PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES
October 3th, 2023
7:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
COUNCIL IN ATTENDENCE: Carl Sundstrom, Jason White, Gary Fujinami, Lorraine Dell-Bishop, John Laigaie, and Mayor Daniel Reddish. COUNCIL ABSENT: Scott Lyons. OTHERS IN ATTENDENCE: Clerk Rachel Parret, Grant Writer Maureen Connor, Library Barbara Cahill, Public Works Ed Roseboom, Philipsburg Mail Amelia Wood (online), and DuWayne Ulrich (online).
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Reddish called meeting to order at 7:00 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
STANDING REPORTS
Sheriff
Sheriff Dunkerson submitted the monthly report.
Councilman Sundstrom asked what “Civil” meant on the report. Councilman White explained that “Civil” meant a civil report between two parties.
Councilman White informed the Council that one of the bears causing problems in town was dispatched.
Mayor Reddish had talked to FWP Brad Balius about the ongoing bear situation. FWP is donating 6 bear proof garbage cans for the Town Parks.
Library Board
Barbara Cahill updated the Council on the Library. Gina Vale will be meeting with Montana Ability October 6th, 2023, from 12-6 to help with the ADA compliance. The Library will possibly get another $20,000 in grant funding from Montana Ability to help gain access to the basement and handicap parking.
Chamber of Commerce
Mayor Reddish spoke at the Chamber meeting about the downtown area and the current plans. Mayor Reddish will continue to update the Chamber.
Planning Board
No Report. Meetings are the 1st Thursday of the month.
Fire Department
No Report. Councilman Sundstrom asked to have the Chief come in give an update to the Council.
Grant Writer
Grant Writer Maureen Connor is working on new grants and the Town could potentially have larger ones available in the future. Maureen has an application to fill out for the skate park and doesn’t have time to work on it. Mayor Reddish said that he would handle the skate park application.
Mayor Reddish, Councilman Lyons, and Maureen have been working with Uda Law. Options may be available by November 1st, 2023, for the Council.
Foreman of Public Works
Foreman Ed Roseboom submitted a report for the Council. Ed explained that an inspection of Fred Burr was done by the DEQ. DEQ inspected the dam and the facilities, and the inspection went well.
The Council needs to budget for next year a 5-year inspection.
The Town Crew has rotated all the equipment and done checks for winter.
Town Attorney
No Report.
Town Clerk
Clerk Rachel Parret reported that the new N360 program for the water meters should be ready in about a month.
Minutes of Prior Meeting 9/19/23
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the minutes from 9/19/23 with corrections, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Minutes from Budget Meeting 9/19/23
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to approve Budget Meeting Minutes from 9/19/23, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Minutes from Deer Eradication Meeting 9/22/23
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the minutes from the Deer Eradication Meeting 9/22/23 with corrections, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Minutes from Great West Meeting 9/26/23
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the minutes from The Great West Meeting 9/23/23, Councilman White seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Minutes from Broadway Water Main Replace Bid 9/28/23
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the minutes from the Broadway Water Main Replace Bid 9/28/23 with the dates inserted into minutes, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Minutes from Broadway Water Main Replace 10/2/23
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the minutes from the Broadway Water Main Replacement, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Payroll and Bills Payable
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to approve the payroll from 9/20/23, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the claims, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Water and Sewer Adjustments
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the water/sewer adjustments, Councilman White seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Project Request Payments
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to pay Triple Tree Invoice 22-74-004 in the amount of $3120.00, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay Triple Tree Invoice 22-74-005 in the amount of $7093.00, Councilman White seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to pay Triple Tree Invoice 22-74-006 in the amount of $4505.00, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to Triple Tree Invoice 22-74-003 in the amount of $2555.00, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay Great West Engineering Invoice 30170 in the amount of $4983.15, Councilman White seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay Great West Engineering Invoice 30322 in the amount of $360.00, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Grant Writer Maureen Connor gave an update on the sewer lagoon. Maureen had to leave early during the Great West working meeting and still has several questions that she needs to have answered. The Town needs to know more information on what the cost of the building will be and the engineers’ new estimate for the project. Should Cell 2 be dewatered now? Could Cell 1 have a potential leak?
Councilman Sundstrom asked if we have a date to go back out for bid? Maureen said there are too many questions still to answer before we set a date.
Water ARPA Update
Grant Writer Maureen Connor let the Council know that the Pilot Study is done, and the filters worked the way they should. The NX trailer will be moved out by 10/4/23. The trailer will be stored at the Town Shop until NX can pick it up. NX will send an official report by the end of the month. The Council will get a final report with a recommendation.
The Town has 16 months until we are forced to filter the water.
The Council asked to have Tyler Gentry call Energy Labs to see if they can tell us what is being filtered out of the water from Fred Burr.
Maureen will be attending Montana League of Cities and Town in Helena October 11-13th, 2023.
HDR will be meeting with the Council on October 17th,2023, to discuss the Montgomery Water Main.
Tank #2 will be inspected on October 17th, 2023.
Maureen thanked Public Works for moving the pilot project and doing all the testing.
Sansome/Duffy Alley Water Main project will start in 3 weeks. The contractor still needs a few documents signed before the processes can start.
Maureen suggested that having Public Works involved in the future bid process would help the engineers understand the Towns infrastructure.
Vacuum Truck for Public Works – Action Item
The Council asked what will be done with the old vacuum truck? The Town plans to put it up for sale.
The new vacuum truck could be used year-round. In the winter it will help with plugged sewers. The vacuum truck will help with street sweeping in the summer.
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to purchase the vacuum truck. No second motion. Motion tabled.
The Council asked to have the Clerk call the auditor and ask about using capital equipment funds to help pay for the Sansome/Duffy Alley Water Main project.
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to purchase the new vacuum truck contingent upon the money being used for the Sansome/Duffy Alley Water Main project, Councilman White seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Roll Call on the Vote: Councilman Sundstrom aye, Councilman White aye, Councilman Fujinami aye, Councilwomen Dell-Bishop aye, and Councilman Laigaie aye.
Not Present for the Vote: Councilman Lyons
NEW BUSINESS
No Reports.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Mayor Reddish announced the Joint Meeting for the County and Towns will be October 5th, 2023, in Drummond at 6:00 PM.
Mayor Reddish will be on vacation from October 9th-16th, 2023.
Councilman Fujinami informed the Council that Nick Walden is too busy to give an estimate (the 4 way stop on Broadway) to make the sidewalks ADA complaint. Councilman Fujinami will be asking Kyle Comings if he is available to give an estimate on the job.
Councilman Laigaie will be attending Montana League of Cities and Towns, while he is in Helena, he will be meeting with the Chief of Police October 13th, 2023, at 1:00 PM at the Long Justice Center, to discuss the deer trapping.
Councilman Sundstrom asked to have the Fire Department give an update.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
Foreman Roseboom asked the Mayor and Council to extend a thank you to Northwest Energy for their work on the gas line.
DuWayne Ulrich suggested to have the ADA people look at the 4 way stop and have them give suggestions.
ADJOURN
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:20, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion pass unanimously.