CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

12-19-2022

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, December 19, 2022, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Steve Rosencranz, Chairman; and Mike Watkins, member was present. Rod Tauck, Vice Chairman was absent.

The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. There was no public comment.

Bob Jacobs, maintenance joined the meeting with a snow removal up-date.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp joined the meeting. He stated that there was a fire in the engine compartment of older Caterpillar road grader December 9, 2022. Caterpillar has inspected it and has sent an insurance fire inspector to look at it before the repairs are done.

Deputy Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting.

Carl has completed the comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan forms which include a five-year depreciation replacement plan for the gravel trucks. The area truck dealers do not have new trucks on the lot. There is an 18-month waiting list. The Commission agreed to start the process of ordering a truck for fiscal year 2024. Carl left the meeting.

Treasurer Jesi Pierson joined the meeting. She doesn’t have any new information regarding the banking. She will let the Commission know as soon as she does. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to open new accounts for warrants and checking. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion. The Petty Cash account and the Pop fund account will stay at Summit or could possibly move to the Credit Union. Jesi left the meeting.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

There was discussion regarding road Easements, County abandoned roads, Resolutions, and Petitions.

The Carter County Public Health did not come into or call into the meeting today but will be present Thursday, December 22, 2022.

Commissioner Watkins made a motion to approved the meeting minutes from 12-05-2022 and 12-08-2022. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The meeting broke for lunch at 12:00 and was called to order at 1 p.m. Those in attendance include Commissioners Rosencranz and Watkins, Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry, Deputy Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright, DES Coordinator Georgia Bruski and Attorney Corbit Harrington.

The Commission reviewed the Durm Road petition as well as all supporting documents sent to the Commission from DR. Annette and Stephen Ryerson. Attorney Harrington reviewed the Montana Code Annotated 7-4-2602 regarding road abandonment. The commission requested that attorney Harrington draft a letter to Ryersons regarding the Durm Road Petition.

The commission discussed the Hospital Generator proposal. The Commissioners would like to discuss the needs of the hospital with the administration as well as Muth Electric and Slate Architecture. The hospital generator discussion was tabled until 12-22-2022 at 9:30.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp joined the meeting requested an updated landowner agreement for the Kerr Pit.

The Commission and Carl discussed the time line for purchasing new gravel trucks. The wait for equipment is at least 18 months. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to advertise for bids in the Ekalaka Eagle for a new 2024 gravel haul truck. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Steve Rosencranz, Chairman

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

12-27-2022

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Steve Rosencranz, Chairman; Rod Tauck, Vice Chairman; and Mike Watkins, member was present.

The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. There was no public comment.

The Commission read the Hospital Generator Feasibility Study prepared by Slate Architecture. The Commission Placed a call to Direct Electric with a request to review the current upgrade options.

Guests included Dahl Memorial staff CEO Ryan Tooke, Carla Dowdy PA-C, Elizabeth Barth, Jalynn Dyke, Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry, Deputy Clerk, Recorder Judy Wright, Attorney Corbit Harrington. The Dahl Memorial staff informed the Commission that Dahl Memorial Health Care Associations critical access designation requires that they provide the same standard of care 24 hours a day. The lack of emergency power during the last 3 major weather events made it apparent that the current generator is not meeting the required demands nor will the options that have been provided in the current feasibility study. After more discussion, Dahl Memorial will provide an emergency power needs assessment for the January 3rd Commissioners meeting.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to sign the letter to Ryerson’s regarding the Durm Road Petition. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Public Health Officer proposal - Health Nurse Kirstie Nelson and Public Health Manager Stefanie Harrington joined the meeting in person. Health Nurse Trish Loughlin joined by phone. Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry, Deputy Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright and Attorney Corbit Harrington where also present. The written proposal that was presented outlined Kirstie and Trish sharing the duties of Public Health Officer. Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services have approved the job share of the Public Health Office between the two nurses. The Health Department will still need a medical advisor for standing orders. The commission requested that the Carter County Health Department present the proposal to the Health Board for recommendation and following that the Commissioners. There as been no finalization of the process to obtain credentialing for the Carter County Health Department at this time.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 12 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Steve Rosencranz, Chairman

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