Commission Minutes – June 10 – June 14, 2024
MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2024
9:00 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ABSENT: Roy Rost, Member
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.
9:17 AM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON APPLYING FOR THE CRISIS DIVERSION GRANT AND MATCHING FUNDS/ Mindi Murnion, Public Health Specialist
Discussed applying for the Crisis Diversion grant in order to create a position for crisis diversion. The Commission would like to ask the taxpayers for their opinion before creating more positions. Mindi stated that Fallon County can apply for the grant every three years. The Commission will ask more questions at the MACo Conference for clarification on the contracting aspect of the grant. Discussed options for covering the matched funds. Will wait on applying for grant due to lack of answers.
9:24 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
9:29 AM Commissioner Rost joined the meeting.
9:30 AM DISCUSS SOLESTONE AMBULANCE BILLING PROPOSAL – ZOOM MEETING/ John Ungaratti, SoleStone General Manager; Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager; Heather Havens, Public Health Administrative Assistant; Mindi Murnion, Public Health Specialist; Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
John explained the background of SoleStone, the software that is used and the experience SoleStone employees have. SoleStone would be able to manage the ambulance billing for EMS. Discussed process on updating Medicare and Medicaid revalidation. Went over documentation that SoleStone provides and audit process. The Commission agreed to utilize SoleStone for EMS ambulance billing. An appointment to meet in person has been made.
9:54 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:00AM Mark Sieler, Road Foreman joined the meeting.
10:00 AM ROAD & SHOP UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn/Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
Bobby and Mitch were unable to attend the meeting. Blades have been sent out. Commissioner Braun asked if the Road Department could put railroad ties under the TV District building; the Road Department will go look at the building. Carl updated on county vehicle maintenance.
10:11 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:32 AM REVIEW FIRE SAFETY BID SPECS/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk
Reviewed draft bid specs from JGA Architects. Decided to run advertisement for four weeks as recommended by JGA. Discussed doing a walkthrough during the last week in July for any applicants who submit a bid.
10:40 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:00 AM DISCUSS LANDFILL SURVEY RESULTS – AT LANDFILL/ Jeff Frank, Manager of Landfill Operations; Barry Damschen
The Commission moved to the landfill for this discussion.
10:42 AM Commissioner Braun made the motion to recess after the landfill review. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
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.
1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Resolution for the Indigent Burial Policy – CONFERENCE CALL/ Stevenson Funeral Home Representative
Nic and John joined the meeting. Discussed Stevenson Funeral Home’s requested changes to the Indigent Burial Policy; timeframe for applying and approval. The Commission approved all changes. Darcy will send the updated policy for the Commission work session.
2. Baker Senior Center transfer of ownership/lease.
There was no discussion at this time.
3. Agricultural easement for Randy Tunby.
There was no discussion at this time.
4. Resolution for Fair Board reimbursement.
Determined that the Fair Board is an administrative board. Discussed set amount to reimburse fair board members for working at the fair. Darcy will update the resolution.
2:12 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:13 PM APPOINT FY25 BOARD MEMBERS
Commissioner Rost made the motion to appoint Jon Slagter to the Planning Board/Airport Board of Adjustment. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to appoint Alice Kay Schweigert, Erna Greenlee, Lyle Neary, and JoAnn Parini to the Council on Aging Board. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; the Commission would like to thank LaVerne Schell for her service on the Council of Aging board and accept her resignation. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to appoint Charles L. Strait to the Library Board. Chairman Baldwin stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to appoint Curt Williams and Linda Rost to the Museum Board. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to appoint Kyle Medearis to the Salary Commission Board. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to appoint Amanda Frickel and Wanda Pinnow to the Weed Board. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
2:18 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:20PM Commissioner Rost recused himself from the next discussion and left the meeting.
2:30 PM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON MUSEUM SUMMER HOURS, FLEXING HOURS/ Melissa Rost, Museum Curator; Julie Straub, HRM
Discussed leaving the Curator’s working days as Monday – Friday. Reviewed the Museum’s June and July schedule. Volunteers are at the Museum on Sundays. The Commission does not want Melissa to overwork and have burnout from her schedule. Melissa stated that she is fine with the schedule as is since she isn’t working full days every day. Discussed options for working with the schedule so Melissa can have two full days off; will discuss with the Museum Board about possibly closing one day a week. Melissa explained that most museums are open seven days a week in the summer and she would prefer it wasn’t closed.
2:57 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
3:20 PM Commissioner Rost joined the meeting.
3:30 PM BAKER LAKE TESTING BUDGET MEETING/ Linda Rost; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk
Refreshed on study that Hunter Bailey did for testing Baker Lake and the golf course irrigation pond. Updated on recent tests with the lake. Linda explained the DEQ proposed E. coli and nutrient sampling and the budget that would be needed for all the tests. The total amount requested for testing the Baker Lake is $14,549.10. The Commission explained how the Sanitarian does testing every week at the lagoon and the golf course irrigation pond. Discussed how runoff only goes into Baker Lake and not the Upper Lake. Commissioner Rost stated that he would like to know where the source of the human E. coli is coming from. Discussed notifying the public in the future if E. coli levels in the lake are high. Linda asked if she could have access to the most recent tests from Rich, Commission agreed as they are public record. Students are still interested in the project and would like to go forward with it in the upcoming school year. No decision for the budget was made at this time; will set up a meeting with Rich Menger, Sanitarian present.
4:03 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
4:06 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve June 3rd – June 7th, 2024 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the June 3rd – 7th, 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:
3. Old Business as needed
a. Sign the Appraisal Engagement Letter for the Fallon County Man Camp.
The Commission signed the engagement letter as of today.
b. GIS Mapping decisions.
There was no discussion at this time.
c. Adopting Resolution #1130 The Indigent Burial Policy
Commissioner Rost made the motion to adopt Resolution #1130 to amend Resolution #1128 The Indigent Bural Policy. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
4. Approve Fair Contracts (as needed)
5. Appointments/Resignations to various boards (as needed)
6. Review & Approve Approach/Encroachment Permits
7. Review Board Minutes/Agendas (Boards other than Commission)
8. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers (as needed)
9. E-mails/Correspondence
4:11 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to adjourn after the Landfill Inspection. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
RECESS
TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2024
ALL DAY – ATTEND MACo DISTRIST MEETING – SIDNEY, MT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2024
9:30AM – ATTEND 911 MEETING – LIBRARY EOC
6:00PM – ATTEND STAKEHOLDER MEETING FOR A COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAM – LIBRARY EOC
THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2024
1:00PM – ATTEND EXXON INSPECTION AT THE LANDFILL
ADJOURN
s/ Steve Baldwin, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
