PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
August 2nd, 2022
7:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in Attendance: Mayor Daniel Reddish, Scott Lyons, John Laigaie, Gary Fujinami, Carl Sundstrom, and Jason White. Council absent: DuWayne Ulrich. Others in attendance: Town Clerk Reed Speegle, Public Works Director Sam Dennis, Grant Writer Maureen Connor (video), Jo Durgin, Pam Soares, and Gwyneth Hyndman (video).
STANDING REPORTS
Sheriff
Report submitted. Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the report, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Library Board
No report.
Chamber of Commerce
Report submitted.
Parks Board
No report.
Fire Department
Sam Dennis that things were relatively quiet for this time of the year.
Grant Writer
Maureen Connor talked about a CDBG grant for Fred Burr engineering that would be for approximately $60,000. This was due in October. Mayor Reddish mentioned the changing demographics of the Town and Maureen discussed the possibility of an income survey in the future. She was hoping that the Town could get under contract with the ARPA Sewer funds soon. Finally, she mentioned the need to have a special meeting with Anna Miller of DNRC at some point in August.
Director of Public Works
Sam Dennis reported on his exploratory trip along the Fred Burr line. He found several areas of concern and was worried about water capacity in the event of another break. Sam then discussed water capacity and sprinkling in Town. He urged the Council to enact some stricter regulation in the future. Sam talked of an issue with the Forest Service opening a fire hydrant and drawing water out of the system without permission. It is likely that this caused several water mains in Town to break. Mayor Reddish talked about how he was informed of the situation with the Fire Camp and that he had received a contract proposal from the Forest Service to pay for some costs. Finally, Sam gave an update on the sewer lagoon which was having the road to it built.
Town Attorney
No report. Mayor would in contact.
Town Clerk
No report.
Minutes of Prior Meetings
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the minutes from 7/19/22 with edits from Councilman Sundstrom, it was seconded by Councilman Fujinami, and approved unanimously.
Payroll and Bills Payable
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve the payroll, it was seconded by Councilman Lyons, and approved unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve the bills payable, it was seconded by Councilman Lyons, and approved unanimously.
Water and Sewer Adjustments
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the water and sewer adjustments, it was seconded by Councilman Sundstrom, and approved unanimously.
Project Request Payments
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve Pioneer invoice #17949, it was seconded by Councilman Laigaie, and approved unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve Pioneer invoice #17950, it was seconded by Councilman Laigaie, and approved unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to table Great West invoice #26883, it was seconded by Councilman Sundstrom, and approved unanimously.
Financials
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve the financials, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Mayor Reddish said that the sludge hauling would begin soon but that the contract with Republic Services needed to be finalized. Sam Dennis said they had gotten the DOT permits and talked a little more in detail about the logistics of the hauling.
Growth Plan Update
Mayor Reddish told the Council that the mapping around town was still be done. Sam Dennis said that portion of the project was approximately 75% completed and that the new employee doing the work was doing a good job. Councilman White said he needed to schedule a date to begin the inventory of historical buildings. Maureen Connor had not gotten any updates on the wildfire portion of the Growth Plan.
Encroachment Ordinance Amendment – 2nd Reading & Decision
Mayor Reddish read the amendment. Councilman Lyons made the motion to adopt the ordinance with the amended language, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Water/Sewer Policy
Councilman Lyons gave a recap of the prior meeting where they looked at the water and sewer rate structure. He said the Council was looking at rates based on pipe size, multiple structure accounts, and issues with the meters. Sam Dennis quoted a new meter at around $4,000 included the pit and install.
NEW BUSINESS
Horton Street Access Determination
Mayor Reddish gave a recap of the situation. Councilman Sundstrom suggested that the grade be returned to its original slope. Pam Soares read a letter to the Council requesting it be returned to the condition prior to any construction. She distributed some materials to the Council. Jo Durgin talked about her process of construction and getting access to her property. She believed that the condition of the road was now better than it had been prior. Pam disagreed with that assessment. Councilman Laigaie talked about the details of the ramp and Councilman Lyons wanted to get clarity on the before and after. Councilman Lyons made the motion for Mayor Reddish to write a letter to the developer (Jo Durgin) for the Town’s portion of the road to be returned to its original elevation and that a plan for doing so be submitted to the Public Works Department by September 15th. Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion. Sam Dennis talked about the public utilities in that corridor and that he wanted very specific instruction from the Council for approval. The motion was approved unanimously.
RAC Grant Agreement
Reed Speegle explained the cash contribution portion of $7,500 to get $30,000 worth of work done. Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve the agreement, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Pilot Project Water Filtration
Mayor Reddish talked about the Town’s surface water variance. Sam Dennis was very concerned with it going forward due to DBPs and that the DEQ may push the Town towards eventual filtration. He suggested that this pilot program could be paid for out of the ARPA water funds that were awarded to the Town. Mayor Reddish talked briefly about NX Filtration and that the cost of the proposal was $23,300. He then reminded the Council that the intended use of ARPA water funds would need to be determined by October. Councilman Sundstrom talked about the Fred Burr line. Councilman Lyons talked about the need for additional storage. Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve the pilot project, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Town Hall Proposal
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the proposal to make some improvement to the Council chambers, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Town Cemetery Agreement
Councilman Sundstrom asked about the status and for some points clarification on the agreement.
NON AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Mayor Reddish mentioned the outstanding contract with the Forest Service concerning the Fire Camp and water usage.
Councilman Laigaie suggested a small air conditioner for the Mayor’s office.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
No comment.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to adjourn at 9:31, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.