Commission Minutes
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2021
9:00 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Chairman; Steve Baldwin, Kevin Braun, Members; Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder
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 Baldwin made the motion to approve the minutes from October 11-15, 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.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to approve the Closed minutes from October 12, 2021, as presented. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 2
Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Abstain (Commissioner Rost). The motion carried.
9:43 AM Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff/Coroner joined the meeting and reviewed Resolution #1071.
9:45 AM APPROVE AMENDED FY22 SALARY RESOLUTION #1071/PER SENATE BILL 238
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to approve Amended FY22 Salary Resolution #1071/Per Senate Bill
238. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously. Resolution #1071 is filed in the Clerk and Recorder’s office.
9:45 AM Trenton left the meeting.
9:45 AM DISTRIBUTION OF ALCOHOL TAX COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Commission reviewed the Distribution of Alcohol Tax Comprehensive Plan. The Commission will complete after further information is received.
10:00 AM ROAD REPORT/PROJECT UPDATES
Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent and Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic joined the meeting.
Road updates-Discussed road work on various County roads. The State of Montana is working on the by-pass road for the East-Highway 12 culvert project. The road crew will be blading as long as the roads do not get too dry.
Shop updates-Not much going on; keeping an eye on blades. Will put the wings on the blades closer to
Thanksgiving.
Equipment-Packer purchase was discussed; it will need to be placed in next year’s budget.
Training-Bobby would like to take the Road crew to a training next week if they are unable to blade. Permission was granted to take the Road crew to training if unable to blade.
East Highway 12 Project-Need to make sure Fertile Prairie “Road Closed” sign is placed. Windy View Road was designated as a detour road.
Tires-Discussed getting tire quotes from local businesses. Fallon County purchases bulk tires from Tire Rama.
The reason we purchase from Tire Rama is because the County does not have to pay excise tax on those tires. Most businesses are unable to compete because of that.
10:15 AM Bobby and Mitch left the meeting.
10:30 AM Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering joined.
PROJECT UPDATES-Award 2021 Crushed Road Material Bid-Shannon reviewed the submitted bids. The Wyrick sample worksheet shows one of the sieves are slightly out of specs. It is standard for the awarded contractor to run a sample first.
10:35 AM Richard Menger, Sanitarian joined.
Shannon recommends awarding the bid to Wyrick Construction for Schedule 1, from the Sikorski Pit.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to Award the 2021 Crushed Road Material Bid to Wyrick Construction, for Schedule 1, in the amount of $447,500. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Landfill Section Map Discussion-Shannon reviewed the Section Map for the Coral Creek Landfill with the Commission and explained the corresponding legend. Shannon stated the largest contiguous area, with no pipelines, is 47 acres. Although this area has no pipelines running through it, Shannon does not feel it is a good place for the wind tower blade pits, due to the drainage. Shannon recommended an area with approximately 20
acres.
Shannon cannot guarantee all utilities are on the map; wetland boundaries as well as surrounding private roads are also shown on the map. The Commission asked Shannon to send the map to Barry Damschen,
Engineer-Damschen Consulting.
Golf Course pond-Shannon sent an email, with a map, to the Army Corp of Engineers and has not heard from them. Shannon feels the trees are okay to remove now, but the silt needs to wait.
Other Projects-Wyrick Construction is tentatively scheduled to open the Hospital Parking lot, probably Thursday or Friday of this week. The deadline for this project was the 16th of October. Discussed work that will be completed on the waterfall and manhole at Iron Horse Park.
11:00 AM SWPPP (STORM WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN) SIGNAGE ON COUNTY PROPERTY
Rich asked for permission to develop and post SWPPP signage at the entrance to the Workforce Housing site, as required by DEQ. The Commission granted permission to proceed. Rich stated he will wire the sign to the fence.
11:05 AM Rich left the meeting.
11:10 AM Millennium Sidewalk Project-Shannon stated the Contractor will need to come back and pack Sewall Avenue; this adjoins the sidewalk project. Due to the amount of moisture received, the City of Baker has received several complaints because the road is very soft. Shannon will contact the contractor.
11:15 AM Shannon left the meeting.
11:15 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; Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
PUBLIC COMMENT –AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS
No one appeared for public comment.
1:30 PM Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney joined the meeting.
County Roads-The Commission discussed various road questions with Darcy. Darcy will submit answers to Mike Madler regarding questions that came up during the Road Study Project he is completing for the County.
1:45PM Dale Butori, DES/911 Coordinator joined.
Opioid Settlement-The Commission agreed to join the settlement. Darcy will file the necessary paperwork.
30 x 30 Land Grab Resolution-Darcy will complete the Resolution and have it ready for next week.
1:53 PM Brenda Hoeger, Dispatch Supervisor joined.
1:54 PM Lisa Mitchell, EMS Director joined.
1:57 PM Trent Harbaugh, Sheriff and Nic Eisele, Undersheriff joined.
2:00 PM 9/1/1 Updates-Dale presented various videos from the Statewide broadband and communication discussions, held by the State Advisory Council. Dale and those in the meeting have many concerns about statements made in those videos and what this will mean for Fallon County as well as other counties.
The 911 program was moved from the Department of Administration to the Department of Justice.
Initial funding for Interoperability Montana was used to set up the main trunk system, with no funding set aside for maintenance. The state system is now in need of upgrades, plus they want to make expansions; the Department of Justice is looking for funds to make that possible. This entails 911 grant funds, (which is what Dale would normally apply for). When applying for grant funding, the competition will also include private telecommunication companies such as Lumen. Dale feels this will make it nearly impossible for counties to acquire needed grant funds.
It was explained to the group the Highway Patrol has an existing Central Dispatch and this would “beef-
up” their existing system. Trent explained we can still talk to others in Helena through the mutual aid channels, if needed; this system will not benefit Fallon County. Trent wonders what will happen to our funding and the system if we do not follow suit. It is felt, those of us operating PSAPS (Public Service Access Points) will be taxed for use of the central systems.
Dale further stated the state is not only going after the grant funding; they also want all of the counties to hand over their ARPA funds, (also stated in the videos). Dale was hoping to apply for grant funds to upgrade our Dispatch consoles. If we upgrade our consoles, our system would be compatible with the state system.
The following laws were discussed in the videos and by the group, 10-4-201 MCA (pertains to the authority); 10-4-304(2) MCA (pertains to the establishment of 911 accounts). Dale noted member(s) of the state have already decided what repeaters they want from counties, (the list was shown to the group). Dale asked a member of the Advisory Council if the push was for statewide Dispatch; Dale was told no, but “they” could. Trent stated, when asked, they also could not tell them what the cost-match would be.
Dale wanted to give the Commission a heads up and hopes they will be able to communicate their concerns to MACo as well as stay informed of all future discussions and/or decisions regarding this matter.
3:00 PM Dale, Darcy, Trent, Nic, Lisa and Brenda H. left the meeting
3:00 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Commission reviewed, revenues received, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and agendas. They also signed the City of Baker Municipal Certificates of Election; Signed the BBBRC Grant Application Letter of Support; Signed the CDBG Planning Grant Application; Signed the Landfill Account Application for Mears Midstream and Signed the Intergovernmental Transfer Worksheet for Emergency Medical
& Ambulance Services.
3:25 PM Commissioner Baldwin was excused for the day.
3:45PM Kim Bryan, Public Health Nurse and Julie Straub, HRM joined the meeting.
Permission to Hire Home Health Aide-Kim stated she would like permission to hire Connie Moore for the Home Health Aide position. Connie is available to start November 2, 2021.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to hire Connie Moore for the Home Health Aide position. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 2
Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Baldwin).
Kim discussed hiring a Staff Nurse (part-time only). This will be added to next week’s agenda.
4:00 PM Kim and Julie left the meeting.
4:04 PM CLAIMS APPROVALS
The Commission reviewed and approved mid-month October 2021 claims in the amount of $157,596.64. They
are filed in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
4:45 PM Greg Benjamin, Stahley Engineering joined the meeting (via phone).
Denbury Pipeline Road Assessment Updates-Greg stated the contractors are substantially finished with all of the roads, except a piece in northern Carter County. There is still some seeding to do; but are finished with heavy equipment. Greg feels they will start road assessments in Fallon County on Friday the 22nd of October.
The Commission can call Greg with any questions. Stahley will get the assessment to the Commission as soon as it is completed. The Commission thanked Greg for the update.
4:49 PM Greg hung up the phone, therefore leaving the meeting.
4:50 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Baldwin). The motion carried.
ADJOURN
s/Roy Rost, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
