
PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES
January 7th, 2025
6:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in attendance: Scott Lyons, John Laigaie, Mayor Daniel Reddish, Jason White, Gary Fujinami, Carl Sundstrom (online). Others in attendance: Clerk Rachel Parret, Special Projects Maureen Connor, Luke Ulatowski (Philipsburg Mail), Peter Chmielewski, Elena Gagliano (online).
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Reddish called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Reddish led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment Agenda and Non-Agenda
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction. Public Comment will be limited to 3 minutes.
-No Public Comment.
STANDING REPORTS
Sheriff
Sheriff Dunkerson submitted a monthly report to the Council.
Public Works Foreman
Foreman Ed Roseboom submitted a monthly report to the Council.
Town Clerk
Clerk Rachel Parret gave the Council an update.
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Shredding of claims and utilities billing from 2000-2014.
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Working with Magda Nelson on the Annual Financial Report.
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Issue with payroll and BMS was contacted to fix the issue.
Minutes of Prior Meetings 12/18/24, 12/20/24, & 12/26/24
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the minutes from 12/18/24 with corrections, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the minutes from 12/20/24 with corrections, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the minutes from 12/26/24, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Payroll 12/20/24 & 1/3/25
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the payroll from 12/20/24 and 1/3/25, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Bills Payable 12/18/24-1/6/25
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the bills payable from 12/18/24 to 1/6/25, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Lagoon Pay App #9
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the Lagoon Pay App #9, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Swank Pay App
No Pay App.
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.
Water and Sewer Adjustments December 2024
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the water and sewer adjustments for December 2024, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Unfinished Business from Previous Meeting
Sewer Lagoon Update
Mayor Reddish updated the Council on the Lagoon Project.
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Public Works are being trained on the SAGAR System.
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Mayor Reddish and Maureen Connor are scheduled to meet with the representative of Nexom.
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There will be a construction meeting on December 5th.
Water Update
Special Projects Maureen Connor updated the Council on the Water Projects.
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The Chlorine changeover from gas to liquid has been postponed.
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Foreman Ed Roseboom rescheduled the changeover for 1/13/25.
Stormwater Update
Special Projects Maureen Connor updated the Council on the Stormwater Project.
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PER design is being completed on Phase #1 of Stormwater.
NEW BUSINESS
Silver Springs Change Order #5 -ACTION ITEM
Councilman Lyons read specifications of Change Order #5 to the Council and public.
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Chlorine is being switched from gas to liquid.
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The rebuilt pumps have been deemed not sufficient and new pumps need to be put into place.
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The Change Order will cost an additional $91,325.60 to the original contract.
Special Projects Maureen Connor stated that the Town will be keeping one of the rebuilt pumps for a backup, and she also stated that the project is over budget.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the Silver Springs Change Order #5, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
AFR – Extension
Clerk Rachel Parret updated the Council on the Annual Financial Report (AFR).
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The AFR was due December 31st, 2024.
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Due to the cash reconciliation not being completed an extension was filed with the State of Montana.
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The State approved the extension.
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The AFR is now due Feb. 28th, 2025.
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Town Council Applicant
Councilman Lyons read aloud the letter of interest from Josh Henderson for the Town Council position.
Mayor Reddish stated that the Council would need to set up a time to interview Josh Henderson for the position.
Councilman White stated that Josh Henderson was an interviewee the last time the Council position was open and that he didn’t see a need to interview Josh again.
Councilman White made a motion to approve Josh Henderson for the open Council position, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
CORRESPONSDENCE
Woith Engineering
Western States Equipment Co.
DEQ Reviewing Engineers
Government Study Commission
Conservation Board
Mayor Reddish submitted all the above correspondence letters to the Council for review.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Councilman Laigaie stated that he hasn’t had time to work on the deer trap. However, Councilman Laigaie will be meeting with Helena P.D. about what they do during the off season with the deer trap.
Councilman Sundstrom inquired about any updates on the AOC. Mayor Reddish stated that the AOC is operational and functional and will be closing out soon.
Clerk Rachel Parret stated that she sent in the updated paperwork for the Codifiers and the Council needs to come up with a plan to start the process.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
No Public Comment.
ADJOURN
Councilman Lyons made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 pm, Councilman Fujinami 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.com
Meeting ID: 6165576972