Commission Minutes – April 17 – 21, 2023
9:30 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk and Recorder
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
Shawn Wiseman and Jessica Batterman – Bank of Baker Coral Creek Landfill Account paperwork discussed.
9:45 AM Shawn and Jessica left Public Comment.
9:45 AM SANITARIAN UPDATES/Richard Menger, Sanitarian and Josh Lewis IT
1.Discuss Golf Course equipment/software quote. Eliminates the need for manual DEQ testing, software would monitor. This system could take up to four weeks to get operational, would still do manual testing/reporting during the transition time. Will discuss further in Work Session at 3:45pm
10:00 AM ROAD/SHOP UPDATES/Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mark Sieler, Road Foreman; Mitch Overn and Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics, Jeff Frank, Manager of Landfill Operations
UPDATES/
Oil – need to quote or bid, it is over $80,000 will need to be bid.
Review/discuss bridge inspection reports – Suggestions N Plevna, Chevron signs on ends of bridge/box culvert. Commission Rost asked if we should sign all; Road Dept will order and install signage on all bridge/box culverts.
Discuss/Decisions to award equipment bids for Road Dept Loader and Motor Grader Discussed Specs Commissioner Rost made the motion to accept bid from RDO for Wheel Loader and Motor Grader – with specific upgrades minus the V Plow. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Aye 0 Nay. The motion carried unanimously.
Wheel Loader $473,000 Trade in value $175,000 Net Wheel Loader $298,000
Motor Grader $448,300.50 Trade in value $300,000- Options: Snow Wing $17,500; Front lift group $5,500; Premium circle $9,500; GPS ready $4,000 for a Total Net Motor Grader $148,300.50
Commissioner Braun made a motion to accept the Quote from RDO for a John Deere 324G Skid Steer Loader in the amount of $84,597.44 with customer discount of 32% of Deere List of -$27,597.44; plus, freight and machine set-up of $5,500. This will replace the Road Department Skid Steer; the Road Department Skid Steer will transfer to the Fairgrounds. The Fairgrounds Skid Steer Loader will be traded-Trade value of -$13,000 for a total of $49,500. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none 3 Ayes 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Discuss/Decision to award gravel bid
Discussion, no decision.
Discuss/Decision to award waste handler bid for the Landfill
Motion made by Commissioner Rost to accept bid from RDO for Landfill Waste Handler. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Bid $311,100 Trade in Value $170,000 Net Waste Handler $141,100
10:21 AM Bobby, Mark, Mitch, Carl and Jeff left the meeting.
10:30 AM DISCUSS REVISED EMERGENCY PAID LEAVE POLICY AND ADOPT RESOLUTION #1107 INTENT TO CREATE A PAID EMERGENCY LEAVE POLICY/Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk and Recorder, Dale Butori, DES/911 Coordinator and Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff/Coroner
Julie unavailable; short discussion on emergency declarations and Courthouse closures. More discussion required will re-schedule for next week.
10:49 AM Dale and Trenton left the meeting.
11:00 AM PERMISSION TO HIRE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER
Commissioner Braun made the motion to hire Jessica Scott for the position of Emergency Communications Dispatcher. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
11:05 AM PERMISSION TO RECRUIT AND SET WAGES FOR LANDFILL EQUIPMENT OPERATOR/Jeff Frank Landfill
Discussion to recruit for Equipment Operator, will include CDL required and work every third Saturday at the Container Site.
Motion made by Commissioner Rost to recruit Landfill Equipment Operator. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Wages discussion for Equipment Operator; if CDL is required Jeff would want the wage to be more than entry level of $20.50, Jeff would like to see $24 if they have CDL, no decision was made.
11:30 AM Jeff left the meeting.
11:30 AM MUSEUM UPDATES/Melissa Rost, Museum Curator
Commissioner Rost excused himself.
Updates discussed Traci Bruha hours; Melissa is utilizing volunteers when possible. Museum open dates discussed.
