A Public Hearing for Sunny Meadows Missoula County Water and Sewer District
Bonner School Library
October 5, 2006
Board Members Present: Bill Engelstad , Mike Huber, Mike Lilley, Tom Walter, and Cyndie Winchell
Guests: Kevin Cook, Tony Niccum, Paula Niccum, and clerk/secretary, Joan Kuehn
President Mike Lilley called the hearing to order at 7:30 P.M.
Tonight was the second reading of three proposed ordinances.
1. Water Use Ordinance: Joan read aloud
2. Water Rate Ordinance: Joan read aloud
3. Sewer Use Ordinance: Mike read aloud
4. Each ordinance must have three readings and a public vote.
5. Tony and Paula Niccum came wellprepared with questions and suggestions for edit changes including:
a) Article II, Section 4
i) add “from the district” to explain who issues the written permit
b) The billing cycle has 4 and 5week months that were explained as unavoidable.
c) Many typographical errors such as Artcle II, Section 8, “of” vs. “or” were noted and already contained in a list
for revision from the August meeting.
d) Ordinance 2, Article II, Section 8
i) The reconnect wording seems “hard and cold” to Tony with no accommodation for a payment system.
(1) By the time this ever happens to a homeowner, there have been three (3) notices of nonpayment. The
first is a gentle reminder. Board members assured that within the first 90day window, there is room to
work with homeowners.
e) Section 10
i) Discussion about the wording upon receipt vs. postmarked was considered. Receipt will be defined as the
date of postmarking, just as April taxes are counted.
f) Ordinance 3, Section 1, item d
i) This was a cut and paste typo to be stricken.
g) Article IV, Section 1
i) Call it a water and sewer district.
6. Bill announced the the SMHOA drainfield has a 6000 gallon tank that was pumped two years ago and will be again
this spring. Sweet Pea was contracted last time. There was an eighteeninch crust then. In the spring, a water truck
to clean and flush the pump and all sediment out will be arranged.
7. WE have two drain fields with only one side working right now. It is supposed to switch over. Tony sat with an
electrician about ten years ago. The system was broken then.
8. Bill repaired one pump. The pump was phase three, but it required a converter. Tony will look for the switch with
Bill.
9. Paula noted that I Ordinance #2, a complete sentence would improve reading the document. Wording about post-
marked dates and past due being 30 days from the date of the statement were adjusted.
10. Lengthy discussion between Tony, Paula, Mike, Tom and Bill examined reading meters on a specific day, 6 extra
days being potentially added to some month’s bill, the adverse expenses, and the need to keep rates as low as
possible. The wording of “considered past due on the 25th of the next month” will change to “30 days after the date
of issue.”
11. Cyndie expressed concern that the current late fees do not act as a deterrent for a couple of habitually latepaying
families. The rate is $10. This amount may be low when factoring in Josie’s calculating time and the cost of
certified letters. There was lots of discussion about being draconian vs. habitual payers at 120 days. Following
current policy will continue. Late rates can rise to a $25 fee for repeat offenders.
12. The hope is to hold rates down for a LONG time. The board can raise rates up to 3% annually, as needed, after the
one vote for these ordinances. A simple notice is all that is required. Kevin noted the cost of $65 per hour for a
plumber may rise in the 20 years ahead. Kevin also asked if others not paying into our water district are depending
on the established fire hydrants. Rural fire would, it was thought, access water in case of fire in an emergency.
13. There are ten (10) water rights still outstanding. We cannot absorb these rights until there is an upgrade of the
system.
14. Tony asked about how well the water system provided for everyone this summer. There were four times it was out.
Twice were from overuse, and reinstigating watering days solved this. Twice were because of mechanical issues.
Comments came that fourhour restrictions were too challenging for homeowners using nonautomated sprinklers.
Next year odd / even days will stay in place without hourly rules.
15. Tom asked about our leakage. Statistics show our loss is a tolerable, accepted range of about 12%. The pump house
grass and fire hydrants are not metered.
16. Tom asked if wording of shall vs. should/may shut off would strengthen one passage. It was decided to not lock into
forcing shutoff in a set amount of days.
17. Cyndie asked about the district buying meters. The loan application is strengthened for conserving water and there is
a chance the district will reimburse those who paid for meters if the loans are approved.
18. The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) met and ranked applications last month. Our
letters, calls and participation in the legislative process to support this application will impact the result. Mike will
speak to the legislature sometime in January.
Mike motioned, Cyndie seconded, and the meeting adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted by Joan Kuehn
October 9th, 2006
