PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES
February 18th, 2025
6:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in attendance: Jason White, Gary Fujinami, Mayor Daniel Reddish, Scott Lyons, Josh Henderson, John Laigaie, Carl Sundstrom (online). Others in attendance: Clerk Rachel Parret, Special Projects Maureen Connor, Justine Richmond, Elena Gagliano (online), Luke Ulatowski, Jackie Butler, Peter Chmielewski.
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 Non-Agenda and Agenda Items
- Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction. Public Comment will be limited to 3 minutes.
Jackie Butler stated that she had an answer to Councilman Lyons question from the Ordinance Book meetings, of why I come to these meetings. Jackie Bulter stated that the reason why she attends these meeting is because she is a Montanan and an American citizen. Jackie Butler further stated that the Council is not transparent enough and the public has the right to all information.
Justine Richmond stated that she and Penny Pyle are planning a Vintage Fair for the Sunday of Flint Creek Valley Days and would like to reserve Winninghoff Park. Mayor Reddish stated that he will correspond with Justine about the logistics of the Vintage Fair.
Elena Gagliano tried to comment; however, the Town was having technical difficulties and could not hear her comment.
Minutes of Prior Meeting
-February 4th, 2025 & February 11th, 2025
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the minutes from 2/4/25 with corrections, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the minutes from 2/11/25 with corrections, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Lagoon Pay App #10
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the Lagoon pay app #10, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Swank Pay App #
No pay app.
Tank Pay App #
No pay app.
Bills Payable
-February 5th – February 14th, 2025
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the bills payable from 2/5/25 -2/14/25, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
All other Bills Payable
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve all other bills payable en masse’, Councilman Henderson seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Payroll
-February 5th, 2025
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve payroll from 2/5/25, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Financials
-February 2025
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the financials from February 2025, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Unfinished Business from Previous Meeting
Sewer Lagoon Update
Special Projects Maureen Connor gave the Council an update on the Lagoon Project.
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Mayor Reddish, Maureen Connor, Councilman Henderson, Foreman Ed Roseboom, Tyler Gentry, Missouri River Contractors, and Great West Engineers all attended a partial completion review at the Lagoons.
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The partial completion review consisted of a discussion on the warranty on the Blower Building, SAGAR Cells 1 & 2 blowers are working, ventilation needs to be completed in the UV Building.
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The Headworks Screen is expected to arrive in April 2025.
Water Update
Special Projects Maureen Connor gave the Council an update on the Water Projects.
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The Silver Springs Project is on hold until the new pumps arrive. The pumps are expected to arrive in about a month.
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The Chlorine Building will have an analyzer installed.
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Joe Mullaney is working on the SCADA upgrades.
Mayor Reddish stated that Joe Mullaney has been working with the Town since the late 1990’s and the Town budgets every year for SCADA on call work.
Stormwater Update
No update.
Ordinance Book
Mayor Reddish stated that the Council is currently working on updating the Ordinance Book.
Councilman Lyons stated that the next Ordinance Book Meeting will be Feb. 25th, 2025, @ 6:00 pm. Councilman Lyons also stated that that Councilman Sundstrom has been in contact with the codifiers about submitted Ordinances that are currently not in the book.
NEW BUSINESS
Tank Change Order #1
Councilman Lyons made a motion to table the Tank Change Order #1, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Correspondence
Resignation Letter from Jim Lockridge – Granite Co Planning Board
Mayor Reddish read Jim Lockridge’s letter of resignation to the Council and the public. Mayor Reddish stated that the Town Clerk will be posting an ad in the newspaper for letters of interest for the Granite Co. Planning Board.
Montana Rail Link
Mayor Reddish stated that the Montana Rail Link will be abandoning the rail link between Drummond and Philipsburg. The letter to MRL consisted of the Town and Missouri River Contactors stating that the culvert that was damaged was replaced and no further repairs need to be made.
Response to DEQ Filtration Mandate
Mayor Reddish is currently working on the response to the DEQ filtration mandate.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Councilman Laigaie stated that on Saturday February 22nd, 2025, is George Washington’s birthday and there will be a ceremony at 12:00 pm in front of Town Hall.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
Jackie Butler stated that the public needs more time to comment on agenda items. Jackie Butler stated that the lagoon has a leak, and it needs to be fixed. Jackie Butler asked the Council if they are planning on participating in the deportation of illegal immigrants.
Justine Richmond asked if there is a Resolution Book and if all the resolution could be put on file for the public to review. Mayor Reddish stated that there is not a Resolution Book, but there are copies of all resolutions on file. Justine Richmond stated that the Ordinances are on the website, but they were scanned in, and it has missing pages. Justine Richmond stated that the Dog Ordinance should be reviewed and that dog tags should not have to be purchased every year. Mayor Reddish stated that the Dog Ordinance was put in place for public safety.
Councilman Fujinami stated that the website isn’t being ignored, however, the Town currently doesn’t have the manpower to work on the website.
ADJOURN
Councilman Lyons made a motion to adjourn at 7:20 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.us
Meeting ID: 6165576972