Commission Minutes
MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022
9:00 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Chairman; Steve Baldwin, Kevin Braun, Members; Brenda Wood, Clerk & 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.
9:15 AM Commissioner Minutes Approval for May9-13, 2022 and Commissioner Closed Minutes Approval, May 9, 2022
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to approve the minutes from May 9-13, 2022, as submitted. 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 approve the Closed Session minutes from May 9, 2022, as submitted. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
9:30 AM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
9:30 AM Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney joined the meeting.
9:35 AM Dale Butori, DES/911 joined the meeting,
The group discussed the process for naming a county road. The Commission decided to name the County Road by Resolution. Discussed completing a Road Policy and include naming County Roads and Rural Addressing. Darcy will complete the resolution; it will be placed on the Commissioner’s Agenda for next week.
9:50 AM Darcy and Dale left the meeting.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to adopt Resolution #1085 Amending the Public Health budget to accommodate Donations received. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously. The budget amendment resolution is on record in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
10:00 AM ROAD/SHOP UPDATES/Mitch Overn and Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
Weather (Sunny/No wind)
Shop Updates/Ambulance is not finished; they have changed all injectors but must have gotten a bad injector, they should be under warranty. They ordered a compression adapter just in case it is needed. They have ordered seals and cv shafts for the Deputy Sheriff pickup. They have tarps on the trucks so they can get golf and parks loads.
Road Updates/Discussed water going over a county road due to a failed skimmer. Commissioner Braun discussed purchasing steel pipe that was to be used for the Keystone pipeline. The pipe is an option that will be researched.
10:12 AM Mitch and Carl left the meeting.
10:20 AM Richard Menger, Sanitarian and Jasen Wyrick, Wyrick Construction joined.
10:25 AM PROJECT UPDATES/Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering joined the meeting.
Project updates-Waterfall Project-Jasen felt they will have the water on today; they are done with rock placement and are now working on the pipe. The Commission asked if Jasen would be picking up the sod after the waterfall project is complete. Jasen will contact Robbie and get this set up. Rich discussed the required signage for the project and will contact Robbie regarding placement of the sign.
Upper dam-Commission discussed the upper dam is backing up on a county road due to a failed culvert.
FMC Parking lots-Discussed a list of questions received from David Espeland, FMC-CEO
10:30 AM Rich left the meeting
Shannon will send David an overview to keep him informed. Trash cans-The City should be able to pull their truck in and back out. Discussed the route Jasen will use when entering the parking lot. Shannon will talk to the City’s Public Works Department. Food deliveries-Felt they would use the same process that was used when they were working on the other project, (which included the loading dock). Discussed the fuel tank for the generator and the water issues they have been having. The boots are air seals and have failed; discussed the process to raise the manhole and best option to seal; they will need to clean the drainage areas also. Jasen stated the sensor for the fuel tank was in water when checked last year during the project.
10:40 AM David Espeland, FMC-CEO joined the meeting.
The group discussed the fuel tank process with David. Discussed pouring a slab around the manholes and possibly building a railing that would be attached to the cement. David will find out if the fuel tank alarm and monitor are functioning properly. Jasen stated a contractor will be working on the manhole covers at Cenex; he will have them come look at the ones we are discussing. Shannon stated there is no plan for the north parking lot; parking will be as it was during the first part of the project. The area affected will be west of the new concrete and north of the building; Shannon will send a map. Garbage pickup-The City will be able to access the dumpsters and back out of the alley. Shannon will visit with the City about this. Process for unloading food and supplies was discussed; David stated he would take care of that. Supplies are received once per week and the work should be complete within a week. Shannon will complete a one-call; discussed some utility lines are less than 2 feet below the surface and will avoid the fuel line area as well. Accessing the building and safety of employees/residents was discussed while the project takes place. Necessary barriers will be placed as an added safety precaution. Shannon will contact Director of Public Health regarding the project. Adjoining landowners will be contacted, and Parkview Maintenance Assistant will be contacted and everyone that needs a schedule will receive one.
10:57 AM Julie Straub, HRM joined.
10:58 AM Elisabeth Epley, EPEDC Executive Director joined.
Shannon will send David and all others an updated schedule. Currently, there are no plans to stripe the parking lots. The group discussed seal coating this fall.
11:03 AM Jasen, Shannon and David left the meeting
11:04 AM PERMISSION TO HIRE SEASONAL EMPLOYEE POSITIONS AND PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to hire Tai Setinc, Madison Butori and Sienna Schuler as Seasonal Weed Crew; Parker Helgoth and Riley Davis as Seasonal Outside Maintenance Crew; Colin Lorbiecke and Connor Alford as Golf Seasonal Crew and Davia Ailport as Public Health Administrative Assistant. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
11:12 AM Julie Straub, HRM and Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk and Recorder joined.
Vehicle Damage Report-Julie received a report from the Cemetery Department. An incident occurred in which an employee’s pickup door received damage, while at work. Julie asked the Commission how they would like them to handle this. This will not be turned in to the County’s Insurance.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to have the damage repaired and the Body Shop should bill Fallon County for the services. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
11:14 AM-Julie and Debbie left the meeting.
11:15 AM Melissa Rost, Museum Curator joined.
11:15 AM MUSEUM RENOVATION UPDATES
11:17 AM Terry Sukut, JGA phoned in.
