Commission Minutes – December 9 – December 13, 2024
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2024
9:15AM 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.
9:15 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
9:30 AM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON SELLING THE MAN-CAMP
Commissioner Braun explained the public’s concern on the county selling the man camp. Discussed whether a pipeline will be coming through the county again; decided to continue with the land auction and encourage concerned landowners to purchase the land.
9:36 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
9:44 AM EXTENSION UPDATES/ David Kirschten, County Agent
Updated on 4-H enrollments, trainings, record updates and upcoming events. Updated on several workshops; Maddi and Dave will begin taking over workshops instead of contracting them out. Reported on multiple MSU Extension Admin training for Maddi. Reported on current sampling/testing and upcoming events. Will attend training to become certified in air rifle training. Discussed extending invitations out for certified trainings.
9:59 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:00 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn and/or Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
Currently hauling gravel. Discussed West Plains repairing the cemetery tractor.
1. BID OPENING A DIESEL-POWERED WHEEL ARTICULATED WHEEL LOADER
Tractor Equipment – bid bond – Caterpillar 966 – $499,953.76 – quick change pallet forks $17,231.59 – trade in allowance of $100,000.00 – net purchase price with trade $417,185.35 – delivered on or before July 30th, 2025.
Tractor Equipment – bid bond – Caterpillar 972 – $522,630.30 – quick change pallet forks $17,231.59 – trade in allowance of $100,000.00 – net purchase price with trade $439,861.89 – delivered on or before July 30th, 2025
Torgensons – bid bond – 1021G2 Wheel Loader – $442,959.00 – quick change pallet forks $13,516.00 – trade in allowance of $49,000 – net purchase price with trade $407,475 – delivered June 30th 2025.
RDO Equipment – bid bond – 744P – $478,000.00 – quick change pallet forks $15,100.00 – trade in allowance of $150,000.00 – net purchase price with trade $328,000.00 – delivered March 31st, 2025
10:22 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:30 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian; Hunter Grover, Golf Course Superintendent
Hunter did not attend the meeting. Shannon presented a draft Operations and Maintenance Manual for the spray irrigation using reclaimed wastewater and an appendices for the manual. Discussed keeping records and setting up a server/backup for the golf course irrigation pond tests. Discussed attaching the liner of the pond to the O&M. Reported on DEQ requirements for the golf course irrigation system plans. Discussed watering schedule for the golf course during mid-summer when temperatures are in the hundreds. Reported on Midland Implements being able to install a wind monitor in the current system. Shannon presented a pump to replace the current pump at lagoon cell 3. Shannon will meet with Wyrick Construction to check on pumping lagoon cell 2 to cell 3. No seeding was done at Bergstrom Hill Road. Updated on courthouse parking lot plans.
10:55 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:05 AM CATALYST FOR CHANGE PROGRAM UPDATES/ Amber Martinsen-Blake, CEO
Kimberlee Rost, Christy May, Aliva Schafer, Corey Martinsen Interim CHW/Operations Manager, Dan Trauten, Sweetgrass County.
Amber updated on the schools signing off on the program. Updated on multiple telehealth locations in Baker. Explained the programming being ahead in Fallon County compared to any other county that Catalyst for Change is implemented in. Everyone introduced themselves and explained their roles on assisting Kimberlee. Discussed setting up a locum at Fallon Medical Complex in order to maintain Kimberlee’s hours. Reported on statics showing that counties with the catalyst for change program show progress more than the state statics with kids in school. Reported on receiving funds from the governor; currently working with insurance companies to show that CHW should receive reimbursement for services from private insurance companies or Medicaid. Updated on routes of communication and meetings that Kimberlee will be having. Reported on providers that are available daily.
11:58 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15 PM
RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
1:30 PM Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder joined the meeting.
1:33 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Review/Revise Records Search Policy
Discussed how specific the request for records should be in order to control the time frame the Clerk & Recorder office should be spending on public record research. Will clarify further with the Clerk & Recorder office on extensive research and leave on the agenda for several weeks for public comment.
2. Discussion on GIS Road Research
3. Draft/Review Gate Permit Liability
Presented MDT liability section and stated it was the same as Fallon County’s gate and encroachment. Discussed who is liable in a situation
4. Draft/Review Cattle Guard Policy
5. Review/Revise Road Petition
6. Review/Revise Baker & Plevna Senior Center Leases
Discussed have the Seniors pay for their own liability insurance as a lessee; also discussed events that are held at the Senior Center with the Seniors permission.
1:59 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:18 PM CLOSED PERSONNEL/ Amanda Frickel, DES & 911 Coordinator; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Braun motioned to go closed session. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2:32 PM Commissioner Braun motioned to come out of closed session. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously
2:33 PM Commissioner Braun motioned to extend the probation period for Amanda Frickel by six months. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; Commissioner Baldwin wanted to clarified that with the improvements Amanda made, it warrants six months of probation. 2 Ayes. 1 Nay. (Commissioner Baldwin)
2:34 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion
3:00 PM REVIEW/REVISE MUSEUM CURATOR JOB DESCRIPTION/ Julie Straub, HRM
Julie asked if the Curator hours should continue to be forty hours if the Commission would like the Museum to be closed two days out of the week. Commissioner Rost asked if the Museum Board was asked which days the museum should be closed.
1. Permission to recruit for a Museum Curator.
Decided to hold off on advertising the job until after speaking with the Museum Board.
3:13 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
3:53 PM PERMISSION TO RECRUIT AN AP CLERK/ Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder; Julie Straub, HRM
Brenda explained how Megan is currently doing both Commissioner minutes and Accounts Payable, but the timing is not working out. Discussed timeline for recruiting.
Commission Rost motioned to recruit for an Accounts Payable Clerk for the Clerk & Recorders office. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin as for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3:56 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
4:00 PM GOLF COURSE UPDATES/ Hunter Grover, Golf Course Superintendent
Reported on equipment maintenance. Updated on replacing shelving and organizing inventory. Permission to go to four ten hour days to accommodate for assisting coaching wrestling; will discussion further next week. Discussed moving the snow fence so the greens can catch snow; will present a quote at a later date. Discussed adding raking the 4-H barn to Hunter’s winter tasks. Discussed golf course irrigation pond Operations and Maintenance Manual.
4:12 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
4:15 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve December 2th – 6th, 2024 Commission Minutes.
Commissioner Braun motioned to approve the December 2th – 6th, 2024 Commission Minutes. Chairman Baldwin stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 recused. (Commissioner Rost) Motion carries.
2. Approve December 2th, 2024 Closed Session Commission Minutes.
Commissioner Braun motioned to approve the December 2th, 2024 Closed Session Commission Minutes. Chairman Baldwin stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 recused. (Commissioner Rost) Motion carries.
3. Approve December 9th, 2024 Special Claims.
Commissioner Braun motioned to approve the December 9th, 2024 Special Claims for the amount of $67,000.00. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; discussed timeline of the special claims. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
4. Executive/Action Items:
a. Review/Decision on Fallon County Public Records Search Policy
Commissioner Braun spoke with Clerk and Recorders office; discussion has been tabled.
b. Decision on House Bill 819 Section 5 (2) and hiring a Community Reinvestment Organization.
Discussed how the house bill requires the county to pass a resolution in order to allocate the money to Fallon County.
Commissioner Rost motioned to proceed drafting a resolution to accommodate HB819. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; State of Montana is using taxpayers’ dollars. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
c. Decision on rearranging county fleet vehicles.
The Acadia from Council on Aging will be retired and be replaced by the white Traverse.
d. Decision on Parkview Retirement Complex lease agreement.
Commissioner Braun motioned to approve Bob Curry’s lease agreement. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
5. Old Business as needed
6. Review Board Minutes/Agendas (Boards other than Commission)
7. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments (as needed)
4:53 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion. Being as there is no other business, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2024
9:30 AM ATTEND 911 MEETING – LIBRARY EOC
This meeting has been rescheduled.
2:00 PM ATTEND REAL PROPERTY AUCTION – FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE LOBBY
Steve Baldwin, Commissioner; Kevin Braun, Commissioner; Roy Rost, Commissioner; Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney; Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary/Clerk and Mike Sonsalla, member of the public attended the auction.
Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff/Auctioneer started the auction. No bid was made. The county retains ownership.
s/ Steve Baldwin, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
