PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA
February 20th, 2024
6:00 P.M. Philipsburg Townhall
Council in attendance: Jason White, Gary Fujinami, Mayor Daniel Reddish, Scott Lyons, Lorraine Dell-Bishop, John Laigaie, and Carl Sundstrom (online). Others in attendance: Clerk Rachel Parret, Special Projects Maureen Connor (online), Deputy Marlena Webber, NBC MT Josh Margoles, Justine Richmond, Kendrick Richmond, Lisa Stavrakas, Sue Sweeney, Bethanney Foley, Andrea Hess, Tamara Walden, Nick Walden, Shannon Drage, Elyse Ritsman, Anne Fillmore, Kathy Fitzpatrick, Dale Siegford, Shirley Beck, Cathy Smith, Chris Cooney, Jacqualynn Butler, Amelia Wood (online), and Elena Gagliano (online).
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Reddish called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Tyler Gentry – Update on Mapping Infrastructure
Tyler Gentry started working on a GPS Mapping for all the Town’s infrastructure, during the Summer of 2022. The Mapping starts at Fred Burr Lake and maps throughout the Town. The old system for mapping was done on index cards and many of them are incorrect. The new system allows Public Works to download updated water main replacements and the engineering done.
Mayor Reddish stated that Tyler has been a major asset to Public Works and is very happy with the work he has done. Councilman Lyons asked Tyler about the status of the lead line mapping. Tyler said he is currently working on the project and hasn’t found any lead service lines.
Minutes of Prior Meeting
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the minutes from 2/6/24 with corrections, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the minutes from 2/9/24 with corrections, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Bills Payable
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the bills payable from 2/24, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay HDR invoice 1200595714 in the amount $1860.21, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay HDR invoice 1200595716 in the amount $5482.43, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay HDR invoice 1200595717 in the amount $1476.05, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay HDR invoice 1200595718 in the amount $4003.25, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay HDR invoice 1200595719 in the amount $2013.65, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay HDR invoice 1200595720 in the amount $1032.11, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Financials
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the financials from 2/24, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Journal Vouchers
No Journal Vouchers for 2/24.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Notice to Award the bid was sent out for the Lagoon Project. A Notice to Proceed on the Lagoon Project should be issued in March.
Special Projects Maureen Connor states the Environmental Assessment for the Lagoon Project is available for review.
Water Update
Engineering for the water projects is being done by HDR. A meeting with HDR, Public Works, and Nolan Smith was held to discuss the plans for the Silver Springs Project. HDR will be submitting the final plans to DEQ. Advertising for a bid on the Silver Springs Project should be posted in March. HDR will be getting estimates on new tanks for the Town.
Great West is working on PER for stormwater. Great West will be having a meeting with Public Works in March to discuss the plans for the stormwater. When the plans are complete, they will be submitted to the Council for approval.
Triple Tree is working on a PER for the transmission line.
Resort Tax
Resort Tax will be discussed in New Business.
Facebook page for the Town of Philipsburg
Councilman Lyons did not find any evidence of a Town Facebook page. The Town would only post information about the Town and there will not be any public comments.
Mayor Reddish asked if there were any Councilmembers not wanting the site set up.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to have the Clerk set up a Town Facebook page, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Duties for the Chair and Vice Chair of the Council
Councilman Sundstrom presented the Council with the duties for Chair and Vice Chair positions. Mayor Reddish read the duties to the Council and public.
Right to Bear Arms – Resolution 2024-3 – ACTION ITEM
Mayor Reddish read Resolution 2024-3 Right to Bear Arms to the Council and public. Councilman Lyons made a motion to pass Resolution 2024-3 Right to Bear Arms, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Resort Tax – Resolution 2024-4 - ACTION ITEM
Mayor Reddish thanked the Council for moving forward with the Resort Tax Resolution, along with all their hard work. The Resolution is set to go on the Ballot June 4th, 2024. Councilman Lyons read Resolution 2024-4 Resort Tax to the Council and public.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve Resolution 20234-4 Resort Tax, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion. The floor was opened to the public for comments. (See Below). The motion passed unanimously.
Jacqualynn Butler asked how much is going exactly towards infrastructure and admin. Councilman Lyons reread the Resolution 2024-4 part with the breakdown of numbers. Infrastructure will be 90% of the 3% Resort Tax, 5% will be property tax relief, and 5% admin. and audit fee. The last 1% will be completely dedicated to infrastructure.
Anne Fillmore stated that she was not their adversary, however she said that no one feels the pain of the Council more than herself. Anne is not in favor of the Resort Tax. Anne stated that none of the Councilmembers have a business in Town. Anne stated that there are 38 businesses in Town of which 24 will be directly affected. Out of the 24 businesses 60% of the owners do not live in Town limits and will not be able to vote on the Resort Tax. Anne calculated that out of the 5% reduction in property tax she would have a rebate of $17.47. Anne also calculated that she personally would have been taxed $117.91 in Resort Tax. Anne also calculated that the “buggy” she bought from Granite Sportland would have been taxed in excess of a $1000 and in that case, she would have gone to Missoula to buy the same “buggy”. Anne suggested that the Council really needs to start informing the public about the Resort Tax.
Mayor Reddish stated that he had allowed Anne a few extra minutes to speak due to her service to the Town as a past Mayor, but the rest of the public comment would be limited to 3 minutes.
Justine Richmond asked the Council what their compelling argument was to put the Resort Tax on the Ballot. Mayor Reddish said that if the Resort Tax does not pass, that the funding would be put back onto the rate payers. Mayor Reddish also stated that we have pushed the rates to the max, but we need to fix the infrastructure. The main motivator of all this is the water and sewer infrastructure.
Elena Gagliano asked if the Resolution passed if it would be sent to the Election Clerk and then have two notices posted, along with public hearings.
Mayor Reddish stated that the Election Clerk will be notified, and the Council will be having public meetings to start a draft Ordinance.
Councilman Lyons stated that the Council was not voting to implement the Tax, however, we are voting to give the electors the option to vote for the Tax.
Chris Cooney stated that he changed his address just to be a resident of the Town and be able to vote on issues. The last time that the Resort Tax was brought up the Council had enough pushback from the Community, that they did not go forward with placing it on the Ballot. Chris also stated that he did not think that the Resort Tax would pass on the Ballot.
Cathy Fitzpatrick asked if the Resort Tax does pass, and we don’t get enough money from the Tax if the water and sewer rates would still go up.
Mayor Reddish stated that the Town is going to try to get as close as possible to the money we need. One thing people need to know is the money generated here will stay here. The Town will try to keep as minimum of an impact on the ratepayers as possible, but we are not sure yet.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the Resolution 2024-4 Resort Tax, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Roll Call
Councilman Laigaie – AYE
Councilwoman Dell-Bishop – AYE
Councilman Lyons – AYE
Councilman Fujinami – AYE
Councilman White – AYE
Councilman Sundstrom - AYE
Ballot Language – ACTION ITEM
Councilman Lyons read the Ballot language to the Council and public.
Jacqualynn Butler asked if the Council would be able to change the Tax at will.
Mayor Reddish stated that are statutes that must be followed.
Justine Richmond asked when the specifics would be filled in and if they are up to the Council. Mayor Reddish stated that the specifics will be filled in when the Ordinance is passed.
Councilman Lyons said that the State gives us guidelines of what can and can’t be taxed. The Council will come up with a draft Ordinance prior to election. If the Resort Tax passes it will be implemented January 1st, 2025.
Justine Richmond asked why to place it on the Primary Ballot and not on the General Ballot.
Councilman Lyons stated that by placing it on the Ballot in June it will give the businesses enough time to prepare before it is implemented.
Roll Call
Councilman Laigaie – AYE
Councilwoman Dell-Bishop – AYE
Councilman Fujinami – AYE
Councilman White – AYE
Councilman Sundstrom – AYE
Councilman Lyons - AYE
Library Board – Replace Billie Kulaski with Bethanney Foley - ACTION ITEM
Bethanney Foley introduced herself to the Council. Bethanney is the assistant director for Flint Creek Childcare. Mayor Reddish stated that he appreciated her willingness to volunteer.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve Bethanney Foley on the Library Board, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Triple Tree – Task Order 2024 Broadway/Montgomery water distribution system
improvement - ACTION ITEM
Councilman Lyons stated that this Task Order would for the replacement of the water main on North Montgomery.
Councilman Sundstrom asked Maureen Connor how much money we have set aside for this project. Maureen Connor replied that we have $2.6 million between ARPA and MCEP grants and our match should be about $300,000 - $400,000. Councilman Sunstrom stated that Triple Tree would be paid $47,000 to provide engineering services.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the Triple Tree Task Order 2024, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Petition to PSC Hydropower - ACTION ITEM
Mayor Reddish, Councilman Lyons, and Maureen Connor met with the Philipsburg School Board about dissolving the contract with the Town for supplemental power. The Town is no longer producing power and is taking a loss providing this service to the School. The School and the Town both signed off to dissolve the contract and will now both become supply customers. The Town filed with the PSC as of 2/20/2024. Mayor Reddish may have to go to Helena to testify with the PSC.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Mayor Reddish asked Councilman Lyons to contact the codifiers.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
Larry Holmes asked what the water main pipes were being replaced with. Mayor Reddish replied with the specified PVC.
Jacqualynn Butler asked what the size of the pipe was for the stormdrains. Mayor Reddish replied between 18”- 24”.
Chris Cooney suggested if the Town was going to start a Facebook page that adding an Instagram account is just as easy.
Justine Richmond said that she could not find the specifics the MCA states are to be taxed and not taxed. Mayor Reddish stated that the Council will do some more digging into the matter.
Jacqualynn Butler asked about the specifics for the Mayor and the Council’s pay.
Mayor Reddish stated that he would be writing Mrs. Butler a letter in the morning.
Elena Gagliano stated that there is a local government review this year and things can change that will affect the Resort Tax.
ADJOURN
Councilman Lyons made a motion to adjourn at 7:47 pm, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop 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.us
Meeting ID: 6165576972