CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

05-16-2022

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on, May 16, 2022, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Present were Steve Rosencranz, Chairman; Rod Tauck, Vice Chair and Mike Watkins, Member.

There was no public comment.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp stepped into the meeting to let the commission know about the trip to purchase the 6x6 plow truck from Atlanta, Georgia.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

Senior coordinator Tricia Lovec joined the meeting for yearly bid opening.

Respite Care bid by Dahl Memorial at $210.00 per day. The meals on wheels bid by Dahl Memorial Heath Care at $7.45. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to accept the bids for the respite care for $210.00 per day and the meals on wheels bid from Dahl Memorial. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Senior Congregate meal bids were received from Kathy Tobin in the amount of $10.50 a plate. There was also a bid from Ilene Treadway for $4.00 a plate. The commission questioned if the meals could be prepared for $4.00 a plate. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to accept the bid from Kathy Tobin in the amount of $10.50 a plate. Commissioner Tauck seconded the bid. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The commission took no action on the Department of Health and Human Services State Aging plan re­designation. This would leave the service area and the director the same as in years past.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the meeting minutes for the June 9th and the 12th with correction. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington presented the 2022-2023 fiscal year budget for the Carter County Attorneys office. He has requested an addition to professional services but no other changes.

The commission, Corbit and Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry reviewed the BARSSA funds and the gas tax funds amounts and usages.

Public Health personnel meeting included Stefanie Harrington Public Health manager, Kirstie Nelson Public Health nurse, Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry. Public Health officer and Nurse Trish Laughlin joined by phone.

The Public Health Department has contacted 3 companies that provide credentialing. They have sent the list of companies to Dr. Espland for final approval.

The Public health department have been working on a water safety, and tobacco prevention program. The Smiles Across America and the mammography traveling programs are scheduled to visit Ekalaka the end of May.

There was discussion regarding the duties of a Congregate living Coordinator (CLC) and the proper use of the grant funds for the position. Carter County Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry has requested the opinion of MACo on the proper use of the funds. The commission tabled the discussion on the CLC funds until they receive the opinion from MACo.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:52 a.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Steve Rosencranz, Chairman

Attest:/s/ Pamela J Castleberry, Clerk of the Board

05-26-2022

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on May 26, 2022, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Present were Rod Tauck, Vice Chair and Mike Watkins, Member. Steve Rosencranz, Chairman, was absent.

There was no public comment.

Carl Knapp Road and Bridge Supervisor and Deputy Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting, where Carl reviewed the 2022-2022 Fiscal Year Road and Bridge Budget. He made increases in fuel and supplies due to increase in costs.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

There was also discussion regarding the purchase of dump truck body for the newly purchased 6x6 plow truck, The Road Department received a landowner request to install car gates on the Bell Tower Mail Route Road. Due to the increase in cost of steel and concrete the Commission will increase the cost of car gates.

Carl requested permission to gravel the old dump road which the Commission granted. Carl left the meeting.

Fallon/Carter County Extension Agent, Amanda Williams joined the meeting to review the Carter County Extension Office 2022-2023 FY Budget. Amanda made few adjustments in the coming years budget. She will be hiring a part time administrative assistant to replace Jaden Miller who resigned.

The Extension office will be closed June 6th - for the 4-H camp held at Camp Needmore. The septic tank has been cleaned out and Amanda is hopeful that the sewer system will function better this year. She also has plans to haul drinking water in a two-hundred-gallon tank rather than using bottled water. Amanda left the meeting.

Tricia Lovec, Carter County Senior Coordinator, joined the meeting to review the 2022-2023 budgets for Senior Citizens program, Food Bank and Senior Transportation. She increased the salaries for the transportation due to an increase in travel. She purchased exercise equipment for the senior fitness classes with ARPA funds. Tricia requested that the commissioners attend the Action for Eastern Montana meeting with Heather on July 19, 2022, at 1 p.m. Tricia left the meeting.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to accept the resignation of Rita Williams from the Carter County Health Board. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to accept the resignation of Cherri Gentry from the custodial position. Her last day will be July 24, 2022. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The commission discussed the insurance claim for the repair of water damage to the museum storage buildings located on Highway 323. There was discussion on the itemized list of damage. The Commissioners will request more information from the insurance agent. There was no action taken at this time.

The Board discussed the purpose of new I-Pads for the commission as well as reviewed the agenda for the May 31, 2022, commission meeting.

The meeting broke for lunch at 11:55 a.m. and convened at 1 p.m.

Public Health Board meeting

Present - Steve DeFord, Mike Watkins, and Rod Tauck. Guests included Dahl Memorial CEO Ryan Tooke, Public Health manager Stefanie Harrington. Calling into the meeting was Public Health officer/ Health nurse Trish Laughlin, health nurse Kirstie Nelson, and attorney Corbit Harrington.

The board reviewed the purposed Public Health by-laws; suggested updates included removal of the Commissioners from the Health Board. The restructured board being made up of representatives from members of the community, school, and healthcare. Stefanie will advertise for health board members on the Public Health Facebook page as well as the Ekalaka Eagle.

Trish asked for clarification on separation of duties between the Health Officer and Nurse. She questioned if there is a difference in pay and hours and if so, are the hours tracked separately. She would like to see someone with a master’s degree take over the duties of Public Health Officer.

Corbit replied that Trish does meet the qualifications set by the State of Montana based on years of experience. Trish is paid from the County Public Health Department budget for the Health Officer and Health Nurse duties.

Steve DeFord made the motion to adjourn the Health Board meeting. Rod Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Health Board meeting adjourned at 2:08 p.m. The next meeting will be July 29, 2022, at 1 p.m.

The Carter County Airport Meeting

Present: President Troy Fruit and Greg Harris.

The wind study performed by KU Engineering was completed June 25, 2022. The results will be compiled and presented by KU.

The airport received the new strobe light and should have it installed in a few weeks.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to sign the agreement to transfer $150,000.00 entitlement funds that will be used for the Airport Master Plan. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried unanimously.

The Commission and The Airport Board tabled the discussion regarding the maintenance position at the Airport.

Troy discussed the need to remove dirt from around the racetrack when it’s not in use to prevent water standing on the track and possibly damaging the drain field for the weed building. He will discuss the issue with Doug Stieg.

The Airport Board meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

The commissioners agreed to table the decision on the renewal of the Workers Compensation Insurance until the May 31, 2022, meeting.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the Subdivision template agreement with Stahly Engineering in the amount of $1466.00.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Steve Rosencranz, Chairman

Attest:/s/ Pamela J Castleberry, Clerk of the Board