PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
September 5th, 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, and John Laigaie. Others in attendance: Town Clerk Rachel Parret, Grant Writer Maureen Connor, Public Works Forman Ed Roseboom, Public Works Brandon Parret and Ryan Watkins, Library Director Barbara Cahill, Deputy Dave Lucero, Zula Watkins, Larry Holmes, DuWayne Ulrich (video) and Elaina Gagliono (video).
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Mayor Reddish called the Town Council Meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
STANDING REPORTS
Sheriff
Sheriff Dunkerson submitted Granite County Sheriff’s Log on September 5th, 2023, for The Town Council to review.
Mayor Reddish encouraged all Council members to speak to the Sheriff if they had any questions or concerns. The Sheriff is open to discussion and very receptive.
Councilman Lyons discussed the potential scam on 402 E. Broadway. He explained that the scam must be reported to the Sheriff’s Office for it to go through the proper channels to be investigated in Helena.
Library Board
Library Director Barbara Cahill gave an update on the Philipsburg Library. The Library grant of $10,000 will be used to put in a handicap accessible door opener and purchase an accessible work station. The Library also received a grant for technology and will be offering 8 classes to the public. The Library has several programs being offered for the community: Preschool play time, adult sit-n-fit, book club, bingo, noon tea parties, and astronomy class. Pint Night on September 21st, 2023, will be held at the Philipsburg Brewery “Spare a Square” to help pay for bathroom supplies. Nicholas Rapp is the newest director on the Library Board.
Mayor Reddish thanked Barbara for coming in and giving the Council a report on The Library.
Chamber of Commerce
Mayor Reddish gave an update on the Mustang Show. An admission of $20 per car was donated to The Town with a total of $880. The money will be put into the streets fund.
Next Chamber meeting will be held September 19th, 2023, at 5:30 pm.
Planning Board
Mayor Reddish spoke with Jim Lochridge about putting together the top priority bullet points for The Town.
Fire Department
No Report.
Grant Writer
Grant Writer Maureen Connor talked about the upcoming bid for Duffy and Sansome Street to be awarded September 28th, 2023. She is hopeful that we will have the State contract by then.
Triple Tree will be working on Red Lion, road work, culverts, and gates.
Mayor Reddish and Maureen spoke to one of Senator Tester’s staff about the issues of The Town.
DRC Renewable Resource Group will be holding conferences in Helena in September, October, and November.
Councilman Fujinami asked if Triple Tree is collaborating with the Forest Service, County, and Town? Maureen assured The Council that Triple is working with all entities.
Councilman Lyons asked if there was one gate or multiple gates and where they were being placed. Foreman Roseboom responded that there are three gates that need to be replaced on Red Lion Road all the way to Fred Burr Lake.
Public Works Forman
Forman Ed Roseboom submitted the Public Works Monthly Report. Ed thanked Councilman Lyons and Councilman Fujinami for their participation during the Crews workday at Fred Burr.
Councilman Lyons mentioned that he was happy to see that Ryan Watkins fixed the vacuum truck.
The Council let Public Works know that there is money set aside in the budget for equipment. Forman Roseboom let The Council know Brandon Parret is looking at some equipment for purchase.
Town Attorney
No Report.
Town Clerk
Clerk Rachel Parret discussed moving our credit cards from The Bank of Kansas to The Town’s bank Citizens Alliance. Rachel also asked to have Reed Speegle removed from The Town’s credit card and to have Rachel Parret added. Rachel also asked to have Ryan Watkins added to The Town’s credit card and have the credit limit increased.
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to remove Reed Speegle from The Town’s credit card and put Rachel Parret on the credit card, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to move The Town’s credit cards from The Bank of Kansas to Citizens Alliance, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to add Ryan Watkins to The Town’s credit card and to increase Town’s credit line, Councilman Sunstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Minutes of Prior Meetings
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve minutes from August 15th, 2023, with corrections, Councilman Sunstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve minutes from Special Meeting with Great West on August 15th, 2023, with corrections, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Payroll and Bills Payable
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve payroll from August 18th, 2023, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve payroll from September 1st, 2023, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the claims, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Water and Sewer Adjustments
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve water and sewer adjustments, Councilman White seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Project Request Payments
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay Triple Tree invoice #22-74-003 in the amount of $2,555.00, Councilman White seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to reverse said motion for Triple Tree invoice #22-74-003 with the request of the Grant Writer Maureen Connor, Councilwomen Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to table the 5 payments to Triple Tree in the amount of $19,515.50, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Sunstrom made a motion to table paying HDR invoice #1200548207 in the amount of $6387.85 until further information is provided on line item of field equipment, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed with a 5 to 1 vote, with Councilman White opposed said motion.
Councilman Sundstrom made a motion to pay HDR invoice #1200548209 in the amount of $3713.72, Councilman White seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay HDR invoice #1200548208 in the amount of $6060.35, Councilman White seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made the motion to pay HDR invoice #1200548206 in the amount of $1106.31, Councilman Sunstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay HDR invoice #1200548210 in the amount $1813.29, Councilman White seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman White made a motion to pay HDR #1200548207 in the amount of $6387.85, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed with a 5 to 1 vote, with Councilman Sundstrom opposed said motion.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
Grant Writer Maureen Connor updated The Council that Great West Engineering is continuing to meet with contractors on the lagoon bids. Using onsite materials instead of hauling materials from off site is one of the things Great West is working on to cut costs. Great West would like to schedule another working meeting with The Council. Great West would like to go through a draft bid with The Council and Public Works. Great West needs to supply The Army Corp with more Geotech information.
Water ARPA Update
NX Study will run for 2-3 more weeks. The flux hit maximum. The Filtration Plant had a 93% recovery which is much higher than expected. NX was asked to do an extensive clean up after the study.
The Town has 18 months to install a filtration plant which has an estimated cost of $5 million to $6 million.
HDR completed their survey for Montgomery Street. The survey was submitted to DEQ to replace the 3” main to a 6” main.
Broadway Brewery Main replacement will be combined with the Montgomery bid upon design approval from the DEQ.
The tank evaluation will be done on October 17th, 2023.
The Silver Springs Project needs to be approved by DNRC. 1.) Replace pump in Silver Springs building. 2.) Rebuild pumps at the booster station. 3.) Upgrade chlorine feed pumps at the booster station.
NEW BUSINESS
Preliminary Budget FY 2024
Public Notice for Preliminary Budget FY 2023-2024 was posted on The Town of Philipsburg website. The Notice was also posted at The Philipsburg Town Hall, Citizens Alliance Bank, and US Post Office.
Preliminary Budget for FY 2023-2024 set for $9, 353,024.00. Revenue set for $8,934,621.00. Using Cash reserves of $418,403.00.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to move forward with the Preliminary Budget FY 2023-2024, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING
September 5th, 2023, at Town Hall 11:00 am - Certify Mills
Public Notice for Certification of Mills was posted on The Town of Philipsburg website. The Notice was also posted at The Philipsburg Town Hall, Citizens Alliance Bank, and US Post Office.
Mayor Reddish read the Certified Mills to The Council and Public. The taxable valuation for The Town of Philipsburg for FY 2023-2024 is $2,787,394. All Purpose Levy 57.06 mills. Comprehensive Insurance 22.18 mills. Parks 6.99 mills. Capital Equipment 15.00 mills. Total Mills = 101.23.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Mayor Reddish discussed The Towns resent Safety Inspection. The Town needs to form a Safety Committee with the following departments: Town Council, Public Works, Fire Department, and Philipsburg Town.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
Clerk Rachel Parret asked for clarification about special committee meetings. All members of The Council are on all committees.
Elaina Gagliono asked why the budget wasn’t posted on The Town website. Clerk Rachel Parret responded that the Preliminary Budget posting stated to come to pick up a copy at The Town.
ADJOURN
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to adjourn at 9:00 pm, Councilman Lyons seconded motion.