Commission Minutes
MONDAY, MARCH 22, 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 March 15-19, 2021, with corrections. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3
Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
10:00 AM Alba Higgins, Shop Foreman; Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent joined the meeting.
Shop Updates- The van that was transferred from the City to the County is now ready for employees to use. The dash has been repaired, as well as a new thermostat.
Road Updates- The Commission asked Bobby to go look at a culvert that is blocked off. Bobby will run a backhoe to it and clear it out. Discussion on an alley that is needing either gravel or scoria put onto it. The City
will take it from the County as long as there is a good base that they can get to their manhole. It was decided that
gravel will be put onto the surface.
10:19 AM Alba left the meeting.
Bobby’s pickup is needing replaced. He will get an estimate on a new pickup and the Commission plans to put his current vehicle into the fleet for County vehicles. MACRs training is next week for the Road Department. The Road Crew plans to go back to hauling the Lake sediment to the Gun Range tomorrow.
10:23 AM Bobby left the meeting.
10:28 AM Rich Menger, Sanitarian joined the meeting.
10:30 AM Kelsey left the meeting; Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder, joined the meeting to take minutes.
10:32 AM Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering joined the meeting.
Project Updates-Commissioner Rost checked into the cost of stakes for the wetlands at Baker Lake; the cost would be approximately $800. This will be for placement of netting on the south side of Baker Lake. Brosz Engineering will coordinate the plans next week with Tom, at Geum Environmental, to comply with the EPA wetlands mitigation.
Millennium Sidewalk-A change order from Kratzer Construction will be needed to update cost for the lighting of the Millennium Sidewalk Project, due to the increase in the cost of the lighting. A pre-construction meeting will be held when the project is closer to starting. Shannon is expecting it to begin around April 1st.
Parkview Drainage-The information for the Parkview drainage has been sent to SDI. Wyrick Construction has installed drainage from the drain to the Courtyard. He is working on getting the work completed in the Courtyard. They are planning to get the FMC parking lot done this week so that the remainder of the drainage can be completed. Shannon wants to go over the projects at an onsite meeting with contractors and FMC this
week.
City of Baker-The City of Baker is starting to put spigots into the buildings for the Watermain Replacement
Project. Traffic control signs will be put up as well.
Internet Issues- The Commission has been informed that Parkview, Public Health and Dietary are without internet. Commissioner Braun stated that the City standpipe is not working. The contractor had to dig this area up; in the process the fiber optics have been hit. Mid-Rivers will not be able to make it until tomorrow, as crews have already been sent out for the day. Per Commissioner request, Shannon will confirm what lines are down and will inform Chad Sutter, SDI Architects.
11:00 AM Shannon and Rich left the meeting.
11:00 AM Melissa Rost, Museum Curator joined the meeting.
Metal Building-There is now heat in the Metal Building, it just needs to be hooked up by MDU.
Museum Updates- The Montana Museum Conference was virtual this year. During the Safety Review, concerns were brought up that the lighting may need to be addressed.
Event June 12th– On June 12th, the Museum is planning to host Heritage Fest, along with the EPEDC. Melissa
has been in contact with Debbie Wyrick regarding the event insurance. There is money in the budget to cover this event. There will be music, cowboy poets, people will be arrested and put into a mock jail, etc.
Employee Help- Traci Bruha starts working in the Museum today for her seasonal employment. There have
been special requests for patrons to view the Museum on the weekends and evenings. Different groups have been showing up close to closing time at 4:00 PM. Melissa plans to ask the Commission again for extra help.
11:15 AM Melissa left the meeting.
11:15 AM Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk joined the meeting.
Mangold Softball Field Keys-The Commission will ask Robbie Christiaens, Maintenance Supervisor, to unlock the gates at the Mangold Softball Field.
Health Officer’s Monthly Payment-Decision on Health Officer-Both Dr. Carrie Haar and Dr. Brian Sullivan have agreed to be the County Health Officer. The monthly stipend will be $100.00 each for the two doctors. This month will be pro-rated for the start date of the position.
11:31 AM Kimberly and Brenda left the meeting.
11:32 AM Kelsey re-joined the meeting to take minutes.
11:45 AM Julie Post, Deputy Treasurer; Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk joined the meeting.
