PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
July 5th, 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), Gina Vale, TJ Vietor, Dennis Cox, Steve Immenschuh, and Anita Immenschuh.
TJ Vietor – Sandwich Boards at Town Hall
Mayor Reddish began the conversation by addressing the confusion over where the sandwich boards should be placed which was not on the grass and not in the pedestrian corridor. TJ Vietor explained how long she had had the sandwich board out there and why it was important for the Museum to have it. Dennis Cox stated that he had gotten permission from the Council in the past. The conversation continued concerning where they should be placed.
STANDING REPORTS
Sheriff
Report submitted.
Library Board
Report submitted. Gina Vale talked of upcoming events and classes. Mayor Reddish asked about the courtyard remodel. Gina said they had received one bid but were looking for more.
Chamber of Commerce
Report submitted.
Parks Board
No report.
Fire Department
Sam Dennis said things had been quiet in Town and that the Clam Feed was a success.
Grant Writer
Maureen Connor informed the Council that the sludge would probably not be able to be disposed at Black Pine and that the Town would need to find an alternative location. This would likely be Missoula which would increase the cost of the project significantly. Councilman Sundstrom asked if the Town had enough grant money to cover the increased cost. Maureen said yes but that it would be much closer to the total amount than previously projected. Maureen then talked briefly of the ARPA round 2 monies and said that options related to the Town’s water system would be presented to the Council in the near future.
Director of Public Works
Sam Dennis began by talking about the Fred Burr access road which the Town would contract out some of the work using RAC monies. He discussed another leak found on the line and suggested that the ARPA round 2 money could be used to repair sections of the line. He also expressed concern over the disinfection byproduct and the filtration waiver for the Town. Discussing the lagoons, Sam said the Town would stop discharging until the fall and that he had sent off samples from the brewery to the lab. Finally, Sam discussed an anonymous donation of a side by side.
Town Attorney
No report.
Town Clerk
Reed Speegle talked of wrapping up the audit and then transition in to the new fiscal year budget.
Minutes of Prior Meetings
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the minutes from 6/21/22 with an addition, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Payroll and Bills Payable
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the payroll, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the bills payable, Councilman Fujinami 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 Fujinami seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
Project Request Payments
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to table HDR invoice #23079, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve HDR invoice #38927, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve HDR invoice #38926, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve Great West invoice #26686, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Financials
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the financials, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Mayor Reddish recapped the conversation discussed earlier during the grant writer’s report.
Growth Plan Update
Mayor Reddish said the digital mapping was under way. Councilman White talked of doing a walking inventory of historical buildings in town. Mayor Reddish mentioned that the wildfire prevention work would be starting soon.
NEW BUSINESS
Councilman Ulrich Resolution
Councilman Lyons made the motion to table the subject, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. Mayor Reddish said he would try and reach out to Councilman Ulrich again.
Water/Sewer Policy
Mayor Reddish mentioned that the Town should review this policy again. One suggestion was that water and sewer bills should always be put in the owner’s name. The discussion continued concerning the administrative aspect of the water and sewer bills.
NON AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Councilman Laigaie said that his July 4th festivities were well attended.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
Steve Immenschuh said he would like to discuss the Rotary Concert at the next meeting.
Steve also talked about encroachments around Town and the need for surveying. Mayor Reddish said addressing the encroachment process was underway.
Anita Immenschuh asked about the street sign project around town.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to adjourn at 9:11, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.