PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
September 20th, 2022
7:00 P.M. Philipsburg Town Hall
Council in Attendance: Mayor Daniel Reddish, Scott Lyons, John Laigaie, Carl Sundstrom, and Jason White. Council absent: Gary Fujinami. Others in attendance: Town Clerk Reed Speegle, Larry Holmes, Donna Shewey, Pam Soares, Rick Johnson, and Lorraine Dell-Bishop.
Lorraine Dell-Bishop – Wellness Committee/AEDs
Donna Shewey attended with Lorraine and gave the background on the wellness committee and their potential plans for the future. She said they would be distributing a survey in the near future to gauge the needs of the community. She stated they would be looking to develop this facility without the use of taxpayer funds.
Lorraine requested a defibrillator be put in Town Hall.
Minutes of Prior Meetings
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the minutes from 9-6-22 with edits from Councilman Sundstrom, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Bills Payable
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the bills payable, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Financials
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the financials, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Journal Vouchers
Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the journal vouchers, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Mayor Reddish talked about the sludge removal project and stated that it was almost complete. The next step would be to procure the SAGR system. The Town had been presented with a recommendation of award from Great West Engineering. Councilman Sundstrom asked about installation costs. Councilman Lyons made the motion to accept the recommendation, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously. Councilman Lyons asked about the potential for desludging the second cell in the future.
Growth Plan Update
Mayor Reddish said that the appropriate groups were coordinating to discuss wilderness fire issues. He also said that the Forest Service had begun work clearing the road for access to Fred Burr and that the contractor could begin work soon for the Town on repairing the road. Mayor Reddish said the digital mapping of Town was almost complete. Councilman Laigaie discussed Historical District signs that were up around Town.
Water/Sewer Policy
Councilman Lyons stated that the Water Fund was operating at a loss and that the Council was looking at ways to generate additional revenue. They had been reviewing the Town’s rate structure. The Council scheduled a working meeting to continue work on this issue on September 27th at 10:00 a.m.
FS Contract for Water/Electric Use
Mayor Reddish said that Sam Dennis was compiling information on a potential claim against the Forest Service. The Town Attorney had reviewed the document and said it was satisfactory for the water usage and electric usage. The claim would be a separate issue.
ARPA #2 Strategy
Mayor Reddish talked about the overall strategy that the Council was going to have to decide in the near future related to water issues. He talked about filtration with the pilot project expected in the Spring, storage capacity, Silver Springs pumps, and ground water. Councilman Sundstrom suggested hiring a hydrologist to assess the potential ground water access. Mayor Reddish said that Brad Koon would provide a ground water alternative in the Triple Tree PER. The Council would need to decide the direction of the funds in October.
NEW BUSINESS
MN Local Government Services Contract
Mayor Reddish gave some background on the consultant. Reed Speegle said he had a good working relationship with Magda Nelson and that his recommendation would be to approve the contract. Councilman Lyons made the motion to approve the contract, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Vote on Adding More Tasks to HDR Water PER
Mayor Reddish gave a recap on the PER. There were no issues from the Council concerning t the work that had been done so far. Councilman Lyons made the motion to continue working with HRD and to continue to add tasks in the future, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.
Vote to Move Forward on SRF Loan
Mayor Reddish gave a recap of the video conference with Anna Miller from the DNRC. Councilman Lyons said he would reach out to Bob Murdo.
NON AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Councilman Lyons brought up advertising for the vacant Council seat.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
Pam Soares talked about the ongoing issue related to Horton Street. There was brief discussion on the sewer installation that would take place. Pam stated that she felt her property was being obstructed.
Councilman Lyons made them motion to adjourn at 8:30, Councilman White seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously.