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

Commission Minutes – March 18 – March 22, 2024

Commission Minutes – March 18 – March 22, 2024

MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2024

9:30 AM CONVENE

PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, 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.

9:45 AM APPROVAL FOR PAINTING THE SHERIFF OFFICE KITCHEN/ Lynda Herbst, Inside Custodial Supervisor

   Reported that the Sheriff office kitchen was not included in the bid but was budgeted. Needs painted since cabinets were moved, exposing different colors of paint. Will bring quote as soon as it comes in. Discussed library roof leak.

9:48 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.

10:15 AM DISCUSSION ON CLEANING THE PUBLIC HEALTH BUILDING/ Anthony Myers, A N T Cleaning

    There was no discussion at this time.

10:30 AM ROAD/SHOP UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn/Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics

    Updated on county vehicle and equipment maintenance. Should have South Plevna Road finished some time this week. Discussed fireman training lot maintenance. Discussed different areas to consider for scoria and gravel pits. Emergency access by WBI will require a lot of work due to potholes and excess dirt. Commissioner Baldwin stated gating the WBI access would be inconvenient for the fire department. Discussed blading the shooting range roads and drainage. Mitch reported on the underground fuel tank inspections, will need to turn in proof of liability for the tanks.

10:44 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.

10:47 AM J.D. LINK TRAINING/ Mark Feland and Larry Herman, RDO Equipment; Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mark Sieler, Road Foreman; Mitch Overn/Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics

    Commissioner Rost informed everyone that while at the MACo Conference, other counties discussed how they were currently utilizing John Deere’s J.D. Link, a service that tracks equipment location, status, and performance. The Road Department is familiar with the service and is currently using it. Larry demonstrated the functions of J.D. Link for the Commission.

11:40 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.

11:47 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.

                           NOON RECESS

1:15 PM RECONVENED

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

FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

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

    No one appeared for Public Comment.

1:26 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney

      1. Land Lease Agreement questions.

    Discussed reimbursement for improvements, archeological excavating, and allowing a lesse to have an easement on the land that they are leasing.

      2. Application for Burial Assistance.

    No discussion at this time.

      3. Trading County land with an individual.

    Discussed acreage difference between the County and the individual’s property. Considered which section of land the County would be willing to trade for.

      4. Wells Fargo Trust.

    Requesting closing statement from Wells Fargo for the Coral Creek Landfill trust.

      5. Other Business – Discussed process to consolidate the two TV Districts in Fallon County. Discussed deed transfer for the Baker Senior Center and setting up a lease.

2:16 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.

2:16 PM Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff; Angel Wyrwas

2:16 PM CATALYST FOR CHANGE CONFERENCE CALL/ Mindi Murnion, Public Health Specialist

    Melanie Roe, JV Moody, Bill Wallace, Sweetgrass County Commissioners (Big Timber); Dan Tronrud, Community Health Worker; Amber Martinsen-Blake, Founder & Executive Director of Catalyst for Change joined the meeting through Zoom.

    Catalyst for Change is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides mental health services to Montanans, especially in rural communities. Discussed the effects Catalyst for Change had on Sweetgrass County and how it assisted the sheriff department, schools, and citizens. Went over funding, grants and hiring a Community Health Worker (CHW) who would be local and trustworthy so clients could be comfortable with reaching out for help. Dan explained the trainings that are available through Montana State University and University of Montana. Trenton asked for clarification on whether law enforcement or the CHW would be dispatched first and who would determine that call. Dan answered that for his community, law enforcement would be dispatched and determine whether to call the CHW. Mindi asked how long it takes to complete training. Dan answered three to four months. Sweetgrass Commissioners emphasized the importance of having accessible help for the schools. Commissioner Braun asked who the perfect candidate for this position would be. Amber suggested finding a community member who the people could trust and rely on. Amber offered to assist with the hiring process if the Commission were to decide to utilize the Catalyst for Change program.

3:08 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.

3:15 PM FALLON COUNTY COURTYARD PROJECT VIRTUAL MEETING

    Brandon Janshen, Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Jeff Gruizenga, Con’eer Engineering; David Espeland, Fallon Medical Complex CEO joined the meeting through Zoom. Derrick DeHaan, Outside Maintenance Assistant called in on the meeting.

