Commission Minutes – July 8 – July 12, 2024
MONDAY, JULY 8, 2024
9:00 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
The Pledge of Allegiance was held in the Commissioner’s Office to start off the week.
9:00 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
Mindi Murnion joined the meeting as a member of the public. Mindi asked if there were any ordinances against shooting fireworks after the fourth. There are no state laws ordinances that tell the County they can set that rule. The County will ask Darcy for further guidance.
9:13 AM BAKER CHAMBER UPDATES / Marissa Gundlach, Executive Director; Alissa Miller, Chamber President
Introduced the new Chamber Executive Director, Marissa Gundlach. Currently moved into the Visitor Center. Marissa will be taking over the Recreation Department for now, will be re-evaluate in September. Commissioner Braun reported on signing the EMEDA transfer. Alissa updated upcoming events and programs.
9:24 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
9:44 AM PERMISSION TO HIRE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT / Julie Straub, HRM
Julie asked for formal permission to hire Hunter Grover for the Golf Course Superintendent position. Commissioner Braun added for clarification that Hunter would be on probation for a year.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to hire Hunter Grover as the Golf Course Superintendent. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Braun stated that Hunter will be working under Doug Varner for the duration of this golf season.
9:46 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
9:57 AM ROAD & SHOP UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn/Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics
Mitch updated on golf course mower maintenance and fairgrounds ranger radiator repair. Carl updated on county vehicle maintenance. Discussed pad at the fairgrounds; in order to avoid drainage from affecting electrical, there will be a four to six feet wide drainage placed between the buildings. Tuesday and Wednesday the Road Department will be chip and sealing; discussed hot mix supply for Plevna. Updated on scoria pit closures, waiting on notaries. Carl will be retrieving the trailer for the cemetery sometime this week; discussed other cemetery equipment.
10:10 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:30 AM GOLF COURSE pH MONITORING QUOTE APPROVAL; INSTALL & BUILDING/ Richard Menger, Sanitarian
Discussed pH monitoring equipment and chemical shed.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the PTI quote for the amount of $4,727.00. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
10:36 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:48 AM EXTENSION & 4-H UPDATES/ David Kirschten, Extension Agent
Reported on nitrate testing. Updated on poison hemlock around the lagoon; will determine who owns the property around the lagoon before spraying. In the process of updating websites/material from Fallon-Carter to only Fallon. David updated on his adjustment to his new position.
10:56 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:00 AM PERMISSION TO RUN FAIRGROUNDS SKID STEER DURING 4-H EVENT/ Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager; David Kirschten, Extension Agent
Discussed updating the fairgrounds equipment operators list, removing Kevin Hill and adding David Kirschten.
11:01 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:01 AM FAIRGROUNDS UPDATES/ Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager
Discussed drainage and location of pedestals electrical boxes; Jennefer was told that was as close as the trencher could go. Will put up panels across the open area and turn it into a vendor area. Updated on speaker system in the indoor arena; decided to go wireless for the microphone for easier maintenance. Johnson Controls will be coming out today to fix the module.
11:10 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:28 AM CITY OF BAKER UPDATES/ Steve Zachmann, Mayor-City of Baker
Reported on street repairs; regrading RV pump parking lot and relocating the pump. Discussed firework complaints. Reported on providing drawings of City standards for modifying sidewalks.
11:35 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:35 AM EMEDA-DUMPSTER DISCUSSION/DECISION; WIDENING TEXAS AVENUE/ Steve Zachmann, EMEDA President
Updated on childcare facilities progress. Reported on widening Texas Avenue the full length; presented a quote from Brosz Engineering for the proposed county portion (from the alley, westward to Lake Drive) for the amount of $40,366.00 and $4,345.00 for 11% of the mobilization, not including the cost for sidewalk. Asked to borrow a roll-away garbage container for the construction of the childcare facilities, estimated time could be the end of August. The Commission will check availability of a dumpster. Commissioner Rost asked if the City would be contributing to widening the street. Steve stated that as the developer, EMEDA has not asked the City to contribute being as its County property; Commissioner Rost stated that the City also owns land along Texas Avenue, and believes that EMEDA should ask the City to help out on their part too.
11:49 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion. Recessed until 2:00 PM.
NOON RECESS
2:00 PM RECONVENED
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
2:00 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
2:15 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve July 1st – 5th, 2024 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve July 1st– July 5th, 2024 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Executive/Action Items:
a. Decision/Sign Montana Wool Growers Memorandum of Understanding.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the Montana Wool Growers MOU as presented. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
2:39 PM Recessed momentarily to view a trailer.
b. Decision/Landfill excavator quote.
Discussed budgeting for the excavator in Solid Waste Capitol Improvement.
3. Old Business as needed
a. Application for Burial Assistance
Discussed keeping current policy as is.
b. Discussion on road policy.
There was no discussion at this time.
c. FY25 Budget questions (if any)
4. Review Board Minutes/Agendas (Boards other than Commission)
5. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers (as needed)
2:44 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion will recess until Tuesday at 9:00 AM
3:00 PM UPDATE OF FOOD FOREST/ Lacey Berg
This meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, July 15th.
RECESS
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 2024
9:00 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
9:00 AM DNRC WATER RIGHTS PREAPPLICATION MEETING – VIA ZOOM/ Mark Elison, DNRC; Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian
DNRC staff Veronica Corbett, Casey Strebeck; Chris Schweigert joined the meeting. Reviewed and filled out the preapplication form regarding water rights for the irrigation water to the golf course pond.
10:00 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
10:05 AM GOLF COURSE IRRIGATION TESTING WALKTHROUGH/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Nick, Brosz Engineering; Rich Menger, Sanitarian; Hunter Grover, Golf Course Superintendent
The Commission went to the lagoon for the testing walkthrough.
10:05 AM Commissioner Rost made the motion to adjourn after the field meeting. Chairman Baldwin stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Braun went to pick up Doug and Hunter). The motion carried.
ADJOURN
s/ Steve Baldwin, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
