Commission Minutes – April 29 – May 3, 2024
MONDAY, APRIL 29, 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.
9:42 AM PERMISSION TO HIRE SEASONAL AIDE/ Melissa Rost, Museum Curator; Julie Straub, HRM
Melissa was unable to attend the meeting.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to hire Jaeda Paul for the Seasonal Aide position for the Museum. Commissioner Rost recused himself. Chairman Baldwin stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays.
9:44 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
9:44 AM Vaughn Zenko, SMART Executive Director
9:44 AM PERMISSION TO PROMOTE CHANSE HOENKE TO SEASONAL CEMETERY CARETAKER/ Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Rost made the motion to promote Chanse Hoenke to Seasonal Cemetery Caretaker. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays.
9:45 AM Commissioner Braun excused himself to attend another meeting.
9:47 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
9:47 AM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON COMMITMENT OF FUNDS TOWARDS THE OTTO BREMER TRUST GRANT/ Mindi Murnion, Public Health Specialist
Vaughn explained the requirement and process to acquiring the Otto Bremer grant which could cover start-up costs for the Catalyst for Change program. Discussed having the County sign a letter of support and setting aside operating funds as a show of commitment when applying for the grant. Vaughn will email a letter of support for the Commission to review during the May 6th Commission work session.
9:59 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:02 AM ROAD/SHOP UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn/Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
The intake manifold melted in Ambulance #17; new manifold has been ordered. Discussed other County vehicle maintenance and replacing suspension in a trailer. Road Crew bladed low maintenance dirt roads due to grass overgrowing. Commissioner Rost informed Bobby about Wiley Butte Road needing gravel and how an individual was asking about the 101 Road heading towards the Webster Road needing binding maintenance. Bobby was aware of both roads and will work on getting them fixed.
10:15 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:30 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian
Discussed establishing wetlands at the Upper Baker Lake but emphasized it being difficult. Upper Baker Lake was delineated in 2017 but would need to be delineated again if the county decided to mitigate that area for future projects. A meeting will be set up for some time in mid-May with multiple parties regarding Bergstrom Hill Road.
10:40 AM Commissioner Braun joined the meeting.
Commissioner Rost stated that he does not believe that there are as many wetlands along Bergstrom Hill Road as claimed because of the type of grass growing in the area. Shannon will ask Meadowlark, a subconsultant, to verify if there are wetlands.
Rich and Shannon will be attending the DNRC pre-application meeting in Billings for the golf course irrigation pond. Discussed updating DEQ on Fallon County making progress on irrigation pond construction.
10:57 AM Julie Straub, HRM joined the meeting.
Shannon updated on the GIS road mapping being close to completion. Brosz will host GIS website.
11:01 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:01 AM DISCUSS/DECISION ON PROPANE QUOTE & FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT/SERVICES BID/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk
Discussed going out for quotes for propane for the upcoming fiscal year. Kimberly will contact the two companies who sent quotes previously. Brenda updated on the bid for fire safety equipment and services. Won’t be able to go out for bid until bid specs have more definitive requirements in it; Brenda will contact an engineer for guidance on the bid.
11:06 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:10 AM DISCUSS BAKER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MOA/ Chamber Members
Alissa Miller, President attended the meeting.
Alissa presented a proposed budget for hiring a Chamber Director and a Rec Department.
11:13 AM Vaughn Zenko joined the meeting.
11:15 AM Shyla Hadley joined the meeting.
Reported on programs continuing to grow; would like to hire employees for consistency in the programs and possible fundraisers. Commissioner Baldwin stated that the County was close to budget time so they will be deciding soon.
11:19 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:30 AM HEALTH INSURANCE RENEWAL/ Health Insurance Committee
Debbie Wyrick, Troy Hess, and Marjorie Losing attended the meeting.
Reviewed the health insurance renewal forms from EBMS. Explained high amount in pharmacy rebates from Smith Rx, could give back to employees through a ten-dollar increased credit for utilizing the Wellness Program. Marjorie explained multiple options the County could do for Insurance. The Health Insurance Committee recommends leaving premiums as they are and allowing the additional ten-dollar credit for doing the Wellness Program.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to accept the committee’s recommendation to keep the health insurance premiums the same and increasing the Wellness Program credit to $70 per month for the employees. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
11:47 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:47 AM Commissioner Rost made the motion to recess after the Housing Discussion. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
NOON RECESS
1:00 PM ATTEND SCIENCE FAIR PRESENTATION BY HUNTER BAILEY – BAKER HIGH SCHOOL
Science Fair Presentation has been rescheduled.
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM ATTEND EPEDC & MCDC HOUSING DISCUSSION – THE COFFEEHOUSE AT LAWLER’S
RECESS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2024
9:30 AM RECONVENED
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
9:33 AM FY25 SALARY WORK SESSION/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder; Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder; Julie Straub, HRM; Christa Alford, Payroll Clerk; Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff
The Road Department would like to keep their current pay schedule. Discussed how to adjust the Road Department’s hours so all the departments are consistent.
Commissioner Braun made a motion to implement the new longevity schedule for the fiscal year of 2025. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays.
Discussed adjusting wages in certain departments to correspond with their increased responsibilities for the fiscal year of 2025. Discussed adjusting other wages for the fiscal year of 2026.
11:01 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:18 AM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve April 22nd – April 26th, 2024 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve April 22nd – 26th, 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.
2. Executive/Action Items:
a. Permission to purchase items for the Lake Testing Project for Linda Rost/ Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk
Discussed the Baker Lake budget and the funding of school projects. Kimberly asked for clarification on how to handle invoices for the Lake Testing Project going forward. Commissioner Braun asked Commissioner Baldwin if the school funds projects like this. Commissioner Baldwin confirmed that they do if they have the funds. Commissioner Braun asked if the County should be funding a school project. Commissioner Rost recused himself from the discussion. Commissioner Braun stated he was against using the Baker Lake budget for school projects. Permission granted to purchase items for the Lake Testing Project until set of amount of $10,000 has been expended through the current fiscal year.
b. Approval of WBI Energy Transmission, INC. Temporary Access & Workspace Agreement by Owner.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the Temporary Access & Workspace Agreement for WBI Energy Transmission, INC. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Old Business as needed.
a. Sign Fallon County/The Bank of Baker ACH Origination Agreement.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to sign the Bank of Baker Agreement. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
b. Sign Cowbell Cyber Risk Insurance Renewal Application Prime250.
Chairman Baldwin signed the Renewal Application as of today.
c. Sign Master Agreement between the State of Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and Fallon County.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to sign the Master Agreement. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
4. Approve Fair Contracts (as needed)
5. Appointments/Resignations to various boards (as needed)
6. Review & Approve Approach/Encroachment permits (as needed)
7. Review Board Minutes/Agendas (Boards other than Commission)
8. Review Department/Office reports/sign journal vouchers (as needed)
9. Emails/Correspondence
12:00 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
12:02 PM Commissioner Rost made the motion to adjourn after the interviews. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024
2:00 PM JUSTICE COURT CLERK INTERVIEWS
ADJOURN
s/ Steve Baldwin, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
