Commission Minutes April 28 – May 2, 2025
MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2025
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost & Mandi Varner, 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 IT UPDATES/ Josh Lewis, System Administrator
Presented a CyberSecurity training that he is trying to bring to Baker. Discussed items for next budget year; several computers will need updated to Window 11. Reported on equipment upgrades. Asked to attend Montana Digital Summit in Helena, May 12th-14th; permission granted.
1. PERMISSION TO GIVE THE CITY OF BAKER UNUSED COMPUTERS.
Discussed giving the City unused computers that are currently sitting in storage; permission granted.
2. CLICK SEND TEST TO COUNTY EMPLOYEES
Commissioner Braun sent out the text.
10:00 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:02 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn and/or Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
Mitch was unable to attend the meeting. Updated on mulching; roads built at thirty-one feet wide. The State is currently hauling gravel to the old Plevna landfill; currently mulching South Plevna Road. Carl updated on county vehicle maintenance.
10:09 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:09 AM PERMISSION TO RECRUIT ROAD CREW OPERATOR/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Rost motioned to recruit a Road Crew Operator. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
PERMISSION TO HIRE SEASONAL GOLF COURSE CREW HAND/ Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Varner motioned to hire Blake Barsness as a Seasonal Golf Course Crew Hand. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
10:11 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:30 AM PROJECT UPDATES – CONFERENCE CALL/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian
Updated on seeding for Bergstrom Hill Road; currently in contact with Wyrick Construction. Discussed stabilizing the road with touch ups. Discussed quote for the 5-year dam inspection; several of the documents required are non-existent.
1. Discuss Form 600 Water Rights
Reported on documentation required to complete the Water Rights Permit. Will have the County Attorney review the permit.
2. Discussion on Golf Course Nutrient Management Plan
Reported on meeting with Matt Waite with DEQ. Deviations will be pushed to Helena for approval. Rich updated on newly installed PH meter.
10:53 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:00 AM EASTERN MONTANA COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER (EMCMHC) UPDATES/ Brenda Kneeland, Chief Executive Officer
Gave an overview of EMCMHC and services provided; over 200 substance abuse services were completed for Fallon County, put $60,000.00 back into Fallon County with mental health resources and activities. Discussed splitting the alcohol tax money between EMCMHC and Prairie Hills Recovery.
11:18 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:28 AM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON CERTIFICATION & TRAINING FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHERS/ Brenda Hoeger, Emergency Communications Dispatch Supervisor; Julie Straub, HRM
Discussed trainings available for Dispatchers. A Public Emergency Communications Center is required to go through annual and semi-annual trainings; discussed several training options. Brenda reported on a company that could tailor-make courses specifically for her dispatch center. Brenda will budget for additional trainings for the next fiscal year out of the 911 funds. Discussed having the Dispatch Center being EMD certified; permission granted.
11:46 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15 PM.
RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost & Mandi Varner, Members;
Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:19 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
Rich Menger, Sanitarian, joined the meeting. Reported on scheduling an inspection for the Head Start building. Won’t be licensed as a food catering establishment; cooks will be required to have food handling certification. Discussed spraying the workforce camp for weeds; reported on wastewater permits.
1:23 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
1:25 PM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON TK ELEVATOR QUOTE/ Derrick deHaan, Outside Maintenance Facilites Manager
Discussed replacing the plastic elevator buttons in Parkview 2 with stainless two.
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the TK Elevator quote for the amount of $3,276.35 contingent that labor and travel is included in the quote. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further business; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
1:28 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Update on Dec. Action
Dec. Action has been emailed to Susan Swimley, Attorney at Law for revisions.
2. Discuss Interlocal Agreement between Fallon County and City of Baker for City Court Staff
Reported on waiting for the City’s decision or revisions on the agreement; discussed changes that have been made thus far. Discussed the reimbursement for longevity.
3. Discuss 1996 EMCMHC agreement on alcohol tax monies
Discussed either revising or terminating the agreement; permission granted to create an amendment that could be reviewed on an annual basis. Will ask EMCMHC more about the comprehensive plan mentioned in the agreement.
4. Discuss creating a TV Advisory Board
Reviewed the drafted Resolution for creating a TV Advisory Board. Discussed amount of members needed for the advisory board. Discussed House Bill 683 which restricts conflict of interest for bidding on county projects.
5. Discuss updating agreements for the TV Advisory Board
Commissioner Braun reported on a discussion he had with Mid-Rivers regarding a easement for the Baker TV Board. Discussion on hold until Mid-Rivers presents an easement.
6. Review/Revise Petition to create a road
Currently working on revisions.
7. Old business as needed
Commissioner Braun presented the Beneficial Water Use Permit to be reviewed.
Discussed speed limit for Coral Creek Road and having public hearings to see if a speed limit is warranted.
2:26 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:30 PM HEAD START INTRODUCTION/ Stacey Teter
Stacey did an overview on Head Start’s roles and responsibilities as a newly opened preschool. Explained enrollment process. Reported on employees, grants and classes.
2:40 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:58 PM Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder joined the meeting.
3:00 PM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON LOCAL INNOVATIONS NEAR TERM INITIATIVE GRANT (NTI)/ Kim Bryan, Public Health Director; Mindi Murnion, Public Health Specialist
Reported on the grant that was awarded for the Community Health Worker position and Catalyst for Change. Discussed having contracted coverage when the Community Health Worker is absent.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the draft Local Innovations NTI Grant. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Brenda reminded everyone about following the terms of the contracts and agreements for grant funding. Further audit findings may cause funding losses, or other issues in the future. Discussed debarment of contractors.
3:15 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:20 PM DES/911 UPDATES/ Desiree Thielen, DES/911 Coordinator
Discussed grants that could go towards the TV Board and EMT training. Reported on several meetings and siren testing. Updated on past discussions for agreements with Bowman and Slope County. Reported Disaster Mitigation process; the Commission has yet to adopt the final plan. Updated on mapping repository with the State Library and Google. Reported on Code Red being used more for just emergency messages; will look at current billing for Code Red. Discussed mock pipeline break for training.
3:43 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:43 PM EMS UPDATES/ Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager
Updated on equipment replacements and maintenance. Reported on upcoming trainings/classes and events. Presented SOPs. The Commission reported on Dispatch granted permission to become medical dispatchers.
3:50 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:50 PM LANDFILL UPDATES/ Jeff Frank, Manager of Landfill Operations
No littering signs are in and will be installed. Updated on equipment maintenance; little loader is currently down. Exxon went to the landfill for another inspection.
3:54 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
4:13 PM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON REPLACING THE RO SYSTEMS IN THE COURTHOUSE/ Lynda Herbst, Inside Building Maintenance
Updated on the RO system in Dispatch being outdated; would like to replace the whole system instead of just the filters. The Commission requested a quote for a new RO system. Reported on replacing an older exit sign that was missed during the initial switch.
4:24 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
4:35 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve April 21-25, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the April 21-25, 2025 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision to go out for propane quotes
Discussed asked Plevna Propane and Prairie fuels for propane quotes by June 13th.
b. Discussion/Decision on Plevna School borrowing the sand spreader and bleachers
Discussed timeline for the sand spreader and bleachers.
Commissioner Rost motioned to allow Plevna School to borrow the sand spreader and bleachers. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; as long as Plevna School coordinates with Robbie Christiaens and Doug Varner when borrowing said equipment. Should not have the spreader for more than two or three days. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
c. Discussion/Decision on Morrison-Maierle, Inc quote for the 5-year Dam Inspection
Discussed updated State mandates for the 5-year dam inspection. Discussion has been tabled until Benjamin Cope answers cost share questions.
d. Discussion/Decision on DPHHS Task Order – Strengthening Public Health Workforce
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the DPHHS Task Order. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
e. Discussion/Decision on Griffith Steel, Inc quote for Road Department wash bay garage door
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Griffith Steel, Inc quote for the amount of $9,700.00. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
f. Discussion/Decision on Board Appointments
Commissioner Varner motioned to appoint Steve Baldwin and Cindy Irgens to the Planning Board along with Josh Lewis, Desiree Thielen and Wayne Mangold to the TV Advisory Board. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
g. Discussion/Decision on Rader Certificate of Survey per the County Planner’s recommendation
Commissioner Rost motioned to follow the County Planner’s recommendation to approve the COS as submitted and authorize filing as provided in the 2023 Fallon County, City of Baker and Town of Plevna Subdivision Regulations. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
h. Discussion/Decision on adopting Resolution to Create a TV Advisory Board
Commissioner Rost motioned to adopt Resolution #1154 to Create a TV Advisory Board. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Old Business as needed
a. Discussion/Decision on Coral Creek Road speed limit
Commissioner Rost motioned to start the process of public hearings for three weeks. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; start out with holding public hearings for three weeks but can extend the timeframe if needed. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments & zoning compliance (as needed)
4:58 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being as there is no further business; meeting adjourned.
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025
10:00 AM EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHERS INTERVIEWS
2:00 PM ATTEND KLJ ENGINEERING BAKER AIRPORT PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE BID OPENINGS – ZOOM MEETING
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
