Chinook City Council updated on water plant upgrade
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At its March meeting the Chinook City Council approved a new water restriction ordinance, heard department reports and learned details about the expected completion date of the upgrade to the water treatment plant. Newly appointed City Clerk, Carol Floren, was named as the city’s representative to the Bear Paw Development Corporations’ Board of Directors.
Council President Robert Smith, in the absence of Mayor Keith Hanson, called the meeting to order. Council members present were Mitch Haider, Robert Smith and Clint Greytak. Council member Chris Thurman and Mayor Hanson were absent.
Council motioned and approved the minutes of its February meeting. Claims and reports were also motioned and approved. There was no public comment but a visiting Boy Scout, attending the meeting as part of a merit badge project, was recognized.
Department heads gave their reports. Police Chief Elmer Zarn said Officer Mike Schmidt would be completing his POST training (academy training) and be back on the force on March 28. The next week Chief Zarn and Officer Brandon Olson will leave for the academy—Zarn for a one-week training course and Olson to complete his multi-week POST training.
Eric Miller, at the wastewater treatment plant, said the warm weather would allow the plant to switch to its ‘summer’ mode shortly. Miller’s group has begun fabricating a new handicap accessible ramp at city hall to be installed in the spring or early summer. Jaycee Mitchell has begun her new duties at the wastewater treatment plant.
At the water treatment plant, John Blankenship said the first new ‘train,’ one of two new filtration systems, is now operational. The removal of the remaining old system should begin this coming week. Gabe Harry, who will move from city hall to the plant, has begun training on the computer control system for the new treatment systems at the plant. Matt Finley took the test to be a certified water operator and the results should be received shortly.
Old Business
Michelle Turville, with Bear Paw Development, explained Draw #6 on the Rural Development grant for completed work on the water treatment upgrade. The draw was for $280,348.81--$245,804.55 to the Jackson Construction group and $34,544.26 to Morrison Maierle for engineering work. Council motioned and approved the draw.
Turville then read an email from Jeff Ashley, the head engineer for the water treatment upgrade, explaining the anticipated completion date of the project. Despite some delays getting the first train operational, the construction group feels they can meet the original completion date. The upgrade is currently about 90% complete. The email also outlined several change orders that will be coming to the council, for consideration, at the next council meeting. No action was required the email was for informational purposes.
Under committee reports, Council member Robert Smith presented the second reading of Ordinance 524. The ordinance was requested by Montana DEQ to provide the city with a process to deal with future water restrictions from either natural causes or a major problem with the water treatment or distribution system. This was the final reading of the new ordinance. It was motioned and approved to adopt the new ordinance.
Mitch Haider, council member, explained a request to place a lightning detection system on city property. The request came from UBIMET, a weather forecasting and information service, that provides weather information to various agencies, private businesses and other groups. Haider explained there would be no cost to the city and the information would be provided to local emergency services free of charge. No action was required.
Michelle Turville said the city was still holding final payment on the sidewalk project until the contractor could finish the work. She was hopeful that could be done as soon as the weather allows. She also reported the final housing project report (including Harlem and Malta) was completed and would be presented at a final public hearing in each town.
New Business
Council motioned and approved Resolution #793. The resolution directed the deposit of a payment from Blaine County for the county’s portion of the operation and maintenance costs of the Fire Hall to be deposited into the general fund of the city.
With Gabe Harry’s leaving the City Clerk’s position, council approved the appointment of new City Clerk Carol Floren to the board of directors for Bear Paw Development. The appointment was motioned and approved.
Because of a conflict of interest, the City Attorney asked to be removed from an upcoming case in City Court. Council motioned and approved Resolution # 794 to retain Dan O’Brien, the City Attorney from Malta, to handle that one case for the city of Chinook.
Meeting was adjourned.
