One Nation, Under God
One Nation, Under God
At the Malta City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 13, a good-sized crowd was in attendance, with various issues and concerns to be addressed. Present at the meeting were Mayor John Demarais, Council members Bonnie Wiederrick, David Rummel, Laura Pankratz, and Bill Hicks, City Clerk Lorie Bond, PWD Jim Truelove, Compliance Officer John Wright, Marilyn Taylor, Dennis Simpson, Eric Maxie, Tony Simonsen, Christian Simpson, and Jonathan Simpson. The pledge to the flag was recited and business got underway.
Mayor Demarais opened the meeting for public comment. He called on Darrell Carney who was waiting to address the meeting. He said he has two water bills that he will not pay until the City proves he has a shutoff; he has asked multiple times to have it shown to him. Its been going on for three years. He asked for a permit two years ago and Mayor Demarais and he met over at the property and still hasn’t received one. He also stated that in the three years he has had the property he has not had a garbage container; he stated when he did ask for one and when he got it, it had holes in it and you couldn’t put anything in it.
Carney stated, “There’s a lot of issues with the water and sewer, I have asked multiple times for public notice - it’s not even the same people that work here…it’s been that long! I get a little bit frustrated…I will pay it…but now I am getting a $40 late fee, a $35 late fee, every time I don’t pay it~but on the other side I am not getting any answers from the City. So, I would love to come to a resolution on this. Number one…find them, but I don’t think they are there, they’re too d*mn deep…that’s just my opinion. That water line is 15 feet deep…the curbside isn’t that deep…how do I get to the curb stop? I should be able to find it and if I want water in the house and have a problem, I should be able to know where the curb stop is…and not “oh, we have to go find it.” He then stated he did not think it was right to get taxed on something you’re not getting action on.
Demarais responded, “Here’s the deal, Darrell, it’s called availability. The water is there, whether you use it or not. We have empty lots all over town.”
Carney was quick to reiterate, “IF I could find it…how do I know it is there, if it can’t be proved? Without a curb stop how do I know?”
Demarais responded, “…well, we will find your curb stop.”
Carney said, “It’s been THREE years, you know it has been, because you and I talked about it. And what about the permit?
Demarais said, “I’m not sure. We’ll have to start all over on that one.”
“See, that is where we are at,” said Carney.
Demarais stated, “I’ll take the blame for that one. I dropped the ball there.”
Rummel stated that not every property owner has a garbage; Carney said when he “tried to use another property owner’s garbage they put up a fuss!”
Carney stated, “I don’t know how busy you are tonight, but man, I have a list this d*** long…I’ve been saving up for years on this.”
“I don’t know how much time you guys want to put into this…we shouldn’t really try to tackle everything at once, swallowing this much might cause people to choke,” said Carney.
Following a lengthy discussion of the matter, the matter was closed with further action to come.
Demarais then read an email he had received from Sara (Pankratz) Warren. She complimented the City on the programs offered and was pleased with the lifeguards that had worked at the city pool. Their family recently moved here from Helena to enjoy the small town atmosphere and were not disappointed.
The next topic was the Community Needs Assessment, which was introduced by Ki-Ai McBride, of GreatWest Engineering. The CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) has funding available to assist with the financing of the new water tank, she said the estimate is at 3.7 million dollars. She explained that the needs of the community as input play a viable importance in the application process. Those present were asked to mark her chart as to which items were the most important, from the choices proved, which included public facilities, affordable housing, community development, and economical development. A majority of the strength and support were for the water system, swimming pool, housing for the elderly, a new roof on the county library, food bank, and park improvement. Many votes also went to affordable housing for individuals working in the community on projects.
McBride stated the community falls within the guidelines of meeting the income level of 51% low income, as it has 54%.
Dennis Simpson introduced himself as the owner of the Sleeping Buffalo and came forward to place all his votes on the swimming pool. “I have been called by numerous people in this town over the last month or two, and just asked me if there was anyway I could help. I am re-doing the outside pool and it is three times bigger than the size of your swimming pool in town. I don’t know how it is possible…where you are getting your numbers to fix the pool…I can build one three times the size of the one for a fraction of that (the 3.5 million dollar quote that was stated). That is still astronomical! Not even feasible. I think you people are making a huge mistake to shut this pool down in this town. Having a “Kids’ Club” and being able to ride your bike to the pool. The pool is the kids club. You guys throw numbers around in these meetings that literally don’t make sense in the real world.”
Simpson continued, “If I can completely redo pools, and that is what I have done for the last 27 years, literally, for a fraction of the price…it doesn’t make sense in the real world.”
Demarais said to Simpson, “I have a question for you. Have you inspected our pool at all?”
“You know what, I have driven by your pool. I am not going to act like I know anything about it, but I know what I have been dealing with since March in redoing the hot springs…and redoing the other pool and redoing pools in Bozeman…so you guys throw out numbers like three and a half million dollars…it’s like I could literally get your entire pool out of the ground and pitch a brand new pool for way less than that. So, I don’t know where you come up with these numbers.”
Demarais said, “We came up with these from engineers…”
And Simpson responded, “…you’re breaking a lot of kids’ hearts by saying it’s closed forever!
Demarais interjected, “I’ve been around that pool for 40 plus years and I‘ve watched it deteriorate from a pretty good pool down to nothing. When I see chunks falling off and I see rebar that used to be 3/4 that is now 3/8 by rust…that is why I closed the pool. It’s a liability. If you can fix it and talk the Foundation into paying for it, then go for it.
