PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
October 4th, 2022
7:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in Attendance: Mayor Daniel Reddish, John Laigaie, Gary Fujinami, Carl Sundstrom, and Jason White. Council absent: Scott Lyons. Others in attendance: Town Clerk Reed Speegle, Public Works Director Sam Dennis, Barbara Cahill, Kendrick Richmond, and Justine Richmond.
STANDING REPORTS
Sheriff
Report submitted.
Library Board
Report submitted. Barbara Cahill discussed how some Library personnel were working with the Elementary School to clean up their library. The Library Board planned to have a public meeting concerning the patio and potential improvements on November 9th at 5:15.
Chamber of Commerce
No report.
Parks Board
No report.
Fire Department
No report.
Grant Writer
No report.
Director of Public Works
Sam Dennis reported that the work on the access road to Fred Burr was almost completed. He said that members of the Town crew had almost sawed out the whole Fred Burr Line corridor. Brad Koon of Triple Tree had walked the line and GPS mapped it. Sam talked about replacing the staff gauge at the dam. Sam then talked about the upcoming hydrant flushing prior to testing for DBP’s. Finally, he talked about a plan to do some street maintenance before winter.
Town Attorney
Mayor Reddish said he had spoken with the attorney about a pending criminal charge.
Town Clerk
Reed Speegle reported that he had submitted the annual budget report to the State and was beginning the process of year-end closing for FY22.
Minutes of Prior Meetings
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve the minutes from 9/20/22, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Payroll and Bills Payable
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve the payroll, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve the bills payable, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Water and Sewer Adjustments
Councilman White made the motion to approve the water and sewer adjustments, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Project Request Payments
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve Great West invoice #27241, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to approve HDR invoice #9424, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to table Pioneer Technical invoice #18331, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Financials
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve the financials, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Mayor Reddish stated that the work with Great West Engineering was ongoing and that the WRDA was now under contract. He stated that he was satisfied with the contractor doing the sludge hauling work. Councilman Sundstrom asked about how the SAGR would work with the SCADA system once implemented.
Growth Plan Update
Sam Dennis said that two firefighters who also work at the Forest Service were set to meet with Bruce Sunerem to discuss wildfire prevention. Councilman Laigiae and Councilman White talked about their inventory of historical buildings and how the process would proceed.
Water/Sewer Policy
The next working meeting was scheduled for October 11th at 10:00 a.m.
FS Contract for Water/Electric Use
Sam Dennis talked about some invoices that would be submitted to the Forest Service as a result of them taking water out of the Town’s system. The Council decided on a price of $.10/gallon for the water itself, separate from the damages. Councilman Fujinami made the motion to charge this price per gallon, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Pilot Water Filtration Project Decision
Mayor Reddish talked about potential start dates. It was his opinion that the pilot should start in the spring so that it can be put to the test during peak season. Councilman Fujinami made the motion to start the pilot in the spring, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
ARPA #2 Strategy
Mayor Reddish discussed the potential option for how to allocate these funds. He discussed the pilot filtration project and replacing the Silver Springs pumps. Sam Dennis explained that these were the pumps to the chlorinator that could operate at variable speed. He estimated these would cost between $60,000-$100,000. Mayor Reddish discussed the need for further storage and estimated that an additional tank would cost approximately $1,000,000. Sam Dennis said the placement of an additional tank would be important especially if the Town was considering additional ground water as a resource. Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to preliminarily use the funds towards the pilot filtration project, the additional pump, storage capacity, and water distribution mains.
NEW BUSINESS
Council Vacancy
The Council talked about the process for filling in the vacant seat. Councilman White made the motion to advertise in the paper for the vacant seat, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
BaRSSA Gas Tax Resolution
Mayor Reddish talked about this program in the past and the process. Mayor Reddish read the resolution. Reed Speegle said there were $34,086 available for the Town. Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve the resolution with the addition of handicap accessible curbs to the list of eligible uses, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
NON AGENDA ITEMS
Council
No comment.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
No comment.
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to adjourn at 8:39, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.