10 W Fallon Ave Baker, MT 59313
Fallon County of Montana

Commission Minutes

Commission Minutes

MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2021

9:00 AM CONVENE

PRESENT: Roy Rost, Chairman; Steve Baldwin, Kevin Braun, Members; Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Secretary

FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

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 August 23-27, 2021, as presented. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3

Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

9:27 AM Julie Straub, HRM joined the meeting.

Permission to Hire Temporary Employee for Public Health Dept- Julie asked the Commission permission to hire Therese Thompson as a short-term worker at Public Health to help cover staffing absences. Per State Statute, a short-term employee has no benefits and cannot work for longer 90 consecutive days. The wage will be $15 an hour and be three days a week. Therese is already in the payroll system and has been utilized in many other positions in the past.

Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to hire Therese Thompson as a short-term worker for the Public Health Department. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

9:33 AM Julie left the meeting.

9:59 AM Carl Overland, Shop Mechanic; Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent joined the meeting.

Road/Shop Updates– The Road Crew was finally able to blade a few of the roads last week. They are now patching and hauling gravel on the Yellowstone Road. The moisture is helping tremendously with the roads. They will be putting a car gate in on Bergstrom Hill Road, where there used to be one previously and a landowner has requested it to be put back in. All the tree trimming is now complete. The Shop Crew is working on air leaks on the belly dump today.

10:25 AM Carl and Bobby left the meeting.

11:18 AM Robbie Christiaens, Maintenance Supervisor; Derrick DeHaan, Maintenance Assistant joined the meeting.

Permission to Register/Attend Park and Rec Convention- Robbie and Derrick would like to attend the Parks and Rec Convention in Great Falls. It will be the first week of October. The Commission agreed. Discussion on the closure dates for the Splash Park. It will be closed after Labor Day weekend, weather permitting. They plan to pull the buoys and docks out of the Lake around this time as well.

11:35 AM Robbie and Derrick left the meeting.

11:36 AM 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

No one appeared for public comment.

1:16 PM Tom Parker, Marissa Sowles, Geum Consulting joined the meeting.

1:18 PM Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering joined the meeting by teleconference.

Baker Lake Updates- Tom and Marissa are finished with their yearly wetland inspection on Baker Lake. They expressed that they were very surprised with the water level, however they are still seeing a good majority of wetland plantings. The area between the Upper and Lower Lake are looking good as well.

1:23 PM Mary Grube, Planning Administrative Assistant joined the meeting.

They plan to put together their findings and send a report back to Fallon County. Tom explained that they would like to see guidelines in place to mark the mowing lines between the lakes, as some of the wetland grasses are being mowed.

1:27 PM Rich Menger, Sanitarian joined the meeting.

No geese have been seen where the twine has been put in near the wetland plants. Rich would like to see more wetland plants having more of a filtration process between the Upper and Lower Lakes. Tom is hopeful to see average conditions help with the wetland plants, as they were planted during a very wet year and are drying out some with the drought this year. The main goal is to work on addressing the Administrative Order with the EPA; Tom believes they are right on track with the restoration plan that has been put into place. He would like to formally schedule a meeting with the EPA, as well as the Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the Administrative Order.  Shannon feels that this conversation with the EPA would be a good way to move forward as well. Discussion on a possible maintenance permit from the Army Corps. Tom will discuss with the Army Corps further and keep everyone in the loop of possible routes. Both Tom and Marissa will come up with a seed mix and the criteria of when to use it.

2:05 PM Rich, Mary, Tom, and Marissa left the meeting.

2:05 PM Shannon hung up the phone, therefore leaving the meeting.

COMMISSION WORK SESSION

The Commission reviewed revenues, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and agendas.

Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the Evergreen Landscaping Quote in the amount of

$14,780.00, for an automatic sprinkler install system. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

2:10 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried

unanimously.

ADJOURN

s/Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Clerk

ATTEST:

s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder

s/Roy Rost, Presiding Officer