Commission Minutes
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021
9:30 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Chairman; Steve Baldwin, Kevin Braun, Members; Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
9:30 AM The Pledge of Allegiance was held in the Commissioner’s Office to start off the week. PUBLIC COMMENT –AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS
No one appeared for public comment.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to approve the minutes from February 8-12, 2021, as presented. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3
Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the executive minutes from February 1, 2021, as presented. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none.
2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Abstain (Commissioner Rost). The motion carried.
10:00 AM Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Alba Higgins, Shop Foreman joined the meeting.
Shop Updates- The Road Crew was able to get caught up on quite a bit of Shop maintenance while the weather was so cold. The truck that has been having issues is still in the Shop. Alba believes that there is something in the programming that is not working correctly. They are planning to bring it to Billings to move forward. It can be used in the meantime.
Road Updates- The Pennell Road is in tough shape due to all the traffic. Bobby explained that they will be able to work on the crown of the road once the frost is gone.
10:13 AM Alba left the meeting.
10:15 AM Bobby left the meeting.
10:30 AM Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering joined the meeting.
Project Updates- Shannon has started putting together updates on how to address the letters to the
Governor’s Office explaining the impacts of the permitting struggles throughout the State of Montana.
10:32 AM Mary Grube, Assistant Planner joined the meeting.
The bullet points were discussed, including the requirements that are needed to open an open cut mine for gravel. The Commission would like to eventually see less stringent requirements for gravel pits. Permits are also extremely expensive for each project, causing large burden on the taxpayers. Permitting issues were discussed in great detail. Shannon is planning to be able to have the Commission send the letter out next week.
10:57 AM Julie Straub, HRM joined the meeting.
10:58 AM Shannon and Mary left the meeting.
Permission to Recall Seasonal Employees- Julie would like to ask permission to recall Konner Flint and Katelynn Afrank for the Golf Course as seasonal employees. She also asked that Chanse Hoenke be recalled to the Cemetery, Madison Moore to the Weed Department and Logan Graham, Riley Schultz, Sophia Dulin and Floyd Ehret to the Fairgrounds.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to recall Konner Flint and Katelynn Afrank for the Golf Course Seasonal Employees, Chanse Hoenke as the Cemetery Seasonal Employee, Madison Moore as a Weed Control Seasonal Employee and Logan Graham, Riley Schultz, Sophia Dulin and Floyd Ehret for the Fairgrounds Seasonal Employees. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
11:07 AM Julie left the meeting.
11:14 AM Julie Straub, HRM; Stacey Moore, Director of Library Services; Sharon Huether, Library Board
Member joined the meeting.
Discussion on Hiring Library Aide- Diana Schmidt, current Library Aide, is retiring the end of March. Stacey has asked the Commission to replace her with at least a 30-hour employee once she is retired. There is an average of 580 people visiting the Library each month, even with COVID. When Stacey first started with the
County, there were four employees in the Library. The starting wage for the new Library Aide would be $16.00 an
hour.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to advertise for a 30-hour position for the Library Aide for the Library. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3
Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
11:30 AM Stacey, Julie, and Sharon left the meeting.
11:50 AM Commissioner Braun made the motion to take a noon recess. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
NOON RECESS – FALLON COUNTY HEALTH BOARD MEETING
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Chairman; Steve Baldwin, Kevin Braun, Members; Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
PUBLIC COMMENT –AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS
No one appeared for public comment.
1:17 PM Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney joined the meeting.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to re-instate Dr. Darryl Espeland for the Public Health Officer, until March 8th, 2021, effective as of January 14th, 2021. It will be put onto the agenda next week for further discussion. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
1:30 PM Steve Zachmann, City Mayor; Kevin Dukart, City Clerk joined the meeting.
