Commission Minutes March 31 – April 4, 2025
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 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
Larry Singer, Landowner, attended the meeting. Discussed speed study for Coral Creek Road; Sheriff Office has been issuing speeding tickets for Coral Creek Road. Discussed posting a speed limit sign on Coral Creek Road or other county roads; landowner could post speed limit on their right of way, but Sheriff Office would continue to enforce seventy-mile hour speed limit. Discussed “no littering” signs along Coral Creek Road.
10:06 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:07 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn and/or Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
Carl was unable to attend the meeting. Commissioner Braun updated on the signage for Coral Creek Road; will work with the landfill on posting “no littering” signs. Bobby updated on blading roads, mostly around Willard. Discussed signs for Webster Road. Mitch updated on tire machine needing replaced; will present a quote at a later date.
10:17 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:17 AM PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATES/ Kim Bryan, Public Health Director
Updated on Community Health Worker trainings, upcoming workshops and events.
10:20 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:30 AM Steve Zachmann, City of Baker Mayor joined the meeting.
10:30 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian
1. PARKING LOT OVERLAY BID OPENING
Century Companies, Lewistown MT- bid bonds and contractor’s license included; $299,034.00 for both North and South courthouse parking lots.
2. Review/Revise Letter to Request Financial Assistance with 5-Year Dam Evaluation Expense.
Discussed letter for the State.
Currently working on nutrient plan for the golf course and testing deviance. Rich updated on lagoon cells two and three being extremely low; will affect the tests for total coliforms. Discussed levels of the of the lagoon cells and ways to measure the current levels.
11:40 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:45 AM DISCUSSION ON STATE OF EMERGENCY MOU WITH SPARTAN BUS LINE, LLC/ John Geving, Spartan Bus Line, LLC; Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney
Meeting has been postponed until the Commission Work Session at 2:45 PM.
11:45 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
1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Update on Dec. Action
Interviews are completed. Will send final draft to Susan.
2. Discuss State of Emergency MOU with Spartan Bus Line, LLC
Discussed having an MOU with the Plevna School District instead of with the Spartan Bus Line, LLC alone. Discussed which would be a better use of taxpayers’ dollars and having several MOUs with different bus services.
3. Discuss Resolution of Intent to purchase City property
Commissioner Braun made the correction that the Resolution is an intent to exchange with the City. Discussed the original joint resolution between the City and County for the airport. Discussed writing up a resolution and sending it to the City Attorney; amounts for the exchange.
4. Discussion/Review Agreement with HAM Radio
There was no discussion at this time.
5. Review/Revise Petition to create a road
Discussed difference between creating and abandoning a road.
6. Review/Revise Burial Contract for funeral homes
Reviewed final draft for the Burial Contract. Discussed requiring an itemized invoice of the services provided to the burial application and process of verification.
7. Old business as needed.
Updated on training in Helena.
2:17 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:37 PM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON MONTANA AERONAUTICS BOARD BAKER FEDERAL 2026 GRANT/ Roger Meggers, Airport Facilities Manager
Discussed Montana Aeronautics letter approving the submitted application for state airport financial assistance. Discussed the state’s bidding process for the airport pavement project. Being as this is old business, the Commission decided to sign the grant agreement.
2:44 PM John Geving, Spartan Bus Line, LLC joined the meeting.
2:50 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:50 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve March 17-21, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve March 17-21, 2025 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
2. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on auto, equipment and property insurance thresholds/ Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder
Reported on current insurance rules; Debbie recommends changing compensation and collision on the older vehicles. Discussed changes to auto, trailers and ATVs insurance through Travelers and self-insurance. Discussed liability insurance for properties and buildings.
b. Adopt Budget Amendment Resolution #1152 to accommodate donations for the new Sheriff Trust Fund.
Commissioner Rost motioned to adopt Budget Amendment Resolution #1152. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
c. Adopt Resolution #1153 to Dissolve Baker & Plevna TV Districts
Commissioner Varner motioned to adopt Resolution #1153. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
d. Discussion/Decision on Eastern Montana Drug Task Force Inter-Agency MOU for Fiscal Year 2026
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Inter-Agency MOU. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
e. Discussion/Decision on Gunderson Farms, Inc boundary line adjustment per the Contract Planner’s recommendation.
Will discuss further with Contract Planner.
f. Discussion/Decision on Turf Solutions, LLC quote on fertilizer for the golf course.
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the quote for the amount of $3,720.00. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
g. Discussion/Decision on Fireside Office Solutions Maintenance Service Agreements.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve all courthouse Fireside Maintenance Agreements. 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. Discussion/Decision on State of Emergency MOU with Spartan Bus Line, LLC
Discussed the MOU and involving the Plevna School District. Discussed rate of compensation; John would like to speak to an attorney about having a day rate.
b. Discussion/Decision on quotes for FMC’s heat pump replacement
No discussion at this time.
c. Discussion/Decision on MOU between Dawson and Fallon County Health Departments.
No discussion at this time. This item has been completed.
d. Discussion/Decision on Securus Technologies Contract.
Commissioner Braun added the contract that was discussed last week with Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Securus Technologies Contract. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carries unanimously.
e. Review/Revise Burial Contract for funeral homes
No discussion at this time.
f. Discussion/Decision on Golf Course Etiquette MOU
No discussion at this time.
4. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments & zoning compliance (as needed)
3:29 PM Chairman Braun ended the work session. Being as there is no further business, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2025
8:00 AM DES/911 COORDINATOR INTERVIEWS
s/ Kevin Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder