CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

04-10-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, April 10, 2023, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Rod Tauck, Chairman, Mike Watkins, Vice Chairman and Pamela Castleberry, member were present.

The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. by Chairman Rod Tauck. There was no public comment.

The commission reviewed and discussed emails and correspondence.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from March 31, 2023 and April 03, 2023. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. Commissioner Castleberry asked for an update on the discussion after the meeting adjourned for lunch regarding the procedure required to pay employee premium for health insurance based on hours worked. The motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the special Executive session minutes from March 31, 2023. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Greg Benjamin of Stahly Engineering called into the meeting with information about the hospital generator upgrade. Greg has not garnered a second peer review and requested the commission look into other engineering firms in closer proximity of The Ekalaka hospital project that may be available for a peer review.

Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting.

The Commission placed a call to Brett Dorak regarding the Coyote Control Program and left a message.

Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

Commissioner Castleberry has had constituent bring to her attention the need for snow fence on Highway 7 and requested the Commissioners send a letter of request for the snow fence to the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT).

County Treasurer Jesi Pierson stepped into the meeting to present the Treasurers report. Journal Voucher Ll00 1/01 - 03/31 2023, investment, securities report and cash report. Jesi left the meeting.

Custer National Forest, Sioux Ranger District Ranger Kurt Hansen and Denise Zolnoski, Range Technician joined the meeting with updated 5-year in-kind noxious weed agreement. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to sign the agreement. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Denise requested access to the mapping of areas sprayed last season and voiced concern over the need for a Weed Department manager for Carter County so that the In-Kind agreement may continue. The data from last year’s spray map was retrieved for Denise and Kurt. The Weed Board is in the process of replacing the Weed Supervisor. The commissioners are also willing to work with sub-contractors to complete as much of the spraying as possible if the need arises.

Kurt presented a Forest Service update: fire hazardous crew will be working in the area mid-summer for several weeks. The Sioux Ranger District has a fully staffed fuels department. However, the BLM Fire operation for Carter County does not have a crew boss at this time and will not be staffed.

Attorney Corbit Harrington left the meeting.

Georgia Bruski, DES Coordinator joined the meeting. Georgia and Kurt discussed updating the Carter County Wild Land Fire Plan. The last up date was 2005 as part of the Emergency Action Plan. Georgia will look into securing funding and possibly working with the Northern Rockies Coordinating Group as DES has worked with them in the past to complete the Carter County Wild Land Fire Plan.

The meeting broke for lunch at 12 and was called to order by Chairman Rod Tauck at 1 p.m.

Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright presented options for a County Credit Cards. She would like check with several companies to see what they offer. Commissioner Watkins made a motion to have Judy look into credit cards for the County Departments from Stockman Bank. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The commission received a call from Dawn Padden requesting clarification on the Durm Lane road easement. Padden’s have received a letter from Ryersons’ attorney. Commissioner Tauck suggested that she call Carter County Attorney Corbit Harrington with questions about the easement.

The commission reviewed and updated the Procurement Policy.

There was discussion when setting the agenda to call a meeting for personnel issues. The decision to set the meeting will be finalized at a later date.

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

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

Attest:/s/ Judy Wright, Clerk of the Board

04-17-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, April 17, 2023, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Rod Tauck, Chairman, Mike Watkins, Vice Chairman and Pamela Castleberry, member were present.

The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. by Chairman Rod Tauck.

Carter County Conservation District Clerk Karen Kreitel and Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting with questions with the purchase of the no till drill. The was a review of the past Commission proceedings and the Commission agreed to get back to Karen with answers to her questions. Karen left the meeting.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the transfer of $20,000.00 from 2245 Conservation District Fund to 2000 fund. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Judy left the meeting.

Commissioner Tauck received an email from Brett Dorak stating the funding for the coyote control program has gone through.

Road and Bridge Supervisor joined the meeting with an update of work completed and plans. They crew has finished hauling the rock purchased from Fisher Industries to the 6 mile stretch of the Ridge RD. The crew will come back and cover this new rock base with gravel at a later date.

The crew has plans to gravel areas in need on the Cottonwood Rd, Ridge Rd, and Hammond Rd. Carl left the meeting.

Greg Benjamin of Stahly Engineering called into the meeting were there was discussion regarding the hospital generator upgrade. Greg was not able to get a seconded peer review this week, however he will be able to talk to Don’s Electric April 24, 2023. Greg questioned if the lack of generator power to all of the facility is a life safety issue. The commission assured him that not having the lab, ER and outlets functioning when there is a power outage is a concerning issue to be address as soon as possible.

Greg asked if the County will be needing a land survey to update the Commission Districts. Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright stated that the County will not need a survey as we will not be redistricting at this time. Greg will touch base with Stahly Engineering staff on County surveys.

Commissioner Tauck invited Greg to attend the meeting with KTAB May 22-24 for the Brownfield grant and the Old hospital project. The call ended with Greg.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the leave for Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Corbit spoke with Darin Pluhar regarding Jet A fuel share/ storage contract. The need for Jet A fuels at the Airport was discussed at the EMPG meetings.

He received word that the I.O.F. Beaver Lodge cemetery needs repair of replacement of over 200 pauper grave makers. He may look into grants to cover the expense. The cemetery is not County owned.

Kelly Spring of Pfeiffer Auction Service stepped into the meeting to request signatures on the vehicle titles that will be sold at the upcoming community auction.

There was discussion on the need to review the up coming County lease agreements.

The meeting adjourned for lunch at 11:53 a.m. It was called to order at 1 p.m. with Commissioners Tauck, Watkins and Castleberry in attendance

Commissioner Castleberry attended the Juvenile Detention Board meeting via phone from 1 p.m. to 1:20 p.m.

Clerk and Recorder, Judy Wright joined the meeting to discuss switching the credit card use system for the county including an update to the personnel policy to reflect the change in the system.

Attorney Corbit Harrington and DES Coordinator Georgia Bruski joined the meeting. Public Health Board member Sharon Carroll, Public Health manager Stefanie Harrington and Public Health nurse Kirstie Nelson also joined the meeting.

The hours of the Public Health Office were questioned. Stefanie stated that the hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Stefanie requested executive session at 3:27 and requested that Corbit and Kirstie stay for the closed session. Sharon and Georgia left the meeting. The meeting was called out of executive session by Chairman Rod Tauck at 3:58 p.m. Sharon rejoined the meeting.

The Public Health Department gave an update including: Billing system, on site State inspections, Tobacco program update as well as Vaccines. Water Safety day with Fallon Co. will be June 6, 2023. Mammogram van is scheduled for April 26, 2023 in Ekalaka.

A call was placed to Dahl Memorial CEO Ryan Tooke to look into the time delay light in the Public Health Office. He has some breaker issues as well and will contract Direct Electric.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

Attest:/s/ Judy Wright, Clerk of the Board