Commission Minutes – January 27-31, 2025
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2025
9:30 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, 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 DES & 911 UPDATES/ Amanda Frickel, DES & 911 Coordinator
Amanda reported on DES personnel discussing House Bill 34; would cut funding from a disaster pot that has yet to be approved. Updated on grants and recent meetings. TV District has additional channels running.
9:50 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:00 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn and/or Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
Hauling to the 101 Road for resurfacing. Carl updated on county equipment maintenance. Discussed CAT service agreement. Mitch updated on fairgrounds tractor needing repair; unable to park. Discussed plowing the Plevna Senior Center; the Plevna Fire Department agreed to plowing the parking lot when needed. Carl reported on a Terry Commissioner inquiring about the backhoe; Bobby recommended against trading off the backhoe. Discussed road conditions a member of the public asked about.
10:12 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:39 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian
Shannon presented the completed Bergstrom Hill Road change order and payment application; will review during work session. Updated on DNRC application; pre application meeting has been rescheduled for February 4th. Discussed signage for the golf course irrigation. Will go out to bid for relining the golf course pond once DNRC approves the wastewater rights permit.
10:52 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
Jim Neary joined the meeting. Discussed gravel and blading of his surrounding roads. The Commission will visit with the road foreman to inform him on Jim’s request.
1:23 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
1:30 PM Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk joined the meeting.
1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Draft/Review Golf Course Etiquette MOU
Reviewed draft MOU. Discussed charging a fee for tournaments; do not find it beneficial. Will send the MOU to the Golf Course board to review.
2. Update on dec. action
Updated on meetings regarding the dec. action.
3. Discuss Closed Personnel Meeting Policy/ Julie Straub, HRM
Discussed process of closed sessions in a disciplinary setting; discussed when and how the decision should be made regarding an employee’s discipline who is supervised under the Commission. Reviewed closed session laws. Discussed restructuring the County’s policy; for closed session, separating the pre-disciplinary hearing and the deliberation/decision as separate agenda items; for hiring and firing employees, creating a committee to replace the Commission. Discussed giving the employee the option to listen to the deliberations. Julie recommends forming a committee to handle the hiring and firing for a cleaner process. Commissioner Varner stated she would like the Commission to continue to handle the process as a duty for the public. Discussed scenarios when an individual’s right of privacy outweighs the public’s right to know. Darcy recommends the Commission keeps the individual in the room as they deliberate their decision.
4. Discuss dissolving TV District
Discussed process to dissolve a special district per MCA 7-11-1029. Will draft two resolutions of intent to dissolve the Baker and Plevna TV Districts. Will also draft a resolution to create an advisory board.
5. Discuss Research on 1999 House Bill
Cindy requested clarification on Senate Bills 221 & 226. Discussed operation by law. Discussed how roads were abandoned by past Road Technician, Spencer Huether; discussed past laws in regard to how the road was abandoned. Decided to leave the roads categorized as is in order to move forward with the GIS road mapping.
6. Review Rural Addressing Policy & Procedures
Discussed updating the policy to have either the Commission or DES to manage rural addressing instead of the Planning Department.
2:36 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion
2:36 PM DISCUSSION REGARDING SAFETY ISSUE/FRONT STEPS/ Safety Committee
Josh and Derrick explained how the first step to the courthouse is not very visible with the first landing. Recommended painting the step yellow and including sand to ensure it does not become slick.
2:38 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:43 PM PERMISSION TO HIRE DETENTION OFFICER/ Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff; Julie Straub, HRM
Trenton reported on the hiring process for the Detention Center.
Commissioner Varner motioned to hire Travis Gilmore as a Detention Officer. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2:45 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:00 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve January 20-24, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the January 20-24, 2025 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Executive/Action Items:
a. Decision on Cattle Guard Policy
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the draft Cattle Guard Policy. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Decision on Road Petition
Waiting for the completed draft.
c. Discussion/Decision to renew Montana Petroleum Association Membership
Commissioner Rost motioned to renew the Montana Petroleum Association Membership for $425.00. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; Commissioner Rost stated the information for the Association is beneficial. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Old Business as needed
a. Decision on Fairgrounds Display Board and front entrance sign/gate
No discussion at this time.
b. Decision on Contractor’s Application for Payment #2 for Bergstrom Hill Road & Contract for seeding.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the payment to Wyrick Construction for the amount of $50,978.32. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
c. Decision on CAT EMServices Enrollment
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the enrollment for the amount of $1,050.00. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
d. Decision on Baker Furniture Flooring Quote
No discussion at this time.
e. Decision on FAA Federal Year-End Financial Report
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the financial report. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
f. Decision on FAA Delphi Access Request from the KLJ Internal Staff for the Baker Municipal Airport Grants
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the access request. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments (as needed)
3:08 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being no further business, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
s/ Kevin Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
