Commission Minutes
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022
NO COMMISSIONER MEETINGS – PRESIDENT’S DAY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 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
No one appeared for public comment.
9:40 AM Brenda Hoeger, Dispatch Supervisor joined the meeting.
Permission to Recruit for Dispatch Positions- Brenda explained to the Commission that one of the Dispatchers have put in their notice of resignation, but they will not be leaving until August. This is a part-time position. Another Dispatcher has indicated that they will be resigning but has not yet made that decision formal. This is a full-time position.
9:41 AM Julie Straub, HRM joined the meeting.
Brenda would like to start recruitment for the open positions. Discussion on when to start recruitment. The Commission would like to wait to start advertising for the part-time position until March 8th and will be closed on March 28th. Advertising can begin for the full-time position after a formal notice is given by the current employee.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to start recruitment for the part-time Dispatch position – which is set at 24 hours per week. The Commission will allow recruitment as needed for the full-time position. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3
Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
9:53 AM Julie and Brenda left the meeting.
10:00 AM Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic; Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent joined the meeting.
Shop/Road Updates- The Road Crew has the trucks and blades out on the road for snow removal, mostly south of town. Bobby was able to look at the culverts on the South Plevna Road that is currently in discussion with the Montana Department of Transportation. He agrees with everything on the list given from the MDT, except for one needs to be sleeved. The rest of the list seems to be accurate.
10:03 AM Mitch and Bobby left the meeting.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to sign the agreement with Diamond J Construction, LLC for the upcoming Bridge Projects. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
10:58 AM Julie Straub, HRM joined the meeting.
11:02 AM Kim Bryan, Director of Public Health joined the meeting via teleconference.
Permission to Recruit Administrative Assistant- The current Administrative Assistant has put in notice at
Public Health. Kim asked the Commission to start recruitment for the Administrative Assistant, which would be 8-
5 Monday-Friday. She doesn’t feel that Public Health needs to be open on Friday’s. She would like to increase
their wages, since it would be less hours.
11:06 AM Anna Straub, Justice of the Peace joined the meeting.
The Commission sees no issues with the employee working Monday – Thursday 8-5. They are not interested in reviewing wages until budget time. The wage will be kept the same for the time being.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to start recruitment for Administrative Assistant for Public Health but will leave the wages as-is. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
11:10 AM Kim hung up the phone, therefore leaving the meeting.
Permission to Hire Justice Court Clerk- After conducting interviews, Anna would like to ask the Commission permission to hire Teresa Myers as the Justice Court Clerk. The starting date would not be until the middle of March. The Commission has questions regarding what this position entails. According to Statute, the office must remain open during their posted hours, which includes during courtroom hours. Anna feels this position is extremely important and would like to have it remain in the office.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to hire Theresa Myers for the Justice Court Clerk position. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3
Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
11:21 AM Anna left the meeting.
11:23 AM Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder joined the meeting.
Permission to Hire Payroll Clerk- After conducting interviews, Brenda would like to hire Christa Alford in the
Clerk and Recorder Office for the Payroll Clerk position.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to hire Christa Alford for the Payroll Clerk position. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
11:28 AM Julie and Brenda left the meeting.
11:29 AM Shaun Crisler, Plevna Rural Fire Department Members joined the meeting.
Permission to Trade-Off Tool Cat- The tool cat at the Plevna Rural Fire Department is having continuous issues. After doing some searching, they were able to find a deal with Bobcat that will do the municipality buy- back program. It is five years old with only 103 hours on it. They use it to clear snow around the buildings in town and use a trailer to pull a drag on it. Depending on the fire season, it could have a large number of hours put onto it. They should be fine budget wise but wanted to check with the Commission before moving forward. The Commission explained that it is in their budget and can do whatever they would like with that money.
11:36 AM Shaun left the meeting.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to approve the minutes from February 14-18, 2022, with corrections. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3
Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
11:38 AM Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to take a lunch 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
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Kevin Braun, Members; Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Clerk
ABSENT: Roy Rost, Chairman
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:00 PM David Anderson, Denbury joined the meeting via teleconference.
1:01 PM Greg Benjamin, Stahly Engineering joined the meeting via teleconference.
Project Wrap-Up/Road Damage- Greg explained that the process used for the preliminary and post assessments done with the road were essentially the same process that was used with ONEOK; however, they did collect photos and videos as well. The results of these costs dialed into three factors, including quantity of gravel loss, quality of gravel, and maintenance and re-shaping of the road. These were the main factors in determining the cost impact to Denbury. The actual cost ended up about $370.00 per mile. The total impact to the roads was about $343,000.00. For consistency of the data, the same person was used at the beginning of construction and after. A check will be written to Fallon County from Denbury for the road damages.
1:15 PM David and Greg hung up the phone, therefore leaving the meeting.
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 would like to re-visit the amendment to the agreement with Barry Damschen Consulting, LLC for Landfill Consulting Services during the next meeting.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to appoint Mark Sieler to the Baker Lake Advisory Board. Commissioner
Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0
Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Rost). The motion carried.
1:54 PM Sara Berger, Weed Control Coordinator; Roger Meggers, Airport Manager joined the meeting.
1:56 PM Steve Zachmann, City Mayor joined the meeting.
1:58 PM Mitch Overn, Mark Sieler, Lake Board Members; Rich Menger, Sanitarian joined the meeting.
2:00 PM Dustin Gundlach, Lake Board Member joined the meeting.
Baker Lake Weed Management Plan- Rich showed the Commission aerial photos and videos of Baker Lake and the weed issues that are in discussion today. There are weed problems in the lake and noxious weed issues on the Upper Lake. Chemicals cannot be added to the lake at this time, due to the current administrative order from the EPA. The depth of the lake greatly effects the weeds as well. Rich stated that there needs to be compromise between the boat usage and the weed foliage. Sara explained that there is a large amount of Canadian thistle on the Upper Lake Dam. Rich will send Sara the plan from Geum Engineering that explains the planning process, as well as the maintenance plan. Discussion on the drainage areas in Baker Lake and the main areas of weed issues. To get a handle on the hemlock and Canadian thistle, a plan will need to be developed.
The weeds can be controlled that are above the high-water mark. Tom Parker with Geum Engineering will be visiting this spring and Sara plans to have this conversation with him and the Commission as well.
2:37 PM Sara, Roger, Steve, Mitch, Mark, Rich, and Dustan left the meeting.
3:00 PM Mary Grube, Administrative Assistant Planner joined the meeting.
Review Growth Policy RFP- The Commission has reviewed the Growth Policy Request for Proposal draft and sees no changes or additions. It will not be able to go out for bid until the City adopts the zoning regulations, which will be in May or June.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to go out for a Request for Proposal for the Growth Policy. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Rost). The motion carried.
3:03 PM Mary left the meeting. CLAIMS APPROVAL
The Commission reviewed and approved claims for mid-month February 2022 in the amount of $319,135.90.
They are filed in the Clerk and Recorder’s office.
3:45 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Rost). The motion carried.
ADJOURN
s/Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Clerk
ATTEST:
s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
s/Roy Rost, Presiding Officer
