PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES
January 2nd, 2024
6:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in Attendance: John Laigaie, Gary Fujinami, Jason White, Lorraine Dell-Bishop, Carl Sundstrom, Scott Lyons, and Mayor Daniel Reddish. Others in Attendance: Clerk Rachel Parret, Special Projects Maureen Connor, Public Works Ryan Watkins, and DuWayne Ulrich (online).
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Reddish called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Ryan Bertuzzi – 10 minutes required to discuss his property.
Mayor Reddish introduced Mr. Bertuzzi to the Council. Mr. Bertuzzi made the claim that the Town has devalued, damaged, and destroyed his property. Mr. Bertuzzi stated that he has filed an insurance claim and has not filed a lawsuit. Mr. Bertuzzi explained that there were flooding events that damaged his property. Mr. Bertuzzi proposed three solutions to resolve the problems: 1.) The Town can remove their utilities from his property. 2.) The Town can buy his property at market value of about $70,000.00. 3.) Contact the Town’s attorney Mr. Overstreet to contact Mr. Bertuzzi’s attorney to start the following process of removing interest from his property, and give Mr. Bertuzzi full access to the alley, an easement, and one free sewer connection. Mr. Bertuzzi also asked for the Town Ordinances on the street grade.
STANDING REPORTS
Sheriff
Sheriff Dunkerson sent the monthly report to the Council. Mayor Reddish reiterated to the Council that if they have any questions, that Sheriff Dunkerson is more than happy to speak with them.
Fire Department
No Report.
Grant Writer
Special Projects Maureen Connor updated the Council that Triple Tree is working on the Broadway/Montgomery project and the project should be going out for bid soon. Triple Tree is also working on the Transmission Line PER. The RAC grant is still a work in process as the Forest Service still needs to obtain three signatures.
Public Works Foreman
No Report.
Town Clerk
Clerk Rachel Parret let the Council know that the line of credit through Citizens Alliance should be done by January 18th, 2024.
Minutes of Prior Meeting 12/5/23 and 12/15/23
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve minutes from 12/5/2023 with corrections, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve minutes from 12/15/2023 with corrections, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
Payroll and Bills Payable
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to approve the payroll from 12/20/2023, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the claims from 12/06/2023-01/02/2024, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to pay Triple Tree invoice 22-74-002 in the amount of $2242.50, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay Triple Tree invoice 22-74-007 in the amount of $2060.00, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay Triple Tree invoice 22-74-008 in the amount of $5982.50, Councilwoman Dell -Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay Great West invoice 31211 in the amount of $1411.60, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay Great West invoice 30813 in the amount of $13,299.92, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to pay NorthWestern Energy invoice in the amount of $4191.59, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay CAT invoice in the amount of $10108.68, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay Black Mountain Software invoice 29823 in the amount of $9980.00, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion for Clerk Rachel Parret to reserve rooms and pay for training at Montana Rural Water Conference, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Water and Sewer Adjustments
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the water and sewer adjustments, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Sundstrom asked if the liens for unpaid accounts had been filed. Mayor Reddish informed him that the process had been started.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Lagoon bids are due on January 9th, 2024, at 2:00 pm. Special Projects Maureen Connor informed the Council that the Town is 100% certified with the Army Corps of Engineers and they offered to provide tips to get the grant money.
Water ARPA Update
The Town is still waiting for the Tank inspection to be finalized. Cora Newman is the new project manager for the Town.
NEW BUSINESS
Oath Carl Sundstrom
Mayor Reddish sworn in Councilman Carl Sundstrom.
Resort Tax Update
Mayor Reddish will confirm the Chamber Meeting is on the 16th for the Town presentation on the Resort Tax. Special Project Maureen Connor presented the Town with a slide show on the Resort Tax. The Resort Tax will be voted on by the people and if the Tax is passed the Town will collect the money. A minimum of 5% will go directly to property tax relief. Maureen spoke about the Town’s infrastructure that needs to be fixed and the Resort Tax would be an asset for the Town to be able to replace the infrastructure. Grants could be matched with the Tax money for larger infrastructure projects.
SPECIAL MEETING
Bid Lagoon Meeting January 9th, 2024, at Philipsburg Town Hall 2:00 pm
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Resort Tax Meeting Thursday 1/11/2024 at 10:00 am.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
No Comment
ADJOURN
Councilman Lyons made a motion to adjourn, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.