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PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES

December 18th, 2024

11:00 A.M. Philipsburg Town Hall

 

Council in attendance: Carl Sundstrom, Jason White, Gary Fujinami, Scott Lyons, John Laigaie. Council absent: Mayor Reddish. Others in attendance: Clerk Rachel Parret, Special Projects Maureen Connor, Jackie Butler, Elena Gagliano (on phone).

 

CALL TO ORDER: Councilman Lyons called the meeting to order at 11:00 am.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilman Lyons led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Public Comment Non-Agenda and Agenda Items

- Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction. Public Comment will be limited to 3 minutes.

 

Jackie Butler stated that she felt that the deer trap was cruel and a horrific way to kill deer. Jackie Butler also stated that she is willing to help people put up electric fencing in their yards to deter the deer. Jackie Butler stated that the Lagoon has had a leak for a long time and should have been fixed by now.

Elena Gagliano inquired who was attending the Council meeting.

 

Minutes of Prior Meeting

-December 3rd, 2024  

Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to approve the 12/3/2024 minutes, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.

 

Bills Payable

-December 4th – 17th, 2024

Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the bills payable from 12/4/24-12/17/24, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.

 

All other Bills Payable

Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve all other bills payable en masse’, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.

Jackie Butler inquired about the chlorine project at Silver Springs. Councilman Lyons explained that the Town was switching from gas to liquid chlorine, this is due to safety for the Public Works Crew.

Jackie Butler inquired about when the Lagoon Project is supposed to be completed and why it is taking so long. Councilman Lyons stated that the Lagoon Project was intended to be completed in October of 2024, however the Headworks screen will not be delivered until April of 2025.

Jackie Butler inquired about where the New Tank is going to be placed. Councilman Lyons stated that is going right next to current Tank.

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Payroll

-December 5th, 2024

Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to approve the payroll from 12/5/24, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Wastewater Change Order #4 – ACTION ITEM

Special Projects Maureen Connor gave the Council an update on the Wastewater Change Order #4.

  1. ) 60 Days of time will be added to the contract to account for delays in delivery of the Headworks Equipment.

  2. A winter shutdown is granted for the construction of the project.

  3. 41 days will be added to the calendar days remaining upon resuming contract time to install the Headworks Equipment.

  4. The contract price will decrease by $12,581.

 

Study Commission Position – ACTION ITEM

Councilman Lyons stated that 3 people where elected to the Study Commission, however 1 individual resigned from the Commission due to living in another state for a large portion of the year. The Council requested letters of interest to be submitted to Town Hall by December 16th, 2024. This request was advertised in the Philipsburg Mail for 2 weeks.

Jackie Butler spoke to the Council on her own behalf regarding interest in becoming the 3rd member of the Study Commission. Jackie Butler has been a resident of Philipsburg for 39 years. Jackie Butler’s interest in local government began as a child. Jackie Butler stated that she was part of the Study Commission 10 years ago and was then removed from the Study Commission to become a member of the Town Council.  Jackie Butler stated that she had been removed from the Town Council due to a mistake that she made.  Jackie Butler also stated that she issued a letter of apology to the Town Hall for the incident.

Councilman Lyons read Mark Flaherty’s letter of interest to the Council. Councilman Lyons read Peter Chmielewski’s letter of interest to the Council.

Councilman Sundstrom asked Jackie Butler if she could separate her personal feelings for the betterment of the Town’s interests.  Jackie Butler stated that she can separate her personal feelings.  Jackie Butler also stated that the most important thing is to educate the public.

Councilman Lyons stated that the Council has one week from today to appoint someone to the position.

Councilman Sundstrom stated that if an individual knows of the meeting and choses not to show up, then that person will not receive his vote.

Councilman White stated that he doesn’t know Peter Chmielewski and that he would like more information on the candidates to decide.

Councilman Fujinami made a motion to reconvene the Council Meeting on Friday December 20th, 2024, to decide on the Study Commission member, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.

Elena Gagliano stated that neither Mark Flaherty nor Peter Chmielewski showed up to the meeting, however Jackie Butler attended the meeting, and she stated interest in the position. Elena Gagliano stated that the Council should decide today since Jackie Butler showed up and the other two did not.

 

Urban Supervisor – Reappoint Dick Hoehne – ACTION ITEM

Councilman Fujinami made a motion to reappoint Dick Hoehne to the Urban Supervisor position, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.

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Urban Deer Management

Councilman Laigaie gave the Council an update on the Urban Deer Management.