11:39 PM Melissa left the meeting.
11:46 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to recess. 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.
NOON RECESS
PRESENT: Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk and Recorder
ABSENT: Steve Baldwin in Juvenile Detention Grant Meeting
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1 :15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment
1:30 PM REVIEW/DISCUSS/DECISION (if needed)-REGARDING BID FOR 6TH STREET WEST WATERLINE PROJECT/Tom Bruha, Baker Fire Chief, Turk Stark, Richard Chester Baker Rural Fire District Board; Randy Hoenke County Fire Warden; Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering
Total Bid $271,095.00 BRFD $150,000 maximum commitment, City would consider the $120,000 excess. The Commission would want a commitment from the City of Baker before making a final decision. The BRFD amount would need to be in their budget for FY 23-24.
2:00 PM Tom, Turk, Richard and Randy left the meeting.
2:00 PM PROJECT UPDATES/Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering
UPDATES
Discuss gravel bid options.
Discuss/Decision regarding letter to landowners bordering Troubadour Drive
Changes to the letter, Require the landowner to contact County, by a specified date. Make a phone call to the landowner if they don’t reach out to the County.
Bergstrom Hill Road – Corp of Engineers permits sitting in limbo. Quotes should be coming this week, can have ready to go if Corp of Engineers sends permitting paperwork.
Golf Course Irrigation Pond – boring for seepage rate/test-3 holes in pond, test is required regardless of line or don’t line pond.
2:42 PM Shannon left the meeting.
2:30 PM APPROVAL OF APRIL, 2023 MID-MONTH CLAIMS
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the April, 2023 mid-month claims in the amount of $365,827.98. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any other discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Baldwin). The motion carried.
2:59PM Steve Baldwin, County Commissioner returned.
3:00 PM DISCUSS HANGAR RENTAL FEES & TAX REVENUES/REVIEW & UPDATE ACCESS EASEMENT FOR MEGGERS/DISCUSS POLLUTION POLICY/Roger Meggers, Airport Manager and Darin Meggers, Airport Assistant Manager
Young Gun Construction has agreed to reimburse for damages to the snowplow resulting from the pile of debris that was not removed last year. Young Gun should return next Monday to work on the project, which they should complete within a 30-day time period.
Roger provided a copy of an Airport Access Agreement renewal letter; Baker Municipal Airport Commission and Roger Meggers and Darin Meggers for their private hangar located on private land at the North end of the airport.
Airport Fees discussion, Roger will discuss with the Baker Airport Commission, and get back to the Commission.
Hangar Leases – Need updated by County Attorney, Roger will check with other airports examples and get them to Darcy for review.
3:36PM Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney joined the meeting.
3:41PM Jim Leischner, Shooting Range Manager joined the meeting
3:45PM Carl Overland, Shooting Range Board Member joined the meeting.
Pollution/Fuel Spill Insurance Coverage – Baker Air or Fallon County as the Landowner responsibility discussion, Darcy discussed ultimately it would be the landowner responsibility.
3:45 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Commission reviewed revenues received, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and agendas.
3:47PM Darin and Roger left meeting.
3:49PM Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk joined the meeting.
3:55PM Shane Bettenhausen, Shooting Match Director joined the meeting.
Old Business
Moving Wells Fargo Trust to the Bank of Baker (Coral Creek Landfill)
No Further discussion.
Hospital Basement maintenance
No discussion.
Executive/Action Items:
Aramark agreement-Early termination discussion/decision Kimberly Jensen and Darcy Wassmann discussion about changes to agreement/contract.
Johnson Controls-early termination discussion/Decision
No discussion.
Opioid Distribution Settlement &/or Reallocation of Funds Decision Darcy Wassmann, discussion to opt in for Fallon County, then could potentially opt out later – agreed.
