PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
June 6th, 2023
7:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in Attendance: Mayor Daniel Reddish, Gary Fujinami (video), Carl Sundstrom, Jason White, Scott Lyons, Lorraine Dell-Bishop, and John Laigaie. Others in attendance: Town Clerk Reed Speegle, Grant Writer Maureen Conner, David Ray, Barbara Cahill, Kerry Hatcher, Edie Schilz, Jackie Butler, Deputy Dave Lucero, Elena Gagliano (video), and DuWayne Ulrich (video).
Edie Schilz – Leash Laws
Edie asked that the Town consider expanding their leash laws to a bigger district. She distributed some pictures related to dog activity around her house. Mayor Reddish said he would speak to law enforcement concerning the issue.
STANDING REPORTS
Sheriff
Report submitted.
Library Board
Report submitted. Barbara talked about a $10,000 grant they had received, the library’s digital literacy program, and the potential sidewalk replacement project.
Chamber of Commerce
Kerry Hatcher spoke on behalf on the Chamber. He talked about the BBQ Challenge, Car Show, and the Rotary Concert. He then talked about Pickleball and a potential tournament later in the summer. He requested that they be able to paint two courts on the existing tennis courts. The Council did not have an issue with this.
Parks Board
No report.
Fire Department
David Ray talked about the upcoming Clam Feed. There was then a brief conversation concerning burn permits.
Grant Writer
No report.
Director of Public Works
David Ray talked about street sweeping, water leaks, and the Blackfoot fiber project.
Town Attorney
No report.
Town Clerk
Reed Speegle said the audit had wrapped up and that they would have their first budget meeting towards the end of the month.
Minutes of Prior Meetings
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the minutes from 5/16/23 with an edit from Councilman Sundstrom, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Payroll and Bills Payable
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the payroll, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the bills payable, Councilman Sundstrom 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 White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Project Request Payments
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve Great West invoice #29440, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve Great West invoice #29173, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve Pioneer tehcnical invoice #19882, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve HDR invoice #22275, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilwoman Dell-Bishop made the motion to approve HDR invoice #22274, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Maureen Connor told the Council that Great West was working on the response to the DEQ related to the final design. She hoped the Town would be able to send out bidding documents in the near future.
Update Preferred Contractor Lists (Construction)
Mayor Reddish stated that there were two responses, with only one requesting to be added to the list. Councilman Lyons made the motion to accept Patriot Excavating as a preferred contractor, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Public Works Director
Councilman Lyons said there would be another meeting with the Union on June 19th and that the new role of Public Works Foreman would be discussed further at that meeting.
County Dump Lease
Councilman Lyons recapped the discussion up to this point. Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the lease, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
HDR Professional Services Agreement
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the agreement pending approval of the attorney, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
HDR Task Orders – Water ARPA
Maureen Connor gave the Council updated task orders with timelines on them related to when the work was expected to be done. The Council then went through each of the task order individually to make sure everyone understood the scope of work. Councilman Lyons made the motion to table the decision until the next meeting, there was no second. Councilman White made the motion to approve Task Orders 1-8, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Triple Tree Task Order - Broadway Alley Water Main
There was a brief discussion of the project and how this would be paid for. Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the task order, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Triple Tree Task Order – Water PER
The Council discussed different alternatives that could come out of the PER. Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the task order on the condition that Grant Administration was added to the task list, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Law Enforcement Contract
Mayor Reddish stated that the previous contract had been a 2% annual increase for 4 years. Councilman White said that the County Commissioners were proposing a 5% increase this year and then 3.5% for the following three years. Councilman White said he thought it was a fair proposal. Councilman Lyons made the motion to offer 5% the first year and then 3% the following three years, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Clerk/Treasurer Position
Mayor Reddish said there had been three inquiries to the job opening and that an ad was in the paper. Councilman Lyons said he would set up interviews for the interested candidates.
NON AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Councilman Sundstrom asked about the tennis court project.
Councilman Laigaie reminded everyone that that date was D-Day and that he would be advertising for the 4th of July.
Mayor Reddish said there would be a meeting with FWP at the Museum on elk management.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
David Ray stated that Doug Benson and Bill Phelan had helped out the town in getting the pilot filtration unit up the hill. He also talked about garbage at special events.
Elena Gagliano asked about the process of the meeting. She then brought up HB724 concerning public notice of meetings.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to adjourn at 9:31, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.