Commission Minutes – July 22 – July 26, 2024
MONDAY, JULY 22, 2024
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.
9:00 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
9:14 AM Mindi and Heather joined the meeting.
9:14 AM SOLESTONE REIMBURSEMENT SERVICES TRAINING/ Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager; Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder; John Ungaretti, SoleStone Representative
Discussed services that SoleStone provides and the process of billing. SoleStone will complete the paper revalidation for the ambulance services. John will review submitted runs that have not been paid yet at Public Health. Discussed the process of billing and paying of SoleStone services. Commissioner Rost asked if SoleStone does collections. John stated no, but SoleStone has an agreement with a company for past due collections.
9:24 AM Barb Ketterling, Treasurer joined the meeting.
Discussed direct deposits from SoleStone to Fallon County and monthly billing for services. Discussed billing amount for Medicare and local events.
9:42 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
9:45 AM PLAN FOR MATERNITY ABSENCE & SEASONALS/ Sara Berger, Weed Control Coordinator; Julie Straub, HRM
Sara stated that her maternity leave will start as of August 8th. Asked if the seasonals could take August off and come back in September while the Weed Board covers three days a week for few hours per day in September. Commissioner Braun asked who the Supervisor for the weed crew would be; Sara will ask if a board member can supervise or be on call. Discussed current routes that the weed crew is spraying currently.
9:50 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:00 AM ROAD & SHOP UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn/Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
1. AWARD MOTOR GRADER BID
Commissioner Braun made the motion to accept the bid for two new blades including the upgraded circle from RDO Equipment for the amount of $479,000.00 and trade-in value of $213,200.00 per blade for both used blades. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Carl updated on county vehicle maintenance. Mitch updated on completing repairs on the fairway mower. Bobby asked if the Commission checked the flagged area by the amphitheater for laying out millings; the Commission will go check on the flagged area; project will start in about a week or two. Currently graveling Wiley Butte Trail. Discussed quotes for Road Supervisors truck.
10:12 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:14 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Richard Menger, Sanitarian
1. Review/Sign DNRC Preapplication meeting form.
Discussed results from DNRC preapplication meeting form for the golf course irrigation pond. Application will become part of the pond’s Operation and Maintenance Plan. The Commission signed the meeting form. Discussed requirements for DEQ Class A.
2. Discussion/Decision on Bergstrom Hill Road wetland credits.
Shannon updated on a resident notifying him on Mid-Rivers beginning utility work along Bergstrom Hill Road. Bobby and Shannon were able to have them go around the staked-out limits. Mid-Rivers will abandon the old line that is in within the staked limits.
The Core will require .33 acres of mitigation to do Bergstrom Hill Road. Shannon presented a quote from Ducks Unlimited for the wetland mitigation credits. Ducks Unlimited will hold the credits until the Core approves the letter of guarantee for the permit. Discussed options for mitigating.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to purchase .33 acres of wetland mitigation from Ducks Unlimited for the amount of $28,050.00 for the Bergstrom Hill Road Project. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
10:30 AM Brenda and Cindy joined the meeting.
3. Review road abandonment petition.
Shannon explained the draft petition to abandon a county road. Discussed the definition of effected landowner. Discussed how the petition will address situations like denying petitions, abandoning a road up to a neighboring county or signing a petition multiple times. The Commission will have Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney review the road abandonment petition.
4. GIS Road Platform discussion.
Cindy presented some road petitions that did not have all the pages scanned into the GIS platform. Shannon will discuss with his crew; possibly come back to pull and check all the documents again.
11:15 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:15 AM Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder joined the meeting.
11:16 AM DISCUSS GRANDSTAND FIRE SUPPRESSION ROOM/ Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager
Jennefer reported on Direct Electric assessing the backup battery for the grandstand emergency lighting; will need to replace entire system due to the company that originally installed it going out of business. The system runs the exit and flood lights under the grandstand when the power goes out. Jennefer asked if she should replace the circuit board or the entire module; decided to replace the entire module for the amount of $4,700.00. The module might not arrive in time for the fair; Jennefer will see if Direct Electric can install a temporary switch to the batteries for fair. Discussed connecting a generator to the exhibit hall and grandstands.
11:29 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:30 AM IT UPDATES/ Josh Lewis, System Administrator
Updated on IP address change with Mid-Rivers. County website will be migrating to a .gov domain along with department emails; will be completed around the end of the year. Tyler applications have been migrated to the new server. Updated on Dispatch recorded phones; currently waiting to finish transitions with Masters Telecom. Updated on container site and Iron Horse Park cameras installation. Will be setting up a county cell phone and email for Hunter Grover, Golf Course Superintendent; will keep the golf course cell phone active going forward for utility applications. Updated on county vehicle maintenance. Will be replacing secretary’s laptop sometime this week. Discussed fairgrounds sound system.
11:56 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion. Recessed until 1:15 PM.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENED
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.
1:26 PM SMART & EMEDA UPDATES/ Vaughn Zenko, Executive Director; Maddison Butori, Assistant
Updated on progress with the Food Forrest; Maddison asked about best way to connect to water whether it is to 6th street or the alley. Discussed connecting water to the alley. Vaughn updated on the EMEDA and Headstart childcare facilities, parking lot plans and Headstart’s job interviews. EMEDA will be going through the hiring process soon. Reported on past and upcoming events. Updated on the Visitor Center and the Pocket Park. Was awarded an additional grant to go towards the Catalyst for Change program.
1:44 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:14 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve July 15th – July 19th, 2024 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve July 15th– 19th, 2024 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Executive/Action Items:
a. Decision on Baker Lake Testing FY25 Budget/ Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk’
Commissioner Baldwin stated he would like to hold off on the Baker Lake testing until the golf course lining project has been completely finished. Commissioner Braun stated the lake testing belongs at the school but if the Commission wants to continue to budget for the lake testing, then it need should go through the Sanitation Department so Rich Menger is in contact with DEQ regarding the Baker Lake tests. Discussed having Linda Rost and Rich Menger come to an agreement about keeping each other informed. Decision tabled until after having a discussion with Linda and Rich.
b. Decision on assigning T7N-R60E lease to Austin Braun.
Reviewed termination letter sent by Mike Kirschten.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to accept the termination letter of the T7N-R60E James D. Kirschten Residual Trust lease from Mike Kirschten. Chairman Baldwin stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Abstained. (Commissioner Braun)
Commissioner Rost made the motion to reassign the T7N-R60E lease to Austin Braun for the remainder of the lease. Chairman Baldwin stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Abstained. (Commissioner Braun)
c. Decision on signing MOU between Fallon Medical Complex, Fallon County Health Department and
DPHHS Immunization Program regarding vaccines for children.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to sign the MOU. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
d. Decision on CDPHP Program Sub-contractor Task Order/Agreement between Richland County
Health Department and Fallon County Health Department.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the Agreement. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Old Business as needed
a. Review/decision on draft letter to Johnson Control Fire Protection, LLP regarding end of services.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to send the letter terminating the contract with Johnson Control Fire Protection, LLP. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
b. Discussion on road policy.
c. FY25 Budget questions (if any)
4. Review Board Minutes/Agendas (Boards other than Commission)
5. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers (as needed)
2:40 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
3:00 PM SHERIFF’S OFFICE BUDGET REVIEW/ Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff
Discussed hiring an individual as a replacement prior to a deputy retiring; would also help determine if having a fifth deputy would be beneficial time and money wise. Could lower overtime pay and hours for the other deputies.
3:14 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion. Being as there was no further business, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
s/ Steve Baldwin, Chairman
s/ Kevin J. Braun, Vice Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