  1.  The trap was inspected by FWP.

  2. Netting size needs to be changed before the FWP will approve the trap.

  3. Trapping can be done through February.

Jackie Butler insisted on knowing the location of the trap. Councilman White stated that the trap was on private property.

 

NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Council

Councilman Laigaie stated that December 7th was Pearl Harbor Day and that the ceremony went well.

Councilman Lyons stated that 15 Montanans were killed at Pearl Harbor, with one of those being from Granite Co.

 

Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction

Jackie Butler stated that it is important to honor our Veterans, however it should not be done in front of the Town Hall. Jackie Butler stated that the ceremonies should be held at the cemetery.

Elena Gagliano thanked Rachel Parret for posting the agenda online. Elena Gagliano stated that this meeting was awkward and the Constitution states that all meetings need to be posted including the Study Commission meetings.  Elena Gagliano wished the Council a Merry Christmas.

 

ADJOURN

The meeting was not adjourned as it was voted to reconvene on Friday the 20th at 9:00 am.

 

*** In addition to the regular attendance at Town Hall, the Town will be using the video conferencing service Zoom.us

Meeting ID: 6165576972

PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES RECONVENED

December 20th, 2024

11:00 A.M. Philipsburg Town Hall

 

Council in attendance: Carl Sundstrom, Jason White, Gary Fujinami, Mayor Daniel Reddish, Scott Lyons, John Laigaie. Others in attendance: Clerk Rachel Parret, Jackie Butler, Marty Ludemann, Chris Cooney, Elena Gagliano (on phone).

Call to Order: Mayor Reddish called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.

Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Reddish led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Comment Non-Agenda and Agenda Items

- Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction. Public Comment will be limited to 3 minutes.

 

Chris Cooney stated that he was an elected member of the Government Commission. Chris Cooney stated that the Council Members are responsible for selecting the third member of the Commission.  The Council had three members of the Community submit letters of interest for the position, with one of those being Jackie Butler who is in attendance. Chris Cooney stated that he has worked with Jackie Butler in the past, and that she is a hard worker, however not a great communicator. Chris Conney stated that he has spoken with Peter Chmielewski and that he is a good communicator along with having his heart in the right place.

Marty Ludemann stated that he was advocating for Peter Chmielewski as he was unable to attend the meeting. Marty Ludemann stated that Peter Chmielewski has attended several Council meetings, and that Peter would like to be involved with the Study Commission.

Jackie Butler stated that she has been on the Government Review Committee in the past, however left to be on Town Council.  Jackie Butler stated that she believes that the public should be more involved and come to the meetings.  Jackie Butler thanked the Council for their consideration.

Mayor Reddish opened the floor to the Council for a motion to appoint.

Councilman Sunstrom asked, “Why Peter Chmielewski did not attend the meeting?” Councilman Lyons stated that he had other obligations prior to the meeting being set, and that he would have attended otherwise.

Chris Cooney asked, “If Mayor Reddish would comment before a vote.”

Mayor Reddish stated that he appreciates all the candidates who submitted a letter of interest to the Town.  Mayor Reddish stated that once a decision has been made that all personal feelings need to be removed and just deal with the facts. This is a unique opportunity for the Town to review our Local Government.  The Government Review is not meant for the review of Town policies.

Councilman Lyons stated that the Government Review meetings will be open to the public.

Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to appoint Jackie Butler as the third member of the Local Government Study Commission, no second was made.

Councilman White made a motion to appoint Peter Chmielewski as the third member of the Local Government Study Commission, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion.

Roll Call on the Local Government Study Commission

Councilman Sundstrom Nay

Councilman White Aye

Councilman Fujinami Aye

Councilman Laigaie Aye

Councilman Lyons Aye

Public Comment:

Elena Gagliano inquired if Peter Chmielewski was in attendance and when he would be sworn into office. Elena Galiano stated that Jackie Butler was the only one of the candidates who showed up and should have been voted in. Elena also inquired when the first meeting would be held for the Study Commission.

Mayor Reddish stated that that Peter Chmielewski would be sworn in next week and that the first Commission will be in the New Year (this meeting will be posted for the public).

Jackie Butler stated that she should have been given the opportunity for a recount as she was only two votes behind Peter Chmielewski.  Jackie Butler also thanked Councilman Sundstrom and Mayor Reddish for everything.  Jackie Butler stated that the Council has not seen the last of her.

 

 

Adjournment:

Councilman Fujinami made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Councilman White seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.

© 2024 Town of Philpsburg MT

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