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

Commission Minutes- December 11 – December 15

Commission Minutes- December 11 – December 15

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023

9:30 AM CONVENE

PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Roy Rost, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary; Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder

ABSENT: Kevin Braun, Member

FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

The Pledge of Allegiance was held in the Commissioner’s Office to start off the week.

9:55 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT

          No one appeared for Public Comment.

9:58 AM ROAD/SHOP UPDATES/Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn/Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics

          UPDATES/The crew is still hauling gravel. Mechanics are finishing the work on the loader. They moved the dingo to the OM shop for some maintenance. Outside Maintenance may then move the boat dock to the maintenance shop for repairs unless the space is needed for county trucks. Bobby stated as long as the weather is nice, they keep the trucks in cold storage. Both departments will work together regarding equipment maintenance/storage. Bobby plans to drive to the scoria pit to check on the crushing project.

10:03 AM Bobby, Mitch and Carl left the meeting. 

10:04 AM Commissioner Rost made the motion to move agenda items up; Commissioner Baldwin will be leaving early today. Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the chair to second the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun). The motion carried.

COMMISSION WORK SESSION

          1. Old Business (as needed)

             a. Coral Creek Landfill Trust Account (any decisions needed)

                   There was no further discussion at this time.

             b. Policies/procedures for gate permit system (discussion/decisions as needed)

                   There was no further discussion.

             c. Indigent Burial Policy (discussion/decisions as needed)

                   There was no further discussion.

             d. Hospital Basement project (discussion/decisions as needed)

                   There was no further discussion.

             e. Update EMS policy/procedures

                  There was no further discussion.

             f. Other old business as needed

          2. E-mails/Correspondence

          3. Review & Approve Encroachment/Approach Permits (as needed)

          4. Review Board Minutes/Agendas (Boards other than Commission)

          5. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers (as needed)

          6. Executive/Action Items:

             a. Discuss/Review Professional Services Agreement with Stahly Engineering for Planning

                  The Commission is waiting for the County Attorney to review.

             b. Approve quote from Proficient Technologies for Tyler server remote desktop user CALs/Josh Lewis, System Administrator was asked to join.

                    Josh explained this is for the licenses for remote connections for the Taxwise and School ERP users on the new Tyler server.

Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the quote from Proficient Technology for licensure for remote connections for the County financial software in the amount of $2,030.00.  Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the chair to second the motion.  Commissioner Baldwin asked for any discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Braun). The motion carried.

             c. Approve hardware order quote from Verizon/Masters Telecom

Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the hardware quote from Verizon/Masters Telecom as presented, in the amount of $3,425.28 as well as monthly fees quote of $2,090.00. Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the chair to second the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun). The motion carried.

             d. Approve AV CaptureALL Software System for recording meetings

Commissioner Rost made the motion to proceed with the AV CaptureAll Software for recording Commission minutes. Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the chair to second the motion.  Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion.  Commissioner Rost added the commission would like to accept the AV CaptureAll basic package to start with ($250/month).  Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun). The motion carried.

             e. Approve quote from Direct Electric for Golf Course Shop lighting upgrades

Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the Direct Electric quote in the amount of $3,850.00 for lighting upgrades for the golf course shop. Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the chair to second the motion.  Commissioner Baldwin asked for any discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun). The motion carried.

             f. Approve Glendive Medical Center Outreach Clinic Lease Agreement

Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the outreach clinic lease agreement with Glendive Medical center.  Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the chair to second the motion.  Commissioner Baldwin asked for any discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun). The motion carried.

            g. Approve recommendation by City of Baker for City Representative on the Planning Board

Commissioner Rost made the motion to accept the recommendation from the City of Baker to appoint Vaughn Zenko as City representative on the Fallon County Planning Board with term expiring December 31, 2025. Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the chair to second the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun). The motion carried.

10:15 AM LANDFILL UPDATES

          1. Discuss/Decision on proposed Landfill waste rate increases

Commissioner Rost made the motion to increase the following landfill waste rates: Tires to $200 per ton; Compost to $16 per ton; C & D to $55 per ton; MSW to $35 per ton for non-Fallon County residents; E & P will stay the same. The new rates will be effective January 1, 2024.  Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the chair to second the motion.  Commissioner Baldwin asked for any discussion; being none.  2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun). The motion carried.

10:21 AM APPROVE DECEMBER 4-8, 2023, COMMISSION MINUTES

Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the December 4 – December 8, 2023, Commission Minutes as presented.  Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the chair to second the motion.  Commissioner Baldwin asked for any discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun). The motion carried.

10:25 AM DISCUSS/DECISION FOR FLEET VEHICLES & CLAIM APPROVAL/Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk

          Discuss/Decision regarding fleet vehicles/Move white Traverse to the Public Health Department and the red Acadia to the Council on Aging Department.

Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve moving the white Traverse to Public Health and the red Acadia to Council on Aging Department.  Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the chair to second the motion.  Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun). The motion carried.

