Commission Minutes – August 28 – September 1, 2023
9:00 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
The Pledge of Allegiance was held in the Commissioner’s Office to start off the week.
9:00 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
9:15 AM DISCUSS/DECISIONS CREDIBLE MINDS PROGRAM AND PROGRAM COSTS/Mindi Murnion, Public Health Specialist; Scott Dahl, Credible Minds-via ZOOM; Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff/Coroner
Scott reviewed the program with the group and explained this program would benefit everyone in the County, not just County employees. This program positively addresses mental health issues for families and individuals. Improves total health throughout the community with better access to information and resources. The initial one-time cost would be $500, and the annual licensing fee would be $2,610. Mindi plans to apply for a grant for the first year and hopefully there will be ongoing grants to apply for so this can be available in the future. There is unlimited use for everyone in Fallon County. This would be a cost to the county, less any grant funding received.
9:33 AM Scott left Zoom, therefore leaving the meeting.
Mindi explained Scott will also be presenting this program at the Board of Health meeting on Wednesday. The Commission will discuss this further.
9:43 AM Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk joined.
9:47 AM Trenton and Mindi left the meeting.
9:48 AM DISCUSS/DECISION REGARDING UPGRADING CELL PHONES FOR OFFICES/DEPART-
MENTS/Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk
Discussed upgrading county employee cell phones; they have several free versions available. The Commission made the decision to allow county employees to upgrade their county cell phones if they want to. The Weed Department supervisor no longer wishes to have cell phones in the weed crew trucks. They are not used and are seldom in range to use them; they have radios for emergencies. The Golf Course supervisor has very low usage on his cell phone. Kimberly will ask if the Golf Course supervisor would rather turn his phone in, or if he still plans to use it. All phones turned back into the county will be disconnected.
9:58 AM Kimberly left the meeting.
10:00 AM ROAD/SHOP UPDATES/Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland, Shop Mechanic
Road/Shop Updates/They are back to work on the City of Baker project, east of Highway 7 and SW of Baker Lake. They are working on a street that they were unaware was in the scope of work and also shaping up other streets in that area in preparation for chip sealing. They are also working on car gate repairs as well as other small projects. Discussed maintenance of equipment; Road department mower is in the shop waiting for a battery; working on a couple ambulances as well as some other maintenance items. Trailer maintenance is complete, and the loader is running well also. The remainder of gravel is now crushed and, in a pile, per the bid received. Discussed petitioned roads and roads with no easements may receive minimal to no maintenance. Bobby will get hold of Mike Stark and run some test holes for gravel on his property. Need to find out if this area is feasible to permit as a county pit.
10:15 AM Bobby and Carl left the meeting.
10:35 AM PROJECT UPDATES/Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Richard Menger, Sanitarian
Project Updates/Discussed the City Street project the county road crew is working on. Drainage issues were discussed. Diamond J will work on the drainage issue today for that area. The remaining roads near Thielen’s have been flown and will be completed this week. Brosz will send the preliminary information to the County and Thielen’s. Working on the drafting project west of Baker, known as the workforce housing site. No updates on Bergstrom Hill Road-still waiting on the cultural report. Shannon is going to get some updates from the contractors regarding the FMC/Parkview parking lots. Waiting until they are done watering at the Golf Course before preparing for the pond test. Discussed the wetland project and if released the Commission is hopeful, we can start working on the channel through the City of Baker.
11:10 AM Shannon left the meeting.
11:13 AM NEW COUNTY PHONE SYSTEM PRESENTATION-LIBRARY EOC/Josh Lewis, System Administrator; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk; Elected Officials/Department Heads and other Designees
The Commission attended the presentation from Verizon for a new county phone system.
11:55 AM Everyone left the presentation.
11:55 AM Commissioner Rost made the motion to recess. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion.
Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
NOON RECESS
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
1:30 PM Senior Bus Parking Area-Derrick deHaan, Outside Maintenance Assistant and Carla Brown met to discuss a designated parking area in front of Parkview for the senior bus. The Commission will go view and a decision will be made later.
1:30 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Commission reviewed revenues received, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and agendas.
1.Old Business (as needed)
a.Wells Fargo Trust for the Landfill (any decisions needed)
No further discussion at this time.
b.Hospital basement maintenance (any decisions needed)
No further discussion at this time.
c.EMS billing practices/rates (discussion/decisions as needed)
No further discussion at this time.
d.Approve/Sign agreement for Recreation Assistance
No further discussion at this time.
e.Sign Peaks Planning Agreement
Agreement not received at this time.
f.Sign Agreement between Fallon County and EMEDA for use of County Land for purposes of Food Forest Agreement not received at this time.
g.Policies/procedures for gate permit system (discussion/decisions as needed)
Not completed at this time.
h.Indigent Burial Policy (discussion/decisions as needed)
Not completed at this time.
i.Other Old Business as needed.
2.E-mails/Correspondence
3.Review & Approve Encroachment Permits (as needed)
4.Review Board Minutes/Agendas (Boards other than Commission)
5.Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers (as needed)
6.Executive/Action items:
a.Discuss/Decision regarding Marking Parking spot in front of Parkview Retirement Complex
This will be reviewed and discussed later.
b.Sign updated Verizon cell phone & Machine to Machine 911 generator monitor services agreements
The Commission reviewed and signed the updated Verizon cell phone and Machine to Machine 911 generator services agreement.
c.Shooting Range budget questions-Jim Leischner, Shooting Range Manager and Carl Overland
Jim-At this time there is no need to budget for the key fob system. TV is used for Hunter Safety so would like to budget for the TV in this budget year. The cement work at the Shooting Range will likely be completed next spring. Jim stated the Plevna Seniors will do whatever the county would like them to do with the building. Discussed the Auditors thoughts when assisting with repairs on the senior centers due to the fact the buildings are not county owned.
d.Various budget questions/Brenda Wood, Clk & Recorder
Discussed budgeting additional in the indigent burial fund due to recent usage already this fiscal year; added an additional $5,700 to that line item. The Golf Course operating supplies line item was discussed; added an additional $35,000.
e.Review/Discuss/Task order for various on-call engineering/surveying services
No decision at this time.
2:00 PM COMMISSION MINUTES APPROVAL AUGUST 21-25, 2023
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the August 21-25, 2023, minutes. Commissioner Rost seconds the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
2:15 PM DISCUSS/DECISION REGARDING WATER LEAK AT BONNIEVALE/Iven Felt, Cementer Caretaker
Iven discussed a water leak that was discovered at Bonnievale Cemetery and wanted to alert the Commission so they can contact someone to make the repair. Mike Griffith, Bonnievale Cemetery Board member was contacted and did look at it. Mike felt the County was in charge of maintenance and would be responsible for the repair. The water will be shut off to that area and can be repaired at a later date.
2:16 PM Iven left the meeting.
2:30 PM ON-CALL PLANNING RFP OPENING
Commissioner Braun opened the On-Call Planning RFPs received.
Stahly Engineering & Associates submitted a paper and a digital copy.
IMEG-submitted a paper and digital copy.
Peaks Planning-submitted a paper and digital copy
Each will be reviewed and scored at a later date and possible in-person interviews conducted.
2:47 PM Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager joined.
2:55 PM Julie Straub, HRM joined.
2:55 PM PERMISSION TO HIRE EMT FOR EMS
Brittany would like permission to hire Sarah Bartholomew as an EMT for EMS.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to hire Sarah Bartholomew as an EMT for EMS. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
3:05 PM Julie left the meeting.
3:05 PM DISCUSS/DECISION REGARDING PURCHASING NEW AMBULANCE THROUGH STATE BID (APGAR ABULANCE)/Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager
Brittany will contact Apgar regarding the state bid.
Attendance at rodeos was discussed and charges to man a rodeo with EMT’s. Brittany quoted $2,400 for (4) EMT’s for 2 days. They were notified the sponsor was a non-profit and did not feel they could afford that. Discussed charging a different rate for non-profits and including that in the fees when all of that information is updated.
3:08 PM Brittany left the meeting.
3:15 PM Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk joined.
Discussion on current meal voucher processes, during the Fair, and other possible solutions to improve the system in the future.
3:44 PM Kimberly left the meeting.
3:45 PM PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURANCE QUESTIONS/Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk and Recorder
Debbie reviewed property and casualty insurance items. Debbie would like a decision from the Commission to set parameters, so she knows what to insure and what not to insure when it comes to equipment purchases. The Commission agreed equipment purchases of $50,000 or more should be insured.
Senior Bus parking at Parkview is still being discussed.
4:00 PM Debbie left the meeting.
4:00 PM Curt Wyss, Auditor joined.
Curt discussed the current audit for FY23 and a few questions he had for the Commission.
4:00 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY BUSINESS SESSION/Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney
1.Discuss-Decision/Approve/Sign MOU for Recreation Dept. Assistance
Darcy prepared a draft resolution; she will take it back and make some revisions.
2.Coral Creek Landfill Trust Account Discussion/Decisions
No further discussion at this time.
3.Gate permit process/policy discussion/decisions
Darcy is working on a draft policy.
4.Indigent Burial policy discussion/decisions
Darcy is working on a draft policy.
5.Discuss/Decisions City emptying various outlying garbage containers for the county/removing G & G’s services
4:30PM Kevin Dukart, Clerk-City of Baker was asked to join.
Kevin explained that private vendors had to be given the option to pick up garbage in outlying areas, over the City of Baker. Discussed a possible interlocal agreement that may resolve the issue.
4:31 PM Kevin left the meeting.
6.Discussion on Right of Way Plat(s)/Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk
The Right of Way Plat process was discussed. Darcy explained information she received from Susan Swimley, MACo Attorney regarding Troubadour Drive. The Commission was unaware of the information received from Susan Swimley and proceeded based on previous information known to them.
7.Review/Discuss/Decision-Task order for various on-call engineering/surveying services
Darcy will look at the task order from KLJ for on-call services. The Clerk and Recorder’s office sends COS’s and Plats to the Examining Land Surveyor from, KLJ, for review. KLJ felt it would be best to have an updated task order since we recently terminated the Planning Service agreement.
8.Old or other county business (as needed)
5:17 PM Darcy left the meeting.
5:20 PM Commissioner Rost made the motion to recess until Wednesday and to adjourn after the training on Wednesday. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
RECESS
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2023
12:00-3:00 PM BOARD OF HEALTH TRAINING/MEETING
ADJOURN
ATTEST:S
s/Steve Baldwin, Chairman
s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
