Commission Minutes – April 15 – April 19, 2024
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024
9:30 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
The Pledge of Allegiance was held in the Commissioner’s Office to start off the week.
9:30 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
9:45 AM DISCUSSION ON PURCHASING WOODCHIPS FROM THE LANDFILL AND DISCUSS GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE/ Tod Passmore
Tod would like to help with fertilizing the golf course and purchase woodchips which is an ingredient for his fertilizer. Commissioner Rost informed Tod that the woodchips are used for composting at the landfill. Commissioner Braun stated we can’t just sell woodchips to an individual, the County would have to advertise it and let everyone have the option to purchase it. Discussed the fertilizer that Tod would use in a trial run.
9:55 AM Commissioner Baldwin left for the Juvenile Detention meeting at the Sheriff’s Office.
Tod asked the Commission if he could prove his fertilizer works better, would they consider using locally. Tod will turn in a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) on the fertilizer he would use in a trial run and the Commission will discuss with Dave Solga, Turf Solutions going forward.
10:00 AM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:01 AM Mark Sieler, Road Foreman joined the meeting.
10:01 AM ROAD/SHOP UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn/Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
Bobby and Mitch were unable to attend the meeting. Hauled the cement from the Old Exhibit Hall; discussed drainage for that area and the other shed. Discussed blading Pine Creek Road. Reported on county vehicle maintenance.
10:12 AM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:32 AM DISCUSS UPCOMING BID SPECS/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
Went over the draft bid proposal for Parkview Retirement Complex and Public Health office.
10:39 AM Commissioner Baldwin joined the meeting.
Discussed timeline to go out for bid on fire security being as Johnson Controls service agreement will be expiring August 31st.
10:46 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:01 AM SAFETY COMMITTEE – WALKING PADS AT WORK/ Safety Committee; Julie Straub, HRM
Brittany Renner, Robbie Christaens, Derrick DeHaan, Sara Berger, Debbie Wyrick, Josh Lewis, Mindi Murnion.
An employee asked the Safety Committee about having a motorized walking pad/desk treadmill at their desk. The Safety Committee believes it is a safety hazard. Could take a walk during a fifteen-minute break or during lunch. The Commission agrees that a walking pad could be a safety hazard and recommends not allowing employees to have walking pads at their desk.
11:08 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:08 AM IT UPDATES/ Josh Lewis, System Administrator
Updated on website and Facebook traffic. Will haul old printers and computers to Baker Metal & Recycling. Ordered laptops for Public Health; coordinating with other departments on upgrading equipment for the upcoming budget. Landfill cameras will be installed this week, also ordered Wi-fi Bridgeport. Josh and Clint will be working on the cameras for Iron Horse Park; cameras in the Pump Room are corroded. Updated on Dispatch’s call recording issue.
1. Permission to attend Montana Digital Government Summit.
Montana Digital Government Summit is a conference for local government IT employees in Helena on May 14th. Permission granted.
11:29 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:43 AM INSIDE MAINTENANCE UPDATES/ Lynda Herbst, Inside Custodial Supervisor
Updated on the painting of the Sheriff’s Office and Dispatch.
1. Discuss/Decision on painting Library walls.
Will wait for rain to make sure the roof won’t leak and ruin any new paint.
11:46 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:48 AM Commissioner Braun made the motion to recess. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENED
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS-PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
1:32 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney
1. Resolution/Contract for the Indigent Burial Policy.
Discussed timeline for processing burial contracts.
2. Burial Application form.
There was no discussion at this time.
3. Agreement/Addendum for the Buerkle Scoria Pit.
Will send addendum for the Commission to review.
4. Baker Senior Center transfer of ownership/lease.
Darcy will draft a Resolution of Intent with intent to Lease to the Baker Senior Center.
5. Resolution to vacate plats from County Certificate of Surveys.
There was no discussion at this time.
6. Agricultural Easement for Randy Tunby.
Discussed stock lane as the easement.
7. Process to adjust Fair Board members’ reimbursement for time and meal expenses.
Discussed language for resolution to amend the by-laws to ensure that it is not compensation but a stipend.
8. Discuss Baker Chamber of Commerce MOA.
Will update MOA and adjusting amount.
1:47 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:00 PM WEED DEPARTMENT UPDATES/ Sara Berger, Weed Control Coordinator
Sara has started preparing for the spray season. Sara will be attending the MWCA Spring training in Miles City next week. Kids’ Education Day with the Weed Department, Extension, NRCS and the Conservation District will be at the Fairgrounds May 15th. Drone Education Day will be May 23rd at the fairgrounds.
