Commission Minutes
MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021
9:30 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Chairman; Steve Baldwin, Kevin Braun, Members; Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
9:30 AM 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 January 4-8, 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.
9:57 AM Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent joined the meeting.
Road Updates- The Road Crew is finishing up the West Willard Road going south on the South Ismay Road. They are hoping to blade the rest of it tomorrow if the snow is gone. The truck that was hauled to Billings is still getting repaired.
Purchasing Local Fuel- Discussion on the Road Department purchasing their fuel locally for the fuel tanks. It does not have to be branded fuel; however, they need to know what they are purchasing. The Commission would like it to be kept as local as possible with the distributors available. Discussion on the different types of fuel. Bobby will look into spec sheets and check with local vendors on availability.
Gravel Pits- Discussion on possibly stockpiling gravel closer to the areas that are needing to be graveled, as
right now the only gravel pit that is open is the Sikorski Pit. The Road Crew usually tries to not load gravel twice. Bobby hopes to be able to find gravel in the Ollie area eventually.
10:24 AM Jim Leischner, Shane Bettenhausen, Shooting Range Attendants joined the meeting.
The areas that are needing to be graveled were reviewed.
10:28 AM Rich Menger, Sanitarian joined the meeting.
10:30 AM Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering joined the meeting.
Gun Range Berms- The drawings for the berms at the Gun Range show 30 feet wide and 12 feet high, with an 8-foot top included. A mower will not be able to get onto it. The Road Crew will be taking the sediment from the Upper Lake to the Gun Range to make the berms. Shane and Jim will stake out the placement.
10:35 AM Jim and Shane left the meeting.
County Road Policy- The Commission would like to move forward with a County Road Policy. There is no money in the budget for it to be completed this fiscal year. Shannon will complete an estimation of the cost for the Commission to put it into the budget next fiscal year. The standard for the roads will be outlined, as well as the maintenance schedules. Throughout the process they plan to have public involvement and bring the roads up to date with the State standards. Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney, and Susan Swimley, Land Use Attorney, will also be involved.
Concern on Intersection- The question was asked if the hill on the west side of the intersection at the Old Baker Highway and Bergstrom Hill could be taken down some for better sight. Snow would create an issue if the hill was taken down. Shannon will check into placing four yield signs at the intersection.
11:00 AM Bobby, Shannon and Rich left the meeting.
11:02 AM Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to go into Executive Session. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
12:14 PM Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to come out of Executive Session. 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 issue Tom Kachel, Manager of Landfill Operations, a written warning according with the disciplinary policy in violation of the County Workplace Policy. 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 issue a verbal warning to Tom Kachel, Manager of Landfill Operations, for the safety reviews at the Landfill with a timeline of March 12th for completion. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
12:18 PM 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
No one appeared for public comment.
1:32 PM Dale Butori, DES/911 Coordinator joined the meeting.
1:37 PM The Commission teleconferenced into the Ekalaka Public Health Board meeting.
Public Health and Carter County- Dahl Memorial in Carter County is no longer going to administer COVID vaccines. Carter County would like to coordinate with Fallon County to administer the shots. Public Health has agreed to this. Residents eligible for the vaccine will need to come to Baker to receive it. Mindi Murnion, Public Health Specialist, is working with the State to get into Carter County’s database to have access to eligible patrons. Public Health plans to vaccinate at the Fairgrounds to be able to maintain social distancing. Residents that are uninsured in both Carter and Fallon County will not be turned away from being able to receive the vaccine. The vaccine is free; however, the administrative fee is $35. Carter County Commissioner’s made the motion to work with Fallon County to provide immunizations and to pay for the uninsured patron’s administrative fee. The
motion was passed. Fallon County will not be doing the contract tracing for Carter County.
1:59 PM The Commission hung up the phone, therefore leaving the meeting.
2:01 PM Dale left the meeting.
2:27 PM Julie Straub, HRM joined the meeting.
Permission to Hire Staff Nurse- Interviews were held last week for the Staff Nurse position at Public Health. The Commission would like to hire Scotti Robinson for the position.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to hire Scotti Robinson for the Staff Nurse position at Public Health. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3
Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
2:43 PM Julie left the meeting.
2:44 PM Tom Bruha, Chief; Turk Stark, Baker Rural Fire Board Chairman joined the meeting.
Baker Rural Fire District Command Vehicle Purchase- Baker Rural Fire is in the process of replacing the command vehicle, as it is starting to have mechanical issues and has many miles on it. The vehicle is co-owned with the City. Tom explained that they would like to purchase a Ford Expedition out of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, which is a sister company to Red Rock in Dickinson. Multiple bids were received for the vehicle. It will cost the County and the City $26,239.60 each. Another grass rig is planned to be replaced; however, these bids have not yet been received.
2:56 PM Tracy Goerndt, Prairie Hills Recovery joined the meeting.
Baker Rural Fire plans to place the current owned vehicles on bid to sell, as there is no County Auction currently being planned. The Commission agreed that they can advertise and bid out these vehicles.
3:00 PM Tom and Turk left the meeting.
Prairie Hills Recovery Updates- Prairie Hills Recovery receives half of the alcohol tax funds that the County receives each year. There are offices in Sidney, Glendive and Baker. It has been a quiet year due to COVID. The number of clients and the substances being used the most were reviewed. DUI’s have gone down this year, however alcohol purchasing has risen considerably. They are currently holding weekly classes through ZOOM. These programs are usually in-house, which they hope to go back to soon. The different classes and programs were reviewed. This has nothing to do with mental health or prevention, it is strictly for addiction.
3:21 PM Tracy left the meeting.
3:30 PM Debbie Wyrick, Insurance Committee Member joined the meeting.
3:33 PM Margie Losing, Insurance Committee Member joined the meeting.
Parameters for Request for Proposal- The Commission signed the contract for the Request for Proposal (RFP) template prepared by Boulder Administration. The draft RFP has been received, included with an estimated timeline of completion. A scoring chart is still being created. The Commission will continue to read the
parameters for the RFP and include their input. Any company that submits must be licensed to do business in the State of Montana. Discussion on the possibility of Boulder Administration turning in a proposal, as they have created the RFP. The Commission and the Insurance Committee both agree that even though they have created an RFP, it is not catered to them and follows Fallon County and FMC qualifications. They are allowed to all information that any other party would have access to. Boulder Administration would be permitted to turn in a proposal if they choose to do so.
4:00 PM Debbie and Margie left the meeting.
4:04 PM Mindi Murnion, Public Health Specialist joined the meeting.
COVID Vaccine Billing- Mindi explained to the Commission that the vaccine for COVID cannot be billed, only the administering services are able to be. This cost will be $35, which will be billed to insurance companies. The cost of the vaccines to individuals without insurance will be covered by the County. Mindi is having issues with
the State Que for positive COVID cases, as now all Carter County cases are showing up in the Fallon County que. She is working with the State to fix the issue. She plans to order 300 doses of the vaccine by the end of the day today. More can be ordered each week if need be. The Commission would like to be sure they are ordering enough to be able to fulfill the needs of the community.
4:21 PM Mindi left the meeting.
COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Commission reviewed, revenues received, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and agendas.
5:00 PM 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
