PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
February 21st, 2023
7:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in Attendance: Mayor Daniel Reddish, Gary Fujinami (video), Carl Sundstrom (video), Jason White, Scott Lyons, Lorraine Dell-Bishop, and John Laigaie. Others in attendance: Town Clerk Reed Speegle, Grant Writer Maureen Conner, Larry Holmes, Gwyneth Hyndman, Jack Byam, DuWayne Ulrich (video), and Elena Gagliano (video).
Minutes of Prior Meeting
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the minutes from 2/7/23 with edits from Councilman Sundstrom, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Bills Payable
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the bills payable, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Financials
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the financials, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Journal Vouchers
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the journal vouchers, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Maureen Connor stated that the lagoon design was submitted to the DEQ by Great West Engineering. She said that advertising for bidding the project would be coming soon.
Growth Plan Update
Maureen Connor said the Council would need to hold a public hearing in the near future to approve the addendums to the Growth Plan. The County Planning Board was scheduled to have a meeting on April 6th and then the Council should hold their public hearing on April 18th.
Water/Sewer Policy
Mayor Reddish outlined some ideas to implement in to the water and sewer policy. These covered how to define ADUs, the removal of fixtures in vacant houses, the process for setting up accounts, and dates for new water and sewer hookups. DuWayne Ulrich asked about the policy for composting toilets. Mayor Reddish said they were currently prohibited.
ARPA #2 Strategy
Mayor Reddish stated that the scope of the project ultimately needed to be tied back to filtration in some regard as that was the scope of the original application. He talked about the need for additional water capacity and a modification to the existing holding tank. Councilman Sundstrom said he was not in favor of continuing to move towards filtration and requested that a hydrology study be done. Maureen Conner laid out the components of the water system that had previously been discussed in regards to the grant.
Code Enforcement
Councilman White had reviewed job descriptions of code enforcement officers in other towns. He said they were more oriented towards building inspection, sidewalks, animal control, and junk vehicles. A meeting was scheduled for March 2nd to discuss the topic further.
Personnel Manual
Councilman Sundstrom stated that he had edits to present to the Council. A meeting was scheduled with a Union representative for later in the week.
NEW BUSINESS
Montana Right to Bear Arms Week Resolution
Mayor Reddish read the resolution. Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the resolution, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
NON AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Councilman Lyons said the water and sewer rate resolution would be voted on at the next meeting.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
Larry Holmes gave input on the code enforcement topic.
Jack Byam presented a letter to the Council asking for an adjustment to a delinquent water bill.
Elena Gagliano asked about the Town’s website.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to adjourn at 8:32, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.