These mintues remain unofficial until approved by the council

at the next meeting.  All official mintues can be accessed at the

Town Office.  

Public Hearing & Regular Scheduled Council meeting on March 13, 2024

 

Submitted by  Clerk/Treasurer

Public Hearing

The Town of Chester Council held a Public Hearing for HB 355 State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act of 2023 on March 13, 2024, at 6:00 pm.

Members Present: Mayor James Dahlen, Council Persons, Sonja Dahlen, Scott Decker, Rachel Ghekiere, Garrett Graff, Tina Neer and Jim Sivils

 Members Absent:

Staff Present: 

                        Ashley Wickum (Clerk/Treasurer)

                        Terry Tyler (Public Works Director)

Guests: Stephen Nelson 

Pledge of Allegiance

1. Mayor James Dahlen called the public hearing to order at 6:00 pm
2. Public Comment: none
3. Sonja Dahlen made a motion to adjourn the hearing. Rachel Ghekiere seconded the motion.  The meeting was adjourned at 6:02 pm. 

Regular Meeting 

The Town of Chester Council held the Regular Scheduled Council meeting on March 13, 2024, at 6:02 pm.

Members Present: Mayor James Dahlen, Council Persons, Sonja Dahlen, Scott Decker, Rachel Ghekiere, Garrett Graff, Tina Neer and Jim Sivils

Members Absent:

Staff Present: 

                        Ashley Wickum (Clerk/Treasurer)

                        Terry Tyler (Public Works Director)

Guests: Stephen Nelson

2. Mayor James Dahlen called the regular meeting to order at 6:02 pm 
3. Sonja Dahlen made a motion to accept the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting, February 14, 2024. Scott Decker seconded the motion.  Motion to approve the minutes passed with all voting ayes. 
4. Claims were presented to the council for approval. Rachel Ghekiere made the motion to approve the claims submitted for payment. Ck # 20120-20167, electronic payments -99979 & Payroll Advances Ck #20148-20149.  Tina Neer seconded the motion.  Motion to approve claims passed with all voting ayes.

 

4. The council reviewed the adjustments and journal entries made in February. Rachel Ghekiere made the motion to approve the JV & Adjustments.  Sonja Dahlen seconded the motion.  Motion passed with all voting ayes. 

 

5. Public Comments: Stephen Nelson wanted to discuss the position of enclosing the pool to make it useable all year long. Discussion about the pool’s operating costs.  Stephen believes that the community would support it, and that there could be ways to help so that it wouldn’t lose money.  He thought that maybe Bearpaw Development might be able to help, however, Rachel Ghekiere stated that they do not help with pools.  A pool house would require staffing and a large cost in operating and maintenance expenses.  Mayor Dahlen reported that last year the revenues for the pool were roughly $11,000 and expenses were approximately $52,000.  The revenues do not come close to covering the expenses. Stephan see that there is a lack of things to do in the winter and feels that the school, fitness center and hospital would all be able to utilize the pool.  Scott Decker asked about just the cost of putting up the building.  Mayor Dahlen would like to know what the operating costs are for other communities, and what they charge for using the facilities.  Stephan is willing to look into this, as well as getting information from Havre and Shelby about the cost of operating.  Stephan will gather information and present it to the council at a later time. 

 

6. Sheriff’s Office Report: was provided to the council.   

 

7. New Business:

 

 

1. Approval Resolution #05-2024 A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING A FUNDING PRIORITY LIST FOR STATE-LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERSHIP ACT TO THE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Sonja Dahlen made a motion to approve resolution #05-2024. Rachel Ghekiere seconded the motion.  Motion passed with all voting ayes. 

 

2. Operator Application(s): Discussion and recommendations: The town received 3 applications.  The administrative committee met and narrowed it down to one applicant and interviewed them on March 11, 2024.  The committee recommended to the council that they hire Dan Davis for the position.  He has his CDL, with hazmat, and is very skilled with machinery and equipment as well as bringing years of experience.   Discussion about current starting wage which is $17/hr without any licenses or CDL.  Years of experience and skills puts Dan years ahead of someone coming in without these.  Mayor Dahlen suggested a starting wage of $22/hr.  He would be able to get the $.50/license as he obtains each license.  The administrative committee was impressed with his interview, he is ready to start studying. Scott Decker made the motion to offer Dan Davis the position of Operator, with a starting wage of $22/hr.  Jim Sivils seconded the motion.  Motion passed with all voting ayes. 

