Meredy Phares sworn in at Chinook City Council July meeting

During the regular monthly meeting of the Chinook City Council, Mayor Keith Hanson swore in Meredy Phares to fill a vacant city council seat. Council approved the final payment for the downtown sidewalk project work as well as what will be some of the last payments on the water treatment plant upgrade. A fire ordinance revision was considered during first reading. Council heard concerns from citizens about cats damaging yards and flower beds and received a request for a four-way stop sign at the corner of Ohio and 4th Streets.

The Chinook City Council met on July 14 for its regular monthly meeting. Mayor Keith Hanson called the meeting to order. Council members present were Mitch Haider, Robert Smith and Clint Greytak. New council member Meredy Phares was sworn in by the mayor.

Council motioned and approved accepting minutes as presented for a special meeting on June 22 and the regular meeting held June 8. The monthly claims and reports were approved by a motion of the council. A motion was also approved to pay three separate invoices for expenditures from the fire department. There was no comment during the public comment period.

Department reports. Kraig Hansen, Fire Chief, said the department was thankful for the rain which has minimized wildland fires. The new lightning detector equipment is installed on the north end of the fire hall and data will be available to local agencies once the equipment is working.

Jim Teel, streets and buildings, reported his crew has been busy keeping up with effects of a wet summer and trying to patch street cracks. Eric Miller, at the wastewater treatment plant, said routine summer maintenance was in progress and things were going well at the plant. Police Chief Elmer Zarn said Brandon Olson had completed his POST training at the academy and was back on duty. Chief attended a demonstration on the proposed crime reporting system that is being considered by the Sheriff's department and the city police department.

Committee reports. Council member Robert Smith reported that the ordinance review committee would be bringing a recommended fire ordinance revision during the current meeting. Councilman Haider said new signs directing where types of refuse should be taken were up at the transfer site.

Old Business

Council took actions that will soon bring the water treatment plant upgrade project to a close. Council motioned and approved Draw #10 for $21,022,23 from the Rural Development Grant. This was for engineering fees to complete as built drawings and post-construction items. Council also motioned and approved Change Order #9 for $76,107.00 for the treatment plant. That amount was for chlorination equipment, security fencing and a water flow meter.

The downtown sidewalk project is basically completed. The final walk through items are completed and all that remains are a couple of items having to do with paperwork requirements. Anticipating the completion documentation will be received before the next council meeting, the council motioned and approved Payout #3 for the CTEP Sidewalk Project.

Last council meeting there was a discussion of how donations could be made to the city pool. Councilman Haider is to get with the group that oversees the maintenance of the pool grounds and develop a list of items or services that could be donated around the pool area in honor or memory of someone.

New Business

Mayor announced there were continued complaints from residents about cats making messes in yards and flower beds. Mayor invited residents to the meeting to express their concerns and asked each presenter to keep their comments under two minutes. After hearing the concerns, mayor introduced Dan Friede who shared some things land owners could do to keep any animals off their property. His recommendation was to use an ultrasound device, easily available, that emits a sound that drives animals away from an area.

Angie Billmayer, representing the parents and board at Kid's Korner, Inc., asked the council to consider installing a four-way stop sign at the corner of Ohio and 4th Streets. She noted there is a lot of traffic at the corner as parents are letting off and picking up children at the daycare, church activities at the two churches on the corner, school traffic from the high school and traffic related to the courthouse and businesses on Ohio. Mark Harshman, City Attorney, will check to see what the legal requirement is for changing traffic patterns, then the council will consider the request in light of the required procedure.

City Ordinance 510 has to do with how far the arrest authority of city police extends beyond the city limits. The Blaine County Sheriff had raised concerns about the effects of the ordinance during the last council meeting. Mayor assigned the ordinance to the council committee that is reviewing and revising city ordinances.

Councilman Smith explained the background on a proposed change to the city's fire ordinance. The revision committee, with input from the city attorney, was proposing a change that would bring the city ordinance into compliance with the requirements of the Montana Code Annotated. He then read the ordinance for the first reading, required as a part of the process to change a city ordinance. Council motioned and approved that the proposed ordinance be posted (made available to the public to read) and have a second reading at the August council meeting.

Council motioned and approved a draw to close out a TSEP planning grant. This planning grant was for engineering work to assess the city's water distribution system. The draw basically reimburses the city for monies expended.

Blaine County is in the process of revising their flood plain ordinance. The engineering firm gave Harlem and Chinook the opportunity to be a part of the study, to update their flood plain ordinance and maps, at a reduced cost. Council motioned and approved an expenditure of $1250 to be a part of the revision study regarding flood plain ordinances.

City Clerk Carol Floren asked the council to approve voiding of check #24541. She issued a check and then discovered the expenditure had been previously paid by credit card. Council motioned and approved to void the check.

There was a motion to adjourn.