PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
November 1st, 2022
7:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in Attendance: Mayor Daniel Reddish, John Laigaie, Gary Fujinami, Carl Sundstrom, Jason White, and Scott Lyons. Others in attendance: Town Clerk Reed Speegle, Barbara Cahill, Kendrick Richmond, Justine Richmond, Pam Soares, and Rick Johnson.
Pam Soares – Horton Street
Pam read a statement to the Council and submitted a survey for their review. She requested that a date for the removal of the ramp be set. Mayor Reddish stated that the job of installing the utilities was still ongoing and that he would need to talk the Public Works Director. Rick Johnson asked again about setting a date.
STANDING REPORTS
Sheriff
Report submitted.
Library Board
Report submitted. Barbara Cahill talked of the ongoing events and projects for the Library. She said that continuing education credits were now requirement for Library Board members.
Chamber of Commerce
No report.
Parks Board
No report.
Fire Department
No report.
Grant Writer
No report.
Director of Public Works
No report.
Town Attorney
No report.
Town Clerk
No report.
Minutes of Prior Meetings
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the minutes from 10/18/22, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Payroll and Bills Payable
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the payroll, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
There was brief conversation about the transmission costs for the Town’s NW Energy bills. 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 Sundstrom made the motion to table Great West invoice #27671, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve HDR invoice #67500, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve HDR invoice #67499, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve HDR invoice #67501, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve HDR invoice #67502, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve Pioneer Technical invoice #18642, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve Triple Tree invoice #22-56-001, 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 said the sludge removal project was in its final phases. A technical memo was going to be sent out to industrial users in Town by Great West Engineering.
Growth Plan Update
Mayor Reddish said the Town was finishing up the wildfire protection portion of the Growth Plan.
Water/Sewer Policy
Mayor Reddish talked about the process for changes to the water and sewer rates and there was a discussion about a future public hearing. The Councilmember were going to reach out to other towns across the state to get an idea on their water and sewer rates and how they were structured. A Water and Sewer working meeting was scheduled for November 8th at 10:00 a.m.
ARPA #2 Strategy
Mayor Reddish said that an extension had been filed and approved. The Town Council would need to meet with the engineers on this project in the near future to get the plan finalized.
Council Vacancy
The ad for vacancy had been put in the paper one time and would need to be posted again. Reed Speegle said he would talk to the paper to ensure it was put in the next edition.
NEW BUSINESS
Budget Amendment FY22
Reed Speegle explained the work he had been doing for FY22 closing and AFR. He said that after it was finalized it would require a budget amendment be made. This was tabled until the next meeting.
NON AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Councilman Lyons asked about the normal JV report. Reed Speegle said he had not had time to prepare it yet but would have it ready for the mid-month meeting. Reed also suggested that the Town moving the Financial to the mid-month meeting on a permanent basis starting in 2023.
Councilman White asked about the tree in Shakey’s Park that had been blown over.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
Justine Richmond asked about the history of the water and sewer rates and how they had gotten so high. The Mayor, Council, and Justine had a brief conversation about this.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to adjourn at 8:30, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.