PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
March 7th, 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, Barbara Cahill, Larry Holmes, and DuWayne Ulrich (video).
STANDING REPORTS
Sheriff
Report submitted. Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the report, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Library Board
Report submitted. Barbara Cahill talked about the various grants, programs, and activities at the library. Their next board meeting was scheduled for March 29th.
Chamber of Commerce
No report.
Parks Board
No report.
Fire Department
No report.
Grant Writer
Maureen Conner said she would be attending the Rural Water Conference later this month.
Director of Public Works
No report.
Town Attorney
No report.
Town Clerk
No report.
Minutes of Prior Meetings
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve the minutes from 2/21/23, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Payroll and Bills Payable
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the payroll, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the bills payable, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Water and Sewer Adjustments
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the water and sewer adjustments, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Project Request Payments
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve HDR invoice #97243, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilwoman Dell-Bishop made the motion to approve Great West Enginerring invoice #28697, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve Fire Logistics invoice #774, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Maureen Conner stated that final design had been submitted to the DEQ and was getting closer to approval. She talked about advertising for a construction contractor in the near future. A special meeting was scheduled for April 11th at 6:00 p.m. to have Great West Engineering present the final design to the public.
ARPA #2 Strategy
Mayor Reddish gave an update and said he would distribute more information soon. Maureen Conner said she was working with the State to get under contract for the grant.
Growth Plan Update
Maureen Conner talked about the planning board public meeting on April 6th at 6:00 p.m. She suggested that the Town Council hold their public hearing on May 2nd at 6:00 p.m.
Water/Sewer Policy
No comment.
Code Enforcement
Councilman Lyons said the Council determined that the Town was not ready to move forward with hiring a code enforcement officer. He also said the Council wanted to talk with the Sheriff again.
Personnel Manual
Councilman Sundstrom had incorporated some suggested edits to the Personnel Manual and was working on it with the Deputy Town Clerk.
NEW BUSINESS
Water & Sewer Rate Resolution
Councilman Lyons made the motion to table the resolution, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Animal Control Ordinance – 1st Reading
Mayor Reddish read the ordinance. Councilwoman Dell-Bishop had a few suggested edits.
Deer Feeding Ordinance – 1st Reading
Mayor Reddish read the ordinance. He then talked about a meeting that was held with FWP concerning this issue. Maureen Conner talked about the state codes concerning deer feeding. A brief discussion ensued. Councilman Lyons made the motion to table the issues until a further meeting was held, Councilman Laigiae seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. The meeting was scheduled for March 9th at 1:00.
Election Schedule
Reed Speegle explained his understanding of who needed to run. There would need to be three 4-year candidates and two 2-year candidates.
Update Preferred Contractor List (Engineering/Construction)
Mayor Reddish talked about updating these lists. Councilman Lyons made the motion to move forward on this, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
NON AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Mayor Reddish said the Planning Board meeting and the joint session with the County and the Town of Drummond were both scheduled for April 6th and would need to be rescheduled.
Mayor Reddish mentioned an MDOT speed study that was to be conducted over the summer.
He also talked about the upcoming projects for the summer with Blackfoot and Northwestern Energy.
Councilman Sundstrom mentioned the response of the Hospital Board to the proposed water rate increases.
Councilwoman Dell-Bishop asked about the public works director opening.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
Larry Holmes talked about his licenses with the DEQ.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to adjourn at 9:00, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.