Commission Minutes
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2021
NO COMMISSIONER MEETINGS-CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF COLUMBUS DAY
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2021
9:00 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Roy Rost, Chairman; Steve Baldwin, Kevin Braun, Members; Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder
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 October 4-8, 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.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the Closed minutes from October 6, 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.
9:30 AM Jeff Frank, Landfill Manager; Barry Damschen, (via phone)-Engineer-Damschen Consulting joined the meeting.
Discuss Wind Tower Blade Disposal- Barry is working with DEQ regarding a scope of work pertaining to licensure to dispose of wind tower blades. When a piece of property is found and designated by the Commission the process will begin. There will have to be drill back test pits completed, (approximately 15 feet deep), a layout of the proposed pit locations, groundwater monitoring plan, soil samples to determine the soil type. If the soil is the same as the Landfill area currently in use, which is clay, liners will not be required. Barry feels possibly an
area of 50 to 100 acres would be needed. The approval process would probably take a few months.
The DEQ will complete an Environmental Assessment and will determine if our soil is the same as the
Landfill area and if this will qualify us for a “no migration status”.
9:40 AM Jasen Wyrick, Wyrick Construction joined.
Discussed Fallon County having the soil information for the existing Landfill section already. The soil information was completed on the 80 acres in use, not the entire Section. This will be considered Class 2 waste and would not need to be covered. Barry feels the other contractor would have to bring “blades” precut and bring their own equipment to place them in the pit.
Commissioner Rost discussed permitting for both solar panels and wind tower blades. Barry feels they
would both be considered Class 2 waste. Discussed making sure the area the pits would be located are away from all power lines and oil and gas lines. It was felt Brosz Engineering surveyed that entire Section and located all lines.
9:50 AM Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering joined.
Shannon was asked if Brosz had located all lines for the section containing the existing Landfill. Shannon stated Brosz Engineering did do the mapping of all oil and gas wells, etc. for that area. Shannon will send the map to Barry and Jeff. Barry will contact Tim Stepp, DEQ before moving forward. Commissioner Rost will discuss
items with Matt Mettler, WBI.
9:58 AM Barry hung up the phone, therefore leaving the meeting.
10:00AM Jeff Left the meeting
10:00 AM Richard Menger, Sanitarian and Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent joined.
Project Updates/
2021 CRUSHED ROAD MATERAIL BID OPENING The following bids were received and read aloud by Shannon:
Griffith Excavating-Schedule 1-$557,500 or $11.15 per cubic yard
-Schedule 2-No bid amount submitted
No other papers submitted.
Wyrick Construction-Schedule 1-$447,500 or $8.95 per cubic yard
-Schedule 2-$447,500 or $8.95 per cubic yard
Gradation papers and pit sample papers submitted-All look good.
Shannon explained the difference between Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 was the location of the pit. Schedule
1 was within Fallon County and Schedule 2 was near Fallon County.
DECISION-The Commission made the decision to award the bid next Monday, October 18th, after all figures and submitted bid documents were checked and verified.
Senior Citizen Parking Lot-Commissioner Rost asked Jasen if we could wait on the Senior Citizen parking lot. Jasen stated that would not be a problem.
Waterfall-Jasen will be working on the completion of this, hopefully before the lake freezes.
10:10 AM Jasen and Richard left the meeting
10:12 AM Road Updates-The Commission discussed the Herbst Industrial Subdivision roads; per Resolution the roads in this Subdivision are County roads; therefore, the County is responsible for the maintenance in this Subdivision. Discussed contacting adjoining landowners before working on the main road.
10:13 AM Richard Menger, Sanitarian joined.
Webster Road-Discussed flagging and placing a load of gravel over the damaged roadbed, due to a water leak from private water line. The Commission discussed setting up protocol for installation of and repairs to waterlines, etc. from private individuals/companies. Need to make sure a county employee is present while the Landowner is repairing the line. All waterlines need to be sleeved, (preferably bored, rather than trenched); they need to be inspected by the Road Supervisor or another specified County Employee.
Bridges-Bridge replacement process is moving forward. The Ismay Road document is complete and
submitted to the National Park Service. Shannon hopes to hear from them by December. Bonnievale Road Bridge-The bridge was found not to be historical. The Corp of Engineers wants them to write about the roadway. Will need to get a no-rise certificate (flood plain) submitted to the Planners Office. Shannon feels these items should be complete by the end of December or first of January. Shannon will submit an extension to the DEQ for this bridge; we are waiting for a permit from the Corp of Engineers.
Senior Citizen Parking Lot-Brosz will stake the Senior Citizen Parking for the Road Department to grade next spring.
Hospital-Will need to contact David before beginning remaining work at the Hospital. Shannon stated the storm drain needs to be completed.
Millennium Sidewalk Project-Contractor needs to complete the sealant on sidewalk; Shannon will contact
him. Standard lawn seed was used by Contractor; electrical contractor needs to grout in the holes.
North Plevna Bridge-While inspecting the bridge, Bobby sated the grass seed is sprouting.
Plevna Garage Removal-Rich reported the Plevna Garage soils will be excavated this week. Soil, (approximately 2500 cubic yards), will be land farmed on private property. Buildings will be hauled to the Landfill.
Golf Course-Discussed dead trees, near the reservoir that need to be removed. Portions of a tree was
removed from the Airport fence, but the remaining trees need to be removed and dress-up the area. Bobby will view the area. A permit may need to be requested from the Planning Department.
Dam inspections-Shannon stated the requirements are changing significantly which is more work to
properly complete them.
SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Plan) Training-Rich stated he is taking SWPPP training; this will assist in addressing the SWPPP matters for the Workforce Housing as well as other areas within Fallon County. Shannon recommends getting the vegetation completed to close-out the SWPPP, due to inspection requirements when left open.
10:57 AM Julie Stanhope and Debbie Wyrick joined.
10:58 AM Bobby left the meeting.
11:04 AM Shyla Hadley, Fair Manager joined.
11:05 AM Shannon left the meeting.
11:05 AM Julie Stanhope and Debbie Wyrick, American Lutheran Church Representatives; Shyla Hadley, Fairgrounds Manager
Fair Concession Stand Issues-Brought a list of items they would like addressed at the Lutheran Stand:
Security/Serving Windows-They have a hard time locking and unlocking them, Julie feels the building may have shifted as they have noticed the counter is cracked. The windows have several different keys; they would like one key that opens all of the windows.
Electrical-Some outlets are unusable, so they have to run extension cords, which causes trip hazards. Breakers are popping on the walk-in cooler as well as others, when overloaded.
WIFI-Poor connection which caused issues when using the credit card machine. Several times had to use personal phones to run credit cards.
Paper towel dispenser-Would like a paper towel dispenser mounted next to handwashing sink. There is no
place to conveniently set the paper towels.
Light sensor in hall-This light does not work.
Dishwashing sink-The sink is too low; needs to be raised.
Floor-The Floor is greasy and slick in areas.
Shelving unit in storage room-This needs to be raised to the ceiling.
11:25 AM-Julie Straub and Kim Bryan joined the meeting.
Shyla stated the serving windows are a universal issue and agrees it would be great to have one key.
11:30 AM Julie, Debbie and Shyla left the meeting.
11:30 AM Kim Bryan, Public Health Nurse and Julie Straub, HRM
DISCUSS HOME HEALTH AIDE WAGES-Julie stated Kim would like to see the Home Health Aide wages increase to be competitive with like positions at other facilities. Discussed various starting wages at other like facilities, with like positions. Julie stated the State of Montana (DOL) average wage for a CNA was $14.00 (pre- Covid wage). Currently Fallon County starts this position at $14.17; then increases to $15.01 and final increase is
$16.32 per hour.
Kim stated we want dependable people and feels we are losing applicants to other facilities due to the wages paid. Julie stated although Fallon County offers a great benefit package, people are looking at what pay they are bringing home.
The Commission made the decision to conduct interviews for this position and go from there.
11:42 AM Kim and Julie left the meeting.
11:45 AM DISCUSS/APPROVAL OF LEASE FOR HEALTHCARE FACILITY
Commissioner Baldwin made the motion to Approve and Sign the Lease for the Healthcare Facility. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3
Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously. The Healthcare Facility Lease is on record in the Clerk and
Recorder’s Office.
11:45 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; Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
PUBLIC COMMENT –AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS
No one appeared for public comment.
1:30 PM Lynda Herbst, Inside Custodial Supervisor and Julie Straub, HRM joined the meeting.
Permission to Hire-Would like to have formal permission to hire Kimberly Gray as Inside Custodial assistant. Commissioner Braun made the motion to hire Kimberly Gray as the new Inside Custodial Assistant. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3
Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
1:32 PM Lynda and Julie left the meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Commissioner Braun made the motion to accept the Planned Service Agreement for Fire Equipment Services. Commissioner Baldwin seconds the motion. Commissioner Rost asked for any other discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously. This agreement is on record in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
1:42 PM Shyla Hadley, Fairgrounds Manager joined the meeting.
1:45 PM Julie Straub, HRM joined
Permission to Extend Lead Crew Hand Season-Floyd starts 20 hours per week in November and then takes his normal break. Shyla would like input on snow removal and working the arena in the barn. They work the arena 2 times per week because it is utilized quite a bit. Discussed checking into the utilization of the Golf Course Manager to work the barn arena. Floyd could complete training to run the equipment if needed. Robbie Christiaens, Outside Maintenance Supervisor will continue to complete the snow removal.
Floyd’s season will remain the same as last year.
Permission to Increase Wages for Temporary Fair Employees-Shyla discussed increasing the wages for the temporary Fair employees. Their wages have not been looked at for quite some time. The request would be for Clerks; Show Works Coordinator; Ticket Sales; Superintendent Helpers and Driver Stipend. The Commission would like these to be brought up at budget time.
Seasonal Employee-Shyla stated Floyd would appreciate a wage increase as well. Commissioner Rost advocated for Seasonals to receive a COLA, but it did not pass this year. This will also be discussed at budget time. Wages are the first thing discussed at budget time (around the first part of May).
2:05 PM Shyla and Julie left the meeting.
2:15 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
The Commission reviewed, revenues received, reports, emails and other correspondence, board minutes and agendas. They also signed the Weed Management Plan.
3:50 PM Commissioner Rost was excused for the remainder of the day.
4:00 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to close the meeting for an executive session. Commissioner
Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0
Nays. 1 Absent. The motion carried.
4:44 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to come out of closed executive session. Commissioner
Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0
Nays. 1 Absent. The motion carried.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to dismiss Scotti Robinson from her position in the Public Health Department. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. The motion carried.
4:50 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to recess. Commissioner Baldwin seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any other discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. The motion carried.
RECESS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021
1:15 PM -5:00 PM JOB INTERVIEWS
5:00 PM ADJOURN
s/Roy Rost, Chairman
s/Steve Baldwin, Presiding Member-CLOSED SESSION
ATTEST:
s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
