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

Commission Minutes – January 15 – January 19, 2024

Commission Minutes – January 15 – January 19, 2024

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2024

9:30 AM CONVENE

PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Roy Rost and Kevin Braun, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary

FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

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

9:30 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT

    No one appeared for Public Comment.

9:35 AM Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager joined the meeting.

9:45 AM DISCUSS/DECISION TO DISSOLVE FALLON COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE INC. 501(c)3/ Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder

   A 501(c)3 was set up solely to receive an ambulance donated by Denbury. Debbie spoke with Darcy on how best to transfer the ambulance out of the 501(c)3 that was received and dissolve the 501(c)3. Official notice of intent to dissolve Fallon County Ambulance Service Inc./501(c)3 will be on the agenda for January 22nd.

9:55 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.

9:56 AM Chairman Baldwin was excused to attend a funeral.

10:01 AM Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder joined the meeting.

10:02 AM ROAD/SHOP UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic

   Stopped hauling due to the cold and so they are currently working on car gates and equipment maintenance.

Mitch discussed block heaters on generators for the courthouse. Commissioner Rost recommended getting Direct Electric to install an additional outlet with a decent sized breaker for outside some time in the spring. Commissioner Braun asked Bobby if he was going to scoria from the Y all the way on Plevna South. Bobby answered, yes all the way to West Willard Road. Discussed ambulance storage until 501(c)3 is dissolved and ambulance can be sold. Commissioner Braun asked Bobby if he went out to check on the windbreaks. Bobby said yes and that he does not advise putting 1x back on it. Will probably need about 2 full bunks of 2x6x16 to fix the windbreak. Discussed gate permits and signage. Brenda asked if the Road Department will be ordering the signs. Bobby said it would be best if they did. Bobby asked what type of road these gate permits will be put on. Commissioner Rost said primitive roads. Commissioner Braun said low maintenance or dead-end roads. Gate permits will be $150 which covers the purchase of the sign. Commissioner Braun said the permit will include that the gates cannot be locked. Commissioner Rost added that Bobby will be able to check on the gates while he is blading roads.

10:17 AM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

10:30 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering

   Shannon was unable to attend the meeting.

10:57 AM Brenda Wood, Clerk and Recorder joined the meeting.

11:00 AM DISCUSS/DECISION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION #1120 AMENDING EMPLOYEE PER DIEM POLICY/ Julie Straub, HRM; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk

    Discussed using meal rates for day trips and just $35 for overnight trips. Discussed when out of state rates and in state rates will be used. Commissioner Braun suggested $35 on travel day and other days are IRS guidelines.

11:08 AM Chairman Baldwin joined the meeting.

    Brenda asked about breaking down the morning, midday, and evening meals for out of state rates. Commissioner Braun said no, we are just doing $35 for in state and $54 for out of state depending on where your morning starts.

11:16 AM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

11:30 AM REQUEST SAFETY TOED SHOES FOR WEED DEPARTMENT/ Safety Committee; Julie Straub, HRM

    Julie informed the Commission that Sara is requesting the Weed Department also be required to have safety toed shoes due to certain activities and handling heavy objects that those types of shoes would be relevant. The Safety Committee agreed with her and presented to Commission to see if they will make it a requirement along with the other departments. Commissioner Rost asked Sara how often the tall rubber boots are worn. Sara answered that they are never worn, but if it rained and muck boots were needed, the crew would just wear their personal muck boots. Commissioner Baldwin asked, but as a manager you see the need for safety toed boots? Sara answered yes because of the ramps on the trailers and handling heavy chemicals.

Commissioner Rost made the motion to require the Weed Department to have safety toed boots. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

11:47 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.

11:48AM PERMISSION TO PURCHASE A NEW RADIO FOR AN AMBULANCE/ Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager

    Brittany called TAB for a quote. The old radio does not meet state requirements. The radio must be purchased from Motorola, so the quote for two radios, front and back, will be $7,026.63. Commissioner Baldwin suggested using ARPA (?) funds to cover the cost of radio. Brittany will verify if labor is included in the quote.