District Financial Reporting- After discussion with the Commission, Fire Districts, County Attorney and MACo’s attorneys, it is being requested to remove the Capital Project Fund from the Fire District budgets and keep the operating budget, as well as the Oil and Gas Accelerated Fund. This would alleviate transferring from the operating budget into the capital projects budgets, etc. All supplies and equipment could be purchased from
the operating budget. Fire Districts cannot have a bank account outside of the Treasurer’s Office because of State statute, unless it is for non-profit funds. The money in the budget would stay the same, however there will be fewer funds to decipher between. The Clerk and Recorder’s office and the Treasurer’s office would like to ask
that the monthly warrants be sent one week within their board meetings, as the Treasurer’s office needs to have all the end of month financials complete in order to send to the State on time. It will be up to the districts to set up their accounts for the non-profit fundraisers. Another meeting will be scheduled to make sure all entities are on the same page.
12:07 PM Julie, Brenda and Kimberly left the meeting.
12:10 PM 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
2:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Chairman; Steve Baldwin, Kevin Braun, Members; Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
PUBLIC COMMENT –AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS
2:15 PM Mike Madler, Caroline Heaps, Members of the Public joined the meeting.
FMC Meeting at Longfellow- Caroline and Mike asked the Commission how they felt about the meeting last week regarding FMC.
2:15 PM Dustan Davis, IT TECH joined the meeting.
Commissioner Baldwin explained that he feels the meeting should have been held at a Hospital Board Meeting and hopes it will help increase the communication between the patrons and the Board. Commissioner Braun explained that the Commission is not in charge of the Hospital Board, nor the CEO.
2:17 PM Lisa Rieger, Dept. of Revenue; Albert Paul, Member of the Public joined the meeting.
Discussion on special meetings and how to become a member of the Hospital Board. Members are able to help with setting meetings. The tax-payer levy is not in Commission control, it is up to the voters. The Commission has approved to put the mill levy on the ballot, but it is up to the taxpayers to vote it in. There will also be a meeting held by FMC for questions and information regarding the mill levy.
Comodo Renewal- Dustan explained that the anti-virus program Comodo is needing to be renewed by Friday. It is $11,000 for three years. It is budgeted for. The Commission agreed that it is needed and agreed to renew it. They will formally make the decision next Monday during the meeting.
2:28 PM Caroline and Dustan left the meeting.
Predator Control Question- Albert asked the Commission how to use the predator control that is funded by the County. The County pays into the Woolgrowers and the Stockgrowers to help with predator control. The Commission gave Albert the phone number to call for help.
2:34 PM Albert and Lisa left the meeting.
2:51 PM Mike left the meeting.
COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Commission reviewed, revenues received, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and agendas. They signed the Federal Assistance Grant for the Airport.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the RFP #18 in the amount of $300 for an additional stove top. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to approve Pay Application #8 in the amount of $111,160.37 to TW Clark. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to approve Pay Application #9 in the amount of $160,280.40 to TW Clark. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
SPECIAL CLAIMS RUN APPROVAL
The Commission reviewed and approved claims in the amount of $274,182.60. They are filed in the Clerk and
Recorder’s Office.
4:09 PM Jim Leischner, Shooting Range Manager; Shane Bettenhausen, Shooting Match Supervisor joined the meeting.
Rifle Range Procedure Change- A new program is being used at the Gun Range to track membership and send out the renewal notices. They would like to change where the renewal fees are paid, as people call at all different times for renewals and memberships. Jim and Shane spoke with the Treasurer’s Office and they see no problems with the people coming in to pay them directly. In the notice of renewal that is sent out, a memo would be included to send it or take it to the Treasurer’s Office. Renewals at the Gun Range can still be done when needed. It may not work for the new members because they will need a gate code. The Commission agreed as long as all parties involved are fine with it.
Signage- It was asked if a sign could be put up to say kids under the age of 15 need adult supervision and two kids are allowed per adult. The Commission agreed.
4:19 PM Jim and Shane left the meeting.
4:27 PM Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk joined the meeting.
Discuss Legal Descriptions on County Leases- Cindy explained that on Ronald Haar’s County lease, the legal description it not accurate. It states South West, and it should be North West. A new copy will be sent to Haar’s. For the Wyrick Construction lease for the Hot Mix Plant, the legal description is also wrong. Both parties will be notified of the change.
4:31 PM Cindy left the meeting.
4:33 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
MEETING ADJOURNED
s/Roy Rost, Presiding Officer
s/Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Clerk
ATTEST:
s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
