PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES
August 1st, 2023
7:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in Attendance: Mayor Daniel Reddish, Gary Fujinami, Carl Sundstrom, Jason White, Scott Lyons, Lorraine Dell-Bishop, and John Laigaie. Others in attendance: Town Clerk Rachel Parret, Grant Writer Maureen Connor, Public Works Foreman Ed Roseboom, Librarian Gina Vale, Elena Gagliano (video) and DuWayne Ulrich (video).
Ed and Nancy Linn septic variance determination
All Council Members visited Ed and Nancy Linn's property at 611 Galena Street (except forCouncilman Sundstrom) to get a better understanding of the water and sewer lines. PublicWorks Foreman Ed Roseboom was also onsite to answer Council questions. The current sewer main is located above The Linn's property to the East of their house. Ed explained to the Council that The Linn's could access the sewer main with a pump installed. Councilman Lyons doesn't want to set a precedent for allowing septic's to be put into places, especially where there is potential for future building in the area. Councilman Lyons motioned for the septic variance to be denied, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
STANDING REPORTS
Sheriff
Sheriff Dunkerson submitted a police report to the Council. Councilwomen Dell-Bishop asked for clarification on "request for extra patrol" and "emotional distress" calls. Councilman White explained "request for extra patrol" as just extra patrolling in an area of concern and "emotional distress" as someone under distress needing help.
Library Board
Librarian Gina Vale gave an update on The Library. Currently, Gina is working on two grants; 1st grant is through Blackfoot to help reduce the cost for technology in the community, 2nd will involve The Library becoming ADA compliant (hoping for an automatic door opener). The Library was ranked 46th in the State and now is ranked 8th. The Library holds a bingo night once a month and could use extra prizes. Lunch time tea party will be held on August 16th.
Chamber of Commerce
No Report
Planning Board
Mayor Reddish will make a phone call and update the Council on the progress.
Fire Department
No Report
Grant Writer
No report.
Director of Public Works
Foreman Ed Roseboom submitted a detailed report of the jobs and projects completed by The Public Works Crew for July 2023.
Town Attorney
Mr. Overstreet is downsizing his practice but will currently be keeping Philipsburg Town as a client.
Town Clerk
Mayor Reddish stated that new clerk Rachel Parret is doing well and is level headed.
Minutes of Prior Meetings
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the minutes with corrections, Councilman Fujinami seconded motion, and motion passed unanimously.
Payroll and Bills Payable
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve payroll and bills payable, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Water and Sewer Adjustments
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve water and sewer adjustments, Councilwomen Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Project Request Payments
Councilman Lyons made a motion to pay HDR for Task Order #7, Councilman White seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to Pioneer Technical Services, INC., CouncilmanSundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Special Meetings were held August 1st, 2023, at 2pm and 6pm.
2pm Meeting
The Town received two bids for the Lagoon Project. Bids were received by Great West on their
computer and the engineers' checked requirements for a complete bid packet. Prospect Construction bid $8,184,853 and Swaggart Brothers bid $8,352,853.
6pm Meeting
Amy Deitchler and Austin Egen from Great West addressed The Council on the bids. The 2 bids that had come in were double in cost of what they had expected. Amy spoke with 4 other companies who she thought might put in a bid and explained most were too busy and one of the companies' bid was higher than the $8 million.
Water ARPA Update
Grant Writer Maureen Connor and Clerk/Treasurer Rachel Parret spoke to The Council about the water bills. They are working together, along with Tyler Gentry, to get the Black Mountain System to work properly. Grant Writer Maureen Connor spoke with HDR about Tank #2. Tank #2 has an old 3" pipe that needs to be replaced. The Tank also has corrosion that was found in it after that last inspection and HDR needs to reinspect after the summer when the water has gone down in the tank to get a better idea of how bad the corrosion is in The Tank. Tank #2 is on the next Task Order schedule and will be bid out for a possible $80,000.
Filtration study is ongoing and technical reports are being done every two weeks. Reports show good filtration. The nano filter is at 85% and the in flow was 85*F. The study will continue through September.
HDR is coordinating with NX on the pilot study. Raw water test panel was pulled. DEQ is aware of the pilot study, and they are excited. DEQ sees the hard work being done and thinks the project is promising. Silver Springs pump needs to be measured to see if it will require a new motor.
Justice of the Peace Contract
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the new Justice of the Peace Contract, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer Consultant Contract
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the new Treasurer Consultant Contract, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Uda Law North Western Energy Contract
Councilman Lyons spoke to The School Representative about the energy contact that The Town has with The School. Councilman Lyons let the Representative know that at the time being The Council had decided to table their decision, until further notice.
Maureen Connor sent Uda Law Firm all agreements we have with North Western Energy. Councilman Lyons would like to find out if it is legal to be charged transmission fee. If it is not legal then The Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to sign the Uda Law Contract, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Police Museum donation
Mayor Reddish thanked Former Councilman Ulrich for helping bring The Police Museum to Philipsburg. Mayor Reddish let the council know that The Museum can no longer hold items that are not donated. The Town has a few items on display and Mayor Reddish requested that The Town donate the items to The Museum.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to donate all items The Town has on display to The Museum, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Draft joint letter BOCC/TC for resort area certification
The Town needs to re-certify with the Department of Commerce to qualify for a Resort Tax. Commissioner McClure constructed an Interlocal letter to submit to the Department of Commerce for a Resort Area District and Resort Area Town.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the Interlocal letter to the Department of Commerce, Councilman Sunstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Great West Task Order Stormwater PER
Grant Writer Maureen Connor stated field work needs to be done for the Stormwater PER. The Town will use $15,000 from the RRG Grant, $40,000 from the MCEP Grant, and The Town will need to match $20,000..
Councilman Lyons made a motion to the Great West Contract (Task Order #3 for Stormwater PER), Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
SPECIALS
August 1st 2pm
Bid Meeting
See attached minutes from meeting.
August 1st 6pm Bid Meeting and possible Award of Bid
See attached minutes from meeting.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Councilman Laigaie submitted a proposal for an ordinance to better regulate Sandwich Board Signs. Councilman Laigaie also requested to have a time set for the Council to discuss the proposed ordinance.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council's Jurisdiction
Dwaine Ulrich thanked the Council for donating items to the Police Museum.
Elena Gagliano thanked The Town for their annual donation to The Passenger Rail.
ADJOURN
Councilman Lyons made a motion to adjourn, Councilwomen Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm.
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