PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES
August 15th, 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 Reed Speegle, Town Clerk Rachel Parret, Grant Writer Maureen Connor, Doug and Robin Morrison, Ryan Watkins, Jim and Carol Bacquet, DuWayne Ulrich (video), and Nick Patch with Prospect Construction (video).
Mayor Reddish called the meeting to order.
Pledge of Allegiance
Doug and Robin Morrison- Pintler Peak RV Park water bill
Mayor Reddish addressed Doug and Robin Morrison 1st by stating that Public Works had inspected their water meter at Pintler Peak RV Park three times in two weeks. The meter was working properly.
Mayor Reddish gave the floor to Doug and Robin at this time.
Robin didn’t realize they had a potential leak on their property until she had received her bill which was $1300. Morrisons’ hired Doug Benson to fix the frost free and to fix any potential leaks. The Morrisons’ were under the impression that the water would kick off if there was a leak. Doug was on The Town Council when the meters were implemented and thought that the system alerted The Town if someone had a leak.
Clerk Rachel Parret explained that Public Works only reads the meters once a month and that after the readings come in, our system gives us a potential list of leaks. There is no guarantee that places will have a leak, most of the time the individuals have just used more water than normal that month.
Mayor Reddish explained that the warranty on the original meters had expired, and The Town has continued to buy new meters to replace the old ones.
Robin thanked The Town for adjusting their bill, while the issue is still trying to be fixed. Robin also voiced a concern about The Town having water leaks and not really knowing that we do.
Mayor Reddish suggested that The Council revisit the rates in 6 months.
Doug would like to see all the meters gone.
Councilman Fujinami said that 90% of the issues The Council deals with is due to water and sewer.
Councilman Lyons asked Doug, “If they knew they had a leak for sure or not.”
Doug had replied “No, we do not know for sure.”
The Council suggested having Public Works check the meter one more time after Doug Benson is done working.
Minutes of Prior Meeting
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the minutes from August 1st, 2023, with edits, Councilman Lyons seconded motion, and motion passed unanimously.
Special Meeting Minutes
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to approve Special Meeting Minutes from August 1st, 2023 at 2 pm, Councilman Fujinami seconded motion, motion passes unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve Special Meeting Minutes from August 1st, 2023 at 6 pm, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Bills Payable
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve bills payable, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and motion passed unanimously.
Financials
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve financials, Councilman Sundstrom seconded motion, and motion passed unanimously.
Journal Vouchers
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve journal vouchers, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Water ARPA Update
Grant writer Maureen Connor updated The Council on HDR (still working on the same stuff as the last report).
Montgomery and Broadway Bid will need to go out ASPA. The Town will need a permit from the DEQ on the proposal from the engineers.
Pilot Study- The nano filtration was squished and had to have some of them replaced. With the water warming up at Fred Burr the nano filtration was tested to its maximum.
The Town received a letter from the DEQ stating that we had violation for Disinfection Byproducts Maximum Contaminant Level, 3rd Quarter 2023. The Town had 18 months to reconcile the matter. Mayor Reddish will be working on a letter to release to the public.
NEW BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Consideration Project Rebid. Action Item.
The Council agreed that the Lagoon Bids were unrealistic and thought they should submit for a new bid process.
Nick Patch with Prospect Construction stated that engineers are having a hard time hitting bids right with the cost of supplies increasing. Nick said, “We are out to bid and get the contract.” Also, he went on to state that this was not a $4 million bid but closer to an $8 million bid, as both bids came in over $8 million. Lastly, he wanted to tell The Council that there would have to be a lot of changes made in order to make it a $4 million bid.
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to reject the two bid that were submitted, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Reddish asked each Councilperson for their vote on the motion to reject the two bids. Councilman Sundstrom voted aye. Councilman Fujinami voted aye. Councilman White voted aye. Councilman Lyons voted aye. Councilwomen Dell-Bishop voted aye. Councilman Laigaie voted aye.
REVIEW PRESS RELEASE WATER RATES
Grant writer Maureen Connor submitted a press release for The Council to approve. The Council reviewed and edits were to be made. The press release was put on the Philipsburg Town Hall website.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Mayor Reddish will be going to Helena to attend a meeting with Fish and Wildlife on the deer problem in Town.
Councilman White notified The Council that The County is under a Stage 1 Fire Restriction.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
Jim and Carol Bacquet informed The Council of the water leak on Stewart Lake Road. The leak caused the road to get washed out. They had attended The County Commissioner meeting and were informed to come to The Town about the issue.
The Town replaced the pipe two weeks ago, however, they thought there was another leak farther up the road.
The Bacquets’ asked the town to fix the road and put gravel over the exposed pipes.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to adjourn at 8:15 pm.