PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
July 19th, 2022
7:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in Attendance: Mayor Daniel Reddish, Scott Lyons, John Laigaie, Gary Fujinami, Carl Sundstrom (video), and Jason White. Council absent: DuWayne Ulrich. Others in attendance: Town Clerk Reed Speegle, Public Works Director Sam Dennis, Grant Writer Maureen Connor (video), Gwyneth Hyndman (video), Steve Immenschuh, and Anita Immenschuh.
Steve Immenschuh – Rotary Concert & Winninghoff Park
Steve talked about the upcoming Rotary Concert on August 20th. He mentioned that the Rotary had purchased 3 large tents that would be put up. Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the event, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. He then submitted a proposal for some work on Mill Street above the Park.
Minutes of Prior Meetings
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the minutes from 7/5/22, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Bills Payable
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the bills payable, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Journal Vouchers
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve the journal vouchers, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update/WRDA Funding Component of Sewer Lagoon Project Discussion & Decision
Mayor Reddish reported the sludge haul change order was being drafted but that the Town wanted to get paperwork from the repository first before proceeding. After that the Town would sign the contract.
Mayor Reddish is still in contact with Jeff Dillon from WRDA and that money would be procured to be used towards construction. Maureen Connor stated that she would be submitting an application for a RDG Grant that could potentially cover the matching portion for the WRDA funds. There was a short discussion on the sequencing. Councilman Lyons made the motion to direct the Mayor to sign the WRDA contract, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Growth Plan Update
Mayor Reddish said the infrastructure mapping was still ongoing. In addition, the work on the wildness fire mapping was ongoing. Councilman White said they were scheduled to do some of the historical preservation inventory on July 28th. Maureen Connor said the Town had received an extension on the grant for the Growth Plan from the Department of Commerce.
Water/Sewer Policy
Mayor Reddish asked the Council to schedule another meeting concerning the water and sewer policy. This would be scheduled at a later date.
NEW BUSINESS
HDR MCEP Application Decision
No discussion.
Encroachment Ordinance Amendment – 1st Reading
Mayor Reddish gave a recap of the previous process to accept the ordinance. Councilman Lyons stated that it required some clarification and correction. Mayor Reddish read the ordinance for the first reading. Steve Immenschuh asked about non-structure encroachments. The Mayor said those could be resolved more easily without this particular ordinance.
HDR Task Order 11 – Drinking Water
Mayor Reddish and Maureen Connor explained the task order for work on the MCEP Application for drinking water. Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve the task order, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. Mayor Reddish informed the Council that the Town had approximately four months to determine the most effective way to use the ARPA 2 funds towards drinking water. Maureen Connor had been in contact with Anna Miller and it was suggested that the Town have a special meeting with her at some point in August. She also talked briefly about the SRF and RD grant/loan programs.
Amended Sludge Hauling Location Discussion & Decision
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve the contract contingent on the paperwork from Republic being satisfactory, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
NON AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Mayor Reddish told the Council about how the work load had increased in the past year and the Town should consider addressing the issue financially as it relates to employees who have taken on this extra work load. Councilman Lyons talked about compensation. Councilman Sundstrom referenced the performance appraisals. Maureen Connor stated that much of the increased administrative burden was a result of grant monies the Town had received.
Councilman Laigaie talked about his proposal of cleaning up the Council’s chambers.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
No comment.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to adjourn at 8:45, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.