CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

05-15-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, May 15 2023, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Mike Watkins, Vice Chairman and Pamela Castleberry, member were present. Rod Tauck, Chairman was absent.

The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. by Chairman Mike Watkins.

Guests include Tricia Lovec Carter County Senior Citizens Coordinator, Linda Boggs and Myrna Tooke.

Senior Citizens program bids: Respite care bid from Dahl Memorial Health Care. Respite care $210.00 for over 21 hours. $7.45 per hour for less than 21 hours with no meal. $8.75 per hour with a meal.

Meals on Wheels bid from Dahl Memorial $7.45 per plate.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to accept the bid from Dahl Memorial for respite care and meals on wheels. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

Congregate meals bids: Kathy Tobin $10.50 per plate. Jimi Fix $11.50 per plate. Bernadette Branson $11.50 per plate. Diane Wear $15.00 per plate.

Public comment from Linda and Myrna; attendance for the congregate meals has been down in part due to cleanliness, food safety practices, and quality of the meals. They also requested that the Commissioners join the community for a meal once in a while.

There have been several other calls and comments to the Commissioners and the Senior Coordinator regarding cleanliness and food safety for the meals.

Tricia requested that the suggested donation per meal be increased from $4.00 per plate to $5.00. Commissioner Castleberry stated that the winning bidder will be required to hold an independent contractors license to be offered a contract to provide the congregate meals.

Attorney Harrington discussed Montana Code Annotated, MCA- 18-4-303(6) regarding the bidding process. He indicated that if there is documented proof of the issues brought to the table from participates in the program higher bid can be accepted as stated in MCA. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to accept Diane Wears bid of $15.00 per plate for congregate meals. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. there was no public comment and the motion carried. Tricia will contact Diane Wear and those individuals who were not successful in their bid.

Attorney Harrington left the meeting.

Commissioner Watkins moved to approve and sign the signature approval form from Stockman Bank. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion passed.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to advertise the agricultural lease of the Old airport/ cement plant lots. There was discussion regarding lots included, length of the lease and use of the property. The request was made to Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright to write the advertisement for the lease. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion.

Commissioner Castleberry moved to approve the Worker’s Compensation premiums from Victory Insurance Company. The premium this year was quoted at $35,706.00; to be paid quarterly. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the Commissioner proceedings for a May 05th and May 08th, 2023. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting were there was a review of the Salary Compensation Board members and current terms. Judy left the meeting.

County Extension Agent Amanda Williams stepped into the meeting to request a spot on the agenda to present the 2023-2024 budget. The Commission and Amanda also discussed the 4-H programs use of building, Capital Improvement plan and Weed/ Chemical certification exams. Amanda left the meeting

Attorney Harrington joined the meeting to confer with the Commission on the Old airport/ Cement plan lease agreement.

The meeting adjourned for lunch at 12 p.m. and was called to order at 1 p.m.

Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting with the survey sent to the County regarding fuel storage coverage sent by the Insurance Store.

Jennifer Waterland joined the meeting to request the use of the bump and run track again this year. Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the use of the track at the airport for the Bump and Run to be held August 2023. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Jennifer left the meeting.

CDBG grant start up video conference: Robie Culver, and Kathy Thompson of Stahly Engineering and Alisha Oerllermann from the Department of Commerce.

The CDBG grant funds were applied for to be used to update the Carter County Growth Policy.

Alisha disclosed the documentation and procedures that will be needed in the next few months to move forward with the grant process. Alisha has contract that will be sent to Attorney Harrington for review and then send the contract on to the Commission and Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:16 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

Attest:/s/ Dana Eshelman, Deputy Clerk & Recorder

05-22-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met on Thursday, May 22 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.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp and Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting for the Surplus property bid opening.

2003 Chevy Pick-up -John Benevides $950.00. CAT engine 3406 -Tod Dague $1,266.00. Cummins engine - H & B Construction $300.00. 8ft flatbed utility trailer- Bob Jacobs $225.00. No bid on snow plow or the Hobart welder/ generator.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to accept all bids on the equipment. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Senior Coordinator, Tricia Lovec presented the 2023-2024 Senior Program budget. She discussed changes to the Capital Outlay account to cover the County portion of the new van as well as increases in the supplies and salaries line items. Tricia left the meeting.

The Camp Needmore Board voted in two new members at their most recent meeting, the Board has requested approval of Kirstie Nelson and Nathan Carroll. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the appointment of Kirstie and Nathan to the Camp Needmore Board. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to sign Public Health Task Order #24-07-4-31-105-0 and the Montana provider prep mod MOU. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

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

The commission held a meeting facilitated by ADAAPTA with the public that included group sessions to determine the future of the Od Hospital building with 29 people attending. The meeting was held at the community center from 7 to 9 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

Attest:/s/ Dana Eshelman, Deputy Clerk & Recorder