Your Community Builder
Your Community Builder
09-26-2024
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday, September 26, 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.
Public comment
Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting to let the commission know there is interested in the Public Health Board. The next Health Board meeting will be October 15, 2024.
Commissioner Tauck spoke with Jeff Bergstrom of Muth Electric regarding the electrical bus issue at the hospital.
The Commission received two applications for the temporary part-time custodial position. Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright scheduled interviews with them and the Commission for the September 30, 2024 Commission meeting.
County Attorney Corbit Harrington and Airport Board president Troy Fruit joined the meeting. There was a call placed to Craig Canfield and Justin Zindell of KU Engineering to complete the forms required for the FAA flight check.
The Commission signed the updated opioid settlement contract. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve and sign the document. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Attorney Harrington is preparing documents for the transfer of the North Repeater also known as Tower Hill. Corbit should have the documents ready in the next week or two.
Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the revised letter to return the Sany road grader. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:07 p.m.
Board of County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman
Attest:/s/ Judy Wright, Clerk of the Board
09-30-2024
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, September 30, 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 9:00 am by Chairman Rod Tauck
There was no Public Comment.
The Commission approved Payroll in the amount of $302,245.33 and Claims in the amount of $562,211.66.
Attorney Harrington joined the meeting.
The Commission placed a call to John Neisner of Scull Construction to confirm his arrival time and items of inspection for his visit for the hospital building scheduled for October 03, 2024. This will help Scull Construction, the County and Dahl Memorial make arrangements for repair of the front door, siding, windows and ER door as well as the generator.
The meeting broke for lunch at 12:00 pm and reconvened at 1:00 pm.
The Commission conducted job interviews with two candidates for the temporary part-time custodial position. Commissioner Watkins moved to hire Jenna Bruce for the temporary Part-time position. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the Commission Proceedings for September 26, 2024. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:06 p.m.
Board of County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
/s/ Mike Watkins, Vice-Chairman
Attest:/s/ Judy Wright, Clerk of the Board
10-07-2024
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, October 07, 2024, 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 9:00 am by Vice-Chair Mike Watkins.
Public comment Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting to inform the Commission that she has filed a claim with the County's liability insurance for the damage to the hospital building that was caused by impact from a car.
Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp joined the meeting for the gravel crushing bid opening.
Bids received from Fike Crushing Inc.
Heggen Pit 30,000 cu. yd of 1" minus {39,000 tons) crushed gravel at $4.30 Per cubic yard. ($3.31 per ton)
Shepherd Pit 10,000 cu yd of 1" Minus (13,000 tons) of crushed gravel at $5.00 per cubic yard ($3.85 per ton).
Kennedy Pit 60,000 cu yd of 1" Minus (78,000 tons) crushed gravel at $4.20 per cubic yard ($3.23 per ton).
Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to accept the bids from Fike Crushing Inc. to crush gravel at the Heggen Pit, Shepherd Pit and Kennedy Pit. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Carl updated the commissioners on the Sany Road Grader. DSR Inc received the road grader and the letter. Carl has not received any correspondence to date.
Commissioner Castleberry moved to approve the Mill Iron substation encroachment permit for Southeast Electric. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
The Commission placed a call to Robyn Sargent from Pioneer Technical Services with no answer.
County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting with an update on the Tower Hill 911 tower transfer from Southeast Electric to the County. Southeast Electric has renewed the Forest Service lease of the property the tower sits on for one month, allowing for approval from the Southeast Electric Board of Directors. Attorney Harrington is preparing the contract with the Forest Service and Bill of Sale for the tower.
The Commission discussed the walk through of the hospital with John Neisner of Scull Construction that included the issues of the hospital building. The repair list included front door module, siding where the wind blew it off, windows that leak, and the north ER door.
The main generator at the hospital had a load test completed on Oct 02, 2024. The generator failed and is not operational. Neither the parts for repair nor a replacement rental generator are currently available. The Commission will work with Dahl Memorial to resolve the broken generator.
Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the Commission proceedings from September 09, 2024. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
The Commission made a call Muggli Construction to check on the arrangements to remove the underground fuel tank at the old hospital.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
Board of County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman
Attest:/s/ Dana Eshelman, Deputy Clerk of the Board
10-15-2024
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, October 15, 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 by Chairman Rod Tauck.
Senior Coordinator Tricia Lovec joined the meeting to present the resignation of the senior housekeeper. Tricia plans to advertise for a replacement until the position is filled. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to accept the resignation of Jessica Enos as the senior housekeeper. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Tricia left the meeting.
Treasurer Jesi Pierson joined the meeting to present the Treasurers report including the JVs, Securities report, cash reports and investments. Jesi left the meeting.
The Commissioners discussed the removal of the underground fuel tank and the take down of the Stenseth house and the garage. The tank removal went well, Robyn will send remaining test documentation as soon as it is available. The Stenseth house was removed without incidence.
The portable generator on loan from Fallon County was installed at the hospital on Monday by Don's Electric. The parts to repair the main generator should be on site in a week to 10 days.
The Commissioners called Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp to request that road department fill the hole where the underground fuel tank was.
Carter County Extension Agent Amanda Williams and Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting. Amanda and Judy requested the Administrative Assistant position previously advertised for 20 hours a week for her office be combined with a 20 hour a week Data Entry Clerk for the Clerk and Recorders office. There was discussion regarding the duties the positions would require and the budget for each department.
Commissioner Watkins made the motion to advertise for a 20 hour a week Administrative Assistant for the Extension Office combined with a 20 hours per week Data Entry Clerk for the Clerk and Recorders office. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
The Commissioners reviewed and approved the contract for the use of a portable generator by Carter County from Fallon County for back up power at the hospital. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the contract between Carter and Fallon Counties for the use of Fallon Co. generator. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) Administrative Grant. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
The meeting broke for lunch at 12:00 and reconvened at 1:00 p.m.
Public Hearing to review the reuse of the Old Hospital building information provided by ADAAPTA group and Kansas State University Technical assistance to the Brownfields program.
Guests include: Linda Ziettlow, Janice Kreitel, Denise Elmore, Scott Elmore, James Kapptie, Brittani Brence, Carole Carey, Barb Elmore, Kathy Malenovsky, Melody Loken, and Tracey Walker. Chairman Rod Tauck. gave an overview of the documents provided by ADAAPTA and the County run programs including The Food Bank, Senior Center and the Public Health. Childcare facility and County ambulance housing was also discussed. The Commission will set up a bidding process for various items in the old hospital building.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.
Board of County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman
Attest:/s/ Dana Eshelman, Deputy Clerk of the Board
10-21-2024
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, October 21, 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 by Chairman Rod Tauck.
Documentation was provided by Treasurer Jesi Pierson including an updated letter of engagement form Causey Public Finance LLC.
Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting with a request to advertise for bids on the 1998 Ford E 450 2-wheel drive ambulance and the power cot, which would be bid separately. The Commission agreed to allow the ambulance to be sold by bid.
Attorney Harrington joined the meeting.
Carter County Public Superintendent of Schools Tracey Walker, Ekalaka Public School Superintendent James Kapptie, and District Clerk Brittani Brence joined the meeting. Mr. Kapptie and the Ekalaka Public Schools {EPS) are working toward setting a teacher's salary standard with the goal of qualifying for the Teach Act program through the state. The Carter County School Districts are looking for ways to met the salary levels to qualify for the funding, currently the District would need a one-time payment of $65,000.00.
EPS received a grant for a Back-Pack program that is aimed a providing food for students in need. The program is supplied through the Montana Food Bank Network. Ekalaka Public Schools looking to offer as much support to the students by working with the County and the County Food Bank.
The EPS students will participate in A Night at The Museum Program on November 04, 2024. The program is aim is to foster reading and learning through the Carter County Museum. Tracey, Brittanie and Mr. Kapptie left the meeting.
Kurt Hansen, Sioux Ranger District Ranger and Weed Department Supervisor Stefan Livingston joined the meeting where Kurt stated that the 5 year in kind agreement between the Forest Service and Carter County expires in 2025. The Forest Service portion of the agreement has been $10,000.00. Kurt is waiting for the final budget figures to see what the contribution will be this year.
The Forest Service is currently planning for several road projects that are funded through the Great American Out Doors Act. Kurt and Stefan left the meeting.
Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the Consent agenda: The application to the Public Health Board by Debra Yost. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
There was a discussion regarding the Old hospital building. The consensus of the public hearing held by the Commission on October 15, 2024 was to remove the whole building to make room for services that the county provides, including the senior center, food bank, Public Health, and ambulance storage. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to advertise for bids to demo the whole building including the boiler building. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. Attorney Harrington suggested sending a notice to all County Departments so that they may remove what they have stored in the building. The motion carried unanimously.
The Commission reviewed the Plat from Brosz Engineering of the Durm Road. Attorney Harrington stated that there will be a petition forth coming. Commissioner Castleberry requested that the county draft a right away between Brice and Dawn Padden and the County for the 1st mile from the Tie Creek Road.
There was discussion regarding updating the Capital Improvement Plan. There was a letter sent and forms collected from the County Departments in 2022.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:51 p.m.
Board of County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman
Attest:/s/ Dana Eshelman, Deputy Clerk of the Board
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