Commission Minutes
MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 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
9:36 AM Dale Butori, DES/911 Coordinator joined the meeting.
911 Radio and Commission Meeting- The 911 and Radio Commission meeting is going to be held on Thursday in Boulder. Dale would like to attend alongside Lisa Mitchell, EMS Director. Lisa has been appointed to the board.
9:39 AM Lisa Mitchell, EMS Director joined the meeting.
Commissioner Rost plans to attend as well. Lisa and Dale will drive together. The LEPC meeting will be rescheduled. The Commission agreed.
9:52 AM Lisa and Dale left the meeting.
9:52 AM Jacob Lantz, BEK Consulting joined the meeting.
9:53 AM Kevin Hill, Golf Course Superintendent joined the meeting.
Updates- Kevin has been in the process of sharpening the blades on equipment at the Golf Course. All equipment has been serviced and is ready for the upcoming season. They are still waiting on a plumber to come look at the women’s bathroom in the arena at the Fairgrounds. Kevin is still raking the arena grounds twice a week.
Permission to Purchase- Kevin found the original architecture blueprint report of the Golf Course. In the blueprint, there are hundreds of trees around the course. The PH level is too high for the type of trees that they are trying to grow currently. The Junipers are doing well and like the higher PH levels. Kevin would like to bring the original blueprint to reality. The Juniper trees and the Red Cedars are going to be better than the
Cottonwoods. Kevin has been in contact with the Conservation District and would like to purchase 78 lilac bushes,
80 Junipers and 100 Eastern Red Cedars. BLM plans to donate 20 Rocky Mountain Junipers as well. Kevin is
hoping for at least a 50% success rate. There is not currently money in the budget for these trees. Kevin explained that he wants to see these trees at the Golf Course and would donate out of his own pocket for the funds, if need be. The Commission discussed the possibility of other events to receive donations, such as a golf tournament. Kevin will speak with Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder, about different options available. The Commission gave Kevin approval to order trees.
10:12 AM Kevin left the meeting.
10:13 AM Mitch Overn, Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics; Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Shannon
Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Josh Wetzel, Martin Construction joined the meeting.
Shop/Road Updates- There is not much going on at the Road Department this week. They are still hauling gravel onto the Anticline Road. They should finish up within a few days, weather permitting. The equipment seems to be running well. Computer work needs to be done on one of the trucks in Billings.
10:16 AM Carl and Mitch left the meeting.
Museum Boring- Shannon received a quote for the boring of the soils at the Museum. The Commission would like to look into the previous soil samples that were taken from the jail building project.
10:21 AM John Peila, Diamond J Construction joined the meeting.
The Historical Society is paying for Brosz Engineering to find the pins on the lot next to the Museum.
Waterfall Project/FMC Parking Lot- Wyrick Construction started digging in the manhole at the Waterfall
Project last Friday.
10:28 AM Terry Southerland, Western Municipal joined the meeting.
10:30 AM BID OPENING – 2022 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT
PRESENT: Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Terry Southerland, Western Municipal; Josh Wetzel, Martin Construction; Jacob Lantz, BEK Construction
Diamond J Construction –
– Schedule 1 (Ismay) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “A” – $786,025.13
– Schedule 1 (Ismay) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “B” – $753,372.38
– Schedule 2 (Bonnievale) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “A” – $695,259.35
– Schedule 2 (Bonnievale) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “B” – $573,888.90
Western Municipal Construction –
– Schedule 1 (Ismay) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “A” – $1,073,793.80
– Schedule 1 (Ismay) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “B” – No Bid
– Schedule 2 (Bonnievale) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “A” – $864,486.90
– Schedule 2 (Bonnievale) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “B” – No Bid
BEK Consulting –
– Schedule 1 (Ismay) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “A” – $855,303.75
– Schedule 1 (Ismay) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “B” – No Bid
– Schedule 2 (Bonnievale) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “A” – $751,124.75
– Schedule 2 (Bonnievale) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “B” – No Bid
Martin Construction –
– Schedule 1 (Ismay) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “A” – $859,442.32
– Schedule 1 (Ismay) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “B” – No Bid
– Schedule 2 (Bonnievale) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “A” – $822,634.11
– Schedule 2 (Bonnievale) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “B” – No Bid
Brosz Engineering Estimate –
– Schedule 1 (Ismay) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “A” – $798,629.25
– Schedule 1 (Ismay) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “B” – $755,186.75
– Schedule 2 (Bonnievale) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “A” – $548,088.25
– Schedule 2 (Bonnievale) – Total Base Bid with Alternate “B” – $523,656.75
Shannon will take the bids with him today, review them, and come back to the Commission next week with a recommendation of award.
10:40 AM The bid opening is now closed. All left the meeting except for Shannon and Bobby.
Project Updates- Both the agreement and the change order has been signed by Wyrick Construction for the Waterfall Project/FMC South Parking Lot. Both Shannon and the Commission signed the agreement and the Change Order.
10:45 AM Bobby left the meeting.