 

8. Old Business:

 

1. Temporary/Seasonal Employment Wages: Discussion about wages, raise starting lifeguards to $12.00/hr., and to give all returning lifeguards a $.50/hr. raise, (first year returning lifeguards would be at $12.50/hr.).  It was discussed to keep the pool manager at $16.00/hr. and to set the landfill attendant wage at $12.50/hr.  Summer help would still be dependent on experience $12-$13/hr., with a $.50 raise if returning.  There is currently one application for summer help right now, Scott Marshall.  He would only like to do 2.5-3 days a week.  The position hasn’t been advertised yet.  Ashley will advertise for all positions.  Jim Sivils made the motion to set starting lifeguard wages at $12.00/hr., and to give all returning lifeguards $.50/hr. raise, to keep the pool manager at $16.00/hr., set landfill attendant at $12.50/hr. and to advertise summer help at $12-$13/hr. DOE and set wage once receive applications.  Tina Neer seconded the motion.  Motion passed with all voting ayes.   

 

9. Mayor Report/ Additional Agenda Items:

 

1. Mayor Dahlen inquired about the fence at the Water Treatment Plant. Terry stated that the crew is still working on it and will work to get it finished.  Discussion about security and if the east side will hold the fence.  Terry will look at it. 
2. Mayor Dahlen talked to John Kliensasser, former PWD, about the filter media. He thought that it was replaced between 1998 – 2000.  Lakeside construction was hired to clean it out, and the football team helped put it back in.  He said that rural water can do a filter media test to know how good it is.  John also said that the valve between the two ponds is quite a way down and he doesn’t feel like it would be worth fixing it.  Discussion, the valve is what is needed to be able to utilize both ponds.  Scott Decker suggested trying to exercise the valve.  Terry Tyler feels that being able to use both ponds will be good, it will take some time to learn how to maintain both ponds.  Terry has spoken with the engineers, and they spoke with DEQ about the filter media.  It will need to be engineered and the timeline for approval is at least 60 days and more likely 100 days.  It will not be able to be completed before the busy time but completed in the fall early winter.  Jim Sivils and Scott Decker both think doing the core sample would give us a good starting point, and possibly help speed things up with DEQ.  Terry will look into this.  
3. Mayor Dahlen asked Ashley about the land paperwork. Ashley will talk to Bill Hunt about this. 

 

10. PWD update: Terry Tyler updated the council that two representatives from Amtrak were here to prepare to get the train cars out of the landfill.  They won’t start until sometime in April and have figured the cost of having to have the landfill open on the weekend and repairing any damages to the landfill into their bid.  Once the weather warms up, he will start cleaning streets and preparing to crack seal and pave patch.  MET will be back in the morning to work on the scada system. 

 

11. Clerk update: Ashley updated the council on the two audit findings.  There will need to be a budget amendment meeting.  Ashley may be gone for the scheduled June meeting, if so, she would like to move the meeting to the next week.  There will be a preconstruction meeting on 4/1 @ 11:00 at the Town office.        

 

12. Council: Garrett Graff asked if the valve at the water plant could fail, and if so should there be a back up plan before testing it.  Yes, it could.  They will need to drain the north pond first so that if it breaks or opens there wouldn’t be any water going into the south pond.  Scott Decker asked about the meters at the park.  Putting them back in would allow for a better measure of water loss, and if sprinklers need to be replaced.  Asked about lead line inventory was going.  Ashley reported that it is getting close to being completed.  Scott Decker asked if the fire hydrants were going to be flushed and if we could notify people.  Ashley said she could put something on the bills, and also on Facebook and the website ahead of time.    

 

13. Rachel Ghekiere made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Tina Neer seconded the motion.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 pm.

 

 

 

Submitted by_______________________     Approved by_________________________                                                     Clerk                                                           Mayor