Commissioner Braun made the motion to purchase a new radio for the new ambulance for $7,026.63 with ARPA funds. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

11:51 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.

11:53 AM Commissioner Braun made the motion to recess. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

                           NOON RECESS

1:15 PM RECONVENED

PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Roy Rost, Member; Kevin Braun, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary

FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

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

    No one appeared for Public Comment.

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

    Darcy was unable to attend the meeting.

       1.Indigent Burial Policy discussion/decisions

   There was no further discussion at this time.

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

           Services

                 There was no further discussion at this time.  

3.Old or other county business (as needed).

                 There was no further discussion at this time.  

2:15 PM FY25 SALARY WORK SESSION/ Julie Straub, HRM; Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder; Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder; Christa Alford, Payroll Clerk

    Discussed reviewing job descriptions and how it should be done every two years. Discussed incorporating or removing stipends for departments. Discussed step process and Commissioner Braun suggested doing a 4-step process because an employee leaving after 4 years is very low. Longevity was discussed.

3:19 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.

3:19 PM DISCUSS/DECISION ON CREATING A NEW SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE FOR THE COMMISSION/ Josh Lewis, System Administrator

     Discussed setting up a Facebook page with Megan Slagter managing it on behalf of the Commission. Commissioner Rost will share the new Commissioner page along with its posts on his Facebook and then eventually delete his Facebook page.

Commissioner Rost made a motion to allow Josh and Megan to create a Commissioner Facebook Page. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

3:30 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.

3:30 PM JANUARY 2024 MID MONTH CLAIMS APPROVAL FOR THE AMOUNT OF $562,316.99

Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve January 2024 Mid-Month claims for the amount of $562,316.99. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

4:00 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION

1.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.Appointments to various boards (as needed)

7.Executive/Action Items

                a.Approve equipment/installation quote for a new pump for the Golf Course for the amount of $2,500.00.

Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve installation quote for the amount of $2,500.00 for irrigation pond at the golf course. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

                b.Approval of the Artists and Attractions Contract for Fairgrounds event in February.

Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the Artist Contract for Lasting Impressions for the amount of $4,000.00. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

                c.Approval of the Memorandum Agreement for Local and Tribal Health Jurisdictions using Jotform for Public Health work.

Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the Memorandum Agreement. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays.     The motion carried unanimously.

d.Approval of the Department of Administration Standard Audit Contract Amendment.

Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the Standard Audit Contract Amendment for the amount of $42,500.00. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

e.Approval of Bowman Radar Service Contract for DES.

Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the Bowman Radar Service Contract for the amount of  $4,000.00. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

4:21 PM APPROVE JANUARY 8 – JANUARY 12, 2024 COMMISSION MINUTES

Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the January 8-12, 2024 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve the Closed Commission Minutes for Sara Berger. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the Closed Commission Minutes for Jessica Scott. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

4:29 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to recess. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

RECESS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024

10:28 AM CONVENE

PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Roy Rost and Kevin Braun, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary

FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

10:29 AM Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder joined the meeting.

10:30 AM DISCUSS WESTMORE PROPERTY/ Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk

    Discussed process to sell the Westmore property to the public. Brenda will discuss the Resolution of Intent with Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney. Discussed starting a title search and asking Brosz if they would be able to do it.  

11:00 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.

11:00 AM KLJ INTRODUCTIONS/ Steve Grabill, Building Office Manager; Ryan Welsh, Building Municipal Engineer

    Steve and Ryan wanted to personally introduce themselves after working with the County on several projects.   

Commissioner Rost asked for a task order for a speed study on the Coral Creek Road.

11:30 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.

11:32 AM Commissioner Braun made the motion to recess and adjourn after Dispatch Interviews on Friday, January 19th. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

RECESS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

7:00 AM SAFETY MEETING

1:00 PM GLENDIVE DISTRICT ANNUAL TCP MEETING

IN MILES CITY

RECESS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2024

1:00 PM EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER INTERVIEWS

ADJOURN

                                                                                                            s/Steve Baldwin, Chairman

s/Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary

ATTEST:

s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder