Commission Minutes – December 19-23, 2022
9:45 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Chairman; Steve Baldwin and Kevin Braun, 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.
9:45 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment
9:57 AM ROAD/SHOP UPDATES/Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn and Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
ROAD-Crew is plowing snow and should be done today. They will then start widening and building snow guards. Will be hauling snow, maybe next week.
Division Road-Commissioner Braun had discussed issues with this road in April. At that time the Commission had asked to send a blade from District 3 to Division Road. This request was also made by the Commission in October. Bobby stated someone would need to notify the people down south that the Road Department is not going to make it to them. Bobby further stated they normally send the blade from town to Division Road. Commissioner Braun reiterated, the Commission had reminded Bobby of their request, again in October. Bobby stated this past snowstorm they had problems with equipment and had crew members that did not make it to work. Bobby further explained they take the blade from town and travel south on Highway 7 and then go through that way. Commissioner Braun stated this has to do with a directive given by the Commission; the request was to send the plow from District 3, twice. In April the landowner had to plow to Highway 7 to get his daughter to school. Bobby explained District 3 bus route takes them all day; there are more miles of road in District 3 than the other Districts. Explained the crew member goes to Barkley’s first thing and plows all the way to DuCharme’s. This time the blade that would have normally gone that way had to go another direction due to a medical emergency. Discussed setting up a meeting to discuss roads and road process.
Packer-No decision to purchase has been made.
Thank you-Commissioner Rost stated a landowner wanted to thank the road department for the work that was completed on county roads.
Ash Creek (west)-Commissioner Rost asked if Bobby knew if Wibaux County had made it to plow Ash Creek Road (West). Bobby did not know; Commissioner Braun stated the Wibaux County Commission said they would take care of it.
SHOP-The motor for the park mower arrived with all necessary parts needed. Baker Metal gave a quote to build sliding metal doors for the containers – $5500 each. Much discussion regarding how the county would like the lids to be built. Discussed having Baker Metal build one set of lids at a time and go from there.
10:31 AM Bobby, Mitch, Carl left the meeting.
10:36 AM PROJECT UPDATES/Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering-via conference call
Road Plat Project-Michael will not be here this week to work on the Road Plat project. Mike Madler is reviewing the documents that have already been scanned.
Thielen Access-Surveyors picked up a couple more corners on Thielen Access. There are still about 2 or 3 corners on the north end to finish so they can complete the legal. This storm has really hurt the project. Some corners are under 3 or 4 feet of snow. When able to complete, there is possibly one more day of work left. The Surveyors did not get the centerline of the existing road shot because it was already snow covered.
Shannon drafted the letters and will send them over for review.
10:42 AM Shannon hung up the phone, therefore leaving the meeting.
10:58 AM PERMISSION TO HIRE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER/Brenda Hoeger, Emergency Communications Dispatch Supervisor; Julie Straub, HRM
Brenda would like permission to hire Alexis Mitchell to fill the open 24-hour position.
10:59 AM Dale Butori, DES/911 Coordinator joined.
Brenda would not send Alexis to training until she has been employed for 1-year.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to hire Alexis Mitchell for the 24-hour position as an Emergency Communications Dispatcher. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
At this time there is not a set start date. Brenda would also like to train Dale Butori, DES/911 Coordinator as a backup Emergency Communications Dispatcher.
11:04 AM Brenda left the meeting.
Dale explained he would train to help in Dispatch on busy days.
11:05 AM Julie and Dale left the meeting.
11:15 AM Discuss/Decision-Fair Volunteers/Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder; Julie Straub, HRM
A question was brought to Julie from a Fair Board Member regarding volunteers that assist with the rodeo. Asked what would happen if the volunteer were to get hurt, where does that leave the County. Debbie explained the rodeo volunteers currently sign a waiver. The individual(s) are covered through the County’s worker compensation even if not paid. Discussed making this a paid temporary position, (optional); so, they are covered as an employee. It is felt this would be a total of approximately 6-10 people. Discussed how they would be paid; Commissioner Rost felt they should be paid by the hour. Discussed what a possible rate of pay might be. This will be discussed at budget time.
11:31 AM Debbie and Julie left the meeting.
11:31 AM Lack of Performance-MTI/Quote Approval-MTI/Lynda Herbst, Inside Custodian Supervisor
On December 7th, an MTI technician was in the courthouse completing routine maintenance. The tech had changed part of the filters; received an emergency call out and had to leave; he never returned. The technician only replaced part of the filters in the Courthouse boiler room. He did not complete the rooftop filters, due to the snow, nor did he replace any other filters, as scheduled. Also, did not bring new filters for the library. Lynda was very disappointed and contacted Paul Emerson, MTI Manager. Paul said he would take care of it. Lynda noticed the library filters are being cut rather than bringing the correct size. Boiler #1 had a code, so Lynda contacted Mike Menger. The trap and tubes had to be cleaned, which is part of the MTI maintenance contract. The Commission urged Lynda to stay in touch with the MTI Manager. Also discussed documenting the incidents with pictures and keeping them in a file.
Valve assembly and proportional control quote-Lynda received a quote from MTI for some parts she would like to keep on hand. The total for 2 of each is $1,445. Permission granted to purchase to keep on hand.
11:45 AM Lynda left the meeting.
12:00 PM Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to recess. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion.
Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
NOON RECESS
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Chairman; Steve Baldwin and Kevin Braun, Members; Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
Snow Policy-Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk and Recorder and Christa Alford, Payroll Clerk met to discuss the snow policy. They would like to send out policy reminders to the employees but wanted to check with the Commission to make sure the policy stands as is or if there may be exceptions. Per Policy-Employees will be required to use vacation; if they have no vacation, then they will use sick leave. If they have no vacation or sick leave, they will have to use leave without pay. At this time the current policy is what will be used.
1:22 PM Debbie and Christa left the meeting.
1:30 PM Hospital Board Member Election/Terri and David Mahoney; Sandy Kinsey, Members of the Public; Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney
Terri met to again express her concerns of the most recent Hospital Board Member Election. Terri reminded the Commission the vote did not get a second set of eyes on it.
1:33 PM Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder/Deputy Election Administrator joined.
Terri – The county did the vote and handed it back to the Hospital Board, which was concerning to Terri because there is already a trust issue with the current Board and Administration. The Commission sent Terri back to the Trustees to get answers. Terri asked if the Commission had seen the by-laws for the Hospital Board. The Commission said they had. Terri submitted a copy of a formal complaint, filed against Fallon Medical Complex. The complaint was filed with the Attorney General’s office by a member of the public.
1:35 PM Therese Thompson, Member of the Public joined.
Terri discussed a portion of the FMC by laws and provided a copy of a Civil Action pertaining to a suit against the Halifax Hospital Medical Center, located in Florida regarding violation of the Sherman Act. Terri reiterated the vote did not have a second set of eyes; the vote should have been read by a third party. Discussed the trust issue and again discussed the person that went up to the podium with Rich Menger was on the ballot. Terri had asked for verification of the votes, after the meeting. The President of the FMC Board was at the podium and told Terry to go to HR to get the information. Terri later called the FMC Board President and placed her on speakerphone so her husband could hear. Terri told the Board President the vote did not get verified; she told Terri; it did not look good. Discussed how this could be remedied, Board President did not know. Terri feels the board cannot be trusted at this point, because the vote was not verified by the entire board. Discussed, in detail, concerns she had with a board member that had stopped, unannounced, at her home Saturday morning. Again stated, the results should have been verified. Commissioner Braun stated the packet Terri requested is ready for her to pick up at the HR office. Terri-It went from yes you can pick them up to no you can’t pick them up and now it is back to you can pick them up.
David stated it all makes sense now. Discussed past bad experiences he had with medical personnel, but also has had good experiences at FMC. David explained his experience with the Board Member that came to their home. The Board Member was kicked out of their home and is not welcome back.
David and Terri continued to discuss their concerns. Explained the handouts earlier given to the Commission.
Sandy Kinsey discussed the Health Officer at the Hospital and her concerns with his duties at FMC as well as her other concerns.
2:07 PM Terri, David, Sandy, Therese and Debbie left the meeting.
2:15 PM Darcy left the meeting.
2:15 PM DECEMBER 2022 Mid-Month Claims Approvals
The Commission reviewed and approved mid-month December, 2022 claims in the amount of $344,123.08. They are filed in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
3:00 PM Commission Minutes Approval for December 5-9, 2022 and December 12-16, 2022
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the December 5-9, 2022, Commissioner Minutes. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Abstain. (Commissioner Rost). The motion carried.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to approve the December 12-16, 2022, Commissioner Minutes. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
3:04 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Commission reviewed revenues received, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and agendas.
OLD BUSINESS
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve supporting the letter to Governor Gianforte and members of the 2023 Montana Legislature to fix the Medicaid reimbursement rates for Nursing Homes. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Approve aerator quote for the Baker Lake
Rich Menger was not available to discuss the quote.
Approval of Pilot/Flying J fleet card proposal for Emergency Medical Services
3:05 PM Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk joined.
Kimberly has been working with the Pilot Flying J representative to get better fuel rates for the EM Service. Kimberly discussed the issues the EM Service had with the previous credit cards; the representative will work on that issue as well.
3:08 PM Kimberly left the meeting.
The Commission agreed to approve the fuel pricing proposal from Pilot Flying J.
3:45 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
s/Roy Rost, Chairman
ATTEST: s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
