Commission Minutes – September 30 – October 4, 2024
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
9:00 AM CONVEVE
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.
9:10 AM Dan Thomason, County Trapper for Dawson, Prairie, Fallon and Wibaux County joined the meeting.
9:17 AM STOCKGROWERS UPDATE – PREDATOR CONTROL FUND/ Doug Ekberg, Montana Wildlife Services District Supervisor
Doug updated on predator control within Fallon County for fiscal year 2024. Removed a total of 275 coyotes and 2 foxes. Reported on aerial predator management; flew a helicopter for a total of 36 hours. Updated on wolf or bear damages and the process for containing these types of situations. Mountain lion reports are increasing while wolf reports are decreasing. Discussed scheduling for coyote removal during calving season and local coyote hunting contests.
9:37 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
9:58 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn and/or Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
Carl updated on county vehicle maintenance. Mitch updated on equipment maintenance. Bobby stated that the Road Crew will be finishing laying scoria on the Old Baker Highway today. Discussed moving cattle guards; County property on Calumet Road will be re-fenced and will need a cattle guard and two car gates. Updated on mowing; discussed spraying earlier on some dirt roads next spring.
10:06 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:30 AM IT UPDATES/ Josh Lewis, System Administrator
Fire monitoring for the grandstands has been connected to Dispatch. Recording lines for Dispatch have been configured through Masters Telecom and phones will be replaced soon to finish the project. Updated on panic buttons testing being scheduled quarterly to coincide with the Click-Send test. Will be upgrading the sonic wall for the Sheriff’s Office once DIS sends over the new hardware. Updated on troubleshooting for several departments. Will be ordering additional router switches for converting the phone system from Mid-Rivers to Verizon.
10:45 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15 PM
RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
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 Dawn Moser, Staff Nurse; Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager and Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder joined the meeting.
1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Discussion on Tobacco Grant Scholarship.
Discussed guidelines regarding the Tobacco grant and if it’s possible to grant money for a scholarship. Michelle Moser will bring additional info for Darcy and the auditors to review.
2. Resolution of Intent to sell the Workcamp.
Reviewed draft of intent to sell. Made changes to public comment section.
3. Discussion/Decision to order a title report for the Workcamp Site property.
This was included in the Resolution of Intent to sell the Workcamp discussion.
4. Randy Tunby Ag Easement.
No discussion at this time.
5. FSA Addendums for the 5 County Leases.
The addendums are completed, Darcy will email over the addendums to Debbie.
6. Discuss EMS Medical Director contract and malpractice insurance.
Brittany stated that Dr. Sullivan’s malpractice insurance will increase to cover Fallon County EMS if he were to become the Medical Director. The contract would strictly be with him as an independent contractor and not with Fallon Medical Complex. Dr. Sullivan is currently being paid to be the Public Health Officer; could be included in his monthly claim. Discussed expectations of an EMS Medical Director and how they are defined in the contract.
7. MOU for golf course etiquette.
Discussed how to have the Country Club enforce golf course etiquette on the County’s behalf. Discussed revising the green fees agreement to include the golf course etiquette enforcement; subleasing County authority to enforce golf course etiquette for the Clubhouse’s benefit.
8. Fair Board Meals Resolution Amendment.
Discussed amending the resolution to say meal reimbursements instead of salary; will update wording to include changes the Commission makes any time in the future.
2:11 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:32 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve September 23rd – September 27th, 2024 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the September 23rd – 27th, 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 September 2024 Payroll & Withholdings
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the September 2024 Payroll & Withholdings for the amount of $660,996.00. 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 Resolution #1137 to Amend Per Diem and Travel Rates for Fallon County Elected Officials and Employees.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to adopt Resolution #1137. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
b. Decision on Statement of Qualification for the Baker Municipal Airport.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to accept the statement of qualifications for the Baker Municipal Airport from KLJ Engineering. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
c. Decision on Direct Electric Quote for new lights in the Road Shop.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the Direct Electric quote for the amount of $5,157.26. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
d. Decision on Montana DPHHS 2024-2025 County to County MOU Agreement FICMMR between Custer and Fallon.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the MOU Agreement. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
e. Decision on Dispatch alarm system for Fallon Medical Complex.
Discussed which quote would be the better long-term solution; wireless would have a battery backup.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to go with the 5-year contract with Mid-Rivers for the alarm system at Fallon Medical Complex. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
f. Decision on Healthy is Wellness Order form for additional services.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve order form for additional services. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
4. Old Business as needed
a. Discussion/Decision on quote for Courthouse steps.
Commissioner Rost reported positively on the site walk with Chuck Graham. Powder coating the Courthouse handrails was not included in either quotes that were submitted.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the Graham Welding Service, LLC quote for the amount of $35,400.00. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
b. Review Parkview Master Plan.
The Commission reviewed the master plan for Parkview Retirement Complex and Public Health.
Approved labels Derrick submitted.
5. Review Board Minutes/Agendas (Boards other than Commission)
6. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers (as needed)
2:45 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
3:30 PM LANDFILL UPDATES/ Jeff Frank, Landfill Operations Manager
Jeff presented a charge account application. Updated on grinding tires and chipping. The landfill consultant inspected the landfill and reported positively to Jeff and Commissioner Baldwin; DEQ will be doing an inspection on Wednesday. Discussed hydraulic excavator bid opening process.
3:36 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
3:45 PM Chairman Baldwin left the meeting.
4:45 PM DISCUSS FAIRBOARD & FAIRGROUNDS MANAGER EXPECTATION/ Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager; Fair Board Members
Commissioner Braun complimented the recent fair. Commissioner Braun stated the Commission needs input in the future from the Fair Board and the Fairgrounds Manager regarding the appointments of any new fair board members; discussed possible conflict of interest with the newly appointed board member. Matt will be meeting with Darcy to discuss the possibility of creating a Rodeo Committee. Wendy explained how the Rodeo Committee would run ideas by to the fair board for the rodeo but wouldn’t be able to make any decisions; discussed appointing only one fair board member to the Rodeo Committee or Rodeo Advisory Committee. Previous member mentioned to Matt that he was interested in volunteering during Fair week. Wendy updated on several upcoming fair conventions.
5:01 PM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being as there was no further business, meeting recessed.
RECESS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2024
9:30 AM BERGSTROM HILL ROAD PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING/
Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering, Wyrick Construction
Commissioner Braun attended the pre-construction meeting for Bergstrom Hill Road.
2:00 PM VERKADA SITE WALK/ Brenda Hoeger, Emergency Communications Supervisor;
Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff; Josh Lewis, System Administrator
Chairman Baldwin and Commissioner Braun joined the security surveillance site walk
for the courthouse, Dispatch and the Sheriff Office.
ADJOURN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024
12:00 PM – ATTEND BAKER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING –
FAIRGROUNDS EXHIBIT HALL
12:00 PM – ATTEND FRIENDS OF FMC FOUNDATION OCTOBER BREAST CANCER AWARENESS SOUP & SALAD LUNCHEON – FAIRGROUNDS EXHIBIT HALL
s/ Steve Baldwin, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
