PHILIPSBURG TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES
January 16th, 2024
6:00 P.M. Philipsburg Townhall
Council in attendance: Jason White, Gary Fujinami, Scott Lyons, Lorraine Dell-Bishop, John Laigaie, Mayor Daniel Reddish, Carl Sundstrom (online). Others in attendance: Clerk Rachel Parret, Special Projects Maureen Connor, Great West Amy Deitchler (online), NBC MT Josh Margolis (online), and Larry Holmes.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Reddish called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Public Works Foreman Update
Forman Ed Roseboom submitted a report for Public Works.
Minutes of Prior Meeting
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the minutes from 1/2/2024 with corrections, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the minutes from 1/4/2024 with corrections, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the minutes from 1/9/2024, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the minutes from 1/11/2024 with corrections, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Bills Payable
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay HDR invoice #1200585891 in the amount of $5461.76, Councilman Sundstrom seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay HDR invoice #1200586892 in the amount of $2885.51, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay HDR invoice #1200586893, with the exception of the invoice not being previously paid, Councilman White seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to pay HDR invoice #1200586894 in the amount of $601.51, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to the Granite Co. Courthouse in the amount of $8000.75, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the claims payable for 1/2024, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed to unanimously.
Financials
Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve payroll from 1/5/2024, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the financials from 1/2024, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Journal Vouchers
Councilman Lyons made a motion to approve the Journal Vouchers for 1/2024, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Sewer Lagoon Update
The Town’s grant administrator at Great West has taken a new job. Craig Erickson will be taking over as the new grant administrator for Great West.
Water Update
Special Projects Maureen Connor is going to put in for an extension on the CBDG grant that applies to the transmission line.
Resort Tax
Special Projects Maureen Connor presented a slide to the Chamber on 1/16/2024. Next Meeting will be 1/18/2024 at 9:00 am. Maureen and Mayor Reddish will work on a press release on the Resort Tax to inform the public.
NEW BUSINESS
Lagoon Bid Award – Action Item
Amy Deitchler informed the Council that Missouri River Contractors had the lowest bid with additives. Missouri River Contractors have built Sagers in the past and she is confident in their work. Maureen wants to make sure that there is enough money to monitor for one year.
Councilman Lyons made a motion of notification for intent to Missouri River Contractors with additives #2 and #3, under the contingency of SRF $1.2 million, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
SRF – Action Item
Councilman Lyons made a motion for the admin to start applying for the SRF in the amount of $1.2 million, Councilman Fujinami seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
NorthWestern Energy- Action Item
Uda Law drafted a Resolution to terminate NITSA with NorthWestern Energy (NEW) and Philipsburg Public Schools and to become a default customer with NWE. Mayor Reddish read the resolution. Councilman Fujinami made a motion to approve the Resolution with adjustments to the wording, Councilman Lyons seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Facebook page for the Town of Philipsburg
Councilmembers attended training provided by MSU at the Granite Co. Courthouse. The training discussed disseminating information to the public and getting the Community more involved. Councilman Lyons will do some research on the past Town Facebook page. The option of having an updated Town Facebook page will be discussed at the next meeting.
SPECIAL MEETINGS
Chamber Meeting- Resort Tax Discussion - January 16th, 2024, at 8:00 am Townhall
Resort Tax Working Meeting – January 18th, 2024,
9:00 am – 10:30 am
NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Council
Councilman Lyons was invited to Rotary on 1/18/2024.
Councilman White informed the Council that the fire alarms had been going off at the School and this was due to the cold weather.
Councilman Lyons informed the Council that the Town has a penalty bill from the IRS. Clerk Rachel Parret will be checking into the matter.
Public Comment on Matters within the Town Council’s Jurisdiction
Larry Holmes stated that the snow was piled up in front of some business blocking the parking spots.
ADJOURN
Councilman Lyons made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:08 pm, Councilwoman Dell-Bishop seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.