Commission Minutes
MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2022
COUNTY OFFICES CLOSED – MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022
9:30 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Chairman; Steve Baldwin, Kevin Braun, Members; Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
The Pledge of Allegiance was held in the Commissioner’s Office to start off the week. PUBLIC COMMENT –AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS
9:30 AM Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk stepping in for Kelsey DuCharme and taking minutes.
9:32 AM Kathy Newell, Member of the Public joined the meeting.
Electrical Issue at Fairgrounds- At the Fairgrounds near the water tank, an electrical box has been knocked down and the wires are exposed. The cover is no longer there. The Commission will follow up on it.
9:35 AM Kathy and Kimberly left the meeting, Kelsey returned.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to approve the minutes from January 10-14, 2022, as presented. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3
Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
9:56 AM Carl Overland, Shop Mechanic joined the meeting.
Shop Updates- The turbo for the new ambulance seems to be working well. It was used a couple times over the weekend and no complaints have been heard.
9:58 AM Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic joined the meeting.
There was warranty in place for the first turbo that was received and couldn’t be used. There should be no charge for the reprogramming; however, there will be a charge for the labor. The Senior Citizen bus is up and going
again. A low power notification on one of the freightliners has come up. They plan to start work on repairing that. They also plan to prepare the Weed Department equipment for spring use.
10:00 AM Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent joined the meeting.
Road Updates- The Road Crew is working on hauling gravel today. Bobby feels they should be getting done up to the stopping point on the Anticline Road, just before it meets Cabin Creek Road. All easements for the upcoming bridge project have been received.
10:01 AM Bobby, Carl and Mitch left the meeting.
10:26 AM Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering joined the meeting.
Project Updates- Shannon reviewed the change order with Wyrick Construction for the paving and waterfall project. The deadline for the paving project is June 1st and the waterfall project is May 1st.
10:38 AM Mary Grube, Planner Administrative Assistant joined the meeting.
10:41 AM Kevin Dukart, City Clerk joined the meeting.
10:41 AM Forrest Sanderson, KLJ Contract Planner joined the meeting via telephone.
Decision on Letter of Support Updating Mapping- The Commission explained that they feel comfortable sending a letter of support to the DNRC for the floodplain mapping update. They would like to make a decision, however, after the City Council meeting and hearing their decision. It is on the agenda for the upcoming council meeting. The communities will benefit working with the DNRC, rather than with FEMA directly. There is no interested in expanding the area of the floodplain, they would like to just update the existing area on the floodplain maps. Shannon explained it can be included into the letter of support to include the Northeastern Tributary project into the mapping.
10:45 AM Steve Zachmann, City Mayor joined the meeting.
The other projects that will be included into the letter will be the concrete drainage improvement projects through town and the 6th Street West box culvert. The new maps would not be completed for 5-7 years from the start date. Shannon recommends requesting to review the information as it is submitted into the DNRC, as it is public information. As of now, the Commission approves the letter; however, will wait to make a decision until after the City Council meeting.
10:55 AM Forrest hung up the phone, therefore leaving the meeting.
10:58 AM Marjorie Losing, FMC CFO; David Espeland, FMC CEO joined the meeting.
11:02 AM Shannon, Mary, Steve and Kevin left the meeting.
FMC Monthly Financial Update- Marjorie reported that November of 2021 was a busy month for FMC. There were 19 inpatient days. The financial information for the month was reviewed in depth. The start of January has been very busy as well.
COVID Vaccinations- After the Supreme Court made their decision regarding COVID vaccinations, FMC will be forced to implement this policy. A committee has been put together to evaluate, approve and disapprove exemptions. Discussion on the vaccination. David is hopeful that employees will comply. The deadline for the first shot is February 15th. He is not anticipating a large loss at FMC.
