Malta City Council Holds a Busy Meeting

At the Malta City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 29th, motions to accept the minutes from the last meeting, the agenda for the meeting, warrants for payment, and check claims, were seconded and passed with unanimous vote.

Mayor Demarais then opened the floor for public hearing and comment on Ordinance 456 – An Ordinance Defining Community Decay in the City of Malta; Establishing Policies and Procedures for the Abatement of Public Nuisances; Disabled or junk vehicles or junk to be in view of the public from any pubic right or way; Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof. The Mayor fielded multiple questions about what qualifies as junk and what the penalties would be.

The next Public hearing followed and was to receive comment on the annual street maintenance assessment. The 2022/2023 tax assessment for this would be $118,432.37, Clerk Lorie Bond reported. A resident of Malta, Kristina Benner, voiced her complaints about the storm water issues on her property.

The public was welcomed to share thoughts and comments of the annual street lighting assessment for the upcoming year. This was stated to be $105,826.06. When asked by Mark Knudsen, whom he should contact about a rotted light pole, Mayor Demarais responded, “Call Northwestern Energy”.

Council members, Public Works Director Jim Truelove Clerk Bond and the Mayor, were joined by Anne Boothe, Gail Mavencamp, Lorna Schumacher, Cheryl Moore, Mark Knudsen, Sean Kavanaugh, Marilyn Taylor, Mariah Marino, Tom Darrington, Park & Rec. Director Sally Wright, and Asst. Park Rec Director-Kristine Benner.

PWD Jim Truelove reported that the pumps at the Dobson Lift Station had tripped caused by a plug in the inlet line ten feet from the lift station. Blockage was the result of miscellaneous debris and multiple mop heads in the sewer line. Mayor Demarais stated this was “the first time the inlet line” had plugged to the best of his knowledge. It is estimated the lift station was built in the early 1950’s, thus making some parts obsolete.

Residents, janitors and others are strongly encouraged to use caution, the repairs are extensive and expensive. As the saying goes, “stay calm and don’t lose your head.”

PWD Truelove also stated the pool was closed for the season, new garbage cans were ordered and the sweeper is out. He was given the go-ahead to pull in the grass cans for the season. Mosquito spraying is being scaled back according to weather. Trafton Park will be congested for some time while the lift station project is on-going.

The wet well base is set and work will begin on the second level this week. According to a discussion with Bob Church of Great West Engineering, Mayor Demarais said that Church stated this is the third time in his history as an engineer that a new sewage lift station has been built without a rate increase to the customers.

Those attending the meeting shared complaints about the water pressure in their homes and wanting the city to correct the problem. Sean Kavanaugh (residing in Hillcrest), said his water is a drizzle and getting worse; Mariah Marino said due to water issues, she can only do laundry in the evenings. Water for Hillcrest comes from the Legg Well. Truelove stated that manganese in the water build up in the residential water service lines and caused a decrease in the water flow and a booster pump would increase the water pressure. It was also recommended residents could replace their service lines.

PWD Truelove stated he would flush the water mains in Hillcrest the following day to see if that would help. The Mayor stated residents could schedule a time to have their meter’s bladder cleaned out; to give the matter a bit of time to see if it helps and see if there are any improvements.

Opening up the meeting for old business, the Council was presented with Resolution 1318-Compliance Office Job Description with the requested additions. Councilperson Wiederrick moved to adopt the resolution, seconded by Councilperson Sintler, was carried with unanimous vote.

Under new business, sealed bids on surplus property were opened by Mayor Demarais, and were recorded by Clerk Lorie. Councilperson Wiederrick moved to accept the highest bid on each piece of surplus property, 2nd by Councilperson Hicks, and this, too, passed.

The Council was presented with the ordinance and resolutions from the public hearing earlier and they were voted on and passed: Ordinance 456 –an Ordinance Defining Community Decay in the City of Malta, MT; Resolution 1318 – Compliance Officer Job Description; Resolution 1319, the annual street maintenance assessment for $118,432.37; Resolution 1320 the annual street lighting assessment for $105,826.06; Resolution 1321, the annual underground assessment for $3,009.68; and Resolution 1322 the annual garbage assessment for $294,162.00.

Mayor Demarais presented the Council with Great West Engineering task order 5 for the levee accreditation feasibility study. Councilperson Rummel moved to approve this, with a second by Councilperson Hicks; motion carried. He then presented Lakeside Excavation’s Pay App #1, Councilperson Wiederrick moved to accept, Councilperson Sintler seconded, and the motion carried.

Mark Knudsen stated that in his travels, the green lawns caught his attention He stated he had driven down Central Avenue, and 42% of the properties have brown lawns; he stated that if lawns were green it might attract more people to Malta. The Council agreed; there is no way to require residents to water lawns though, he was reminded.