Commission Minutes
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021
9:30 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Chairman; Steve Baldwin, Kevin Braun, Members; Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
9:30 AM The Pledge of Allegiance was held in the Commissioner’s Office to start off the week. PUBLIC COMMENT –AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS
No one appeared for public comment.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to approve the minutes from January 18-22, 2021, with corrections. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3
Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
10:01 AM Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Alba Higgins, Shop Foreman; Julie Straub, HRM joined the meeting.
Shop Updates- Alba explained the issues they are having with one of the trucks, which could be due to the
injector system or the turbo-boost. The Road Crew will ride in it and run the codes to help troubleshoot the issue with the hard pulling.
Permission to Hire Mechanic Pending Pre-Employment Drug Testing- Julie would like to request
permission to hire Bob Luhman for the Mechanic position at the Road Department. Discussion on the applications received and what the job duties will entail.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to hire Bob Luhman for the Mechanic Position at the Road Department, pending pre-employment drug testing. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
10:28 AM Mary Grube, Planner Administrative Assistant joined the meeting.
Permission to Recruit Operator- Due to an Operator resigning, there is a need to recruit to fill the position. Bobby would like to have the position filled by spring.
10:37 AM Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering joined the meeting.
After further discussion, the Road Department is looking for an experienced operator and will not have time to
in-depth train for the position. This will be re-visited at the end of February, due to the position not needing to be filled until spring.
10:40 AM Julie left the meeting.
10:41 AM Alba left the meeting.
Crown of County Roads- Commissioner Braun asked Bobby about lowering the crown of the County Roads. Right now, they are trying to keep the slope at 4%. The standard on paved roads is 2%. Shannon explained that it is usually done with a 3% minimum because of drainage. Bobby explained that he does not want the roads to get soft. Discussion on the width of the roads and how to avoid soft shoulders. The driving surface area of the roads
is to be at 26 feet, or may be 24 feet at the very least, with a wider hilltop. Moisture dictates the majority of what the Road Crew is able to do. The Commission is in agreement that they would like to see the crown of the roads be brought to a 3% slope come springtime.
11:01 AM Bobby left the meeting.
11:01 AM Steve Zachmann, City Mayor joined the meeting.
Waterfall Project- Shannon would like to discuss the Waterfall Project next week and how to move forward. The proposed steel piping will rust and not last long-term. The Army Core has approved and amended their
permit. Fallon County will need to re-apply for the permit with the local Floodplain Administer because it has expired. The project will be more expensive if the Commission chooses to not use steel.
Upper Lake- The fencing contractor has completed the Upper Lake fence. Robbie Christiaens, Maintenance
Supervisor, has put road closed signs and reflective tape on the fence to keep vehicles out.
11:06 AM Dale Butori, DES/911 Coordinator joined the meeting.
11:06 AM Shannon left the meeting.
Guy Weimer Certificate of Survey- Mary explained that there is a boundary line adjustment on Guy Weimer’s property. The new boundary was reviewed. There is 52.11 acres to be sold. The Certificate of Survey is complete, and the taxes have been paid.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to approve Guy Weimer’s Certificate of Survey – Amended Plat of Lots 2 and 3 of the Weaver-School House Road Minor Subdivision in the SE1/4SE1/4 of Section 33 and the W1/2 of Section 34, T8N, R60E. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
11:15 AM Thomas Culver, Liaison for Senator Tester joined the meeting via teleconference.
11:16 AM Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder joined the meeting.
Keystone XL Pipeline- Thomas explained that Senator Tester had been working with the Biden Administration before his inauguration asking to not make any changes to the Keystone XL plan the first day of his presidency. Senator Tester supports the project as long as US steel is used, and the highest possible safety standards are followed. The Commission has not seen any of the correspondence between Tester and the Biden administration regarding the TC Energy Pipeline and would like to see that documentation.
Senator Tester- The Commission is concerned that Senator Tester has not been to Fallon County in many
years. Thomas is hopeful that once the pandemic is over, he will be able to come visit.
Stimulus Updates- Thomas explained that the new administration in DC is focused on Healthcare needs and vaccine distribution. Discussion on eligibility for the stimulus checks and whether they will have to do with COVID vaccines, which Thomas does not believe would likely correspond with each other. Senator Tester is waiting to
see the final proposal on the federal minimum wage before he takes a stance on a position.
Baker Lake– The EPA is still holding the County accountable for fines regarding the EPA Guidelines for Baker Lake. The County has complied with the requests and has submitted the reports needed. The County must continually apply for permits because Baker Lake is attached to the drainage through town. Thomas will contact Tom Parker with Geum Environmental Consulting, as he is the third-party engineer involved in Baker Lake.
Local Pipelines- The Commission asked about Senator Tester’s stance on the local pipelines, including the
CO2 Denbury Inc. line and the Bridger Pipeline, both slated to begin this summer. Thomas explained that Tester is aware of the projects and is supporting them, however no congressional approval is needed. He will help with the issues coming from the federal government.
11:38 AM Thomas hung up the phone, therefore leaving the meeting.
11:40 AM Mary, Steve, Brenda and Dale left the meeting. COMMISSION TIMESHEET REVIEW FOR MONTH OF JANUARY 2021
12:00 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to take a noon recess. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the
motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Chairman; Steve Baldwin, Kevin Braun, Members; Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
PUBLIC COMMENT –AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS
1:22 PM Melissa Rost, Museum Curator joined the meeting.
1:23 PM Lynda Herbst, Inside Custodial Supervisor joined the meeting.
HVAC- The contract with Mechanical Technology Inc. (MTI) is needing to be renewed if the Commission would like to continue using their services. The only quotes received for the Courthouse Maintenance HVAC control system were from MTI and Allied. They are very comparable in pricing. The Commission will make their decision during the work session.
1:28 PM Lynda left the meeting.
1:28 PM Julie Straub, HRM joined the meeting.
Permission to Recall Seasonal Museum Aide- Julie is requesting to recall Traci Bruha for the Seasonal Museum Aide position. Melissa would like her to start on February 1st. Discussion on the budget, as the Commission is unsure if there are enough funds accounted for in order for Traci to begin in February. Julie will run a payroll report to be able to tell the number of hours that are available in the budget for a better accurate start date.
1:35 PM Julie left the meeting.
Museum Updates- Melissa gave the Commission a list of projects and activities for year-end 2020. The new brochures were created with the grant funds received. She is waiting to hear about the Montana Preservation Grant. An energy audit was completed on the Metal Building and it is recommended that forced air is installed, which is in the budget. New quotes will be needed for the project. It will be put back on the agenda after the new quotes are received.
1:43 PM Julie returned to the meeting.
Permission to Recall Seasonal Museum Aide Cont.- After Julie pulled the payroll report, the hours were reviewed to be able to tell how many hours are left in this fiscal year for Traci Bruha. There are 315.25 hours remaining in the budget. Melissa would greatly appreciate her help as soon as possible. She will speak with Traci and think about the start date and what the hours will be to coordinate with the remaining budgeted hours.
1:49 PM Julie left the meeting.
Museum Updates Cont.- Dustan Davis, IT TECH, is working on the camera and security system at the Museum. Melissa is hopeful it will be completed before the summer traffic begins. The numbers of patrons have been good for 2020, considering being shut down for a few months. The Stem Camp and Star Lab were cancelled. Melissa held a presentation in Plevna and sent the traveling exhibit to Broadus.
1:54 PM Melissa left the meeting.
2:00 PM Julie Straub, Stacey Moore, Safety Committee Members joined the meeting.
Discuss Change of Safety Review- At the Safety Committee’s last meeting, the process in which safety reviews are conducted was discussed. Currently, on even numbered years, the Safety Committee conducts the reviews, and on odd number years, the departments do their own. The Safety Committee would like to do them all from here on out. The Commission agreed.
2:02 PM Julie and Stacey left the meeting.
FMC MILL LEVY RESOLUTION – The Commission discussed the proposed FMC Mill Levy Resolution for the FY 2021-2022 Mill Levy. After further review, the Commission asked that Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney, review the document before adopting.
2:29 PM Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney joined the meeting.
2:30 PM Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to go into executive session. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
3:41 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to come out of executive session. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
3:44 PM Darcy left the meeting.
COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Commission reviewed, revenues received, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and agendas.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to accept the Mechanical Technology INC. (MTI) proposal quote for the Court House Maintenance Agreement for the HVAC control system for two years. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to allow County employees to receive the TDAP vaccination to be paid for by the County. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
4:15 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
s/Roy Rost, Presiding Officer s/Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Clerk
ATTEST:
s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
