PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
October 5th, 2021
7:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in Attendance: Mayor Daniel Reddish, DuWayne Ulrich, Scott Lyons, Carl Sundstrom, John Laigaie, and Jason White. Others in attendance: Town Clerk Reed Speegle, Public Works Director Sam Dennis, Grant Writer Maureen Connor, Ben Larson, Barbara Cahill, Lorraine Greene, and Jeff Hemmer.
STANDING REPORTS
Sheriff
Report submitted with incorrect dates. Councilman Ulrich said he would follow up with Sheriff Dunkerson.
Library Board
Barbara Cahill reported on events going on at the Library, specifically the kids cooking classes. She also discuss potential changes in policy at the Library.
Chamber of Commerce
No report.
Parks Board
No report.
Fire Department
Sam Dennis said it had been relatively quiet and that they were looking to plan a social event in the future at the new satellite station.
Grant Writer
Mayor Reddish said Maureen Connor would talk about issues later on the agenda.
Director of Public Works
Sam Dennis gave an update on the Fred Burr water line project. He said the water was now in the permanent line and that they were working to wrap up the bacteria samples. He was very happy with the work done by the contractor. Sam then discussed some ongoing issues with the SCADA system. There was a discussion about possibly walking the Fred Burr line and talk of the long term issues. Sam talked of needing a new plow for the new truck the Town had purchased. The estimate was around $9,500. Finally Sam said the lagoons would be discharging soon and that the watershed report from the DEQ had come back well. Councilman Ulrich made the motion to approve up to $10,000 for a new snow plow, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Town Attorney
No report.
Town Clerk
Reed Speegle said he had been working with Maureen Connor on the ARPA grants and that he would try and get an update on the codification process.
Minutes of Prior Meetings
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to approve the minutes from 9/21/21 with an edit, Councilman Ulrich seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Payroll and Bills Payable
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the payroll, Councilman Ulrich seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Ulrich made the motion to approve the bills payable, Councilman Sundstrom 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 Ulrich seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Project Request Payments
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve Pioneer Technical invoice #16625, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to table Pioneer Technical invoice #16224, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve Pioneer Technical invoice #16221, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve Triple Tree Engineering invoice #21-32-002, Councilman Ulrich seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Financials
Councilman Ulrich made the motion to approve the financials, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Mayor Reddish talked about issuing a RFP for lagoon design. Maureen Connor explained the bidding process and was hoping for a November 12th closing date on the bids. Councilman Ulrich made the motion to proceed with the RFP, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Growth Plan Update
Mayor Reddish reported that the growth plan survey had received 177 responses in total. He discussed having an open house in the near future to present the information to the public. Mayor Reddish would follow up with the advisory committee.
Spoon Encroachment
Mayor Reddish said that a letter was to be sent to the Spoons regarding the encroachment.
Ben Larson Water Main
Mayor Reddish gave the background on the topic and said that the amount of $5,262.95 had been discussed as potential reimbursement. Councilman Lyons made the motion reimburse Ben Larson $5,262.95 for the water main extension, Councilman Ulrich seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Council Compensation Resolution
Mayor Reddish read the resolution. Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the resolution with an edit from Councilman Sundstrom, Councilman Ulrich seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Election Cancellation Resolution
Mayor Reddish read the resolution. Councilman Sundstrom stated that he had filed for a two-year seat instead of a four-year seat. Council Lyons made the motion to approve the resolution with that change, Councilman Ulrich seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
MN Local Government Services Contract
Reed Speegle talked to the Council about the contract and what services would be provided. Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the contract, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
HDR Water PER Proposal
Mayor Reddish gave the background on the proposal for the PER. Maureen Connor said this would provide updates on specific portion of the Town’s water system that are most important. Councilman Ulrich made the motion to approve the PER, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
RFP Lagoon Design
Discussed earlier in meeting.
ARPA Resolution
Not ready for a Council review.
NON AGENDA ITEMS
Council
No comments.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
No comments.
Councilman Sundstrom made the motion to adjourn at 9:10, Councilman Ulrich seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.