Agreement for the Funding of the City of Baker/Montana Avenue Watermain Replacement Project- The Commission reviewed the agreement for the loan of the Montana Avenue Watermain Replacement Project and had a question on the loan funding section of the agreement, specifically how the funds are drawn upon. Commissioner Rost explained that if when each pay application was received, that is when the County pays for that portion of the project, rather than a lump sum. The City will receive the pay application and then bring it to the County for it to be put into the County claims. The grant money that the City is receiving will be put into the project before the County funds will be utilized. The County will have these funds available to the City but they will be kept in a County fund until they are needed.
1:42 PM Rich Batterman, City Attorney joined the meeting.
The funds will be put into the City accounts as needed or drawn upon. The contractor is fine with the delay of payments. The County would keep any accrued interest. Rich will send the agreement to Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney, once it is completed and will be put on the agenda for Commission signatures.
1:54 PM Steve, Kevin and Rich left the meeting.
2:30 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to go into executive session. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
2:52 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to come out of executive session. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
2:54 PM Shyla Hadley, Fairgrounds Manager joined the meeting.
2:55 PM Darcy left the meeting.
Rodeo Purse Money- The Fair Board is requesting purse money for both the Fallon County Fair and the High School Rodeo. They are looking to approve the Extreme Broncs $25,000 added purse, as was done in the past. They would like to ask for $12,500 per event for the Fair to be more competitive with other rodeos. There will be a Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday afternoon performance during the Fair. Shyla explained that it is not uncommon for other counties to add funds to the purse.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to accept adding $12,500 per event for the Fair PRCA Rodeo performances and an additional $20,000 added for the High School Rodeo Extreme Broncs performance. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being Commissioner Rost asked if the quality of riders will add to attendance, in which Shyla hopes that it will help for the public to be attending more of the events. The surrounding areas have been very complimentary of the rodeos that the County is holding. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0
Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
3:20 PM Shyla left the meeting.
3:21 PM Robbie Christiaens, Outside Maintenance Supervisor; Brandi and Mike Griffith, Baker Baseball
Association Members joined the meeting.
Baker Baseball Association- Mike explained that on behalf of the Baker Baseball Association, they would like to use the County fields again this year. The concession stands have been working well for the Association. They are planning to speak with the City Council tomorrow night. The Commission agreed.
3:36 PM Robbie, Brandi and Mike left the meeting.
The Commission reviewed and approved the claims for Mid-Month February 2021 in the amount of
$138,925.28. They are filed in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Commission reviewed, revenues received, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and agendas. The Resolution calling for the Plevna Rural Fire Trustee Election was signed. The Commission discussed changing the deadline to add to the agenda to 1 PM on Fridays instead of 5 PM. This will be decided on during next week’s meeting. A patron has asked Commissioner Rost about changing the County leases to be 5-year leases, rather than 3. The Commission would like to leave them at 3-year leases.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to distribute the alcohol tax funds evenly through both the Eastern Montana Mental Health and the Prairie Hills Recovery. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to keep the County leases set at 3-years. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to adopt Resolution #1055 – Resolution Calling for a Trustee Election for the Plevna Rural Fire District. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to adopt Resolution #1056 – Resolution Calling for a Trustee Election for the Baker Fire District. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to adopt Resolution #1057 – Resolution Requesting Distribution of
Bridge and Road Safety and Accountability Program Funds. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion.
Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
4:30 PM Dale Butori, DES/911 Coordinator joined the meeting.
Mask Mandate- The Commission would like to follow Governor Gianforte’s directive regarding face coverings. A memo will be sent out to the employees of Fallon County that they are no longer required to wear face coverings at the County work location, as well as patrons that enter County buildings. The sanitizer and mask tables will be left out for people to use as needed.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to accept the current Governor’s recommendations regarding the face coverings for Fallon County employees and patrons. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 1 Nay (Commissioner Baldwin). The motion carried.
4:37 PM Dale left the meeting.
4:50 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
s/Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Clerk
ATTEST:
s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
s/Roy Rost, Presiding Officer
