City of Thompson Falls   

City of Thompson Falls Public Meeting March 7, 2019 @ 5:30 PM  @ the Community Center,  410 Golf Street,  Thompson Falls, MT Agenda: Sewer Project

January 17, 2019  

RE: Proposed Thompson Falls Wastewater System Improvements  

Dear Resident:  Please find enclosed Notice of Intention to Create A Wastewater Special Improvement District in the City of Thompson Falls, which includes your property.  Under this proposal, each parcel of land in the District will be assessed as outlined in the enclosed Notice of Intention. The City’s sewer system currently serves only 20% of our residents.  The other 80% use individual septic systems of which most do not comply with today’s treatment standards.  Replacement of the existing septic systems in the City is determined on a case-by-case basis, by Sanders County as space for proper wastewater treatment and disposal is limited on most lots in the City.  Currently, the county cannot guarantee a new wastewater system can be permitted and installed. The proposed Thompson Falls Wastewater System Improvements Project would generally include the following components: • Existing collection system & force main improvements • Expanding collection system to approximately 334 service connections on the west side of the north hill o Project includes abandoning existing individual septic systems and connecting individual services to the new system • Existing wastewater treatment system improvements and upgrades The current residential sewer rate is $40/month/residential connection.  The estimated rate increase would be $15/month/residential connection.  Resulting in a proposed monthly residential rate of $55.00.  This rate increase includes the cost of maintaining the system and debt services owed on the system as a result of the improvements project. Presently, grant funding for approximately 67% of the project has been secured.  The City of Thompson Falls is currently working with additional grant funding programs to reduce the financial impact to users in the Wastewater Special Improvement District and the overall cost of the project. Please contact the City of Thompson Falls with any questions at 406-827-3557 Sincerely, City of Thompson Falls

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CREATE WASTEWATER SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1, CITY OF THOMPSON FALLS, MONTANA   NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN on January 14, 2019, the City of Thompson Falls, Montana, passed Resolution No. 739, which is a resolution of intention to create City of Thompson Falls Wastewater Special Improvement District No. 1. The City proposes to create Wastewater Special Improvement District No. 1, which will generally include all lots in the City North of Highway 200 up to the northern boundary of the City limits and extending from the west end of West Preston Avenue and the west end of Haley Avenue eastward to properties adjacent to Spruce Street and including the Elementary and Junior High School as the proposed Special Improvement District. For a detailed description of the boundaries of, and the lots included in, Wastewater Special Improvement District No. 1 (the “District”) and the wastewater improvements thereto, which are generally described as construction and installing new sewer service connections to properties in the District, abandonment of existing septic systems in the District and restoration of surface disturbances caused by the foregoing (the “Improvements”) refer to the aforesaid resolution on file with the City Clerk at 108 Fulton Street, Thompson Falls, Montana.   The estimated cost of the Improvements, including all incidental costs is $870,000, which is anticipated to be paid from a District Wastewater Special Improvement District No. 1 Bond (the “Bond”).  Each parcel of land as described by map parcel number, parcel ID number (GEO Code), parcel tax ID Number, street address and legal description in Exhibit A and B of Resolution No. 739 (a “Parcel”) in the District will be assessed an equal amount based upon the total cost of the Improvements as authorized in Section 7-12-4162(3)(a) Montana Code Annotated. The estimated annual assessment for each Parcel of land for the Improvements is $300, payable over 20 years, which includes estimated average interest on the Bond plus ½ of 1%, as required by Section 7-12-4189(1)(a) Montana Code Annotated. The estimated total principal assessment per Parcel in the District is $4,531.25. As provided in Section 7-12-4162(3)(b), MCA, if an increase occurs in the number of benefited Parcels within the boundaries of the District during the term of bonded indebtedness that is payable from the assessments, the City Council shall recalculate the amount assessable to each Parcel. The City Council shall base the recalculation on the amount of the District’s outstanding bonded indebtedness for the current fiscal year and shall spread the assessments across the District based on the number of benefited Parcels within the boundaries of the District as of July 1 following the action that resulted in the increase in the number of benefited Parcels.   At any time within twenty-two (22) days from and after the date of the first publication of the notice of the passage and approval of Resolution No. 739 by the City, any owner of a Parcel within the District subject to assessment for the cost and expense of making the Improvements may make and file a written protest against the proposed Improvements, or against creation of the District or both.  Such protest must: be in writing; identify the Parcel owned by the protestor; be signed by all owners of such Parcel; and be filed with the City Clerk by 5 PM on February 8, 2019.  The City Council will, at its next regular meeting, February 11, 2019, at the City Office, at 6 PM, proceed to hear all such written protests so made and filed.  For more information, or to review a copy of Resolution No. 739, contact the Clerk at the address and phone number below.   Dated this 14th day of January, 2019. /s/ Chelsea Peterson City Clerk/Treasurer 108 Fulton Street P.O. Box 99 Thompson Falls, Montana 59873 (406) 827-3557  Publish January 17, 2019 and January 24, 2019

