Commission Minutes
MONDAY, JULY 19, 2021
9:00 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
No one appeared for public comment.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the minutes from July 12-16, 2021, with corrections. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3
Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
9:58 AM Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent joined the meeting.
Road/Shop Updates- All the chip sealing for the year has been completed. The Commission is happy with how well the Golf Course Cart Path turned out. The Road Crew has been working on hauling gravel onto Schoolhouse Road. Discussion on the roads that are struggling due to the lack of moisture.
10:09 AM Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering joined the meeting.
The Commission would like the Road Crew to stay off the County roads due to how dry everything is. Bobby agreed that would be no problem; they will find other things that need to be done.
10:17 AM Rich Menger, Sanitarian joined the meeting.
Ismay Bridge- Shannon is still waiting on the report for the Ismay Bridge. All the pictures needed have been taken.
Bonnievale Bridge- Shannon has prepared the application for the Bonnievale Bridge, it is just needing
Commission approval before being sent in. He has concerns that the wetland delineation is from 2015. They may or may not require an update. Two of the easements have been returned for the Bonnievale Bridge; we are waiting on one more. The Commission will need to make sure that there is enough money in the Bridge Fund for budgeting the two bridges.
Plevna North Bridge Project- Diamond J Construction applied for their payment for the seeding of the Plevna North Bridge Project. They are claiming that the seeding used was what the bid specs called for. Shannon has no way to verify that the correct seeding was used. The agreement states that after it was seeded, Diamond J would be paid. Commissioner Braun has concerns about paying them before the seeding is established. In the past, if the seeding does not take, the Road Crew has been going and re-seeding it until it takes. Going forward, it will be added to the contractor agreement that the contractor will come back and re-seed the vegetation if it is not re-established.
10:37 AM Bobby left the meeting.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to approve the final pay application for payment of seeding for the Plevna North Structure Replacement Project to Diamond J Construction in the amount of $21,462.35. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3
Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Baker Lake Dock- The Commission asked Shannon if it would be possible to add to the beach area at Baker Lake where the new dock is being placed, instead of planting grass in such a small area. The sand blows into this area already and would be difficult to water. The vegetation would need to be removed. Shannon will calculate the amount of sand that is going to be needed.
10:48 AM Rich left the meeting.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to sign the Joint Application for Proposed Work in Montana’s Streams,
Wetlands, Floodplains, and Other Water Bodies for the Bonnievale Road Bridge Project. Commissioner Baldwin
seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
10:57 AM Shannon left the meeting. COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Commission reviewed, revenues received, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and
agendas.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to accept Change Order #4 to TW Clark in the amount of
$112,679.22. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion;
being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
11:28 AM Julie Straub, HRM joined the meeting.
11:29 AM Melissa Rost, Museum Curator joined the meeting.
11:30 AM Commissioner Rost left the meeting.
Discuss/Decision Museum Seasonal Employee Hours- The Commission would like to leave the seasonal employee at the Museum at 520 hours a year. The current seasonal hours start in April and go through August. Last year, an additional 384 hours was agreed upon. The Commission explained that Melissa will be able to ask permission for extra help for special events or when she is out of the office.
11:40 AM Michael Johnson, WBI Land Agent joined the meeting.
11:41 AM Julie and Melissa left the meeting.
11:43 AM Commissioner Rost re-joined the meeting.
Discuss/Approve Updated Scope of Work Performed to Wells on County Land- The Commission sees no issues with the letter that was sent to the Commission on June 30th regarding the DRIP work that WBI will be doing. There are two DRIP areas, and at least one will affect Fallon County property. The regulations require them to do full disclosure and their records need updating. WBI will not be disturbing the area until they find the buried DRIPs. The Commission agrees, as long as whatever is disturbed is re-seeded and that native grass is planted.
11:47 AM Michael 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
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
1:18 PM Steve Zachmann, City Mayor joined the meeting.
Waterline for Bonnievale Cemetery- Discussion on the Bonnievale Cemetery and the waterline that runs towards it.
1:24 PM Wayne Mangold, Baker/Plevna TV Board Member joined the meeting.
