City Council Meets, Swimming Pool Meeting on September 18

The Malta City Council met on Tuesday, Sept. 10th, with the venue being to the gymnasium. With the possibility of a hike in sewer rates on the agenda, a large crowd was anticipated.

The crowd did not show. In attendance were the four council members, the mayor, and five guests: Katey Marquis, Darrell Carney, Marilyn Taylor, Jim Sintler and Matt Mudd, with Great West Engineering. Eric Witmer was present as he was filling in for PWD Jim Truelove.

Following the pledge to the flag, Mayor John Demarais opened the floor for public comment; no one spoke. There was no communications for the mayor to share.

Councilmember David Rummel moved to accept the minutes from the last meeting, Councilmember Bonnie Wiederrick seconded the motion; motion passed 4-0.

Councilmember Bill Hicks moved to accept the agenda, which was seconded by Councilmember Laura Pankratz, motion passed 4-0.

Rummel moved to accept the claims submitted, seconded by Hicks, motion passed 4-0.

Demarais then opened the floor for public comment on the proposed sewer rate increase. There were no comments.

Demarais opened the floor for public comment to obtain input regarding the City’s overall community development needs (public infrastructure and facilities, economic development, and housing, including the needs of low and moderate-income persons. Carney inquired if that included the water and sewer situation and was told it did. Whereas, Mudd was there to give his presentation, Carney asked if he could give his presentation first and follow-up by providing answers. Mudd then proceeded to present his slide show for about 35 minutes, that had been shown previously and updated.

Carney and the council members had discussion on the attendance at the hearings that one should consider important with the proposed increase. Carney wasn’t alone in his disappointment in the attendance at the meeting.

Demarais said. “This happens every time. No one shows up until it hits them in the pocketbook. We can’t lead them here!”

One point that many have voiced, yet not bothered to do anything about is the time of the City Council meetings. Marquis stated it is a really poor time to hold a meeting that impacts so many people. The 5 p.m. time does not work for many more than the mayor and councilmembers. It had changed quite a few years ago to accommodate a certain individual and does not work for the working people who are being affected by the decisions. Marquis pointed out that most people are just getting off work and no one likes to walk into a meeting in progress. None of the current council members have jobs that have a punch-out time clock and the 5 p.m. probably does work for them. The citizens are the people affected and perhaps some time should be spent at looking into how to get more people at the meetings.

The Council page online can provide the outcome of the speech which was provided. Anyone with questions can then call the City office at 406-654-1251 for information or answers.

Witmer said the city crew is working on sweeping the streets, they are working in the Hillcrest area at this time. The blade will be making some changes in alleys as well.

The crew is also doing tree trimming and clearing the visibility of stop signs. Witmer stated that the mosquito truck is still making evening rounds.

City Clerk Lorie Bond stated there is a meeting on the swimming pool on Wednesday, Sept. 18th at 7 p.m.

There were no reports from any departments.

Moving on with new business, Item 1 was a decision to increase sewer rates. Wiederrick made a motion to increase the rates, Rummel seconded the motion; motion passed 4-0.

Item 2 was 1366: a Resolution of the City of Malta increasing rates and charges for the use and availability of the municipal sewer system. Hicks made a motion to approve the resolution, which Rummel seconded and a vote of 4-0 approved the resolution.

Resolution 1367 - a resolution relating to $1,000,061 Sewer System Bonds (DNRC Water Pollution control State Revolving Loan Program), consisting of $485,061 Subordinate Lien Taxable Series 2024A The issuance and Fixing the Terms and Conditions Thereof. Pankratz made a motion, Wiederrick seconded it; vote was 4-0 to approve.

On the agenda as Item 4 was Draw 1 - SRF Loan - Trafton Force Main Project, which Rummel made a motion to approve, seconded by Hicks. Motion passed 4-0.

Item 5 was to Transfer Funds from the City of Malta STIP Account. Wiederrick made a motion to approve, which Rummel seconded and the vote of 4-0 passed the motion.

The Mayor asked for any other comments - Kari Hould on behalf of the American Legion and VFW Auxiliaries inquired about placing suicide awareness in Veterans Park and a display for POW awareness and received the approval of the mayor and council.

There being no further business to come before the council, Wiederrick moved to adjourn, Hicks seconded and 4-0 votes meeting was adjourned.