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CREATE WASTEWATER SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 2, CITY OF THOMPSON FALLS, MONTANA   NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN on January 14, 2019, the City of Thompson Falls, Montana, passed Resolution No. 740, which is a resolution of intention to create City of Thompson Falls Wastewater Special Improvement District No. 2. The City proposes to create Wastewater Special Improvement District No. 2, which will generally include all lots in the City North of Highway 200 and non-school properties adjacent to Columbia Street, extending eastward to properties adjacent to North Grove Street as the proposed Special Improvement District. For a detailed description of the boundaries of, and the lots included in, Wastewater Special Improvement District No. 2 (the “District”) and the wastewater improvements thereto, which are generally described as construction and installing new sewer service connections to properties in the District, abandonment of existing septic systems in the District and restoration of surface disturbances caused by the foregoing (the “Improvements”) refer to the aforesaid resolution on file with the City Clerk at 108 Fulton Street, Thompson Falls, Montana.   The estimated cost of the Improvements, including all incidental costs is $688,000, which is anticipated to be paid from a District Wastewater Special Improvement District No. 2 Bond (the “Bond”).  Each Parcel of land as described by map parcel number, parcel ID number (GEO Code), parcel tax ID Number street address and legal description in Exhibit A and B of Resolution No. 740 (a “Parcel”) in the District will be assessed an equal amount based upon the total cost of the Improvements as authorized in Section 7-12-4162(3)(a) Montana Code Annotated. The estimated annual assessment for each Parcel of land for the Improvements is $316, payable over 20 years, which includes estimated average interest on the Bond plus ½ of 1%, as required by Section 7-12-4189(1)(a) Montana Code Annotated. The estimated total principal assessment per Parcel in the District is $4,777.78. As provided in Section 7-12-4162(3)(b), MCA, if an increase occurs in the number of benefited Parcels within the boundaries of the District during the term of bonded indebtedness that is payable from the assessments, the City Council shall recalculate the amount assessable to each Parcel. The City Council shall base the recalculation on the amount of the District’s outstanding bonded indebtedness for the current fiscal year and shall spread the assessments across the District based on the number of benefited Parcels within the boundaries of the District as of July 1 following the action that resulted in the increase in the number of benefited Parcels.   At any time within twenty-two (22) days from and after the date of the first publication of the notice of the passage and approval of Resolution No. 740 by the City, any owner of a Parcel within the District subject to assessment for the cost and expense of making the Improvements may make and file a written protest against the proposed Improvements, or against creation of the District or both.  Such protest must: be in writing; identify the Parcel owned by the protestor; be signed by all owners of such Parcel; and be filed with the City Clerk by 5 PM on February 8, 2019.  The City Council will, at its next regular meeting, February 11, 2019, at the City Office, at 6 PM, proceed to hear all such written protests so made and filed.  For more information, or to review a copy of Resolution No. 740, contact the Clerk at the address and phone number below.   Dated this 14th day of January, 2019. /s/ Chelsea Peterson City Clerk/Treasurer 108 Fulton Street P.O. Box 99 Thompson Falls, Montana 59873 (406) 827-3557  Publish January 17, 2019 and January 24, 2019

Montana Code Annotated 2017   TITLE 7. LOCAL GOVERNMENT   CHAPTER 12. IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS   Part 41. Special Improvement Districts   Sufficient Protest To Bar Proceedings -- Exceptions     7-12-4113. Sufficient protest to bar proceedings -- exceptions. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3), no further proceedings shall be taken for a period of 6 months from the date when said protest shall have been received by said clerk of the city or town council or commission when:   (a) the council or commission finds that such protest is made by the owners of property in the district to be assessed for more than 50% of the cost of the proposed work, in accordance with the method or methods of assessment described in the resolution of intention; or   (b) the cost thereof is to be assessed upon the property within an extended district and the council or commission finds that such protest is made by the owners of more than 50% of the area of the property to be assessed for said improvements.   (2) The council or commission shall have the right to overrule any and all objections and pave the proposed block with gravel and oil surface when the improvement proposed is the paving, with necessary incidentals, of not more than one cross block to connect with streets or avenues already paved for a continuous distance of three blocks or more running at a right angle (or substantially so) with the single cross block so proposed to be paved.   (3) In case the improvement is the construction of a sanitary sewer, such protest may be overruled by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the council or commission unless such protest is made by the owners of property in the district to be assessed for more than 75% of the cost of the district, in accordance with the methods of assessment described in the resolution of intention, in which event the protest must be sustained as to the construction of such sanitary sewer.     History: En. Sec. 5, Ch. 89, L. 1913; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 142, L. 1915; re-en. Sec. 5229, R.C.M. 1921; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 135, L. 1923; re-en. Sec. 5229, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 36, L. 1939; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 149, L. 1969; R.C.M. 1947, 11-2206(part); amd. Sec. 32, Ch. 665, L. 1985.

THOMPSON FALLS WASTEWATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT PUBLIC MEETING (PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE) The City of Thompson Falls would like to invite you to attend a public meeting to discuss the Wastewater System Improvements project for the City of Thompson Falls and the proposed impacts to the system users.   The City’s sewer system currently serves only 20% of our residents.  The other 80% use individual septic systems.  Most of these do not comply with today’s treatment standards and many are beginning to fail and threaten public health.  Replacement of the existing septic systems in the City is determined on a case-by-case basis, by Sanders County as space for proper wastewater treatment and disposal is limited on most lots in the City.  Currently, the county cannot guarantee a new wastewater system can be permitted and installed.   The proposed project will include existing sewer system improvements, existing treatment improvements and adding an additional 334 users to the wastewater system (Phase 1 & 2 from the Preliminary Engineering Report April 2018).  The estimated cost for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the 4-phased project is $14.9 million.  In September 2018, USDA Rural Development committed to the City a $9.1 million grant and a $4.8 million loan.  The City’s applications for TSEP and RRGL grants have ranked well and grant funding is anticipated through these two programs. The City is currently working with other grant programs to reduce project costs and the associated user rates to low-income residents who currently do not have City sewer service.  Your attendance is encouraged to assist in receiving additional project funds.   The existing sewer system is a barrier to residential and commercial growth in the City.  Once completed, the project will enhance public safety and allow for inner City development, growth and property value.    This meeting provides an opportunity for you to gain information about the project and to voice suggestions and concerns.  You will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments.    WHEN: 6:00 P.M. Monday January 7th WHERE: Thompson Falls Community Center 410 Golf Street Thompson Falls, MT  WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!