Kirschten Lease/County land is not fenced out from Kirschten Trust Land-That land will be sold in the near future-Discuss/Decisions
No discussion.
Discuss Agreement with Chamber of Commerce for Rec Department Services
No discussion.
Permission to purchase clay targets/Shooting Range Board Jim Leischner, Carl Overland, and Shane Bettenhausen; Clay pigeon budget discussion Jim to get more details and report back.
Discuss/Approve EMS Medical Director Agreement
Waiting for further information before completing the agreement.
Approve quote from Johnson Controls for replacement of Fire extinguishers at FMC.
Commissioner Baldwin signed in approval and will be sent to David Espeland, FMC.
Approve MOU with MT FWP pertaining to treatment of weeds, by the Fallon County Weed Department on FWP owned and managed land.
No Discussion.
Permission to have an Open House at the EMS Building-May 6th by request of Brittany Renner
Permission granted.
4:00PM Barbara Ketterling, Treasurer joined the meeting.
Barbara Ketterling presented Treasurer Report for March 2023
4:05PM Barb left the meeting.
Kimberly, Darcy, Jim, Carl and Shane left the meeting.
4:30 PM GOLF COURSE SEEDING DISCUSSION/DECISION/Kevin Hill, Golf Course Superintendent; Rich Menger, Sanitarian; Marty Asay, RandyHoenke and Brock Collins, Public Members
Kevin Hill has received recommendations not to seed at this time, until irrigation is operational. Irrigation has leaks approximately 13-14. However, he will do whatever the Commission directs him to do. Commissioner Braun asked questions about the leaks, and why the leaks were not fixed last fall, more discussion. Commission decision and direction to Kevin Hill – fix the known leaks now, then fill irrigation system with water from the pond to test system for any remaining leaks. Seeding – not until a later date.
5:00 PM PUBLIC COMMENT – DISCUSS CHANGING HOURS OF OPERATION FOR THE CONTAINER SITE
5:03PM Kevin Hill left the meeting.
5:07PM Kevin Hill returned, to verify information that was in question.
5:08PM Kevin Hill left the meeting.
Discussion on seeder, a member of the public may be interested in purchasing for use by the golf course.
5:15PM Marty, Randy, Rich and Brock left the meeting.
5:15 PM COMMISSIONER MINUTES APPROVAL-April 10-14, 2023, Commissioner Rost motion to approve minutes, Commissioner Braun seconded. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
CONTAINER SITE PUBLIC COMMENT:
No one appeared for public comment regarding changing hours of operation for the container site. No discussion, no decision. Another public comment session is scheduled April 24, 2023 – 5:00 to 5:30 PM.
5:30 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to recess. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
RECESS UNTIL THURSDAY AT 10:00AM
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023
10:00 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
10:00 AM DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE INFORMATIONAL MEETING/Liz Franz, Jess Arnold & Lisa Rieger, Vicky Dauterman; MT Department of Revenue
This is a reappraisal year; changes were discussed. DOR is putting together an informational video that will be available to the public. Liz and Jess would be willing to present the information to Fallon County and other bordering County residents if the Commission would like them to. The Commission all agreed that would be very beneficial for the public to hear. The presentation will also be available online. The DOR will do all of the advertising for the meetings. Fallon County taxpayers will not see a huge change in taxes, going up approximately 4 percent for non-commercial, a little more than that for commercial taxes. The public meetings are planned for the second or third week in July and they will make residents aware they can attend meetings in any county they wish.
Fallon County only has 1 Tax Appeal Board member. If Fallon County received any appeals, we will have to try to find someone to sit on the board.
Commission is very pleased that we have been able to keep a DOR office open in Fallon County and also feel that Lisa and Vicky do an awesome job.
10:30 AM Liz, Jess, Vicky and Lisa left the meeting.
10:30 AM Commissioner Rost made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
s/Steve Baldwin, Chairman
s/Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder/Minute Recorder
ATTEST:
s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
