Your Community Builder
Your Community Builder
11-12-2024
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, November 12, 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.
Commissioner elect Dan Dinstel joined the meeting.
Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the following consent Items: the DEQ Tank/Pipe Closure Form and Federal Aviation Administrative form AJF-oN-AAC-25-AC-006920 for inspection agreement. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Road and Bridge supervisor Carl Knapp joined the meeting. Carl spoke to DSR Inc. the company from which Carter County had purchased the Sany road grader and leased the trackhoe. The road grader has been returned to Sany. The County and DSR Inc., are currently working with Sany for a refund. DSR Inc has suggested the amount owed to Carter County for the road grader be applied to the purchase of the trackhoe. This includes a portion of the lease payments Carter County made on the trackhoe in the last two years. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to accept the agreement proposed by DSR Inc. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion contingent on a written agreement from DSR Inc. outlining the trade-in of the Grader refund for the trackhoe. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Carl gave a brief update on upcoming Road Department projects including graveling the hospital parking lot and replacing the Mormon Street bridge with a culvert.
Attorney Harrington joined the meeting where there was discussion regarding the possible Oneok and TransCanada pipeline work in the County. Carl left the meeting.
Justice of the Peace "Kathy" Kathleen Rosencranz and Justice Clerk Reta Malenovsky joined the meeting. Kathy requested a change in the classification of Reta's position from part-time to full time with benefits. Kathy stated that there is a need for more hours due to the increase in violations in the past 3 months in all types of cases. Reta's position has been reclassified by the Montana Supreme Court from Clerk to Clerk supervisor.
Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve Reta Malenovsky as a full-time employee. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. The commission signed letter approving changes in employment with a start date of November 25, 2024. Commissioner Castleberry stated that overtime should be documented and payed to the employee if they work overtime.
Justice of the Peace Rosencranz stated that it has come to her attention that the Justice of the Peace budget was changed or was shorted and will not cover the increase in salary and insurance that will be required to pay Reta. Commissioner Castleberry suggested that adjustments to the fund be made at the end of the fiscal year. She also asked when Reta's job was reclassified by the Supreme Court. The reclassified approximately 6 months ago.
It was also discussed that Reta was offered Health Insurance at beginning of her employment with the County which she declined at the time.
County Attorney commented that Reta's change in title does not increase her hourly wage. Judge Rosencranz and Reta left the meeting.
Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright, Justice of the Peace Kathy Rosencranz and Bob Jacobs joined the meeting to discuss Carter County Human Resources (HR). Judy requested the meeting be closed for executive session.
Commissioner Tauck called for public comment. As part of public Judge Rosencranz read a prepared formal complaint stating discriminatory treatment and hostile work environment against HR Judith Wright.
Bob Jacobs stated that he agrees with the statements made by Judge Rosencranz.
Commissioner Tauck closed the meeting in executive session at 10:42 AM. The meeting was opened to the public at 11:04 am.
Sheriff Neil Kittlemann, DES Coordinator Georgia Bruski, Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright and Dan Dinstel joined the meeting. Georgia and Judy discussed the Utility payments for the North Repeater 911 tower. Bridger Pipeline and Mid-Rivers Communications use the tower and have paid $1,200 a year for the use of the towner to Southeast Electric. The county would take over the collection of payment. Attorney Harrington suggested sending a letter to Bridger Pipeline and Mid-Rivers Communication as written notice of the ownership and the fee's for using the tower. Georgia and Neil left the meeting.
Land Resource Committee member Adam Courtney and Amanda Williams, and Robin Diede joined the meeting. The Committee requested the Commission meet with Attorney Wally Congdon in December for assistance with the Resource use Cooperative Agreement The agreement must be set by the Commissioners. The Land Resource Committee will continue to update the Land Resource Plan to present for approval by the Commission.
The meeting broke for lunch at 11:57 a.m. and reconvened at 1 p.m.
Present: Commissioners Tauck, Watkins and Castleberry. Attorney Harrington, Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright and Airport Board President Troy Fruit. Troy reviewed the FAA inspection task list and the completed tasks. The Airport Board will complete and update of the MOU between the Airport and the Weed Department.
The pavement maintenance project has been placed on the 2025 plan for the airport while the AWOS Ill has been placed on the 2026 projects list. Troy Placed a call to Justin Zindell about the AWOS Ill completion date. Justin stated that the project was moved to the wrong year in the current spreadsheet and should be completed in 2025.
Jesperson Construction has completed the hydrant project, but the billing has not been completed at this time as Jesperson has not received a bill from the sub-contractor.
Dahl Memorial CEO Daryl Messersmith, Dahl Board members Georgia Bruski, Troy Fruit and Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting. Daryl and the Commission discussed the front door, ER door and building damage repair. The repair to the doors and the wind damage to the building will be paid by Carter County as the owner of the building. The damage caused by an automobile will be the responsibility of the owner of the car.
The County is waiting for a quote for signage to the front of the building as well as signs directing patients to the ER entrance and the missing letter in the emergency sign.
The pharmacy tube is not in use at this time and there is no resolution to the birds nesting in the awning at this time.
The parts to repair the main generator have not arrived, therefore Dahl Memorial is still using the auxiliary generator on loan from Fallon County.
Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to pay for the repair of the emergency sign. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
The Commission requested that Dahl Memorial provide quarterly financial reports. Daryl agreed that he would provide the reports to the Commission on a regular basis. The guests left the meeting.
Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the Commissioner Proceedings for October 31, 2024. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried unanimously.
The next commissioners meeting will be held on November 18, 2024.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
Board of County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman
Attest:/s/ Judy Wright, Clerk of the Board
11-18-2024
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, November 18, 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.
Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting with public Comment. She stated that Travelers Insurance will cover the quote to repair the hospital overhead ER door, but requested an itemized quote for the repair of the wind damaged siding on the Hospital building. Judy will request an itemized quote from Scull Construction to send to Travelers Insurance.
Carter County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.
Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the following consent Items: Weed board revised bylaws, Public Health Board appointment of Sharon Carroll and the Hospital front door repair quote. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Michelle Edmunds of Westaff HR Consulting and Staffing joined the meeting by video call. She presented a Statement of Work Options Proposal, including Monthly Department head meetings, Policy manual review and trainings. Westaff would require an in house point of contact. Their contacts would be available to employees via a hotline. They do offer performance reviews if the County requires them. Michelle and the Commission discussed what services would work well for the County and Michelle agreed to send a revised Statement of Work Options and a contract. The meeting with Michelle ended.
The Commission discussed the TC Energy road use letter from Morrison Maierle, including a video assessment. TC Energies project on the Mill Iron sub-station/ pipeline would start March 2025-April 2026. Attorney Harrington suggested that the County request compensation from Oneok for current use of the Mill Iron and Prairie Dale Roads as well as the upcoming TC Energies project. The Commission placed a call to Greg Benjamin of Stahly Engineering regarding road assessments on the Mill Iron and Prairie Dale Roads. They left a message.
The Commissioners completed the 2024 General Election Canvass, and the 2024 Election results for Carter County were certified. The commission signed the Official Canvass Certificate.
The was discussion regarding Commissioners attending the Stock Growers Meeting November 24, 2024 as well as Montana Association of Counties (MACO) meeting December 2nd - 4th in Helena.
The meeting broke for lunch at 11:52 p.m.
1 p.m .: The commissioners joined the Predator Board meeting with guest Mike Honeycutt, Executive Officer of the Department of Livestock and Greg Wichman of the State Livestock Board, in the Jury room of the Carter County Courthouse. Please see the minutes for the Predator Board meeting for more information.
The Commission reconvened at 3:20 pm to call Barney Jorgensen from Barney's Signs and Custom Fencing to discuss the repair of the ER signage at the hospital as well as preparations and a quote for addition signature for the ER entrance, the building name and Dahl Memorial.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
Board of County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman
Attest:/s/ Judy Wright, Clerk of the Board
11-29-2024
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Friday, November 29, 2024, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Rod Tauck, Chairman, was present. Mike Watkins, Vice Chairman called into the meeting, and Pamela Castleberry, member was absent.
The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. by Chairman Rod Tauck.
Chairman Rod Tauck reviewed and signed payroll and Claims. Commissioner Watkins joined the meeting by phone.
Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve payroll in the amount of $292,843.57 and claims in the amount of $605,760.17. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
County Attorney Harrington joined meeting where there was a phone call to Fair board member Seth Whitney to discuss a claim for the Fair board.
County Treasurer Jesi Pierson joined the meeting with documentation of the Arbitrage Rebate. The final payment of $48,000.00 will be made to the IRS for interest on the 2019 bond premium money. Jesi left the meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:48 a.m.
Board of County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman
Attest:/s/ Judy Wright, Clerk of the Board
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