Small Hospital Improvement Grant Funds- The Small Hospital Improvement Grant has been awarded to FMC once again. They have previously used this grant to purchase lab equipment. With this grant, they plan to purchase a portable x-ray machine. Discussion on the older portable x-ray and what they will be doing with it. David has been asking surrounding counties if they are wanting it, or will potentially trade it in.
Ice Machine- David explained that the ice maker went out around August. The ice maker ties into the glycol
system and reduces the operating expenses at Parkview 2. Straub Heating and Cooling is unable to provide the machine that ties into the glycol system, but he will be able to service if a new one is purchased. David gave the Commission a quote from an outside company for a custom-built machine that comes with its own stand. The Commission agreed.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to allow FMC to use Mill Levy funds to purchase an ice machine. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3
Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Generator Issues- The switch on the generator blew again, and David feels they may need to create a study of what should be removed and replaced. The Commission agreed that this study needs to take place to find the root of the issue.
Boiler Issues- A boiler in Parkview 1 needs to be replaced. They are still waiting on a replacement boiler to be delivered. It will match the other ones in there. Discussion on changing out all the boilers, as they are malfunctioning, and the possibility of not needing all three boilers. Some of the plumbing should be changed.
Replacing Doors- David is working on getting proposals to replace the glass curtain wall, as well as the doors in the nursing home area of FMC. There is also a door near the lift house that has issues closing and locking. It has been adjusted multiple times. The Commission agreed that any doors needing to be replaced, should be. All the tenants in the Parkview Apartments seem to be happy with the new doors and the locking system. There are still multiple apartments open and available to rent.
EMS Services- The Commission would like to meet with the FMC Board regarding the possibility of EMS being operated under FMC. They would like to discuss the logistics and get a feel for what this might look like. David feels it should first be a meeting with himself and Marjorie before it is brought to the FMC Board. David will contact other administrators in the surrounding areas and see what they are doing in their communities.
12:02 PM Marjorie and David left the meeting.
12:02 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
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.
COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Commission reviewed revenues, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and agendas. They signed the Promissory Note with the City of Baker to be placed on record. They also signed a Grant of Easement and Grant of Temporary Construction Easement for construction of a box culvert.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to approve and sign the amendment to the lease between Fallon County and the State of MT – Department of Revenue. 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 re-appoint Rod Johnson to the Airport Zoning Commission Board. 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 sign the land rights receipt and release of damages from WBI in the amount of $249.75. 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 appoint Troy Hess in place of Alba Higgins to the Wellness Committee. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
1:57 PM Dustan Davis, Dale Butori, Safety Committee Members joined the meeting.
1:58 PM Julie Straub, Debbie Wyrick, Safety Committee Members joined the meeting.
Review of Updated Safety Program Materials- The Commission received their copy of the Emergency Safety Procedures that was approved last week during their meetings. One of the copies is to be hung up in the Commission Office at all times. Julie reviewed the updated safety program materials with the Commission. The Montana Safety Culture Act was reviewed and described. All reporting forms have been revised and updated. The forms are available to county employees on the public computer drive. The Hazard Communication Plan has
been revised as well. A materials inventory of all chemicals needs to be kept in the office. Julie reviewed the new forms, which include items such as fire safety, ergonomics, workplace violence, active shooter procedures, etc. A bomb threat checklist was added to the safety book from the Department of Homeland Security. A list of all fire extinguishers in the Courthouse has been added as well. Different scenarios due to weather were discussed. The Commission will keep each departments job safety analysis in their safety book.
3:00 PM Julie, Dale, Dustan and Debbie left the meeting.
CLAIMS APPROVAL
The Commission reviewed and approved claims for mid-month January in the amount of $259,332,37. They
are filed in the Clerk and Recorder’s office.
On Thursday, January 20th, the Commission and Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney, attended DV 2021-01
Thielen vs. Fallon County – Court-Ordered Mediation in Billings, Montana. No settlement was agreed upon.
5:00 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.
ADJOURN s/Roy Rost, Presiding Officer s/Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Clerk
ATTEST:
s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