December 11, 2023, Claim Approval

Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the December 11, 2023, claim to Denny Menholt in the amount of $68,135.00. Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the chair to second the motion.  Commissioner Baldwin asked for any discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun). The motion carried.

10:28 AM Kimberly left the meeting.

10:30 AM PROJECT UPDATES/Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Richard Menger, Sanitarian

          UPDATES/Shannon drafted a work order for the golf course pond project. This will be put on the agenda for approval and include golf course superintendent in the discussion. Shannon will correspond with the DEQ on the test results; will probably have to line the pond. The group feels the entire pond should be lined; Shannon explained the pond will not need to be rocked due to the way they will line and plant grass in the area around the pond. Shannon will contact DEQ, on behalf of the county he will ask that the project start next fall. Discussed making sure not to disturb green #3 by extending the work to the west of the pond. Shannon feels they should stop watering from the pond, no later than October 1st; the project should not take more than 30 days. Commissioner Rost discussed hand watering the greens, as needed, after October 1st. Rich asked when Shannon planned to start the O & M for the irrigation from the pond.  Shannon will start drafting the O & M as an addendum right away.

10:45 AM Rich left the meeting.

           Road Mapping ProjectThe update to the project is scheduled for next week. The Commission will need to decide if they want the roads labeled as to their definition, (secondary, primitive, seasonal, etc.). All of the information can be updated at any time and Shannon will add a print date to the map.    

           Bergstrom Hill Road-Shannon is preparing to meet with the landowners and then the temporary Right of Way easements will be prepared. Shannon is waiting to hear back from the Corp of Engineers; the county may have to address the wetlands. Commissioner Rost asked about finding an area that could be used to bank credits for wetland matters. Shannon explained this was discussed several years ago; no one was sure why they did not move forward with that plan.  This would need to be an area that could be used for county-wide credits.

           Hospital basement project-Shannon needs to contact Brandon with SDI.

           North Baker Water and Sewer District – NBWSD would like to move forward with the valve project, as planned. Shannon asked about the district using the county’s RFP for engineering or if they would have to go out for their own RFP. No one was sure; Shannon will be meeting with EPEDC today regarding this question.   

11:15 AM Shannon left the meeting.

11:15 AM Commissioner Rost made the motion to recess.  Commissioner Baldwin stepped down from the chair to second the motion.  Commissioner Baldwin asked for any discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun). The motion carried.

                                          NOON RECESS

PRESENT: Roy Rost, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary; Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder

ABSENT:  Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun, Member

FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE   

There being no quorum present, the following notes were taken. 

1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS-PUBLIC COMMENT

           No one appeared for Public Comment.

1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney                    

          1. Coral Creek Landfill Trust Account/Petition the Court

                  Darcy has some more updates to make to the petition. She will try to have this completed by this Thursday, for Commissioner approval next week.

          2. County Leases discussion/decisions

                  Darcy will do more research on the questions asked at the lessee landowner meeting.  Darcy feels they cannot do a lease/purchase with the current lessees because this would still be considered a sale, which would require a public auction. Darcy will also quote the laws so the information can be given to lessees. Discussed the county selling to a grazing district if the grazing district is considered a state district.  Darcy will look at the laws pertaining to this as well. The Commission still has to determine the rate and the term (years) for the leases as well. Darcy felt there would be no problem extending them to five (5) years. Commissioner Rost asked about a policy for recreators on county land, (making this land walk-in only, etc.), and if the county does not have a policy, do we fall into the state land policy.  Darcy will also look into this and will try to have an answer by the end of the week. 

          3. Indigent Burial Policy discussion/decisions

                 Discussed, need to do some more work on the policy.

          4. Gate Permit system policies/procedure discussion/decisions

                 Need to do some more work on the permit and policy.

          5. Discuss/Decision to approve Professional Services Agreement with Stahly Engineering for Planning Services

                  Darcy has not had time to review this.

          6. Old or other county business (as needed)

2:15 PM COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT UPDATES/Amanda Williams, County Extension Agent

          UPDATES/Presented her updates of past, current and future Extension/4H programs. Discussed past, and upcoming travel/training events. Amanda is working Tuesdays and Thursdays in Ekalaka and feels the community is very appreciative of the extra day she is in the office. Amanda passed her first three (3) stages of retention; feels there are about three (3) more stages to go through before the decision is final. Commissioner Rost congratulated Amanda on her progress.

2:26 PM Amanda left the meeting.

DISCUSSION/DECISION SPEED LIMIT FOR CORAL CREEK ROAD

           This meeting was not held and will be rescheduled.        

2:26 PM Commissioner Rost made the motion to recess until the 911 Board Meeting on Thursday, December 14, 2023. 

                  RECESS

6:30 PM – STALLER MEETING (FAIR GROUNDS)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2023

9:30 AM 9-1-1 BOARD MEETING-LIBRARY EOC

Commissioner Rost and Commissioner Braun attended the meeting.

                 ADJOURN

5:30 PM CHAMBER MEETING-O.S. BREW PUB

                                                                                                            s/Steve Baldwin, Chairman

s/Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary

ATTEST:

s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder