Sunny Meadows Missoula County Water and Sewer District
Meeting Minutes
August 28th, 2025 06:00 PM at East Missoula Fire Department
Roll Call: Cyndie Wichell, Meggan Quigley, Michael Bushey, Dusty Deschamps, Paula Niccum.
Also attending were Amy Deitchler, Barb Powell, Tami Quinn and Luke Anders.
Approval of Minutes: Dusty made a motion to approve the draft minutes as posted on the website. Cyndie seconded. The motion carried and the minutes were approved.
Financial Information: No reports received from the county until the last minute, financial reports tabled until next meeting.
Public Input: Barb Powell came to inquire about the new billing statements. Some members are not seeing their statements in their email. We explained that all water system users could request mailed statements if preferred.
Old Business:
Project Update- Amy Deitchler, the Great West Engineer on our project came to our meeting after doing some research at the well building to determine why our alarm system is working inconsistently. She did some testing and stated that the problem is not hydraulics, she suspects an electrical or pump problem. She took photos of the identifying information labels on all of the equipment and will be contacting the manufacturers and installers.
Amy said that tank diving and inspection could solve testing issues at the tank and ARPA funds could be used to pay for it.
Amy also stated that the Planning Grant Cycle for PERS (Preliminary Engineering Report) is upcoming. The report can prepare us to be eligible for available grants if anything is needed for the system. The report would inspect the entire system. The preliminary report can be done by Great West Engineering at no charge.
Telemetry Bid: The board has two bids for replacing our unsupported telemetry system and will be researching a third. Amy recommended that we wait for a decision on telemetry until after the problem with the alarm system is solved.
Irrigation of well lot property bids: Amy suggested this should also be put on hold until the alarm system is resolved.
ARPA Compliance Review: Conflict of interest language needs to be added to our by laws and job descriptions as part of our review and update of ordinances and by-laws.
DNRC Water Right Hookup Allowance: The board received notice from DNRC subsequent to our meeting with them that stated the water use for the district was below our allowed water rights.
Rate Increase: The board is looking at our financial state and the possibility of a rate increase. The rates have not changed since 2010. Research and discussion continues.
Sewer Line and manhole cleaning and inspection: The board is looking to complete the sewer system clean out and video inspection that was started in November of 2020. This is to include manhole work on the Reigard property at 4400 Edgewood. Tami will be reaching out to contract the work next week.
Sewer Lot, Well lot and Booster Station Mowing: Tami worked with Jeff Skelton and he mowed the Booster Station, Sewer lot and Well lot. He agreed to continue to do our mowing on all 3 lots.
Update of Ordinances and By-Laws: The board will continue to research what needs to be updated on our Ordinances and By-laws.
New Business:
Hookup Question: Luke Anderson, 4200 Old Marshall Grade came to ask if it was possible to add another hookup for an ADU on his property at the top of the hill. His residence is not subject to the covenants of our subdivision. We shared what we had just learned from the DNRC.
New Operator & System Manager SOW and Contract: Dusty has met with Tami and is working on the contract.
Updated and revised Bookkeeper/Meter Reader Contract: Meggan is working on this and the board will discuss and approve.
Review and equipment check on households with low water consumption: Cyndie, Tami and Robbie will work on this.
Curb Stop Maintenance Video: The board received a suggestion to put a curbstom maintenance video on the website. Michael is researching what is already available and will report to the board.
Tami brought an “introduction to the new Water System Operator & Manager” letter to the meeting for feedback from the Board. This information should also be posted on the site. Paula will contact Mike Lilley about publishing the information to the site.
Adjournment:
- …
- District Website: http://www.sunnymeadowswater.com/
- Respectfully submitted by Paula Niccum