Terry stated at this time the project is not ready to go out to bid. Terry contacted the structural engineer that is working on the project, and he will not have the drawings complete until mid to late June. Terry expressed concerns of when they would be able to bid if he waits on the structural engineer, however, does not want to proceed with someone new. There are concerns with the project running late in the year and leaving the basement open. Discussed some concerns with the soil report and the possibility of adding piers which will add to the costs. The group discussed filing an extension for the grant. Currently Terry feels the project is estimated to cost right at half a million. Terry will try to get a cost estimate for addition of piers. Discussed the time frame for the project is estimated to be 180 days. Commissioner Rost stated this will allow time to try to apply for more grant funding.
11:27 AM Lisa Mitchell, EMS Program Manager joined.
Discussed completing more site-specific boring. Beth will need an updated preliminary budget for granT purposes.
11:30 AM Terry hung up the phone, leaving the meeting.
Beth discussed a foundation grant that may be an option for further funding; the Historical Society as a 501(c)3 may have to apply for that grant.
11:32 AM Beth and Melissa left the meeting.
11:30 AM EMS UPDATES
Lisa presented the updated Transport Policy which was discussed in detail.
11:52 AM Dustan Davis, IT Tech joined.
11:53 AM Randy Thilmony, Member of the Public joined.
The Auditor will be contacted for comments and Lisa will make some corrections to the Transport Policy before returning to discuss further next week.
11:55 AM Lisa left the meeting.
Randy Thilmony asked about soil left after a project was completed at the Airport. The Commission offered alternative options for available soil.
11:56 AM Randy left the meeting.
DISCUSSION/DECISION MACO PHISHING SYSTEM
After Dustan spoke with MACo it is recommended we stay with the Know-Be4 Phishing software. The reason for this is MACo is using the same software. We can use Know-Be4 until it expires and then the new IT person can move the County to MACo. Dustan explained MACo requires all employees to train on the software also.
DECISION: The Commission made the decision to stay with Know Be 4 until it expires.
12:04 PM Dustan left the meeting.
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
1:30 PM Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk and Recorder joined.
Discussed DES/911 having a Master Key to the Courthouse. No decision at this time.
1:30 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Commission reviewed revenues, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and agendas.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Commission signed the Memorandum of Agreement between Fallon County 911 and the FEMA Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Program Management Office. The agreement is regarding the use of Fallon County 911 Interoperable System(s) and IPAWS OPEN Platform for Emergency Networks. The Agreement is on record in the Clerk and Recorder’s office.
2:00 PM APPROVAL OF MAY, 2022 MID-MONTH CLAIMS APPROVALS
The Commission reviewed and approved mid-month May, 2022 claims in the amount of $375,133.06. They are filed in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
2:30 PM DEPARTURE OF DEPUTY/ Jerrie Newell, Clerk of Court, and Julie Straub, HRM
Keli Bertsch, Deputy Clerk of Court’s last day is May 27th. Jerrie stated we will have to recruit but it has been really slow in the office. Discussed the elected offices that are required to be open 40 hours per week. Jerrie commented she can access the state court system from home but not everything can be done from home. Commissioner Braun asked Jerrie if she is required to have a Deputy; not certain of that but does not like the idea of being without a Deputy. Currently she has Deanna who is the General Office Clerk; this position is not a requirement. Jerrie explained when Deanna was hired, there was a lot more work, now they are entering old records in the computer. Commissioner Rost wondered if possibly the Clerks from the Justice of Peace office may want to assist. Discussed the advertising process; Julie explained if the position is a fill-in position, it is not necessary to advertise, as long as it is not a new position. The Deputy position could be an internal or external recruitment. Decision is to set up a meeting with Anna Straub, JP first and go from there. There will be follow-up discussion regarding the Deputy position at a later time as well.
2:45 PM SALARY DISCUSSION/DECISION EMPLOYEE WAGES & SALARY UPDATES/Julie Straub, HRM; Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk and Recorder, Christa Alford, Payroll Clerk
Debbie presented paperwork showing the breakdown for elected officials and the deputies.
The largest issue is the Deputy’s and Undersheriff are paid a percentage of the elected official’s base. Discussed possibly paying a stipend to make up differences, caused by the percentages. It is noted that percentages for Deputies and Undersheriff are prescribed by law. Stipends can be recorded as earnings; bonus’ cannot; Bonus’ are also not subject to PERS. Debbie discussed paying Deputy’s less than 90% of the elected official base, (with the exception of the Sheriff Deputies). More discussion took place. The decision was to stay with the Salary Commission decision for the elected officials and the Deputy for the Clerk and Recorder, Treasurer and Clerk of Court would remain at 90%.
Commissioner Braun made the motion for employees to receive a $1.38 per hour COLA. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Further discussion on upgrades to the Salary Schedule and market adjustments for various positions. The Commission had discussed changing step increases from 3 steps to 2 steps. Start employees at what would have been step 2 (would now be step 1) and after probation, move to what would have been step 3 (would now be step 2). Step 2 would be the final step. Commission asked if Julie could complete a spreadsheet showing these changes and return next week for final discussion and approval.
OLD BUSINESS:
IT position advertisement-The Commission made the decision to advertise the IT position at $29.50 per hour as starting wage & $31.00 per hour after completion of probation.
No interviews will be scheduled as of this time.
ADJOURN
s/Roy Rost, Presiding Officer
ATTEST:
s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
