Commission Minutes March 10-14, 2025
MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025
9:45 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; 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.
9:45 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
10:00 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
Discussed maintenance of the 101 Road and having Oneok reimburse for an amount due to overuse of the road. Updated on building approaches once all the snow in the ditches is melted. Discussed blading out the washboards on county roads; Bobby went to North Dakota to look at the gravel roads that use a sealing chemical. Discussed testing the chemical on Pennel Road; will need to reshape the road before using the sealing chemical. Updated on gravel amounts left for this fiscal year. Carl updated on the new front loader maintenance. Mitch updated on landfill truck maintenance.
10:13 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:30 AM Christa Nemitz, SMART President and Jodee Varner, SMART President joined the meeting.
10:30 AM SMART UPDATES/ Kass Maierhafer, Interim Executive Director
Kass was unable to attend the meeting. Reported on personnel changes and upcoming events.
10:35 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:59 AM EXTENSION UPDATES/ David Kirschten, County Agent
Updated on Maddi’s return date and workshop planning. Updated on Kodie’s 4-H meetings and State Ambassadors workshops. Discussed contacts for the Absinthe Wormwood meeting.
11:04 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:15 AM DISCUSSION ON STATE OF EMERGENCY MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING/ John Geving, Spartan Bus Line, LLC
John was unable to attend the meeting.
11:31 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15PM.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost and Mandi Varner, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:24 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
Cindy Irgens proofread the Rural Addressing Policy and Procedures; discussed the application for the policy.
1:30 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
Carl Overland, Shop Mechanic joined the meeting.
1:30 PM SHOOTING RANGE UPDATES/ Jim Leischner, Shooting Range Supervisor; Shane Bettenhausen, Match Manager
Updated on recent and upcoming shooting matches. Jim updated on Fish & Game setting up a shooting program for the schools; both schools stated they would like to utilize the shooting range. Discussed whether to allow the schools to use the range for archery and rifle shooting. Updated on building maintenance. Carl asked for permission to submit for a Fish & Wildlife grant; will work on the grant but wait to decide until fiscal year 2026 budget.
1:43 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
1:44 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve March 3-7, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve March 3-7, 2025 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
2. Executive Decisions
a. Adopt Resolution #1149 – Tipping Fee Reduction for Junk Vehicle Demolition Program.
Commissioner Rost motioned to adopt Resolution #1149. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
b. Adopt Resolution #1150 – Budget Amendment Resolution for the Town of Plevna to receive a MT DNRC Grant.
Commissioner Varner motioned to adopt Resolution #1150. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
c. Discussion/Decision to appoint a Fire District Trustee.
Commissioner Rost motioned to appoint Shaun Strangford to replace Chris Meccage on the Baker Rural Fire District. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
d. Discussion/Decision on Vendor Invoice for reimbursement on DNRC funds for the North Baker Water & Sewer District.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the vendor invoice of the amount of $3,690.00. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
3. Old Business as needed
a. Decision on Road Petition.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Road Petition Application. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
b. Decision on Rural Addressing Policy & Procedures.
Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney and Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk joined the meeting. Cindy stated that there are no petitions to create a county road; discussed how the Rural Addressing Policy & Procedures would operate with new roads. Commission would just have an easement; Darcy will create a petition to create a road based off the Petition to Abandon. Discussed Junk Vehicle Resolution.
Commissioner Rost motion to adopt the Rural Addressing Policy & Procedures. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
c. Permission to accept early rent and deposit to hold an apartment at the Parkview Retirement Complex.
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the hold. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
d. Discussion/Decision to renew QTpod Subscription Service Agreement for the airport.
Commissioner Varner motioned to renew the QTpod Subscription. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
e. Discussion/Decision on Montana FWP Personal Service Contract Addendum with the Weed Department.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Contract Addendum. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
f. Discussion/Decision on signing the letter of support of the Health Department to apply for a grant.
Commissioner Rost motioned to sign the letter of support. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
g. Discussion/Decision on Montana Certificate of Financial Responsibility Renewal with DEQ.
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the renewal. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments (as needed)
2:04 PM Chairman Braun ended the work session. Being as there is no further business, recess until Tuesday, March 11th at 8:45 AM.
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025
8:45 AM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost and Mandi Varner, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
8:45 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
8:57 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian
Updated on EPA release for the Baker Lake. The golf course water right permit has been pushed forward by DEQ; Shannon is currently working on the Nutrient and Nurture plan for the golf course. Discussed requesting nitrogen deviations for the golf course. The intake line will be installed during the relining project this fall.
Updated on cost share grant for the five-year dam inspection. Shannon recommends the engineer firms suggested by the State to do the inspection for updated classification on the dam; discussed pros and cons of applying for the cost share program. Discussed legislation aiming to set up a grant for hazard dams (holds over 50 sq/ft of water). The Commission will submit the request for the cost-share and make their decision after reviewing the engineers on the State list.
9:28 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:30 AM ATTEND GIS WORK SESSION
11:46 AM Being as there is no further business, meeting adjourned after Landfill Equipment Operator Interviews on Wednesday, March 12th.
ADJOURN
2:00 PM ATTEND LITTLE BEAVER CONSERVATION DISTRICT LOCAL WORKGROUP MEETING – FAIRGROUNDS EXHIBIT HALL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025
3:45 PM LANDFILL EQUIPMENT OPERATOR INTERVIEWS
ADJOURN
s/ Kevin Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder