Commission Minutes – September 15-19, 2025

 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025

9:00 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.

9:03 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT

   Roy Rost joined the meeting representing Rost MacKay Fencing. Reported on needing to move a part of the fence for the Upper Lake due to a pipeline. Discussed whether or not to move the fence onto City property; will discuss further with the City.

9:06 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

9:45 AM Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder joined the meeting.

9:48 AM PERMISSION TO ATTEND MONTANA ASSOCIATION OF PLANNERS ANNUAL CONFERENCE/ Desiree Thielen, DES/Planner

Commissioner Rost motioned to grant Desiree permission to attend the MAPA Annual Conference. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.

DISCUSSION/DECISION ON DES/PLANNER JOB DESCRIPTION/ Desiree Thielen, DES/Planner; Julie Straub, HRM

    Julie was unable to attend the meeting. Discussed including language in the job description to guarantee negotiations for wage changes once all certifications are completed; Commission stated this change would have to be included to all job descriptions for fairness. Discussed certified planner online classes; Desiree has enough experience to challenge the test and would not need to take all the classes over again. Brenda suggested using the Commissioner Minutes as proof for negotiations instead of including the language in the job description; this compromise was agreed upon. Discussed probationary period for DES and Planning.

9:58 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

10:04 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic

   Reported on Ismay Road South regrading project. Mowers are almost done for the season. Discussed purchasing a tanker from B & B Septic. Discussed scoria pile and complaints with the black rocks damaging tires; will give the scoria time before deciding on laying gravel. Reported on the State maintaining roads. Mitch reported vehicle and equipment maintenance. Updated on golf course irrigation line. Commissioner Rost requested for the road around the airport to be worked on. Updated on fencing for around the Upper Lake; will install an auto gate at the landfill.

10:19 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

10:19 AM FALLON MEDICAL COMPLEX UPDATES/ Marjorie Losing, CFO

   1. DISCUSSION/DECISION ON FALLON MEDICAL COMPLEX RENOVATION BIDS

        Marjorie presented SDI’s recommendation and David’s change orders for the renovations that could be covered by mill levy funds.

Commissioner Varner motioned to award the renovations bid to Sletten Construction. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.

        Will wait for the change orders to be submitted for approval.

10:28 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

10:30 AM PROJECT UPDATES/Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering, Rich Menger, Sanitarian

   Shannon called into the meeting. Rich was unable to attend the meeting. Currently waiting to hear from DNRC for a follow- up meeting. Reported on irrigation line testing and Ismay Road South regrading project. Will schedule a meeting with Morrison-Mairele and the State to discuss the dam inspection. Discussed issues with county resident billing on a scoria pit; invoices were sent and paid by the City of Baker.

10:42 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

10:55 AM GOLF COURSE UPDATES/ Nathan Kalbach, Golf Course Superintendent; John Didier, Seasonal Golf Course Superintendent

   Greens were aerated last week and tee boxes will be aerated this week. Reported on sprinkler and line leak repairs; discussed process of blowing out the sprinkler lines. Discussed sodding holes one, five and nine next spring; will fill the rest of the greens with sand to level out. The Commission asked the Superintendents to do observation checks on the chlorinated gas going forward to prevent leaks. Discussed maintenance of the pond and the irrigation line; will need to add an additional fountain to the pond for dispersing chlorine. Discussed setting up a rotation schedule to pig the line and keep it clear of any residue build up. Discussed removing prairie dogs off of hole four.

11:25 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

11:30 AM UPDATES ON PENDING PROJECTS/ Steve Zachmann, City of Baker Mayor

   Reported on chip seal project for the city streets and valve replacements; Top Gun will lay asphalt once patches are finished. Updated on lagoon levels being low; irrigation season is slowing down so there should be only one more refill to the pond. Reported on research for the wastewater line near the fairgrounds. Discussed fencing around the Upper Lake; the County decided to exclude the City property from the fencing project. Discussed the relationship between the City and the County; discrepancy was created when Commissioner Rost stated that the Mayor was being passive aggressive towards Rost MacKay Fencing when asked to fence through the City Property. Mayor Zachmann stated that he was unable to make any final decisions without discussing with the City Council. Chairman Braun stated that the discrepancy will need to be discussed between the City and Rost MacKay Fencing. (Commissioner Braun stepped out to contact Denbury regarding the fencing project.) Discussed research for the fairgrounds sewer line; Mayor Zachmann reported on discussions he had with residents near Fairway Acres.

12:04 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15 PM.

NOON RECESS

1:15 PM RECONVENE

PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost, Member; Mandi Varner, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary

FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT

   Kodie Olsen joined the meeting. Discussed creating a work study for the Extension office; could be seasonal. Will discuss further with Julie Straub, HRM.

1:20 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion

1:30 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION

   1. Approve September 8 – 12, 2025 Commission Minutes

Commissioner Varner motioned to approve September 8-12, 2025 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.

   2. Executive Decisions

       a. Discussion/Decision on Fetal, Infant, Child & Maternal Mortality Review and Prevention Team MOU with Custer County

Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the MOU with Custer County. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.

       b. Discussion/Decision on Fireside Office Solutions service agreement

Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the service agreement. 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 911 GIS Data Maintenance Amendment No. 1 with KLJ Engineering

Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the maintenance amendment. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.

       d. Discussion/Decision on Tronstad Certificate of Survey per Contract Planner’s recommendation

Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the Tronstad COS per the Contract Planner’s recommendation. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.

       e. Discussion/Decision on appointing board members

Commissioner Varner motioned to appoint Derrick deHaan, Dale Butori and Gary Irgens to the Fallon County Fair Board. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; Commissioner Braun clarified that during a recess, the Commissioner reviewed the Fair Board By-laws for their scheduled meeting dates. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.

   3. Old Business as needed

       a. Discussion/Decision on 406 Fire Protection LLC contract

Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the service contract. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.

       b. Discussion/Decision on Miles City Airport lease agreement for the TV Board

            There was no discussion at this time.

       c. Discussion/Decision on Bracket Butte Ranch agreement for the TV Board

            There was no discussion at this time.

       d. Discussion/Decision on accepting Hanratty easement.

Commissioner Rost motioned to accept the easement. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.

       e. Discussion/Decision on remaining on Infrastructure Coalition membership renewal

Commissioner Rost motioned against renewing the membership to the Infrastructure Coalition. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.

       f. Discussion/Decision on Montana Natural Resources Coalition membership renewal

           Discussed dues amount and joining for a year as test run to see how it will assist Fallon County.

Commissioner Rost motioned to do a one-year trial and join the Montana Natural Resources Coalition. Chairman Braun stepped down second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 1 Nay. (Commissioner Varner) Motion carried.

   4. Approve September 2025 Mid-Month Claims

Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the September 2025 Mid-Month Claims for the amount of $362,806.62. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.

   5. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments/zoning compliance (as needed)

2:59 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

3:00 PM CLOSED PERSONNEL MEETING/ Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager; Julie Straub, HRM

   Julie was unable to attend the meeting. Commissioner Braun asked if Jennefer would like the meeting to be closed; stated that she would.

Commissioner Rost motioned to go into closed session. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.

3:14 PM Commissioner Rost motioned to come out of closed session. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.

3:16 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being as there is no further business, meeting adjourned.                            

                           ADJOURN

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2025

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025

ATTEND SAFETY MEETING

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2025

9:30 AM – ATTEND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER INTERVIEWS

                                                                                                                     s/ Kevin J. Braun, Chairman

s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary

ATTEST:                   

s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder