Commission Minutes – January 29 – February 2, 2024
TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2024
9:30 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Roy Rost and Kevin Braun, 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.
9:58 AM ROAD/SHOP UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
Discussed maintenance on department vehicles. Continuing to haul scoria on the South Plevna Road. A truck had an ECM error which will need to be hauled to Billings to be fixed.
10:13 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:13 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering
Discussed Bergstrom Hill Road easement memorandums. Discussed the County taking over Sikorski road. Examined road design standards in Fallon County Subdivision Regulations.
10:26 AM Rich Menger, Sanitarian joined the meeting.
Updated on golf course irrigation pond. Commissioner Braun suggested closing the golf course in October to begin excavating. Updated on courthouse maintenance. Updated on GIS road mapping project.
10:37 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:54 AM REVIEW/DISCUSS FY 2024 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANT/ Amanda Frickel, DES & 911 Coordinator
Reviewed the Emergency Management Performance Grant.
10:57 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:30 AM MEAL PER DIEM CLARIFICATION/ Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk
Kimberly presented some questions that employees had on the new per diem policy.
Senior Citizen Bus submits out-of-town travel meals to the state for reimbursement of a certain percentage of their allowed dollar amount. Concerned the State will not honor the County’s $35.00/day meal rate or reimburse at all. Kimberly advised the Senior Citizen bus drivers that they will have to submit separate meal reimbursements to the County and the State. The Commission agreed.
When submitting travel reimbursements that are 50/50 County/City for Justice of Peace/City Judge – the City has not been reimbursing their 50% portion of meals due to the registration saying meals were provided. The Commission will discuss this with the City at a later time.
If the EMT leaves to go on an ambulance trip to Rapid City, SD at 1:00PM today and they do not make it back to Baker until 4:00AM tomorrow what would they receive? Commissioner Rost explained how the per diem is an honor system and employees should only turn in meal reimbursements if they ate a meal.
Discussed creating a recording system to keep track of per diems for all departments.
11:41 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:42 AM Commissioner Rost recused himself.
11:42 AM MUSEUM UPDATES/ Melissa Rost, Museum Curator
Discussed past and upcoming events for the Museum. Working with the Chamber, SMART and some members from the Historical Society to plan Heritage Fest. Updated on progress with Museum’s accession records. Discussed new alarm system for the Museum. Commission Braun updated Melissa about a member of the public wanting to submit an addition to a display.
11:50 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:51 AM Commissioner Braun made the motion to recess. Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the Chair to second the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Rost) The motion carried.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENED
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Roy Rost & Kevin Braun, Members;
Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
2:00 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS-PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
2:12 PM DISCUSS COUNTY LEASE AGREEMENT/ Larry Singer
Discussed current ownership of property around the airport. Larry expressed interest in purchasing the County property next to the airport.
2:24 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:45 PM DISCUSS MDU COST SHARE BILLING WITH THE CITY OF BAKER/ Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk; Kathy Newell, Elections Clerk
Discussed cost share billing with the City. Kimberly and Kathy recommended keeping the MDU billing the same.
2:51 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
3:13 PM DISCUSS/DECISION ON MDU COST SHARE BILLING WITH THE CITY OF BAKER/ Steve Zachmann, Mayor; Kevin Dukart, City of Baker Clerk; Josh Lewis, System Administrator; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk; Kathy Newell, Elections Clerk
Kimberly proposed that the cost share billing for MDU remain the same. Discussed how City’s cost share billing will look going forward.
3:24 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
3:35 PM APPROVE JANUARY 22 – JANUARY 26, 2024 COMMISSION MINUTES
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the January 22-26, 2024 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none.
3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
3:45 PM PERMISSION TO FLEX HOURS/ Kevin Hill, Golf Superintendent
Kevin Hill was unable to attend.
3:40 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1.Old Business (as needed)
a.Sign Memorandum of Agreement between Montana Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division and Airport.
Have not received official Memorandum yet.
b.Sign Federal Financial Reports for the Federal Aviation Administration Airports Division.
Chairman Baldwin signed the document.
c.Review Coral Creek Road speed study proposals.
There was no further discussion at this time.
d.Review quote for Fairgrounds light pole.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve Direct Electric’s quote of $4,501.00 to replace the Fairgrounds light pole. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
e.Review/Sign KLJ Task order for replacing the rotating beacon at the airport.
Chairman Baldwin signed the task order.
f.Review recommendations for the boilers at Parkview Complex.
There was no further discussion at this time.
e.Check progress on open gravel permits.
Discussed during Road Department updates.
f.Other old business as needed.
Discussed changes to be made to encroachment/gate permits.
2.E-mails/Correspondence
3.Review & Approve Encroachment/Approach Permits (as needed)
4.Review Board Minutes/Agendas (Boards other than Commission)
5.Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers (as needed)
6.Appointments/Resignations to various boards (as needed)
7.Approve Fair Contracts (as needed)
8.Executive/Action Items
a.Approve Mountain Alarm Commercial Alarm System Agreement for the Museum
Postponed signing until after discussing agreement with System Administrator.
b.Adopt Resolution #1122 Local Government Review Question
Commissioner Braun made the motion to adopt Resolution #1122 Local Government Review Question. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
c.Approve FY 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve FY 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
4:34 PM Commissioner Rost made the motion to recess. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
RECESS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024
10:52 AM RECONVENED
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Roy Rost, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
10:45 AM Vaughn Zenko, SMART Executive Director; Steve Zachmann, Mayor; Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney
10:52 AM ADOPT RESOLUTION CALLING FOR PORT AUTHORITY MILL LEVY ELECTION/ Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder; Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder
Commissioner Rost asked Darcy if all Commissioners need to be in attendance for the motion to adopt the mill levy election.
11:00 AM Commissioner Rost made the motion to recess until 1:30 PM . Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the Chair to second the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Braun) The motion carried.
RECESS
BAKER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE – NOON AT THE FROST FLOUR BAKERY
1:30 RECONVENED
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Roy Rost, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:30 PM Vaughn Zenko, SMART Executive Director joined the meeting.
Darcy informed the Commission that it is not required for this motion to be unanimous.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to adopt Resolution #1123 for two additional mills to be added. Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the Chair to second the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Braun) The motion carried.
1:32 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
1:35 PM JANUARY 2024 END OF MONTH CLAIM APPROVALS $383,895.96
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the January 2024 End of Month Claims in the amount of $383,895.96. Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the Chair to second the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Braun) The motion carried.
1:40 PM Commissioner Rost made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the Chair to second the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Braun) The motion carried.
ADJOURN
s/ Steve Baldwin, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
