Polson Commission votes not to buy Meridian building
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
POLSON — The issue of where to locate the new sewage treatment plant has been simmering in Polson for at least a year. During the April 5 Polson City Commission meeting the commissioners settled one portion of the issue when they voted against purchasing the Meridian building on Kerr Dam Road for use as a sewage treatment plant.
Commissioner John Campbell said, “Mr. Maddy deserves an answer.”
“Tonight’s the night,” Campbell continued.
The building purchase was voted down after lots of discussion on an agenda item requesting a workshop on the sewage treatment plant.
Tim McGinnis, a local realtor and president of the Riverside Terraces Homeowners Association, asked that the workshop item be placed on the agenda. McGinnis said the location of the sewage treatment plant is a big issue and will “stay with us a long time.”
McGinnis also brought up the prime location of the 33 or 34 acres of land where the sewage lagoons are located.
After pros, cons and what-could-it-hurts, Commissioner Ron Boyce made a motion to schedule a workshop. However, the motion was voted down.
A public hearing on the North Lake County Public Library District was held before the 7:30 meeting. Later in the meeting the commissioners passed Resolution #1008, a memorandum of understanding consolidating the existing public library into a public library district.
The Polson City Library will be running a mail-in levy from July 8 to July 27 to form a library district with equitable and sustainable funding.
Scott Anderson from Anderson-Montgomery Consulting Engineers also presented a preliminary engineering report on the City of Polson water supply, storage and distribution system before the meeting officially began at approximately 7:35.
In other business the commissioners voted to:
• Donate two 2011 season golf passes to Rotary as a prize for their Festival for Youth event
• Approve Ken Avison as a member of the Polson Redevelopment Agency
• Approve an open container permit for the Cruisin’ by the Bay Car and Bike Show on Aug. 6, 7 and 8
• Appoint George Mahoney and James Redmond as members at large on the Polson Golf Board
• Approve Resolution #1007, the City of Polson identity theft prevention program. This resolution is implementation of federally mandated regulations related to water, sewer and stormwater billing.
Mayor DeVries read City Manager Todd Crossett’s comments. Crossett reported Polson won a $198,000 Department of Environmental Quality energy efficiency grant for lighting projects and an upgrade of City Hall.
Extending thanks to Commissioner Mike Lies for his help in interviewing food and beverage manager applicants, Crossett said Susanne Tomer was hired for the position. Tomer comes to the city of Polson from the KwaTaqNuk Resort and Casino where she managed banquets and catering.
Crossett also thanked Lies for hours of work in the golf course restaurant repairing floors and attending to other maintenance needs, saving the city thousands of dollars.
Lake County commissioners Paddy Trusler and Bill Barron and Crossett held the first of many public meeting on the Skyline Drive project on March 30 at 6:30 at Linderman gym.
Crossett also said the Montana Department of Transportation was in its final selection process for a consultant for the Highway 93 Alignment Study to begin soon.
Thanking contractor Steve Jensen and Tony Porrazzo, Polson Water and Sewer Superintendent, and the city Water and Sewer crew, Crossett said the Main Street water main project came in two weeks ahead of schedule and 30 percent under budget.
The next Polson Area Fire Stakeholders Group meeting will be held April 21 at 7 p.m. at the Fairgrounds Fire Station.
Reporting on the progress of the Streetscape project, Crossett said the tentative start date is Sept. 7.
The bid package is being finalized to be let and awarded this spring.
The next Polson City Commission meeting will be held April 18 at 7 p.m. in commission chambers.
