Commission Minutes – May 27 – May 31, 2024
MONDAY, MAY 27, 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.
9:17 AM DISCUSSION ON COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER/ Mindi Murnion, Public Health Specialist; Angel Wyrwas, EMCMHC; Melissa Rost, Museum Curator
Melissa and Mindi are attending as Mental Health Council members. Angel presented a proposal to create a community health worker program. Stakeholders (schools, hospital, Public Health, Council on Aging, Sheriff Office) would benefit from having behavioral health services. Patients would benefit by giving them telehealth follow-up or nurse navigation. Stated results could be that quality of life improves for individuals with mental illness and substance abuse, costs savings, less child protective services, and less interference with the Department of Corrections. Requested two full-time workers to cover both Baker and Plevna. Went over job descriptions that could be part of the program and the crisis framework. Went over costs for the initial startup of the program with Catalyst for Change.
9:57 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
9:57 AM UPDATE ON CHILDCARE PROJECT/ Steve Zachmann, EMEDA Chairman
The Childcare facility is required by zoning to have a sidewalk on the north side of the property, would like the property to drain into the street. EMEDA would like the Commission to consider covering a partial cost widening Texas Avenue and extending the sidewalk on the south side of the property to Iron Horse Park. Discussed waiting for the bid opening to see what the costs are for final approval.
10:04 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:05 AM ROAD/SHOP UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn/Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
Mitch was unable to attend the meeting. Updated on county vehicle and equipment maintenance. Bladed over the weekend due to rain; hauling scoria. Completing car gate on Sandstone Road.
10:11 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:33 AM GIS PRESENTATION/ Shannon Hewson and Kady Hansey-Walker Brosz Engineering
Shannon and Kady did a walkthrough of the GIS road mapping program. Discussed options for availability and storage.
11:03 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:11 AM BAKER & PLEVNA TV DISTRICT UPDATES
Wayne Mangold and Amanda Frickel joined the meeting.
1. Discuss/Decision on equipment and repairs quote.
Wayne would like to go forward with the bid. New equipment would be installed before fiberoptics can be implemented for receiving Billings channels and bypassing Glendive. Discussed repairing the building on Bracket Butte before equipment is installed. Commissioner Braun will contact all parties involved with Bracket Butte for permission to have county employees repair the building. Wayne stated that it would be about one month to six weeks before C.J. Cannaliato could install the equipment.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the C.J. Cannaliato quotes for the Baker TV District in the amount of $74,180.00 and Plevna TV District in the amount of $59,642.00, both with a completion date in November. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Discussed using rail ties to properly set the building on Bracket Butte.
11:23 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:32 AM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON BRADLEY CABINETRY QUOTE FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICE/ Kim Bryan, Director of Public Health
Kim stated that a contractor recommended Bradley Cabinetry. Discussed replacing front desk cabinets; project will start in July.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the Bradley Cabinetry quote for the amount of $4,853.00. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
11:38 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:39 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 COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Resolution for the Indigent Burial Policy.
There was no discussion at this time.
2. Baker Senior Center transfer of ownership/lease.
Darcy will send the deed to Carla for Baker Seniors to review. Discussed additions to lease; general maintenance and cleaning, notice to terminate, renters’ insurance, Seniors furnishing, Seniors renting out or hosting events, and permission for long term leasing.
3. Resolution to vacate plats from County COS.
Discussed drafting a petition or notice of intent to vacate plats. Darcy will draft a petition to vacate the plats.
4. Agricultural easement for Randy Tunby.
Darcy advised that the Commission wait on granting a stock lane due to the unknown of selling the land in the future. The Commission discussed still granting a stock lane but with parameters covering some concerns. Darcy requested legal descriptions and images for a waterline easement.
5. Resolution for Fair Board reimbursement.
Discussed adjusting the fair board reimbursement for fair week. Darcy will draft a resolution for the adjustment.
6. Clarification on recording road resolution.
Darcy advised putting the resolution from 2002, regarding the construction of private roads, in the recording system so it is available to the public.
2:05 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:05 PM BID OPENING FOR PARKVIEW & PUBLIC HEALTH CLEANING SERVICES
Commissioner Braun opened the only bid submitted. Heather Haven’s base proposal for Parkview Retirement Complex 1 & 2 for a monthly rate of $2,000.00. The Commission will make a decision on Wednesday, June 5th.
2:24 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:30 PM SALARY DISCUSSION/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder; Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder; Barb Ketterling, Treasurer; Julie Straub, HRM; Christa Alford, Payroll Clerk; Jerrie Newell, Clerk of Court
Jerrie and Debbie were unable to attend the meeting. Discussed setting a deputy clerk at two steps and elected officials would decide if an individual is hired on at 87.5% or 90% wage cap for their probation period based on experience. Discussed six-month probation period for deputy whether hired in house or from the public; wage is not related to probation, elected official will determine starting at 87.5% or 90%. If starting wage is set at 87.5%, in one year the deputy will move to 90%. Discussed title changes for three individuals. Agreed that there will be no steps for intermittent employees; will adjust wages for intermittent bus drivers so they are all equal; newly hired bus drivers won’t need to have probation periods. Commission approved progressive steps for the Council on Aging Program Assistant for raising the cap to be equal to the homemakers.
3:04 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
3:06 PM DELINEATION OF SHARED ROLES & NOTIFICATION/ Amanda Frickel, DES & 911 Coordinator; Brenda Hoeger, Emergency Communications Supervisor; Julie Straub, HRM
Julie explained that Brenda and Amanda wanted direction on expectations for shared roles. This stemmed from an issue on May 16th, Amanda received a call from AT&T about 911 services possibly being down in the area. Brenda explained that she would have preferred to have Amanda notify her directly instead of telling an individual in the office. Amanda stated that she was notified by voicemail and two emails, then proceeded to contact dispatch and the sheriff office, then posted an alternative number on Facebook. Discussed how to proceed with the notifications going forward, decided on department head to department head. Brenda did not agree with the wording of the Facebook post advising the public to call the admin line. Amanda presented the AT&T email to the Commission. Commissioner Braun advised the two department heads to set up a process amongst themselves.
3:28 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
4:00 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve May 20th – May 24th, 2024 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve May 20th – 24th, 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:
a. Decision on propane quote.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to accept the Prairie Fuels low bid for the amount of $1.19/gallon for the fiscal year of 2025. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Old Business as needed
a. Sign the Appraisal Engagement Letter for the Fallon County Man Camp.
The Commission will wait for Appraisal Professionals of MT, LLC to review the changes the County Attorney made.
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)
The Commission would like to thank Julie Straub for 15 years of service as the Human Resources Manager. Your service does not go unnoticed.
9. E-mails/Correspondence
4:27 PM Commissioner Rost made the motion to adjourn after the Golf Course Superintendent Interviews. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2024
10:00 AM – GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT INTERVIEWS
s/ Steve Baldwin, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
