PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
February 1st, 2022
7:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in Attendance: Mayor Daniel Reddish, DuWayne Ulrich (video), Scott Lyons, John Laigaie, Gary Fujinami, Carl Sundstrom, and Jason White. Others in attendance: Town Clerk Reed Speegle, Grant Writer Maureen Connor, Mike Young and Diana Young.
STANDING REPORTS
Sheriff
Report submitted.
Library Board
Barbara Cahill gave a rundown on events at the Library. The Council thanked Barbara for attending meeting regularly. Barbara talked about cooking classes and senior computer educational programs.
Chamber of Commerce
Diana Young talked about a project to update signage at Granite Ghost Town. Councilman Lyons said no State money had gone to the park in some time and that a private-public partnership could be the best solution.
Parks Board
No report.
Fire Department
No report.
Director of Public Works
Report submitted. Councilman Sundstrom talked about moving vehicles during plowing. There was a brief discussion of towing vehicles.
Town Attorney
No report.
Town Clerk
Reed Speegle talked about his AFR preparation with Magda Nelson.
Minutes of Prior Meetings
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the minutes from 1/18/22, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Payroll and Bills Payable
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the payroll, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the bills payable, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Water and Sewer Adjustments
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the water and sewer adjustments, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Project Request Payments
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve Great West invoice #25610, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve Triple Tree invoice #21-76-001, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve HDR invoice #03394, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Financials
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve the financials, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Growth Plan Update
Mayor Reddish stated that the meeting with Jerry Grebenc had gone well. Maureen Connor talked about digitizing records. Mayor Reddish received a draft of an agreement with MAPS for historical district mapping. Maureen Connor gave an update on the water supply and protection and wildfire prevention components of the growth plan.
Maureen Connor gave her Grant Writer report at this stage. She stated that she was working on getting ARPA 1 under contract with the State. Lynette Jones from Great West would be handling the grant admin. There was talk about the reimbursement process. Maureen then talked about ARPA 2 for drinking water and that notice would be given in June if granted. Maureen then discussed the sequencing for the sludge removal project. The Council had a brief discussion concerning this.
NEW BUSINESS
Great West Engineering Lagoon Design Addendum to Contract
This was an agreement for $35,000 for grant administration. Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve the addendum, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Latecomer Agreement Ordinance – 1st Reading
Copies of the proposed ordinance were distributed to the public in attendance. Councilman Lyons made the motion to waive the verbal reading of the ordinance, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
HDR Task Order #9 MCEP
This task order was to write the MCEP application at a total cost of $8,368.00. Maureen gave some background on the program. Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Conservation District Appointment
Mayor Reddish gave background on the topic and said that Dick Hoehne had represented the Town for many years. Councilman Lyons stated that he wanted to have Dick attend the meeting in person to explain the Conservation District in further detail before reappointing him. Councilman Lyons made the motion to table the appointment, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Mayor Compensation Resolution
Councilman Lyons read the resolution. Councilman Sundstrom talked about his concerns over the language and structure of the resolution. There was then a discussion among the Council over evaluation and processes for compensation. Diana Young gave her opinion. Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the resolution, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved by majority. Councilman Sundstrom voted against the motion.
FY21 Closing Adjustments/Claims
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the claims, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
NON AGENDA ITEMS
Council
No comments.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
Diana Young asked about the flag competition. Councilman Laigaie filled her in on the details.
Councilman Ulrich made the motion to adjourn at 9:30, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.