Commission Minutes – March 31 – April 4, 2025
MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2025
9:30 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.
9:30 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager and Rod Kilsdonk, Volunteer EMT joined the meeting. Brittany updated on an ambulance run that was hindered by a cot issue. Cot had prior issues and Stryker came for troubleshooting, but no cause was found; replaced battery yesterday but problem was not resolved. Rod updated on Ambulance #17 having diesel exhaust leaking into the cab. Will swap beds out of the ambulances to see if same issue persists and Road Department will look at the exhaust for #17.
9:40 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:44 AM WEED UPDATES/ Sara Berger, Weed Control Coordinator
Updated on receiving new UTVs; Education Day of the schools and MCWA Spring Days. Will update the public on poison hemlock and wormwood. Discussed Road Department helping with spraying roads if there is not enough moisture for road maintenance; updated on job applications.
9:49 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:00 AM Robbie Christians, Outside Maintenance Supervisor and Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder joined the meeting.
10:00 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn and/or Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
Bobby reported on signs for Stanhope Addition all being installed. Reported on blading roads and hauling gravel to North Plevna Road; State is currently working on the South Plevna Road. Commissioner Braun updated Carl on ambulance maintenance; discussed tire replacements and battery issue with the cot. Mitch presented a Precision Parts & Supply quote for a Rim Clamp Tire machine. Commissioner Varner asked to have a rose bush removed from the golf course club house.
1. Discussion on insurance issue with the Upper and Lower Dam reports.
Discussed insurance requesting reports and repairs to be done every three years for renewal.
10:15 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:23 AM PERMISSION TO HIRE DES/911 COORDINATOR/ Julie Straub, HRM
PERMISSION TO RECRUIT AN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER/ Brenda Hoeger, Emergency Communications Supervisor; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Varner motioned to hire Desiree Thielen as the DES/911 Coordinator. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Varner motioned to begin recruiting for an Emergency Communications Dispatcher. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; discussed if the position will be thirty or forty hours, will offer forty hours to veteran dispatcher before advertising. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
10:26 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:30 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering
1. Award Fallon County Courthouse parking lot bid.
Updated on only bid that was submitted; discussed lower cost alternatives like asphalt or chip sealing. Discussed drainage issue around the ambulance garage. Shannon will reach out to local contractors for quotes on replacing the concrete on the north parking lot.
Commissioner Rost motioned to reject Century Companies, LLC bid for the amount of $299,034.00. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussed chip and sealing south parking lot and painting parking spaces.
2. Zoning Application for courthouse parking lot.
Commissioner Varner motioned to submit a zoning application for the north parking lot. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; permit fee is $50.00.
3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussed dam inspection issue with Travelers Insurance. Discussed fencing between grazing district and county property.
10:56 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
11:28 AM MUSEUM UPDATES/ Vaughn Zenko, Museum Curator
Vaughn updated on museum visits for the month of March and using the museum as a meeting space. Reported on upcoming events and camps; collaborating with Beth Meggers for poetry month. Updated on fundraisers and current projects; discussed interviews with the seniors of Fallon County. Updated on attending a museum convention. Discussed downscaling Heritage Fest to utilize the leftover budget for more escape rooms and other events; option to use a non-profit fundraising alcohol license for events. Reported on lack of smoke alarms in the metal and main buildings. Discussed National Historical Society budget and grants.
11:58 AM 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 Jade Boggs, Insurance Store President and Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder joined the meeting.
1:30 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve March 24-28, 2025 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve March 24-28, 2025 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Approve March 2025 Payroll Warrants & Deductions
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve March 2025 Payroll Warrants & Deductions in the amount of $632,295.86. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on Fair Contract.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Becky Schlegel & The Traveling Opry Show fair contract. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Discussion/Decision on Turf Solutions quote for golf course watersolv curative.
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Turf Solutions quote in the amount of $3,662.35. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. Motion carried unanimously.
c. Discussion/Decision on diffuser replacement quote from Midland Implement.
No discussion at this time.
4. Old Business as needed
a. Review EBMS Amendment to the Plan Document and Summary Plan Description.
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the EBMS Amendment. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Decision on Fireside Office Solutions Maintenance Service Agreements.
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the maintenance service agreements. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
c. Discussion/Decision on quotes for FMC’s heat pump replacement
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Star Services, Inc quote of the amount of $76,289.00 under the condition it does not exceed said amount. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; Star Service has completed maintenance at Fallon Medical Complex in the past. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
d. Discussion/Decision on State of Emergency MOU with Spartan Bus Line, LLC
No discussion at this time.
e. Decision on Golf Course Etiquette MOU
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the memorandum of understanding. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
f. Discussion on qualified contractors for the five-year dam evaluation.
