CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS (JUNE 28 & JULY 1, 2024)

06-28-2024

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Friday, June 28, 2024, 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.

DES Coordinator Georgia Bruski joined the meeting with an idea for a railing at the hospital.

The Commission discussed the Snowy River Co2 Sequestration public meeting with BLM and Northern Plains Resource Council held Tuesday June 25, 2024.

Marion Kerr called in to the meeting for public comment stating that she supports the Senior Citizens Congregate meal program. She would be willing to put in a few more dollars to help cover the difference between the cost and the bid.

Clerk of District Court Clerk Tracey Walker joined the meeting to inform the Commission on her intent to hire Melissa Lovec as part time District Court Clerk Deputy with 120 hours per year starting July 01, 2024. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to hire Melissa Lovec as a limited part time Deputy Clerk of District Court for 120 hours a year (average). Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Tracey left the meeting.

The Commissioners approved payroll in the amount of $296,646.92 and claims in the amount of $611,867.59, less $78.00 Warrant# 4199 MACR convention meals, for a total of $611,789.59.

Ekalaka Pool Funding - guests include Christina Shepard, Brittani Brence, Helen Stevens and Elin Kittleman. Christina spoke to the fact that the Pool Committee has been receiving donations since 1995 and they have collected approximately $400,000.00. The Committee already has engineered plans for the 25x50 pool and cost estimates to complete it. They would like to see a 30x60 pool that would provide room for extras like a climbing wall and basketball hoop. Brittani is willing to look into grants and several local businesses maybe willing to sponsor the extras.

County attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to dedicate $200,000.00 to the Ekalaka Pool fund to be taken from Carter County PILT fund account. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The meeting broke for lunch at 12:00 and called to order at 1:00.

Landowners requesting the commission enter into a Cooperative agreement with the BLM. Guests include Steve Summers, Rodney Walker, Jack Owen and County Attorney Corbit Harrington. There was discussion regarding scheduling a meeting with EPA to answer questions not answered by the BLM and requiring an environmental impact study for the Snowy River Co2 project.

The Land Resource Planning Board is looking to work with Attorney Wally Congdon on the Resource Use document. These meetings and documents are important to the landowners as they may help the County work through land use matters as they arise. The guests left the meeting.

Predator board secretary Stacey Ashbrook and Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting to present the Predator program 2024-2025 budget.

Stacey also presented the 7-month aerial contract with Air Dakota Flite for Pilot Dustin Drews. This was approved by the predator board and includes at start date of July 1, 2024, 200hrs/ month, with Air Dakota paying the gunner who may fly with Dustin.

The commission stated that the 5 months not covered by this contract must be put out for bid.

The Predator Board approved 5 hours per month for the secretarial position held by Stacey.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to accept the contract with Air Dakota Flite and Dustin Drews for 7 months at $325,000. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Stacey and Corbit left the meeting.

Senior Coordinator Tricia Lovec joined the meeting where she informed the Commission that she has not received a bid for congregate meals, so she will continue to advertise the contract until it is filled. Tricia left the meeting.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the May 03, 10th, and 17th, 2024 commission proceedings. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to sign the gravel pit lease with Kenney Schultz. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the 2024 Park Checks agreement with the Forest Service and Carter County Public Safety. Commissioner Watkins 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/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

Attest:/s/ Dana Eshelman, Deputy Clerk of the Board

07-01-2024

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, July 01 2024, 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.

DES Coordinator Georgia Bruski joined the meeting to request an early warrant for the fire refresher meals catered by the Wagon Wheel Cafe in the amount of $1,600.00.

Ekalaka Airport Aviation Surface Weather (AWOS) meeting Call-in with Craig Canfield and Justin Zindell of KU Engineering and Airport Board President Troy Fruit in person. The project will require an Independent Fee Estimate (IFE). Craig and Justin provided a list of engineering firms that work with aeronautics that the County may wish to request a quote for the IFE.

Troy spoke to the lack of contractors available to repair the water leak at the airport hangers. There call with KU ended and Troy left the meeting.

Carter County Attorney Corbit Harrington and Road Supervisor Carl Knapp joined the meeting. The was a review of the Gravel Pit Lease Addendum between landowners and Carter County. Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the gravel pit lease addendum. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Commission, Corbit and Carl studied the maps delineating the path of the Durm RD. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to hire Brosz Engineering to survey the Durm Rd. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Commission approved Carl's request to order discs for the road graders. Carl left the meeting.

Public Health Office Hours: guests include Public Health Board members Sharon Carroll and Dana Eshelman; Kirstie Nelson, Public Health Nurse Stefanie Harrington, Public Health Manager; and County Attorney Corbit Harrington.

Commissioner Castleberry stands firm on her opinion to require that the Carter County Public Health office hours be the same as the office hours required by law at the Courthouse and that the employees work regular business hours, five 8-hour days.

Commissioner Tauck stated that the office hours have been covered in the past and are set at Monday-Thursday 9 to 5 with the office closed to the public on Fridays.

Commissioner Watkins sees a need for uniform hours of operation and adequate notification to the public and the front desk at the clinic if the Public Health Office must be closed.

Currently Kirstie is Part-time, three days per week as per her letter of employment. Stefanie is in the office 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday- Thursday to equal 10 hours, 4 days a week. They believe that a part time secretary would be needed to set the office hours to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kirstie presented a call log for the Fridays that the office is closed, which showed only one call in 8 weeks. No motion was made to change the hours of the Public Health Office hours or the hours worked by the Public Health employees.

The meeting adjourned at 12 p.m. and reconvened at 1:05 p.m.

Guest: Carter County Custodian Kristy Bruce. The Commission discussed the Meals on Wheels substitute driver position. The regular driver is an employee of the county and the sub must be an employee so that they covered by insurance and withholding taken out of payment. Kristy is willing to drive when needed. The Commission will schedule a meeting with the Senior Coordinator and the Meals on Wheels driver at an upcoming Commissioners meeting. Kristy left the meeting.

Commissioners work session: The commission discussed 2024-2025 PILT funding and replied to emails.

Public Comment phone call from Helen King who stated that she is in support of the Senior Programs and in particular the Congregate meals as well as the rural elderly visits by the Public Health Department.

The Commission placed a call to Muggli Construction regarding the demolition of the Stenseth house and garage. They also requested the removal of the hospital/ courthouse fuel storage tank.

There was a call placed to Michelle at ADAAPTA regarding the final draft reuse of the old hospital building. The intend to have completed and sent the final draft by the end of next week.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:52 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

Attest:/s/ Dana Eshelman, Deputy Clerk of the Board