2:04 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:13 PM EBMS HEALTH INSURANCE FRAUD PROTECTION/ Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder
Discussed increase in fraudulent checks and possible need for fraud protection.
2:27 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:28 PM Rich Menger, Sanitarian and Carl Overland, Shop Mechanic joined the meeting.
2:28 PM SHOOTING RANGE UPDATES/ Jim Leischner, Shooting Range Manager; Shane Bettenhausen, Shooting Match Supervisor
Shane was unable to attend the meeting. Jim reported that the trap shooters on the Baker Gun Range Board were wanting to put in a parking lot over the shotgun building’s holding tank, and after inspecting the area, thought the existing tank could be leaking. Rich recommends pumping the tank to figure out how big the it is. Discussed digging out the old tank and putting in a new septic tank with a float alarm system in it. Will see if it’s possible to run a line from the septic tank to the main building.
2:43 PM Rich left the meeting.
Discussed hauling scoria out at the shooting range.
2:48 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
3:00 PM WELLNESS RENEWAL/ Wellness Committee
Debbie Wyrick and Kathy Newell.
Healthy is Wellness sent their renewal proposal. The Wellness Committee is in agreement that the program is going well. Healthy is Wellness proposed adding Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Impairment risk to the County’s renewal. This test would give feedback on memory, visuospatial, executive function, reaction time and processing speed. Would be optional for employees and not required for insurance.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to add Alzheimer, Dementia and Impairment Risk as an option to the Healthy is Wellness renewal. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
3:14 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
3:30 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve April 2024 Mid-Month Claims
Commissioner Braun made a motion to approve April 2024 Mid-Month Claims for the amount of $184,737.64. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Approve April 8th – April 12th, 2024 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve April 8th – 12th, 2024 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Approve March 28th, 2024 Closed Commission Minutes,
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve March 28th, 2024 Closed Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
4. Executive/Action Items:
a. Discuss/Decision to go out for bid for contract cleaning at Parkview Retirement Complex and the Public Health office.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to go out for bid for Parkview Retirement Complex 1 & 2 and Fallon County Public Health cleaning contract. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; Commissioner Rost asked about a closing date for the bid, closing date is May 28th. 3 Ayes 0 Nays.
5. Old Business as needed.
a. Sign Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Addendum Personal Service Contract for Fallon County Noxious Weed Management.
Addendum has been signed.
b. Sign amended Inter-Local Agreement Formation, Authority and Administration of Abatement Region 1 for the Opioid Settlement.
c. Discuss/Decision on designating programs to receive earmarked alcohol tax monies and/or State-Approval for the provision of substance misuse/abuse treatment and prevention services in the County.
d. Decision regarding quote from Peaks Planning to update Planning forms.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve Peaks Planning quote for updating Planning forms specifically for Fallon County for the amount of $2,100.00. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays.
e. Discuss/Decision to sign MACo Letter to Citizens regarding Senate Bill 442.
6. Approve Fair Contracts (as needed)
7. Appointments/Resignations to various boards (as needed)
8. Review & Approve Approach/Encroachment permits (as needed)
9. Review Board Minutes/Agendas (Boards other than Commission)
10. Review Department/Office reports/sign journal vouchers (as needed)
11. Emails/Correspondence
3:51 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
3:52 PM Commissioner Rost made the motion to recess. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
RECESS
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024
9:00 AM RECONVENED
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
9:00 AM Sage Joyce, USACE joined the meeting virtually.
9:00 AM DISCUSS BERGSTROM HILL ROAD PROJECT MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS – VIRTUAL MEETING/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Jeremy Andersen, USACE Regulatory Project Manager
Discussed possible jurisdictional wetlands surrounding Bergstrom Hill Road. Shannon explained that an intersection on Bergstrom Hill Road needs to be cut due to multiple near misses. The line of sight coming off a hill is too short and constant traffic from a nearby gravel pit increases the chances of a detrimental accident. Discussed difficulty of establishing wetlands to obtain mitigation credits for Fallon County as a whole, being as the county is split between two basins. USACE will determine if there are jurisdictional wetlands along Bergstrom Hill Road and Shannon will draft a mitigation plan to present to USACE.
10:00 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:20 AM Commissioner Rost made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
s/ Steve Baldwin, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
