeline PER and ground water.
NEW BUSINESS
Update on RAC Red Lion
The RAC grant #1 is for $30,000 with a 25% match. The RAC grant #2 is for $79,000 with a 5% match. The Red Lion Road will be repaired along with the road between the Fred Burr Lakes.
HB 355 project (SLIPPA)
Special Projects Maureen Connor submitted the grant paperwork for HB 355 to the Department of Commerce. The plan is to replace the water main on Sutter Street.
Update Stormwater Grants
The Town has about $90,000 in grants to work on stormwater, currently not sure on the amount of match.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Councilman Sundstrom asked if a rebuttal has been submitted to the paper concerning the comments made in the Philipsburg Mail’s letters to the editor.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
Susie Mullen asked if the water main on West Street would be replaced soon. The water main has many leaks and Susie Mullen has low water pressure in her house.
ADJOURN
Councilman Lyons made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 pm, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
*** In addition to the regular attendance at Town Hall, the Town will be using the video conferencing service Zoom.com
Meeting ID: 6165576972