ST. IGNATIUS — After taking community input and two meetings of debate, the St. Ignatius City Council decided at its July 7 meeting to split the $20,136 in federal stimulus funds between paving streets near the town’s schools and putting in a pedestrian path in Taelman Park.

The unanimously approved motion serves to use the money for necessity and practical street improvements, as well as providing another venue of public activity and recreation for years to come in the park upgrade. The designated amounts include $13,000 to the street project and $7,136 towards the path.

At the city’s June 30 public hearing, the council chose to receive the federal dollars allocated for local infrastructure projects after turning down a motion to refuse the funding. The debate over whether to accept the stimulus began at the council’s June 2 meeting when the town was briefed on the amount of funds allocated to the city and council member Rod Arlint spoke out in adamant opposition to the stimulus funds calling the federal Recovery Act system “irresponsible” and “not the right solution to encourage economic growth.”

Arlint made a motion to refuse the funds, which was seconded by another council member and supported by Mayor Charles Gariepy, while council member Marine Johnson held out. The motion was tabled and put up for public comment at the following hearing.

Comments from concerned citizens in attendance at the hearing were overwhelming for accepting the stimulus dollars based on the understanding that all United States citizens would be paying back the money through their taxes regardless, and if refused the funding would simply go to another town where it would be spent.

The city’s original proposal for the funding was aimed at spending $12,000 toward paving two, as of then unnamed, city blocks — bringing the total of city grid blocks paved in 2009 to five; $7,560 on a pedestrian path in Taelman Park and $1,709 to install a fence and paint bleachers at the “Blue” ballfield. The final decision by the council prioritized that the school area’s streets finally be paved and ensured a quality, low-maintenance pedestrian path for use at the park.

In other city business the council decided to borrow approximately $100,000 from the State Revolving Fund over 20 years and use town water resources for approximately $53,000 to make up the $153,000 in funding still needed for the city’s water improvement project. Project Consultant Fred Phillips helped the council review funding options for the $506,000 project that had already received a $100,000 Department of Natural Resources grant and $253,000 in Treasure State Endowment Program grants.

Before the TSEP funding can be provided, the town must complete specific start-up requirements, including — most importantly — obtaining a firm commitment for all of the funding needed to complete the project. Council members unanimously deemed their decision to be the most cost effective plan.

The water project is proposed to begin construction in summer 2010, with the aim to would install a new well including a pump house, emergency generator and connection to the distribution system. Additionally, the project includes a complete leak detection survey be conducted as well as distribution system improvements including a second water main crossing on Mission Creek, a new water main for Mountain View Drive and replacement of a four-inch main on Home Addition.

 All start up conditions for the grant funding must be met by Dec. 31, 2012 or the grant will automatically be terminated.

The council’s next regular meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Aug. 4 at city hall.

Council seat open for interim

• Council member Amy Miller resigned from the board on June 24 and the city is now looking for individuals interested in taking her seat for an interim time period through the 2009 election. Anyone who wishes to do so should send Mayor Charles Gariepy a letter of interest at city hall, located at 12 1st Street in St. Ignatius.