Simpson asked, “How many pools have you built…not inspected, how many have you built? That’s what I am asking, please respond.”
“Well…” Demarais started to say.
“How many have you built?”
Demarais asked, “Pardon?”
And Simpson repeated, “How many have you built?
“We’re not talking about that. I don’t want to sit here and argue with you,” replied Demarais. “I know what the pool is…the pool has had it, in my mind. Now we’re getting into an argument and I am not going to sit here and argue.”
With that Demarais said, “Okay. Next. What are we going to talk about next?”
Simpson said, “I am asking you guys to re-open the thought process; you get one number from an engineer that is so astronomical…I am in the process of building a pool three times that size - for way less. You have a lot of little kids brokenhearted in this town.”
Discussion turned to the grandstand at the fairgrounds that came with a ticket price of 3.1 million dollars, from the mixed comments and rumble from the back of the room came the comment about it being asinine and the fact that everyone is gasping about the price.
It was the general consensus that all the council members were in favor of having a pool.
Bride continued her presentation and asked for entities and businesses to write letters of support for the CDBG.
Demarais called on Kayla Warren who gave a report on the funding efforts on the pool.
Demarais addressed the sewer/lagoon issue with Marilyn Taylor. He stated work is set to begin next week on the 20th. He said when the project is done, it will all leveled out (allowing for a bit of settling) and the work and maintenance would be covered by the engineering firm hired for one year and then the City would take over.
Taylor stated that Roy (her husband) did not feel the $500 was very much, stating, “Who else could rent for $87 a month? The agreement was for six months and that is up on August 15, so anything after that there should be more compensation.” Demarais agreed and we (the City) will come up with a different number, we’ll make sure it is fair. “…you have been more than patient, you have been good to work with…we’ll work with you, it works both ways.”
Hicks made a motion, with Pankratz providing a second to the motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting; motion carried.
Rummel made a motion to approve the agenda for the meeting, seconded by Wiederrick. Motion passed.
Rummel made a motion, Hicks seconded it, to pay claims; motion passed.
PWD Jim Truelove reported that the patching is ongoing and the mains will be flushed next week. Weed spraying and trimming is ongoing, as is work on the sprinklers. Crosswalks have been painted at the school.
City Clerk Lorie Bond gave her report. She again asked for the council members to ask individuals to send letters of support for the sewer system.
She hopes to have letters out to the consumers about the sewer rate increase. Comment period will end on August 22nd. The earliest the city could approve it would be the 23rd.
Compliance Officer John Wright said he had sent out 17 letters about lawns, all but four are in compliance; two are attempting to get them done and he is still working on contacting two others. If there is no response, the vehicles will be towed.
Taylor inquired if anyone had complained about areas, such as where Delta Ford used to be. Wright responded that if there isn’t a complainant issue then is usually falls to the bottom of the line. Taylor responded, “There must be a lot of people falling to the bottom then because Malta looks like S***!” She then repeated it. “I am just not proud of my community because it doesn’t look like it should - we have to set an example.”
Truelove stated there is no events to be scheduled at the Event Center as the work is ongoing with the Hwy 191 construction. The water is re-established but there is no access.
Rummel commented on the posters and activities of the Rec Department, he stated his approval, he “...would like to give them a sticker or something…” for the good job they are doing. The council agreed with his compliment.
The Swimming Pool was on the agenda next, Demarais said, “The swimming pool…do we have to do anything there? If you want, but I think we have about beat that horse to death.” He then called for new business.
Under new business was: Resolution 1359 - A Resolution of Intention of the City of Malta, Montana to Increase Rates and Charges for the Use and Availability of the Municipal Sewer System.
Rummel asked, “I know we have a number in here, but if by some chance we get some of those grants that way they may or may not forgive, would it lower it if we were forgiven more than we thought?”
Demarais responded, “No. And here’s the deal, and the reason to hire them. I called Matt after the meeting we had and he told me what they saw - they saw some loans that were short in the past so we need to catch up rather than have a huge bill at the end of when the loans are due…I’m not going to throw numbers out because the people are going to take it wrong, but that’s why it’s more than when we talked about in the first place. I was very taken aback and that’s why even before he got to talk, and Lorie was on the phone with me and listened, that’s why the bid is higher. The engineers don’t know our financial situation.”
Discussion followed and the council stated their concerns.
A motion was made by Wiederrick with a second by Rummel to approve the Resolution; Wiederrick, Rummel and Pankratz voted aye, Hicks voted nay. Motion passed 3-1.
Next was Resolution 1360 - a Resolution to Authorize Submission of CDBG application for a Water System Improvement Project. Pankratz made a motion, seconded by Hicks; motion passed.
Final item on the agenda was the MCP Water PER Final Draw in the amount of $40,000. Demarais stated the City will be reimbursed for the amount, however, it has to be paid as per agreement prior to reimbursement. Hicks made a motion, which Wiederrick seconded and this passed with a 4-0 vote.
Pankratz said Dennis Bebee would like to pave their driveway and get some gravel in. Truelove said it needed pit run and some gravel. It is between 5th Street and 4th Street E and it needs a partial alignment. Truelove and Demarais will check the situation out.
Closing in on two hours worth of meeting and work, a motion to adjourn was made, followed by a second and vote ended the meeting for the night.
The City Council minutes are posted online for availability of more complete action.
The next meeting of the council is Tuesday the 27th of August at 5 p. m. in the meeting room at the city hall.
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