10:55 AM Mary Grube, Administrative Assistant Planner joined the meeting.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to accept Change Order #1 for the FMC South Parking Lot Improvement Project from Wyrick Construction in the amount of $85,190.00. 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 accept Waterfall Installation Project and FMC South Parking Lot Improvement Agreement with Wyrick Construction. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
11:11 AM Shannon left the meeting.
11:16 Barry Damschen, Damschen Consulting joined the meeting via telephone.
Landfill Discussion- Barry received a letter from the DEQ regarding the wind turbine blades. He previously reached out to the DEQ about the possibility of separately sitting a landfill near Coral Creek Landfill for only wind turbine blades. The approval would require an application of the proposed soils and bore holes. A deeper well would be required as well. Another closure cost estimate would be needed. The Commission is not yet ready to move forward at this time. Barry explained that once the Commission does want it licensed, it will take a few months to get the survey taken place and will take at least a year before it can be licensed and the DEQ can approve it. He could also amend the existing plan, but that would greatly reduce the capacity of the current landfill.
11:30 AM Barry hung up the phone, therefore leaving the meeting.
PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT 2022 SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS- Commissioner Rost opened the Public Hearing at 11:30 AM – No members of the public were present. No comments have been made in the public comment period.
PUBLIC HEARING – The Commission discussed what determines a county road through petitions, resolutions,
surveying, etc. Expedited review is no longer an option in the county, it is only for the public water/sewer district and municipalities. The updated regulations cannot include impacts to agriculture or deny on those bases. Differences to the staff report were discussed. A better explanation of how to do exceptions has been added as well.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to adopt the 2022 Subdivision Regulations. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
The public hearing was brought to a close.
PUBLIC HEARING TO APPROVE AND ADOPT AMENDED PLANNING DEPARTMENT FEE SCHEDULE- Commissioner Rost opened the public hearing at 11:47 AM – No members of the public were present. No comments have been made in the public comment period.
PUBLIC HEARING – The Planning Board is recommending updating the Planning Department fee schedule. The
fee schedule will be revisited again in fiscal year 2023. The proposed fee schedule was reviewed. The changes are being proposed to balance the revenue and the costs associated with the application and permits.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to approve and adopt the Amended Planning Department fee schedule – Resolution #1077. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion based on the recommendation of the Planning Board. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
The public hearing was brought to a close.
12:01 PM Mary left the meeting.
12:02 PM Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to take a noon recess. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
NOON RECESS
1:00 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Chairman; Steve Baldwin, Kevin Braun, Members; Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
The Commission attended the Red Butte Grazing Association Annual Meeting – Located in the EOC PUBLIC COMMENT –AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS
No one appeared for public comment.
2:07 PM Gary Pfiele, Contractor joined the meeting.
2:13 PM Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk; Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder joined the meeting.
2:14 PM Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney joined the meeting.
Road Discussion- Gary brought the Commission an example of how the road study was conducted in Wibaux and Terry. The Commission reviewed the example and different steps taken to get the final project were discussed. The project took Gary about a year to complete in Glendive. He believes it would take anywhere from three to five years in Fallon County. Discussion on whether this position should be a contracted position or a temporary hire.
3:14 PM Lynda Herbst, Inside Building Maintenance Supervisor joined the meeting.
3:18 PM Gary, Cindy, Darcy and Brenda left the meeting.
Glycol Feeder Control Replacement- Lynda explained that the glycol feeder in the glycol machine is failing. It feeds into the boilers. A new feeder control replacement is $2,520.00 from Mechanical Technology INC. No other quotes have been received. This would be an additional cost, not part of the contract with MTI. Commissioner Braun spoke with Mike Menger and the glycol machine should never come on if there is the correct amount of fluid being used. He can come take a look if need be. The Commission agreed and would like Mike to come take a look at the glycol feeder.
3:28 PM Lynda left the meeting.
BUDGET AMENDMENT HEARING – Commissioner Rost opened the public hearing at 3:30 PM. No members of the public were present. No comments have been made in the public comment period.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to adopt Resolution #1076 – Appropriate Funding Received for Capital Projects Road Fund – through the buy-back process of two blades in the amount of $439,000.00. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3
Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
The resolution will be filed in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office. The public hearing was brought to a close. COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Commission reviewed revenues, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and agendas.
They also reviewed the Commission Action-Pending Report. Two conditional use permits were signed for the City of Baker – both relating to the Museum. The Plan Resolution for the Fallon County Employee Medical Benefit
Plan – Over the counter COVID-19 tests was also signed by the Commission.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to approve the minutes from January 24-28, 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.
January 2022 – Timesheet/Payroll Approvals
The Commission reviewed and approved timesheets for the month of January 2022 and approved payroll and withholdings in the amount of $568,863.30. They are filed in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
4:30 PM Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD – COMMISSION ATTENDING WEED ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE – BILLINGS, MT
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD – 12 PM – CHAMBER MEETING AT COMPASS COFFEE
s/Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Clerk
ATTEST:
s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
s/Roy Rost, Presiding Officer
