Sunny Meadows Missoula County Water and Sewer District Minutes 

Board of Director’s Meeting, Bonner Elementary School Library

May 1, 2008

Board Members Present: Mike Lilley, Mike Huber, Tom Walter, & Cyndie Winchell.

Also Attending: Paula Niccum, Jim Harrison, Marsha Davis, Dave Davis and secretary, Joan Kuehn

1. Roll Call

a. President, Mike Lilley, called the meeting to order at 7:07P.M. There were brief

introductions of all present. 

2. Approval of Minutes

a. Cyndie moved, Bill seconded*** and the minutes from April 3rd, 2008 were unanimously

approved.

3. Financial Report (through the end of March): Cyndie 

a. Monthly billing is on-target to date.

b. Two people are nearing a cut-off notification. As close neighbors, Cyndie and Tom will

each contact one family personally to try to resolve the payment.

c. There are meters flashing, but Shelly is giving the benefit of the doubt to the situation since

the meters seem to be old ones and will soon be replaced by the project anyway. 

d. The present total balance cash assets = $49,765.61

e. Revenue 

1. $ 71,070.88 Total revenue

2. The revenue target vs. actual is interesting to Mike L. The district is slightly

ahead of it’s revenue target being at 81% vs. 75% of the total with ¾ of the year

over. The meter collection total looks good. Bills just went out, too.

f. Expenses: Accounts Payable = $ 14,202.72 

1. $ 15.00 operating supplies 124%

2. $ 168.20 Legal Publications 105%

3. $ 134.25 heat/light/water / 74%

4. 10.71 sewer / 70%

5. 39.44 phone / 67%

6. 105.00 audit / 44%

7. 450.00 contracted services / 79%

8. 3,089.85 architect/engineering 

9. 10,190.27 construction / engineering 494% 

g. Mike H. moved / Bill seconded *** and the financial report was accepted unanimously.

4. Public Input

a. A mailing received today by homeowners (Annual Drinking Water Quality Report)

mentioned the sewer and Jim inquired if there is a date or planned time for sewer

expansion. Mike L. replied no, Brian, the water operator, put out the letter in a standard

form with that wording. Discussion about the new well was to follow next, so Jim was

patient to seek an answer to his second question.

b. Dave learned to mail in his meter statement and that he did indeed have a new meter at his

home as does 2/3 of the homeowners. The district wants to own them all now.

5. Old Business

a. EPA Well Status

1. The EPA drilled a new well about one month later than expected.

2. Fifteen feet of screen specifically designed for nearby soil is installed and the

final pump was ordered today.

3. The aquifer is prolific! It is expected to have a LONG LIFE. Testing

demonstrated 150 gallons per minute. 

4. The deeper well is planned to be in use by June 1st. Brian will do final tests and

contact DEQ.

5. It will take 2-3 weeks to cross the piping.

6. Paula was assured that it the pipe fit in about a ten-foot area, all within the current

lot.

7. Tom asked if one well is enough. Two are needed, although the new one alone is

capable of providing enough water for all domestic consumption. One of the old

wells must be abandoned to DEQ specifications. There was discussion about

current and new depths, production, and redundancy requirements. Jim felt the

state had responsibility to install 2 wells, however, board members countered with

grateful feelings to have one fully paid for and a guarantee (Mike L. has in

writing) that a second will be installed if needed. 

8. The new well is 80 feet deep and might have cost the district about $100,000.

b. Meter Replacement

1. Notification went to those eligible for a rebate. 

2. Ordinances need editing to reflect that the district owns the meters.

3. If a meter is broken, policy is needed. Discussion regarding a fair amount to

charge (last year’s average??), qualified people verses professional installation,

and liability issues lead to a plan that Mike will email ideas for the next meeting.

He will be absent. 

c. Compensation

1. Resolution 2008-10 allowed credit for water usage to the two households that

gave land use and easements to the district in order to proceed with the water

project.

2. The Morrow and Engelstad families will be issued credit for usage above the base

as long as each owns their home. 

3. Bill abstained, Cyndie moved / Mike H. seconded***, and all others passed the

resolution.

6. New Business 

a. Engineering & Project Bids

1. Mike L. provided a letter from Brian about Patterson Construction.

2. Once the project starts, it is expected to be complete in 90 days.

3. Construction will begin between June 15-July 1st.

4. A Letter for Great West naming Patterson Enterprises planned for a glass water

tank and documented qualification information and references.

5. Mike L. signed the project bid. 

6. Dave asked and was told that it is an above ground tank. 

b. TSEP Draw

1. Mike H motioned / Tom seconded***, and a reimbursement draw from TSEP was

unanimously passed for approximately $7000.

c. Bond Resolution

1. A quarter-inch-thick document was reviewed that enabled the district to accept a

$180,000 revenue bond and begin a revolving loan. $70,000 additionally is

possible to request if desperately needed.

2. Craig thinks the project can be completed within the $180,000 budget. It is

payable for 20 years at 2.75% interest. 

3. If additional moneys are added, rates for water use will increase. 

4. Mike and Joan signed the document. 

5. Bill motioned / Mike H. seconded***, and resolution 2008-11 unanimously

passed.

7. Adjournment At 9 pm, Bill E. moved, and Mike H. seconded, and the meeting was adjourned.

*** Vote taken

District website reminder: http://www.sunnymeadows.dnsalias.com/index.shtml

Respectfully submitted by Joan Kuehn, May 4, 2008