Commission Minutes
TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 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
9:32 AM Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder joined the meeting.
Masks- Brenda asked the Commission if it would be allowed to let the employees in the Court House and other County buildings to not have to wear their masks at the desks. If the employees get up from their desk, help others, etc. they will wear their masks. It could be left up to the employee’s discretion. If the case count in Fallon County goes up, the guidelines could change again. The Commission would like to visit about this during their work session.
9:37 AM Brenda left the meeting.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the minutes from January 11-15, 2021, as presented. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none.
3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to approve the closed minutes from January 11, 2021. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
10:00 AM Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Alba Higgins, Shop Foreman joined the meeting.
Fuel- Alba has spoken with the local vendors regarding the purchase of fuel for the Road Department, as the Commission asked about looking into purchasing it locally. Discussion on the additives that are included into the fuel used at the Road Department. They used to rotate between distributors yearly, going from Farmers Union to Prairie Fuels. The additives were discussed. The Road Department purchases about an average of one tanker load per month. They are required to send in fuel samples for the John Deere machines to continue in the warranty program. The additives are added year-round. The Commission recommended purchasing a tanker load from Prairie Fuels in February to test the fuel out.
Road Updates- The truck that was getting repaired in Billings is done. The laptop that is used to read codes in the equipment is no longer supported by Windows. It will cost $6,100 to update, which will include the adaptors.
10:22 AM Rich Menger, Sanitarian joined the meeting.
The subscription on the old laptop will expire, however it will still be able to be used, but it will not be updated. The Commission agreed with the purchase of a new laptop. There is a recall on the head restraints of the Dodge Caravan used for the Senior Citizens.
10:41 AM Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering joined the meeting.
10:43 AM Alba left the meeting.
Ismay Road Bridge- Shannon has spoken with the Army Corps regarding the Ismay Road Bridge. They will
still need to meet with one of the landowners, as the permits cannot be received until the right-of-way is granted. Funds for the Bridge and Road Safety Accountability Act Program (BARSAA) will be received in 2021, which will be going towards the Ismay Road Bridge.
Upper Lake- The stockpile at the Upper Lake is ready to be moved to the Gun Range to create the berms needed for the Outdoor Range. The Road Department will move the stockpile once the snow is gone.
10:47 AM Bobby left the meeting.
The project is 35% done with the dredging portion. The fencing company has started to work as well. Youderian
Construction is planning to bring in a haul truck for the wet materials.
10:53 AM Rich left the meeting.
Triangle Park- Shannon gave the Commission the sprinkler as-built at the Triangle Park. Robbie Christiaens, Maintenance Supervisor, will also receive a copy.
Parkview Apartments- Shannon reviewed a few minor recommendations, including lowering the sidewalk
in front of the door between Parkview 1 and 2. Discussion on the Courtyard, as Shannon is concerned that people will not be able to walk through it because of the steepness.
10:57 AM Julie Straub, HRM joined the meeting.
The Commission agreed that the patio in the Courtyard will be taken out and the area will only be grass. Brosz
Engineering will be onsite for the construction.
Permission for Employee TDAP Vaccinations to be Paid by the County- The County currently pays for the Hepatitis A and B vaccinations for County employees, which comes out of the Safety budget. Julie requested that the TDAP vaccination also be paid for. The initial vaccine is $58, and the booster is $57. The Commission would like to discuss further before making a decision.
11:10 AM Julie left the meeting.
Senior Center- The parking lot at the Senior Center has been surveyed. It will get put into next year’s
budget. Shannon is planning to have the design wrapped up in March.
Road Policy- Discussion on the Road Policy and what the document will entail. Shannon will start working on it in March to be able to move forward once the new budget begins in the next fiscal year.
11:26 AM Shannon left the meeting.
COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Commission reviewed, revenues received, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and agendas.
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
No one appeared for public comment.
1:15 PM Mindi Murnion, Public Health Specialist; Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder joined the meeting.
Public Health Department Budget- A $25,000 COVID related grant was given to the Health Department to be used at their discretion. Mindi would like that money to be in their budget. Brenda has spoken with the auditor and that since the money came in June of last year, the Health Department budget can be amended to include it, however a public hearing would need to be held; otherwise, it can be re-budgeted next fiscal year. Mindi is going to get quotes for a new desk and exam tables at the Health Department. The funds from the administration services for the COVID vaccinations will need to be put into a separate line item within the Health Department budget. Another computer is needed as well.
1:20 PM Brenda left the meeting.
COVID Updates- Only 100 doses of vaccine were delivered to Fallon County. Mindi will be in contact with
Carter County to discuss their distribution of vaccines.
1:32 PM Mindi left the meeting.
The Commission reviewed and approved the Mid-Month January 2021 Claims in the amount of $130,243.33
and they are filed in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Commission reviewed, revenues received, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and agendas. The Commission made the decision to allow employees at Fallon County to no longer be required to wear masks while sitting at their desks. They also sent a letter of support for the Keystone XL Project.
3:20 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/Kelsey DuCharme, Recording Clerk
ATTEST:
s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
s/Roy Rost, Presiding Officer
