PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES
September 19th, 2023
7:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in Attendance: Mayor Daniel Reddish, Gary Fujinami, Carl Sundstrom, Jason White, Scott Lyons, Lorraine Dell-Bishop (absent), and John Laigaie. Others in attendance: Town Clerk Rachel Parret, DNRC Brian Robbins, Upslope Group Keith Miller and Ryan Frey, Philipsburg Schools Superintendent Tom Gates, Philipsburg Schools Treasurer Cathrine Babbit, Jim Lockridge, Larry Holmes, DuWayne Ulrich (video) and Elaina Gagliano (video).
Call to Order: Mayor Reddish called to order at 7:00 pm.
Pledge of Allegiance
Granite Co High School Water Bill
Superintendent Tom Gates addressed The Council about the High Schools water bill that was $3285.50. Mr. Gates told The Council that the school budgeted $2400 for water bills for the entire year. The School would have to ask for a levy to help pay for the water bills at this rate as they are already over budget for the entire year. Mr. Gates asked The Council if they could work out something with The Town for the water bill.
Mayor Reddish asked Mr. Gates about the well that The School uses to water the football field and why they were unable to use it this year. Mr. Gates explained that the water gun was broken, and it will cost $10,000 to replace it. Also, the football team had left the water running that they were drinking from. Mr. Gates said that The School is in the middle of transition with new employees who didn’t know about the water rates and so he has been addressing the extra use of water. Mayor Reddish explained to Mr. Gates that The Council held two public meetings about the water rates. The public had stressed that they would want the water usage billed.
Councilman Lyons explained that The Council had postponed implementing the new water rates, so everyone could budget for the year their water usage. The Council has decided that they would adjust The Schools water rate one time from $3285.50 to $1642.00.
Councilman Sundstrom asked if The School had budgeted in for extra water rates increase. Treasurer Cathrine Babbit explained she had taken last year’s water bills and budgeted in extra for the water rate increase, however the new rate increase was more than she had expected and now the school is already over budget for the year.
Councilman Lyons added that The School’s usage for the last 5 years has been over 100,000 gallons on average in the summer.
Mayor Reddish asked if The School had investigated xeriscape. Mr. Gates said that The School is considering other landscaping ideas to conserve on water.
Mr. Gates had also added that if they were to add a turf field it would be about $100,000.
Council Lyons made a motion to adjust The Schools water bill to $1642.00, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Keith Miller and Ryan Frey – Upslope Group
Upslope Group Keith Miller and Ryan Frey presented their idea on workforce and recreational housing, to be placed on the DNRC land between Zane Murphit Park and the airport. This area would be approved by The County and DNRC. No city water or sewer would be used.
Their goal is to build tiny homes and have RV hookups to provide an affordable place to live for the workforce in Philipsburg. The land is owned by the DNRC and was given to them lease to fund the schools in Montana. Upslope is going to ask for a 99-year lease from the DNRC. Upslope currently doesn’t have site plans because they are in the early stages of planning. The lot lease is expected to be about $700 per month and the tiny homes would cost about $60,000 to $150,000. The tiny homes would not be on foundations, and they would be able to be mobile.
Mayor Reddish asked if they had a timeline to start. Upslope would like to have the land lease within the next 4-6 months.
DNRC Brian Robbins said that the paperwork and approval could take a minimum of 6 months.
Ideally, Upslope would like to start the building process by the end of next summer. They reassured The Town there would be no financial burden on them as the site will have private roads, sewer, and water.
Councilman Sundstrom asked if the DNRC allows a profit on the land?
Brian Robbins commented that there would be an appraisal done on the land and Upslope would pay a percentage of the appraisal annually. And with the lease they can make a profit for themselves.
Councilman Sunstrom asked if Upslope was worried about an contaminates in the ground and if they would be doing testing? Upslope said that they will follow all regulations and will be doing contaminate testing.
Councilman Lyons asked if Upslope was aware that Granite Co. had an increase in property value of 6%? Upslope is aware of the property value increase.
Brian Robbins said that the land is getting appraised on raw land basis and will be reappraised every 5-10 years.
Councilman Lyons asked Upslope if they are planning on doing any other project like this in the state? Upslope said Philipsburg is the only place they are working with on this type of project.
Upslope stated that the tiny houses would be about 400 sq feet or less.
Superintendent Tom Gates commented that he thinks this is a great idea. And knowing that the DNRC helps fund schools in Montana makes this an even better deal. He is always looking for housing for his teachers and would like to be the first on the list for his teachers.
Jim Lockridge asked if Upslope will be holding a meet and great? Upslope said in their planning phase they will hold public meetings. Jim thinks this is a great opportunity for the community. Jim asked if the house will be on a permanent foundation? Upslope said they will be mobile houses. Jim asked if anyone could build their own tiny home and place on the property? Upslope hadn’t considered that at this time. If Upslope allowed building of your own tiny home, it would have to meet covenants and be aesthetically pleasing. Jim asked how many homes will be able to be placed on property. Upslope said 30 places.