1:25 PM Dustan Davis, Duane Brockel, Eldon King, Montana Prairie Radio Club Members joined the meeting.
Fireworks Concern- Steve wanted to bring it to Commission attention regarding the fireworks that are still being lit at Iron Horse Park and the beach. He is concerned about the dry weather.
1:28 PM Steve left the meeting.
Permission to Place a Repeater at Brackett Butte- The Montana Prairie Radio Club is wanting to place a repeater at Bracket Butte. Costs for items such as the electricity and insurance costs would be split between the Club and the Baker TV Board. The Commission asked that there is a conversation with the Pinnow’s, as the current site used is on their property. The Club would own the equipment and would be placed into the existing building for the Baker TV Board. The repeater would be used as an amateur radio for public service uses, as well
as other uses. The Commission is fine with them utilizing the building but would like to make sure they speak with
the landowners and get their permission as well.
1:39 PM Dustan, Eldon and Duane left the meeting.
1:45 PM Wayne left the meeting.
1:59 PM Shyla Hadley, Fairgrounds Manager joined the meeting.
Fair Updates- Shyla gave the Commission an updated spreadsheet on the Montana High School Finals Rodeo. Most of the sponsorships have been paid. The expenses were listed, as well as registration fees, etc. Overall, the Fair Board was happy with how the event ran. They are continuing to work on the 2021 Fair. Ticket sales for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band have been going well.
Patio Cover- The Fair Board has asked during their budget meeting if it would be possible to purchase a
patio cover for the beer garden area at the Fairgrounds. The Commission is not in favor of adding the patio cover, as it is such a large cost, and they would rather see the money be used towards something else.
Rodeo Board- The Fair Board discussed the possibility of establishing a Rodeo Board. They would like to see
four outside members on the board, as well as one Fair Board member. Shyla will contact Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney, to help out with adding language to the current by-laws. Any by-law change will need to be approved by the Commission.
2:26 PM Shyla left the meeting.
Commission Work Session – Budget/Department Visits
3:30 PM CLAIMS APPROVAL FOR MID-MONTH JULY 2021
The Commission reviewed and approved claims for Mid-Month July 2021 in the amount of $2,628,643.34. They
are filed in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
4:01 PM William Benner, Plevna Mayor; Gary Thielen, Plevna Town Council joined the meeting.
4:06 PM Julie Straub, HRM joined the meeting.
Interlocal Agreement for Planning Services with Town of Plevna/Zoning Commission- The Commission is wanting to update the interlocal agreement for Planning services to the Town of Plevna. They are updating the job description for Mary Grube, Administrative Assistant Planner, and want to review what services are needed for both the Town of Plevna and the City of Baker. William explained that Mary attending meetings is only on an as-needed basis. It will be added into the job description that she will attend the meetings only when requested.
4:10 PM Mary Grube, Administrative Assistant Planner joined the meeting.
The last interlocal agreement with the Town of Plevna for Planning services was never adopted. The Commission reviewed the proposed interlocal. Mary explained that she gives a report for the Board of Adjustment/Town of Plevna meetings, as well as takes minutes for the Zoning Commission. The agreement will state that Plevna will pay the current rate of the Assistant Planner’s wage and will be used on an as-needed basis. Mary will then invoice them for the time necessary. These changes will be ran by Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney.
4:29 PM Mary, Gary, William, and Julie left the meeting.
4:30 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to recess for the evening. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion
carried unanimously.
EVENING RECESS
TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021
10:30 AM 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.
11:00 AM Rich Menger, Sanitarian; Steve Zachmann, City Mayor; Rod Morris, Public Works Director; Shannon
Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Sam Johnson, DNRC joined the meeting.
Introduction of New State Engineer for High Hazard Dams- Discussion on the Baker Lake Dam, as it needs to be inspected every five years by the dam engineer, and yearly by the property owner. The purpose of the Dam Safety Act was to protect the dam owners and the public located downstream.
11:09 AM Rich, Steve, Rod, Shannon, Sam, and John left the meeting.
11:11 AM 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
