City Council Minutes | August 10, 2016

Wednesday, August 10, 2016 @ 7:00 PM
Big Sandy City Hall at 115 Johannes Ave Big Sandy, MT 59520

REGULAR MEETING

Mayor Steve Stiles called the meeting to order.

Council members present were Colby Baumgarn, Shaud Schwarzbach and Ted Pursley.

Staff Present: Wendy Kleinsasser, Town Clerk and Tim LaBuda, PWD

Public: Tim Uribe, KLJ, Samantha Chagnon, Bear Paw Development, Christin Hiteman, NewFields, Bill Kleinsasser, Heather Pleninger

Approval of Meeting Minutes: Colby Baumgarn moved to approve the minutes from the July meeting. Ted Pursley seconded and the motion passed

Public Comments: None

Sheriff Report: None

Wastewater Project: The final invoice from KLJ was approved for payment with the July claims.

New Water Project: Tim Uribe of KLJ, gave the Council an update on where things are with the Rural Development application, as well as a report on the July 14th conference call, which included Michelle Cushman, TSEP, Craig Carlson, RD, Dan Semmens, Dorsey-Whitney, Michele Turville, BPD, Tim Uribe and Jason Crawford, KLJ and Wendy Kleinsasser, Town of Big Sandy. The next conference call is scheduled for September 14th at 3:00 p.m. He also reviewed potential water rates that will have to go into effect once funding is in place. KLJ is working to complete putting together the information requested by both TSEP and RD. The town clerk is putting together the information requested by RD and will send it in on Thursday. Detailed information is in the attached engineering memorandum.

New Pool: A joint town/school board is being formed. At this time things are still in the exploratory stages.

Bear Paw Development/Brownfield Project: Samantha Chagnon, BPD and Christin Hiteman, NewFields, gave an update on both the Four Way Fuel site and the old hotel site. Beginning with the four Way site, they explained the process of abatement and the costs involved. There is funding at this time that should cover the costs. The town must own the property involved to be eligible for such funding, which would happen once the costs are nailed down and DEQ approves the clean up plan, which will need to be accepted by the town and the current property owners as well. BLM has expressed interest in working with the town to possibly set up an information kiosk with maps and information about the area. The council was asked if they would like BPD and New Fields to move forward. They agreed, provided there is no risk of liability to the town.

Moving on to the old hotel site, there was concern expressed by the council that the current owners may simply decide not to pay the taxes and the town would wind up with the property anyway. Various scenarios were discussed and whether the building is worth restoring or should be torn down. Ultimately, DEQ makes that call based on cost effectiveness. Ms. Hiteman told the council that part of the process will include contacting the State Historical Preservation Office to make sure the building does have any particular historical significance. The council decided to have the two organizations, BPD and New Fields, move forward in the same manner as the Four Way Fuel site.

New Business

Notice of Intent to seek Funding: Shaud Schwarzbach moved to approve the notice published. Ted Pursley seconded and the motion passed. The clerk will send the published notice, FY15 Audit, this meeting agenda and minutes and an updated list of council members to Rural Development via e-mail on Thursday.

Pool Report: No one was available to give a report, the pool manager did call the council president and tell him that things were going smoothly at the pool.

Audit contract: Shaud Schwarzbach moved to approve the signing of the contract with WIPFLI. Colby Baumgarn seconded, motion passed.

Airport project final report: The report was distributed to the council.

Joint Board appointments for pool project: Mayor Stiles appointed Shaud Schwarzbach and Ted Pursley to sit on the joint town and school pool board. Colby Baumgarn will act as an alternate, with voting powers if one of the others cannot attend the meeting. On this subject, Mayor Stiles reported on his meeting with a representative from Burbach Aquatics, which was attended by both town and school board members. They are sending a professional services agreement for the town and school to review. Once the joint board is operational, an RFP should be issued and decisions made based on all of the proposals submitted.

Resolution 2017-02 – creation of a water fund account for short term asset replacement: This resolution includes a 5% increase in the base water rate; from $26.00/4000 gallons to $27.30/4000 thousand gallons. This is being set up to help cover future costs of things like meter failures (such as is happening currently). Ted Pursley moved to approve the resolution, Colby Baumgarn seconded and the motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.

Old Business

Street repairs: Lakeside should begin crushing gravel next week and hauling it into town the following week. Public works was asked to put together a map with streets marked for regraveling. This map will be published in the paper. It was determined that several culverts need to be replaced and that this is a good time to take care of the issue

Charge for Inactive/Vacant properties connected to water and sewer system: This will be addressed in the rate study done by KLJ.

Animal Ordinance: No action

Parks: The Rest Area was discussed. At this time it does not look as though there will be any funding from the state to help cover operating costs. The Rotary Club expressed interest in insulating it and having it open year round, but the consensus of the council was that it is not feasible.

Ditch and road plans: Public Works has not had time to put together a plan.

Meter Issues: Public Works has received 36 replacement registers and hopes to begin installing them yet this week. Help may be needed to get all 70 replaced once the backordered ones arrive. The council will ask for bids from local plumbers.

Committee Reports: None

Mayor Report: None

Public Works: Discussed during old business.

Clerk Reports:
* The shut off list was distributed
* The correspondence was distributed.

Claims: Ted Pursley moved to approve the claims and Shaud Schwarzbach seconded and the motion passed.

General Journal Voucher. Colby Baumgarn moved to approve JV 2017-01. Ted Pursley seconded and the motion passed.

Any Business to be brought before the Council: None

Colby Baumgarn moved to adjourn, Ted Pursley seconded; motion passed.