Brian Robbins spoke about the trail on the property and said that Upslope would have to build homes within the trail. The trail would be staying for public use.
Councilman Lyons suggested that Upslope contact the Flint Creek Trails Association.
Minutes of Prior Meeting
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to approve the minutes from 9/5/23 with corrections, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Minutes of Prior Public Hearing to Certify Mills
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the Public Hearing minutes from 9/5/23, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motions passed unanimously.
Minutes of Prior Health and Safety Committee Appointment
Councilman White made a motion approve the Safety Committee minutes from 9/12/23, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Bills Payable
Councilman White made a motion to pay HDR #1200556108 Task Order 7 in the amount of $4210.24, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion pay HDR #1200556109 Task Order 2 in the amount of $10489.68, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay HDR #1200556110 Task Order 3 in the amount of $3692.19, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay HDR #1200556111 Task Order 4 in the amount of $5566.60, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay HDR #1200556112 Task Order 10 in the amount of $1897.63, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay HDR #1200556113 Task Order 8 in the amount of $1786.14, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay Great West Engineering #29958 Philipsburg Wastewater Project in the amount of $14,880.00, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Financials
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay all financials in the amount $98,886.60, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Journal Vouchers
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve all journal vouchers for September 2023 accounting period, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Mayor Reddish updated The Council that Great West Engineering will be here for a working meeting on September 26th at 10:00 am.
Water ARPA Update
Mayor Reddish updated The Council that the pilot study has only about one week left. NX needs to get the shipping container removed before the weather changes. After we get the data from the study will determine how we move forward.
Budget FY 2023-2024
Budget meeting was held at 6:00 pm on 9/19/23. Budget passed unanimously.
Budget had a decrease of $1.2 million and change in difference from the preliminary budget. The decrease was made in construction costs for the Lagoon Project.
Water Bill Late Fee Cutoff Date
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to implement the $5 late fee and will be instituted 5 days after the billing due date, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Interlocal Agreement with Library. Action Item.
Mayor Reddish read the Interlocal Agreement with the Library.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to enter the Interlocal Agreement with the Library, Councilman Laigaie seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Resolution for Election Cancellation. Action Item.
Mayor Reddish read the Resolution for Election Cancellation.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to pass the Resolution for Election Cancellation, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Resolution for Councilpersons and Mayor Pay Increase. Action Item.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pass the Resolution for Councilpersons and Mayor Pay Increase, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Northwest Pipe Fittings Inc. New Software. Action Item.
Town Clerk Rachel Parret spoke about the ongoing issues with the water meters and the software problem. Northwest Pipe Fittings told Rachel that by the end of 2024 The Town would need to have implemented the new N 360 program. They suggested that now would be the best time to do so, as the problems we are experiencing will not get better until we do so.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve $4462.20 in new software from Northwest Pipe Fittings, along with a new tablet to run the program, and 100 new meters to bought for the year, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
New Printer for Town Hall. Action Item.
Town Clerk Rachel Parret asked The Council to consider buying a new printer for the office as the one The Town currently has is over 10 years old and is starting to have problems. Rachel let The Council know there is money in budget for the printer and this printer will allow more printing and scanning options needed to do day-to-day work.
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to buy a Kyocera Printer in the amount of $6685.00, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
New Vacuum Truck for Public Works. Action Item.
Town Clerk Rachel Parret spoke on behalf of Public Works about a new vacuum truck they would like to purchase for a total of $47,995.00 plus shipping cost of $5,000. The Town has the money set aside for equipment in the budget of $60,000.
The Council would like further information on the vacuum truck before a decision is made.
What are we guaranteed as a buyer?
How many hours of operation? 7000 hours
Ask for the full inspection report.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to acquire the full inspection report, any records, and see if they will hold earnest money, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to transfer $5,000 to hold the vacuum truck if it is reimbursable or applied to the price of the truck, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Mayor Reddish spoke about the deer eradication meeting on September 22, 2023, at 1:00 pm. The Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and the Sheriff’s Office will be attending the meeting.
Councilman Lyons announced that there will be a working meeting with Great West Engineering on September 26th, 2023, at 10:00 am.
Mayor Reddish announced that the bid meeting for the Main Replacement will be held September 29th, 2023, at 10:00 am and on October 2nd, 2023, at 2:00 pm for the bid award.
Councilman Laigaie spoke on the deer eradication meeting. The deer meat will be donated to the food banks and Montana Veterans Locker. The deer will have to be tested for disease before the meat can be dispersed.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
Elaina Gagliano asked if the Deer Meeting will be posted? Meeting posted on the website.
Larry Holmes asked what results we are looking for from the pilot study? Mayor Reddish replied to Larry, the testing from the nano filters. NX will analyze the results and The Town will be working with the DEQ.
ADJOURN
Councilman Lyons made a motion at 9:15 pm to adjourn the meeting, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.