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Mayor breaks tie vote
Wednesday, 11 July 2007 06:52
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Mayor breaks tie vote
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By Buck Traxler, I-O Editor
Mayor breaks tie vote
DROUGHT VICTIM – This poor old pine tree in Keil Park has seen better days. Ground samples were sent to MSU and a report back to Rich Anderson, Public Works Director said the cause of the tree dying was drought related. I-O Photo by Buck Traxler
    After a lengthy discussion, on Monday, council members voted on which road to take concerning the lagoon system and then remained at a fork in the road with a tie vote.
    Aldermen Sandy Syvertson and Wally McHenry were in favor of a mechanical system while council members Gary Brown and Wendy Judisch favored a phased-in upgrading.
    The city’s three lagoon cells cover about 23 acres and contain 37 million gallons of sewage. The majority of the system is 25 to 40 years old and over time has accumulated approximately 22 million gallons of sludge.
    Presently, the lagoon(s) do not meet current Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) or Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards and in the past seven years there have been over 11 violation notices. The current system cannot even meet the existing or new DEQ discharge or ammonia standards and requirements.
    The upgraded system is designed for a population of 4,000, which will allow for commercial and industrial growth and related residential expansion.
    Recently, Rep. Denny Rehberg tentatively secured a $500,000 STAG (State and Tribal Assistance Gant) to help renovate the wastewater treatment facility.
    There is approved TSEP funding (Treasure State Endowment Program) of $500,000 and the city has approximately $350,000 in reserves for the project.
    Originally the facility upgrading started out as a $1.75 million project (2004) but now, current figures put the wastewater project at around $3.382 million.
    During a public comment segment of the council meeting, former Mayor Byron Grubb commented on the facility improvement, telling the council, “You need to do it, you need to get off centerline and get it done.”
    Brown said, “It’s a tough, tough decision and without adequate funding, this is going to cost a lot of dollars.”
    He still wanted to go with a phased-in plan, “It will put us in compliance with the current permit.” He feels the city is being pushed into a system that is more than we need. “If they (EPA/DEQ) are going to push that, they need to come up with funding,”
    McHenry noted, “The longer we go, the cost is just going to go up.”
    Judisch said, “It’s hard to think about voting on this and then, ‘oh by the way’ it will cost you another $21 a month. We need to come up with $2 million over the next 20 years and $85,000 a year.”  (In additional operation and maintenance costs)
    Nancy Cormier, the senior project engineer from Morrison Maierle, Inc., said, “You don’t have a choice, you are not in compliance. I don’t know what they are, but the fines can add up.”
    McHenry added, “In my opinion, you have to go for the mechanical plant. I’d hate to go through the phased-in system and then start over in 10 years.” In 2004, the estimated cost was $1.75 million.
    He went on to add, “You may not be able to up grade the phased-in lagoon system to meet new compliance requirements of the DEQ/EPA.”
    Mayor John Shevlin asked for quick comments from the public in attendance. Brad Berthelson said, “I’m getting a head-ache. It’s been a mish-mash for the last half hour.”
    Renée Dent commented, “I don’t like it, but if we have to do it, we have to do it.” Gary Dent said, “It seems like yesterday I was paying $28, now its around $75. I don’t like it, but I’d vote for the system.”
    Grubb said, “I’d go for the increase. I’m willing to pay $20 more. If you want growth, we need this.”
    Finance officer Agnes Fowler noted, “We’re doing our best to come up with something. If it all comes through, (WRDA, Rural Development loan/grant, and the STAG) it will not be that high.”
    She went on to say, “The cost for either phased-in or mechanical systems in the end will be the same, using only the TSEP $500,000. The costs projected, were a worse case scenario
    Mayor Shevlin said, “If we had a choice we wouldn’t do it, the last thing I want to do is put a high rate on the people.”

    With that, a vote of the council was taken. Brown and Judisch voted against a mechanical fix of the lagoon(s). Syvertson and McHenry voted in favor and with the tie, the mayor voted in favor of the mechanical system.
    In other business, the council approved building permits at 119 S. Montana for moving a trailer, 107 S. Virginia, a walkway; 210 N. Main, the removal of motel units; and 119 S. Virginia, adding a patio and garage.
    A resolution for job descriptions and action on a request to advertise for bids on a four new garbage system were both tabled. Also tabled was a request to put up 10 MPH speed signs in an alleyway at Sunrise Trailer Court.
    A franchise agreement with 3 Rivers Communications of a phone system was finalized and agreed to with the council.
    There was some discussion about young people driving motorized vehicles (scooters) without a license. The city ordinance Section 941 (A) says: It shall be unlawful for any person to drive any motor vehicle upon a street or roadway in the city, unless such person has a valid Montana license as an operator or chauffeur.
    The ordinance also defines a motor vehicle as: Every vehicle which is self-propelled and in, upon or by which an person or property is, or may be, transported or drawn upon the streets, avenues, alleys and highways within the city.
    The state MCA codes note that a “motorized nonstandard vehicle” means a vehicle, upon which a person may be transported, that: is propelled by its own power, using an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. A “motor vehicle” means a vehicle propelled by its own power and designed or used to transport persons or property upon the highways of the state.
    No action was taken. The council is looking for more information on this.
    In reports given, Public Works Director Rich Anderson said that drought had killed a huge pine tree in Keil Park. He said samples were taken to the University System and the problem was drought related.
    Chief Dent noted there were 228 calls during the month of June, some of which included six domestic situations, eight thefts, two burglaries, 32 traffic citations, 11 for no insurance and 21 ambulance calls, to name a few.
    Attorney Mary Ann Ries said she had 15 active cases going to trial and is working with officers.
    The next regular meeting of the city council will be on July 16, 7:30 p.m. in city hall, 411-½ S. Main. The public is always welcome and encouraged to attend.
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