Commission Minutes – January 13-17, 2025
MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2025
9:30 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Vice Chaiman; Roy Rost and 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 Kim Bryan, Director of Public Health joined the meeting.
9:46 AM PARKVIEW UPDATES/ Derrick deHaan, Outside Maintenance Facilities Manager
1. Decision on Mechanical Technology Incorporated quotes for Public Health.
Derrick updated on heater maintenance for Public Health; compressor coil is no longer functional. Discussed repairing or replacing the unit. Plan to replace heater with maintenance budget.
9:51 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:59 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn and/or Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
The Road Department was sent out to plow roads. The anticline road is completed; will start resurfacing the 101 Road. Cemetery tractor was picked up last week for warranty repairs; Cemetery pickup repairs are completed. Discussed replacing tires for the Weed Department. Updated on hoist repairs; will work on radiators after hoist is repaired. Discussed plowing the parking lot for the Senior Center.
10:07 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion
10:31 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian
1. Decision on Contractor’s Application for Payment #2 for Bergstrom Hill Road & Contract for seeding.
Reviewed Contractor’s Application and Contract for seeding. Currently waiting for Wyrick Construction to sign the amended application and contract.
2. Decision on DNRC Application for Beneficial Water Use Permit
Reported on changes made to the application per DEQ’s requirements. Discussed payment for the application.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the application. Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Reviewed final draft of the Operations and Maintenance manual for the golf course; updated on replacing hose bands for the pump, discussed automatic shut of system for the sprinkler system.
11:01 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:03 AM REQUEST TO CHANGE HOW PART TIME EMPLOYEES’ HOLIDAY HOURS ARE CALCULATED/ Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder; Kimberly Jensen, Payroll Clerk; Julie Straub, HRM
Julie was unable to attend the meeting. Reported on discrepancy with part time employees’ holiday pay calculation based on their scheduled hours worked; recommended to calculate based on hours worked in a pay period. Reviewed current policy; will address updating the policy first before implementing the change.
11:20 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:32 AM REQUEST FOR ELECTED OFFICIAL COMPENSATION/ Jennifer Fisher, Clerk of Court
Requested the salary schedule for elected county officials. Decision will be added to next week’s work session.
11:33 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:45 AM IT UPDATES/ Josh Lewis, System Administrator
Updated on Dispatch’s system is running for fire alarm monitoring Fallon Medical Complex; purchased new computers for the Sheriff office per their budget; updated on department social media accounts. Presented a revised quote for an updated panic button system from Verkada; decided to continue monitoring panic system locally. Fallon Medical Complex will have a panic system installed that will be connected to Dispatch through ethernet. Updated on archiving board minutes.
1. Decision on setting up two email addresses for EMEDA.
Discussed security for outside entities utilizing county addresses. Will set up an orientation with the individuals that will be utilizing the emails. Josh will follow up with Vaughn regarding the emails.
Commissioner Rost motioned to allow EMEDA to use up to two emails, fees included. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
11:57 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15 PM.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chaiman; Roy Rost and Mandi Varner, 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 MONTANA INFRASTRUCTURE COALITION UPDATES – CONFERENCE CALL/ Jason Rittal, MACo Deputy Director
Jason reported on the legislative sessions of the Montana Infrastructure Coalition. Discussed continuing the membership to have Jason represent Fallon County during the legislative sessions.
1:44 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:01 PM INSIDE MAINTENANCE UPDATES/ Lynda Herbst, Inside Custodian Supervisor
Reported on hot water heat leak; Mike Menger repaired leak on January 6th. Reported on actuators and boiler switch being replaced; MTI completed quarterly maintenance. Wash machine belt is possibly going out. Discussed scheduling replacement of broken condenser. Discussed Courthouse building maintenance.
2:09 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:15 PM COUNTY AGENT/ David Kirschten, County Agent; Larry Brence, MSU Extension Eastern Region Department Head
Dave updated on 4-H events; Kodie’s role as a 4-H Ambassador and Maddi’s progress as an Administrative Assistant. Reported on ideas for involving towns people with Extension.
Larry introduced himself to Commissioner Varner. Updated on upcoming trainings.
2:27 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:57 PM Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder joined the meeting.
3:00 PM COUNCIL ON AGING UPDATES/ Carla Brown, Council on Aging Director
1. Permission to increase Paula Fuchs’s, Public Transportation Bus Driver hours/ Julie Straub, HRM
Julie was unable to attend the meeting. Carla reported on Paula’s hours; requested to increase her hours from eight hours to sixteen hours. Discussed how Paula’s current hours affect her vacation and sick leave. Will make decision during next work session; effective January 27th.
Updated on Council on Aging grant funding for vehicles. Discussed sending the Traverse to Council on Aging, to replace one of the vans; trade with van that only has front wheel drive. Discussed auctioning or going out for sealed bids; could donate to another Council on Aging in need of a van. Carla will submit for State program to trade one bus. Updated on State and Federal funds. The Commission updated Carla on the County taking over the snow removal at the Senior Center.
3:23 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:30 PM DES & 911 UPDATES/ Amanda Frickel, DES & 911 Coordinator
Amanda updated on BNSF letter and meeting with the State regarding funding for the TV District. Reported on state fire situation. Discussed process of taking the TV District under emergency management; will research if it’s possible to bring back Channel 3. Updated on repeater alarms.
3:41 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:45 PM LANDFILL UPDATES/ Jeff Frank, Manager of Landfill Operations
Presented a landfill account application. Discussed Exxon requesting permission to inspect the landfill; was inspected back in June but was told that they would do an inspection every four years. Commission decided to allow the second inspection with them in attendance. Discussed shredding tires and delinquent accounts.
3:58 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
4:13 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve January 6-10, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve January 6-10, 2025 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further business; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Approve January 9, 2025 Closed Session Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve January 9, 2025 Closed Session Commission Minutes. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further business; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Executive/Action Items:
a. Decision on Cattle Guard Policy
Decision will be made next week during the Commission work session.
b. Decision on Road Petition
Decision has been tabled.
c. Decision on Fairgrounds Display Board and front entrance sign/gate
4. Old Business as needed
a. Decision on Midland Implement Repair Estimate for sharpening servicing at the golf course.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Midland Implement Repair estimate for the amount of $3,276.75. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; discussed transporting blades. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Decision on allowing Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager and two EMTs to attend Eastern Montana Regional Crisis Intervention Team Academy.
Commissioner Varner motioned to allow Brittany and one EMT to attend the CIT Academy. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Intervention Team Academy
c. Decision on Master Contract between Montana DPHHS and Public Health for Environmental Health and Food Safety Licensing
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the master contract with DPHHS. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; discussed transporting blades. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments (as needed)
4:19 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being as there is no further business; meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025
12:00 PM ATTEND LEPC MEETING – LIBRARY EOC
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2025
ATTEND SAFETY MEETING – LIBRARY EOC
s/ Kevin Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
