Commission Minutes – May 20 – May 24, 2024
MONDAY, MAY 20, 2024
9:00 AM CONVENE
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.
9:30 AM CITY UPDATES/ Steve Zachmann, Mayor
Commissioner Baldwin handed over a letter of support for the City of Baker’s application for the Montana Coal Endowment Program (MCEP) Fund.
1. Discuss dumpster services.
Discussed whether to use City or County dumpsters. The Commission will ask Robbie what he would prefer.
Mayor Zachmann presented a speed diagram for Texas Avenue and a cost projection for the water main project. Updated on city ordinances for screening storage containers within city limits. The City of Baker adopted the Fallon County Growth Policy 2024 Update. Discussed process of per diem for employees that the City and County share; will discuss further at a later date.
9:51 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:00 AM Mark Sieler, Road Foreman and Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk joined the meeting.
10:05 AM ROAD/SHOP UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn/Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
Bobby was unable to attend the meeting. Continuing to haul scoria. Discussed transmission issues in the county Traverses. Updated on ambulance manifold.
10:17 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:35 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian
Shannon presented a response letter to Montana DEQ regarding the golf course irrigation plan. Discussed chloroform testing for the golf course pond. Reviewed plan to dispose of waste soil between hole six and eight which has potential to help with growing grass; discussed route to haul topsoil pile. Applied for the beneficial use permit preapplication meeting.
10:55 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:02 AM PRESENTING PCT INSURANCE QUOTE – VIRTUAL MEETING/ Jade Boggs, Insurance Store; Bonnie Knopf, MACo; Shannon Chamberlain, MACo; Jason Rittal, MACo; Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder
Bonnie and Shannon joined in via video call.
Shannon presented a proposal of coverage for property and casualty during the fiscal year of 2025. Discussed coverage for county events like rodeos, shooting events, etc.
12:01 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
12:10 PM Commissioner Rost made the motion to recess. Commissioner Braun 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 DECISION ON HOW TO PROCEED WITH FIRE SERVICES/EQUIPMENT BID – CONFERENCE CALL/ Terry Sukut, JGA; Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk
Terry called into the meeting.
Terry explained that hiring a specialist would be better than working through a subcontractor. Discussed current services for fire extinguishers. Discussed bidding out fire alarms, fire extinguishers and sprinklers services separately. Add requirements that subcontractors should turn in license and liability insurance when utilized. Terry will write up a new bid spec for fire services by June 11th.
2:02 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:02 PM ADOPTION OF GROWTH POLICY PUBLIC HEARING
No one appeared for the public hearing.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to adopt the growth policy as presented. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
2:06 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:17 PM PROPOSAL/QUOTE OPENING FOR BAKER & PLEVNA TV DISTRICT EQUIPMENT & REPAIRS
Commissioner Braun opened the only quote that was submitted. CJ Cannaliato submitted a quote for Plevna Boost TV District for the amount $59,642.00 and a quote for the Baker TV District for the amount of $74,180.00. Commissioner Baldwin stated that the quotes will be presented next week to Wayne Mangold, Baker & Plevna TV District Board member.
2:19 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:20 PM PROPOSAL/QUOTE OPENING FOR FY25 PROPANE SERVICES
Commissioner Braun opened two quotes. Prairie Fuels submitted a quote for $1.19 per gallon for the 2025 fiscal year. Plevna Propane submitted a quote for $1.35 per gallon up to 10,000 gallons for the 2025 fiscal year. The Commission will announce their decision Tuesday, May 28th.
2:22 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:30 PM PERMISSION TO HIRE SEASONAL FAIRGROUNDS CREW HAND / Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Braun made the motion to hire Trevin Lecoe for the Seasonal Fairgrounds Crew Hand position. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
2:31 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:31 PM PERMISSION TO ADD AN EMT TO SERVICE / Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Rost made the motion to add Jessica Scott to the EMT Service. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
2:32 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:32 PM PERMISSION TO HIRE SEASONAL GOLF COURSE GROUNDS CREW HANDS/ Doug Varner, Interim Golf Course Superintendent; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Braun made the motion to hire Preston Asher for the Seasonal Golf Course Crew Hands position. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays the motion carried unanimously.
2:33 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:36 PM PERMISSION TO HIRE JUSTICE COURT CLERK / Anna Straub, Justice of Peace; Julie Straub, HRM
Commissioner Braun made the motion to hire Sheila Ware for Justice Court Clerk position. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
2:38 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:45 PM FINAL IMPLEMENTATION TO SALARY SCHEDULE / Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder; Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder; Christa Alford, Payroll Clerk; Julie Straub, HRM
Julie requested adding progressional steps to position of administrative assistant, library technician, and inside maintenance custodian so these positions could have upward mobility. Raising these positions cap wage would lessen the gap between these positions with other positions within the County. Discussed showing the library board the salary schedule with adjusting wages.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to adjust the Extension Administrative Assistant, Public Health Administrative assistant, and Inside Custodial Assistant cap to $20.00 for the 2025 fiscal year. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; discussed the effect of ambulance billing on the Public Health Administrative assistant position’s current wages; created two schedules – the position without ambulance billing having a cap set at $20.00 and the position with ambulance billing having a cap set at $22.00. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Discussed adjustments to road department wages.
3:35 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
4:06 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve May 13th – May 17th, 2024 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve May 13th – 17th, 2024 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Approve May 2024 Mid-Month Claims
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve May 2024 Mid-Month Claims for the amount of $306,859.13. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Executive/Action Items:
a. Adopt FY25 COLA per recommendation of the Salary Commission.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to set the COLA at 2.75% for elected officials per the Salary Commission’s recommendation. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
b. Sign Resolution #1128 to amend Indigent Burial Policy.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to sign Resolution #1128 to amend the Indigent Burial Policy. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
c. Sign Resolution #1129 to adopt the FY24 Fallon County Growth Policy Update.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to sign Resolution #1129 to adopt the FY24 Fallon County Growth Policy Update. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
d. Sign the Appraisal Engagement Letter for the Fallon County Man Camp.
The Commission will wait until after the County Attorney reviews the letter.
e. Approve and sign Strengthening Public Health Workforce Master Contract for Public Health
and State of Montana.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve and sign the Master Contract. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
f. Discussion/Decision on county fleet vehicles/ Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk
There was no discussion at this time.
4. Old Business as needed
a. Discuss/Decision on designating programs to receive earmarked alcohol tax monies and/or State-
Approval for the provision of substance misuse/abuse treatment and prevention services in the County.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to split the alcohol tax monies 50/50 between Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center (EMCMHC) and Prairie Hills Recovery Center. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
b. Sign Selbys’ Preventive Maintenance Agreement for the Planning Department Printer.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to sign the Maintenance Agreement. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
5. Approve Fair Contracts (as needed)
6. Appointments/Resignations to various boards (as needed)
Commissioner Rost made the motion to accept Debbie Wyrick’s resignation from the Cemetery Board. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
7. Review & Approve Approach/Encroachment Permits
8. Review Board Minutes/Agendas (Boards other than Commission)
9. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers (as needed)
10. E-mails/Correspondence
4:23 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to adjourn after the Transportation meeting. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024
8:30 AM – ATTEND LIVE WEBINAR ON HUNTER BAILEY’S SCIENCE FAIR PRESENTATION
1:00 PM ATTEND TRANSPORTATION MEETING –
COURTHOUSE BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM
s/Steve Baldwin, Chairman
s/Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
