CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS (OCTOBER 31, 2024)

10-31-2024

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday, October 31, 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.

Commissioner Tauck read Public Comment email from Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright regarding the Justice of the Peace Clerk Employment Classification.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the consent agenda item- Bill of Sale for the North Repeater 911 tower from Southeast Electric. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Commission approved claims in the amount of $297,666.37 and payroll in the amount of $223,262.69.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp joined the meeting with an update on the road maintenance in the County.

The Department has received a request from the Town of Ekalaka to replace the Mormon Street bridge with a culvert. Commissioner Castleberry supports having the County Road Department install the culvert on Mormon Street. She suggests the materials be purchased by the Town of Ekalaka.

Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

The lease from DSR Inc. for the excavator expires November 2024. Carl stated that the county could rent it again in the spring or purchase it at the end of this lease period. The lease payments total $80,000 of which 80% of would be applied to the purchase price. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to purchase the excavator for the amount of $232,865.00, the amount due after the lease payments have been applied. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Sany Road grader was returned to DSR Inc. Carl stated that he is still in negotiations with DSR Inc and Sany Inc. that includes the return and installation of the plow gear. Carl left the meeting.

Carter County Museum Executive Director Sabre Moore presented the Phase II environmental study. The environmental study reports were mostly good news as there were no findings of soil contamination around the museum building. The building tests did find contaminates in the light fixtures, paint arid insulation. The estimated cost of hiring a contractor for abatement is $12,662.00 with a 15% contingency. The Board as approved hiring Newfield's as a consultant for oversite of the abatement process, with a cost of $9,585 for a total estimated cost of $22,247.00. Sabre requested that the funds for the abatement process come for the museums Capital Improvement budget. Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to hire Newfield's to oversee the abatement project. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. Attorney Harrington questioned if there were any issues with the lighting for the exhibits. There were no problems found during the inspection. The motion carried unanimously. The project should start in the spring of 2025.

The meeting broke for lunch at 12:00 and reconvened at 1:00 with Commissioner Tauck, Commissioner Castleberry, and attorney Harrington present. Commissioner Watkins was absent.

Senior Coordinator joined the meeting with applications for Senior housekeeper / senior center housekeeper. Commissioner Castelberry made the motion to hire the applicant to clean the event center. Commissioner Tau ck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve Action for Eastern Montana 2024-2025 Contracts.

Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Tricia left the meeting.

Treasurer Jesi Pierson presented Resolution# 10312024-01 for approval. Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve Resolution 10312024-01 to refund tax payments to Jane Frye et all in the amount of $445.75. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Jesi left the meeting.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve Commissioner proceedings for October 7th, 15th, and 21st. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Hospital building repair quote from Scull Construction. The Commission placed a call to John Neisner of Scull to request an updated quote with the damage from a car rather than a skid steer. There was also discussion regarding replacing the missing letter on the ER sign. John will send a corrected quote and look into signage repair.

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/ Judy Wright, Clerk of the Board