Commission Minutes – September 12-16, 2022
9:00 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Chairman; Kevin Braun, Member; Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder
ABSENT: Steve Baldwin, Member
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
The Pledge of Allegiance was held in the Commissioner’s Office to start off the week.
9:00AM PUBLIC COMMENT –AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS
No one appeared for Public Comment
9:15 AM COMMISSIONER MINUTES APPROVAL FOR WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 5-9, 2022.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the minutes from September 5-9, 2022, with corrections. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Baldwin). The motion carried.
9:30 AM CITY OF BAKER IRON HORSE WATER BILL DISCUSSION/DECISION/Steve Zachmann, Mayor-City of Baker; Kevin Dukart, City Clerk
Water Bill/Iron Horse Park Sprinkler-Discussed the City back-billing the County for water usage when it was not the county’s fault. The city stated the meter was delivered so the plumber could hook it up, in January 2021. The County Maintenance should have let the City of Baker know it was hooked up and also let them know when the meter is removed. Commissioner Braun asked if it is the responsibility of our employees to inform the city about meter hookup/removal. Kevin D. stated it is historically the responsibility of that department’s employees. The billing department is not aware, unless told, when a line is in service. The amount billed was for the total amount of water used from the time the meter was installed. The City of Baker does not charge themselves for water use, why does the city charge the county for water at the parks when they are for public use. Kevin D. did not feel there is a difference in that and the county charging the city for dumping at the Landfill. The Commission asked the city to resubmit the bill for payment.
Discussed the Bonnievale Bridge project; the water shut-off was located. Discussed the MT DOT bridge project on Highway 7. The Commission stated, MT DOT would like to use a county road as a detour. The Commission and Mayor Zachmann agree the State of Montana should build a by-pass.
9:50 AM Mayor Zachmann; Clerk Dukart left the meeting.
10:00 AM ROAD/SHOP UPDATES/Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn & Carl Overland Shop Mechanics
Shop Updates-The county shop mechanics have been assisting the Golf Course Supervisor with the pump and filter systems. The system is now popping filter codes, will try cleaning the filter again. Discussed getting a new filter so they can properly clean the old filter and keep as a spare. Golf Course is fighting leaks which also has an impact on how well the irrigation system functions.
Road Updates-Pouring concrete for the floor of the Ismay box culvert; that portion should be finished this morning. They have started the rebar for the sides and will pour the sides and the top separately. Bonnievale box culvert-backfilling is completed; still need gravel overlay on the top. Bobby will find out who is responsible to gravel the top of the box culvert. They are still mowing along county roads and cleaning cattle guards. The Commission asked Bobby to notify the Commission before pulling the shoulders on any county road.
10:25 AM Bobby, Mitch and Carl left the meeting.
10:30 AM PROJECT UPDATES/Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering
Shannon is on site at the Ismay box culvert project.
11:00 AM Kevin Hill, Golf Course Supervisor-On his way to Dickinson to pick up a pull-behind seeder. Kevin stated they will first need to aerate, place chemical, spray and then seed. Kevin is in hopes he can seed on Thursday. Commission asked that Kevin stay in contact with Carl from the Road Department regarding the pumps/filters.
11:00 AM INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY UPDATES/Josh Lewis, System Administrator
Josh stated everything is going good, has been working on the set-up for the golf course irrigation system. Discussed antiquated computers and equipment and the process of wiping clean and disposal. Discussed where to dispose of old batteries. Josh would like permission to purchase some equipment to keep on hand; Commission granted permission. Josh stated Clint Townsend has been helpful and is a good resource. Josh is still learning about various software, security systems and sonic walls; Clint has been assisting with that as well. Discussion on getting certified to be able to assist with Law Enforcement and Dispatch regarding IT related matters.
11:18 AM Josh left the meeting.
11:18 AM Commissioner Braun made the motion to recess. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion.
Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Baldwin). The motion carried.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Chairman; Kevin Braun Member; Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder
ABSENT: Steve Baldwin, Member
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
PUBLIC COMMENT – AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS
No one appeared for Public Comment
1:30 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Commission reviewed revenues received, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and agendas.
Reviewed updated FY23 Fallon County Bridge Inventory
The inventory report will be sent to MT DOT.
2:00 PM REVIEW/DISCUSS RECOMMENDATION REGARDING GROWTH POLICY RFQ/DECISION/Mary Grube, Planning Administrative Assistant
The Committee made the unanimous decision to recommend KLJ to complete the Growth Policy updates. There were two companies that submitted RFQ’s: KLJ-Billings, Montana and SRF Consulting group of Minnesota. SRF only had experience in North Dakota/no experience in Montana and were from Minnesota. KLJ is based out of Montana and has a lot of experience in Montana. Mary will notify each company of the decision and a contract will be submitted for signatures.
No Public Comment was received, and no one appeared from the Public to comment.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to accept the RFQ from KLJ to update the Fallon County Growth Policy. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Baldwin). The motion carried.
2:05 PM There being no further discussion and no members from the Public the meeting was brought to a close.
2:05 PM PLANNING DEPARTMENT UPDATES/Mary Grube, Planning Administrative Assistant
DNRC received a FEMA grant for remapping the flood plain; the DNRC will administer the grant for the counties. This will be a digitized mapping and will be FEMA’s public file, which Fallon County will have access to. Discussed tying this project in as another layer to the road plat mapping project.
2:15 PM Mary left the meeting.
3:30 PM DISCUSSION TO PLAN FOR THE INTERIM AT THE FAIRGROUNDS/Julie Straub, HRM; Shyla Hadley, Fairgrounds Manager
Plan Discussion-Hire someone that is already an employee in the interim to assist in the office and on the grounds. Who will clean after events and who will book events? Stallers-The Commission will come up with a plan for this. Shyla is hoping to winterize before she leaves the end of the month. Who will take care of the fire suppression system and take the alarm calls? Commissioner Rost will ask the DES Coordinator if he will take the calls. Golf Course Superintendent will be contacted about big barn maintenance. Discussed winterizing the barn restrooms rather than leaving the restrooms open; possibly place porta potties in the barn during the winter months.
Will schedule another meeting to complete this discussion.
4:03 PM Julie and Shyla left the meeting.
4:05 PM TOWN OF PLEVNA REQUESTING AUTHORITY FOR DISTRIBUTION OF COUNTY MINIMUM ALLOCATION GRANTS FOR WATER & SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS/SIGN & ADOPT RESOLUTION #1095/Gary Thielen, Town of Plevna-Mayor; Joleen Boespflug, Town Clerk; Elisabeth Epley, EPEDC Executive Director
The total projected cost for the lagoon is $111,395; they still need $48,000 over and above the ARPA funding the Town of Plevna received. Discussed another project they have received a quote for, in the amount of $47,520, which is to camera and clean the sewer lines.
Commission Braun made the motion to Adopt Resolution #1095 granting authority for distribution of County minimum allocation grant funds for the Town of Plevna to assist with completion of the Lagoon Facility Improvement Project in the amount of $48,000. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Baldwin). The motion carried.
4:20 PM Gary, Joleen and Beth left the meeting.
4:30 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Baldwin). The motion carried.
ADJOURN
s/Roy Rost, Chairman
ATTEST:
s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
