One Nation, Under God

Malta City Council meeting recap

During the Public Comment portion of last Tuesday night's Malta City Council Meeting, Malta Mayoral Candidate John Demarais questioned a recent decision which would leave a local contractor with a deduction in pay.

At the May 23 Malta City Council Meeting, Malta Mayor Shyla Jones was informed by two engineers from TD&H-the firm charged with the oversight of the current water project being conducted by Helena Sand and Gravel (HS&G)- that the HS&G subcontractor laying asphalt for the job 4,000 square feet of gravel after they had asked him not to because it had rained, against the rules of the spec book agreed upon prior to the project starting last year. Because the work was allegedly done during a time when it was raining and outside of the job specifications, Mayor Jones reported that HS&G – who hired Mummey as a sub-contractor - would receive a deduction of $2.50 per square foot of the $3.50 per square foot they charge on the work even though the work did meet compaction.

The contractor - Malta's Rocky Mummey - disagreed that it had been raining hard enough to stop work and said he would stands by his work, offering a 100-percent guarantee on the asphalt he laid. Mayor Jones explained that she was acting on the information she'd received from the engineers and the City of Malta, per the contract with HS&G, and it was not to have direct contact with their subcontractors.

At last Tuesday meeting, Demarais asked if something could be done to help Mummey avoid the loss of money.

"If we lose him in town and he leaves, we are in trouble," Demarais said. "We will not have a paving crew in town."

Demarais said that it would behoove the City to help Mummey out as he does good work and added that Mummey donates much of his time and resources to the community.

Mayor Jones, who is not seeking reelection, said it was HS&G who called for the rain day and reiterated that the City of Malta was not to have discussions with HS&G contractors.

"Our contract is not with Rocky," Mayor Jones said, "our contract is with Helena Sand and Gravel and the City can no longer be getting in the middle of it because it puts the City in a liability issue ...the City will not be addressing any paving that is part of the (water) project in these meetings, that has to go through Helena Sand and Gravel."

Mayor Jones echoed Demarais' praise of Mummey's work and dedication to the community and said the City of Malta wants to continue to do business with him and have some upcoming projects they want to work on with him and his company.

Public Works Report

Malta Public Works Director Truelove informed the council that the rodeo arena at Trafton Park was mowed and weeded prior to the first Boots and Saddles event of the year (though the event was moved to the Milk River Pavilion because of bad weather.)

Director Truelove reported that the water clarity at the City Pool has much improved since the beginning of the pool's season. It was later reported in the meeting that Commissioners Jim Sintler and William Hicks met with the Phillips County Commissioners to discuss county-wide bonding to pay for a new pool, but were denied. Parks and Rec Co-director Julia Tatafu reported that Parks and Rec and their City Pool Lifeguards recently scrubbed the bath house from top to bottom and added she was happy with how the local training of the lifeguards had gone and hoped that the lifeguard instruction in future years would also be conducted at the Malta City Pool (see more pool information in the Parks and Rec recap in this story.)

Director Truelove said the mosquito truck had been out spraying since the last council meeting and will continue to for the foreseeable future. He said the dike on the Milk River is ready for yearly inspection, that a new pump was installed at the lagoon and that sprinklers are up and running at all City parks and added the grass is looking greener at all of them. Mayor Jones asked Director Truelove to investigate water pressure issues on 7th Street (an area that has no construction going on) and Director Truelove said he would.

In Malta City Landfill news, Mayor Jones said that Bishop Inc. would begin work on Phase II after the July 4 holiday and in a brief Water Project construction update, Mayor Jones reported that construction crews were a bit behind their projected pace but said that the crews are projecting to be done laying pipe by September 1.

Parks and Rec Report

During the Parks and Rec report, Co-Director Tatafu reported that both the adult dodgeball league and children's kickball league were well attended and said that the adult softball league would be starting at the Independence Day holiday.

Tatafu said repainting of the baseball stands and concession stand at Trafton Park took three weeks, but the area looks much better (adding that a little paint work remains.)

Tatafu said that the City Pool opened on May 27 and is averaging about 20 children per day during open swim thus far. She said open swim takes place Monday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. She said the first swim lesson of the summer is currently in session and 17 children are participating. Mondays and Wednesdays, the City Pool hosts lap swimming and on average, about seven people per day are showing up for those and Family Nights are being held on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. and are averaging about eight families per night.

"And we have eight lifeguards and they have been wonderful," Tatafu said.

New Business

During the New Business portion of the night's meeting, Malta Trails Inc. President Laura Pankratz asked the City to consider allowing her and the organization to pave a small portion of trail which connects River View Park to the M-Trail. She said that Rocky Mummey recently concluded some work at an easement near the trail and noticed how bad the section in question is holding up.

"It's just not compacted well," Pankratz said. "It's just mushy and it isn't taken care of very well. It's just not holding up like the rest of the trail is."

Pankratz said Malta Trails would pay for the work, Mummey would donate the pavement and agreed that the organization would maintain the section in question in the future. The City Council agreed to the work on the conditions laid out by Pankratz.

Also during New Business, resolution 1232 was unanimously passed by the Council. The resolution sets new fees for the use of City equipment, labor, and supplies used for service work on private property. A total of 22 changes were made to the rates including an increase for lawn mowing and yard cleaning from the current rate from $60 per hour to $150 for the first hour and $75 per hour for every hour after that. A complete list of the changes can be found at Malta City Hall or with this story on the PCN website at phillipscountynews.com. The next regular Malta City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 27 at City Hall.

New Fees

Sweeper $83.00 an hour

Backhoe $75.00 an hour

Front End Loader $87.50 an hour

Maintainer/Grader $84.00 an hour

Fork Lift $21.50 an hour

Truck $56.50 an hour

Bucket Truck $34.50 an hour

Pickup $25.50 an hour

Tractor w/Brush Cutter $117.00 an hour

LeafVacuum Truck $23.75 an hour

Sewer Jetter $50.00 an hour

Jackhammer $1.45 an hour

Chain Saw $2.00 an hour

Chipper $25.00 an hour

Concrete/Asphalt Saw $16.00 an hour

2" Trash Pump $4.80 an hour

Laborer $25.26 an hour Plus Benefits $8.69 an hour Total $33.95 an hour

Flagger $21.58 an hour Plus Benefits $8.69 an hour Total $30.27 an hour

Mileage State rate for work outside the City of Malta

Lawn Mowing/Yard Cleaning $150.00 First Hour $75.00 per hour after P1 hour

Pound Kennel Fee $25.00 per day- Paid prior to releasing animal

Vet Fees for Impounded Animals Vet Bill plus 10%

 

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