Jade and Debbie discussed reports used for state and insurance dam inspections. Jade will negotiate with Travelers Insurance to use the five-year engineering inspection reports instead of requiring an additional inspection every three years.
5. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments & zoning compliance (as needed)
1:51 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:30 PM PLANS & EXPECTATIONS FOR RIMS IN DISPATCH/ Brenda Hoeger, Emergency Communications Dispatch Supervisor; Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff; Brenda Flint, Clerk/Detention Staff; Julie Straub, HRM
Discussed recently submitted reports and changes that should be made to clear up the information on the reports. Improvements and progress have been made; Brenda Hoeger explained Dispatch’s process for checking reports before submitting. Will schedule another follow-up meeting.
2:52 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until 9:30 AM on Tuesday, April 1.
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2025
9:30 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost and Mandi Varner, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
9:30 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
9:45 AM FAIRGROUND UPDATES/ Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager
Updated on events that are being held at the fairgrounds; reported on building maintenance. Presented a quote from Bruco, Inc. for a floor cleaner. Discussed sprinkler and fire suppression system. Will move one of the ATMs at the fairgrounds to the courthouse. Updated on upcoming discussions on the 4-H Barn.
9:56 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
9:57 AM BAKER & PLEVNA TV BOARD UPDATES/ Wayne Mangold & Randy Morris, Board Members
Updated on current channels and feeds; Airport site has a building with strong signals. Presented a quote from Canyon TV for equipment to place at the airport site in order to connect to Miles City. Discussed Ekalaka TV wanting to pay in for services going forward. Updated on Montana Prairie Amateur Radio Club contract; discussed requiring liability policy for utilizing the county building. Discussed other contracts that need to be created and/or updated; WBI, Ekalaka TV, and landowners. Discussed setting up the TV Advisory Board.
1. Discussion/Decision on Mid-Rivers Telephone billing.
Mid-Rivers would like confirmation that Wayne Mangold can add to the Fallon County account.
10:36 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:38 AM FALLON MEDICAL COMPLEX UPDATES/ David Espeland, CEO; Marjorie Losing, CFO
Marjorie updated on February financials and stats. Reviewed Fallon Medical’s annual audit. Updated on implementing billing companies that allow patients additional months to pay off their statements before being sent to collections. Discussed the approved Star Services, Inc. quote for the heat pump replacement; will reach out to Star Services for a contract with a completion date. Updated on building maintenance.
11:30 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15 PM
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 EMS UPDATES/ Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager
This meeting has been rescheduled.
1:30 PM LANDFILL UPDATES/ Jeff Frank, Manager of Landfill Operations
This meeting was rescheduled to 1:30 PM. Updated on new employee and equipment. Discussed the “no littering” signs on the way to the landfill; will have the signs come out of the Landfill budget and the Road Department install the signs.
1. Discussion/Decision on coordinating Cleanup Days with the City.
Discussed assisting the City with Clean Up Days, April 26th through May 3rd.
1:44 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
1:45 PM SHOOTING RANGE UPDATES/ Jim Leischner, Shooting Range Supervisor; Shane Bettenhausen, Match Manager
Jim presented a baby rattle snake that was found inside the shooting range lobby. Updated on upcoming shooting matches and building maintenance. Reported on the Trap Board finishing up their grant funds.
1:53 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:00 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
There was no meeting at this time.
2:29 PM CONTRACT PLANNER UPDATES/ Forrest Sanderson, Contract Planner
Updated on a company inquiring about zoning regulations for wind towers and battery storage sites. Discussed state zoning regulations for wind towers.
1. Discussion/Decision on Gunderson Farms, Inc boundary line adjustment per the Contract Planner’s recommendation.
Discussed changes that needed to be made to the surveyor’s certificate of survey.
Commissioner Rost motioned to deny the Gunderson Farms, Inc boundary line adjustment. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; discussed how this COS is in violation of subdivision regulations but can be reworked for submittal. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2:46 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being as there is no further business, meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
4:00 PM LANDFILL UPDATES/ Jeff Frank, Manager of Landfill Operations
There was no meeting at this time; meeting was rescheduled to 1:30 PM.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2025
12:00 PM ATTEND BAKER CHAMBER MEETING – THE COFFEEHOUSE AT LAWLER’S
This meeting has been rescheduled to April 10th, 2025.
2:00 PM ATTEND COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER MEET & GREET – FALLON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
s/ Kevin Braun, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder