CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

12-11-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, December 11, 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 by chairman Rod Tauck.

There was no public comment.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp joined the meeting with a request to order new gravel haul trucks. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to advertise for bids to purchase 2 new 2024 trucks. There was a discussion about the mechanical conditions and age of the current fleet of trucks. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion and the motion carried. Carl left the meeting.

The Airport Board, Chairman Troy Fruit, Greg Harris and Steve Summers, Justin Stieg and County Attorney Corbit Harrington. Joining the meeting on line: Craig Canfield and Justin Zindell of KU Engineering as well as Tracy Stoner from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) joined the Commission for the AWOS III P/T pre-design meeting.

The Ekalaka Airport Master Plan has been approved by the FAA.

The proposed location for the AWOS III P/T is just off Airport property and will require property and air space easements from adjacent landowners. The approximate cost of the project will be $380,000.00 including construction and engineering with majority of funding coming from Grant funds.

Construction is tentatively set for 2024. The Airport will own the AWOS III P/T with the requirement of a regular inspection and yearly FAA certification. The guests left the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

Commissioner Watkins made a motion to approve the Commissioners Proceedings from November 30th and December 04, 2023. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The petition to alter County right of way, and portion of county road and to vacate former right of way and portion of Medicine Rocks Road has been signed by Petitioners i.e. Freeholders and received by the Carter County Commission.

The meeting broke for lunch at 12:00, and was called to order at 1 p.m. Present for the meeting was Dahl Memorial CEO Ryan Tooke and DMHC Board Chair Georgia Bruski; and County Attorney Corbit Harrington.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the IT room agreement between the County and Dahl Memorial. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Ryan presented the Quarterly report that included Quality control, risk management and policy updates, as well as financial reports.

Chairman Rod Tauck signed the interlocal agreement for the Region 1 opioid settlement.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

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

12-21-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday, December 21, 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 by chairman Rod Tauck.

There was no public comment.

Carter County Custodian Kristy Bruce stepped into the meeting to request permission to purchase a vacuum for use downstairs at the courthouse. The commission approved the purchase of a new vacuum.

Amanda Williams Fallon/ Carter Extension Agent joined the meeting to update the Commission on the 4-H and Extension programs.

Carter County Attorney Corbit Harrington and Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting. Judy and Commissioner Castleberry presented their findings from the Medicine Rocks Road Investigation in which they deemed alteration of the intersection of the Plevna Rd and Medicine Rocks Road provides a safe, unobstructed view of the Plevna Rd. The location of the intersection at section 7 and 18, T3NR58E places the intersection on the ridge providing less chance of snow cover and run off, allowing for easier maintenance by the County Road Department. Therefore, it is the recommendation of Commissioner Castleberry and Surveyor Judy Wright to proceed with the alteration of the new intersection and the abandonment of the former intersection of the Plevna Road.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to accept the findings of the investigation and set the Public Hearing for January 8th, 2024 at 10 a.m. for public input before the final adoption of the petition. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Commissioners sent a letter to adjoining land owners as per MCA 7-14-2604, outlining the findings of the investigation, and the Public Hearing.

Commissioner Watkins moved to sign the Airport layout Plan from KU as part of the Airport Master Plan. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the Proceedings from December 11, 2023. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Public Health Officers Trish Loughlin and Kirstie Nelson called into the meeting regarding the placement of the AED’s that they received as part of a grant. The Commission granted permission to install one unit in the Carter County Event Center and the seconded unit at the Senior Center.

The commission received an email from Sanitarian Renee Gnerer stating that the State of Montana now requires each County to have a fill in Sanitarian to cover in her absence. Renee has prepared a MOU between Carter County and McCone County. Attorney Harrington will review the MOU before approval by the Commission.

The meeting broke for lunch at 12 p.m. and reconvened at 1 p.m. with Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright, Attorney Corbit Harrington, Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp and Commissioners Tauck, Watkins and Castleberry present. Town of Ekalaka Mayor Buck Krazter and Town Clerk Kamely Harkins joined the meeting with a request for assistance with the repair of Mormon Street. The Town is without maintenance personnel and the needed equipment to make improvements to the street.

The group discussed repair and replacement of the Bridge on the South portion of Mormon Street. Bridges over named bodies of water in the County are the County responsibility. The Mormon Street bridge spans the irrigation ditch and would be considered the Towns maintenance responsibility. This may be replaced with a culvert using Town obtained grant funds.

The County has the supplies and equipment on hand to repair and install walkways on the Highway 7/ Mormon Street Bridge.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to repair Mormon street with one lift of gravel from the Loken Pit, approximately 25 loads, with a completion date of July 15, 2024, as per the proposed MOU between the Town of Ekalaka and Carter County. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Buck and Kamely left the meeting.

Carol Carey and David Williams of the Carter County Honorable Veterans Memorial Park Project Committee in conjunction with the Carter County Community Foundation, joined the meeting to request a donation to complete the project. They request $17,500.00 in matching funds to finish the project. Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the donation of $17,500.00 with the use of PILT funds. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Carol and David left the meeting.

The Commission reviewed agenda items for the December 29, 2024.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

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