    Discussed the leak that is in basement tunnel at Fallon Medical Complex. Possible cold joint or crack in the lid of the tunnel could be causing the leak. Derrick will dig down in the hospital courtyard to see if it is just cement or if there is a membrane on the top of the tunnel. David explained that there was a past patio project with digging involved, but there was no membrane found at that time. Multiple layers of tar were painted on the lid instead. Brandon is concerned that the patio will be affected by the construction. Discussed how best to address some of the obstacles above the tunnel that will need to be removed before digging. Brandon explained some tests that could be done for the leaks in the board room windows. Discussed electrical that is being affected by the leaks.

3:53 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.

3:54 PM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian

    Direct Electric sent Shannon an $800.00 estimate for the heater on the southwest side of the library. There is no brick behind the heater so brick replacement or a threshold will have to be installed, which is not included in the estimate. Still waiting for a response from the Army Corp Engineers about the Bergstrom Hill Road wetlands.

4:03 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.

4:03 PM 911 ADDRESS UPDATES/ Amanda Frickel, DES & 911 Coordinator

     Duane Kaul, KLJ and Amanda discussed that Webster Road runs North to South in Fallon County but once in Carter County, it runs East to West. Amanda is going to recommend that Carter County changes the road name to West Webster Road, but Fallon County will remain as the Webster Road. This name change will affect the least number of addresses if Carter County changes the road name instead of Fallon County.

4:11 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.

4:15 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION

      1. Approve March 11th – March 16th, 2024 Commission Minutes

Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve March 11th – 16th, 2024 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

      2. Approve March 2024 Mid-Month Claims

Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the March 2024 Mid-Month Claims for the amount of $231,458.33. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

      3. Executive/Action Items:

            a. Approval of Resolution #03122024-01 for terminating the Fallon-Carter County Memorandum of Agreement and Fiscal Budget for Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics dated December 6, 1933.

Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve Resolution #03122024-01. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; Commissioner Rost noted that Carter County is terminating the Cooperative Extension Work with Fallon County. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

            b. Approval for no-cost Endpoint Detection and Response MOA with CIS/ Josh Lewis, System Administrator

    No further discussion at this time.

            c. Approval of XCITIUM Renewal License for Advanced Endpoint Protection.

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

            d. Approve proposal for surveying the Coral Creek Landfill.

    No further discussion at this time.

            e. Approval of Resolution of Intent No. 1127 Fallon County Board of Commissioners to adopt the 2024 Fallon County Growth Policy Update and creation of a 30-day public comment period.

Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve Resolution of Intent No. 1127. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

            f. EMERGENCY ACTION ITEM

Commissioner Braun made the motion to act on an Emergency Action Item of terminating Parkview cleaning services with A N T Cleaning, LLC effective immediately. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

      4. Old Business as needed

            a. Approve the hiring of Carleen Susa for the Substitute Public Transportation Driver position.

Commissioner Braun made the motion to hire Carleen Susa for the Substitute Public Transportation Driver position. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Rost made the motion to amend the March 4th – March 8th, 2024 Commission Minutes as stated below.

1:30 PM SENIOR CENTER UPDATES/ Carla Brown, Council on Aging Director; Virgina Knipfer, Baker Senior Center President; Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder

    Discussed ownership of Senior Citizen buildings. Plevna Baker Senior Center would like the County to purchase the building and set up a ten-year lease. The Commission will discuss with Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney, the best way to go about purchasing the building.

Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

      5. Approve Fair Contracts (as needed)

      6. Appointments/Resignations to various boards (as needed)

Commissioner Rost made the motion to appoint Amanda Frickel, DES & 911 Coordinator to the Board of Health Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

      7. Review & Approve Approach/Encroachment permits (as needed)

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

      9. Review Department/Office reports/sign journal vouchers (as needed)

      10. Emails/Correspondence

5:50 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, MARCH 20, 2024

ATTEND LAKE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM

THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2024

10:00 AM INTERVIEWS FOR GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT

12:00 PM Commissioner Rost made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURN

s/Steve Baldwin, Chairman

s/Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary

ATTEST:

s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder