Commission approves support for dock variance
Berl Tiskus
Polson City Engineer Shari Johnson points out the additional two feet on each side of the City Dock for which she asked commissioners for a letter of support.
Berl Tiskus
Emily Gillespie, Public Water Supply and Subdivisions Bureau, spoke to the commissioners about the process of drilling wells.
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
POLSON — During the Nov. 18 meeting of the Polson City Commission, Polson City Engineer Shari Johnson asked the Commission to approve a letter of support for a city dock variance request to Shoreline Protection.
“We are ahead of schedule and under budget,” Johnson said, adding that she hopes she can always make that statement to the commissioners.
The city dock’s constructed width is eight feet, Johnson said, but Shoreline Protection would like to make it 10 feet, by adding metal gridding with traction and railings. The grating would provide traction for fishermen during icy conditions. It grating would also not allow swimmers to climb or hang from the pilings braces, a safety hazard.
The commission approved the letter of support unanimously.
Emily Gillespie, Public Water Supply and Subdivisions Bureau, spoke to the commissioner about the process of drilling wells.
Her department’s objectives are to maintain a database of water quality results, inspect all public water supplies and provide engineering plan review or changes to public use water or wastewater. A community like Polson has its water system checked every three years.
“Thanks for taking pride in your water system,” Gillespie told the commissioners. “It’s immaculately maintained as much as I’ve seen so far.”
Commissioners also approved Resolution No. 1052 to annex Gary and Becky Dupuis’ residence, 1511 Hillcrest, into the city.
They also approved the audit prepared by Ronald Paul Foltz, CPA.
Rather than contracting with Foltz for three more years, the commissioners tabled the item and will ask for request for proposals from businesses that would like to audit the city.
During city manager comments, Mark Shrives reported on progress in the suit filed by Citizens for Open Government, Inc. questioning the City’s hiring processes for the city management position.
The city’s insurance carrier, Montana Municipal Insurance Authority, assigned the case to a Missoula law firm, William L. Crowley, Tracy Neighbor Johnson and Boone Karlberg, P.C.
Neighbor has filed a motion to dismiss the suit and just received a brief from opposing counsel.
Shrives also noted that Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance premiums for the City will not increase by 3.5 percent in January as previously announced; the rates will remain in place until policy renewal on July 1, 2014.
The next city council meeting will be Monday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. at Polson City Hall.
