10 W Fallon Ave Baker, MT 59313
Fallon County of Montana

Commission Minutes – June 17 – June 21, 2024

Commission Minutes – June 17 – June 21, 2024

MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2024

9:00 AM CONVENE

PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Vice Chairman; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary

ABSENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Roy Rost, Member

FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

9:15 AM Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder; Brenda Wood, Clerk & Recorder; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk joined the meeting.

9:15 AM COUNTY CANVASS/ Darcy Wassmann, County Attorney, Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff; Kevin Braun, Commissioner

    Debbie went over the counting process and results from the main count and audit count. The audit count found a recording error, leading to an extra count being done to verify the final results. Discussed notifying the public; will make decision after canvassing ballots. Kevin read off the results while Darcy and Trenton cross-checked the canvass results; after the count has finished, all three signed the canvass forms. Decided not to notify public of error that was corrected due to it not affecting the end results of the election. Debbie asked if the Canvass Committee is requesting a recount of the ballots; the Committee decided not to do a recount.

10:08 AM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

                           RECESS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2024

9:00 AM CONVENE

PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Vice Chairman; Roy Rost, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary

ABSENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman

FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

9:00 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT

    No one appeared for Public Comment.

9:15 AM BAKER/PLEVNA TV DISTRICT EQUIPMENT & REPAIR QUOTE UPDATE/ Wayne Mangold and Amanda Frickel, TV District Members

    Wayne reported on TV Districts being able to use UHF frequencies as of June 1st. Cantilio proposed upgrading some VHF equipment to UHF equipment. The federal government will open a bid for UHF frequency channels 13-39 on August 20th. Cantilio would be able to start the equipment upgrades now at no extra cost, if the Commission agrees. Commissioner Braun asked how this would affect the end user and their programs. Wayne stated that the antennas that he has been installing are compatible with both VHF and UHF frequencies, so there should be no affect to users. Equipment would change in Plevna and Brackett Butte would be the prime hub. Separate bid to add an additional channel for $6,000 sometime in the next three years. Cantilio would submit a spec change for the new equipment.

Commissioner Rost made the motion to allow Cantilio to submit a spec change for upgrading the broadcasting equipment at no extra cost. Vice Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Baldwin) The motion carried.

    Cantilio plans on beginning the upgrades sometime in July.

9:24 AM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

10:00 AM ROAD & SHOP UPDATES/ Bobby Wiedmer, Road Superintendent; Mitch Overn/Carl Overland, Shop Mechanics

    Mitch updated on preparing chipping equipment. Carl updated on county vehicle maintenance. All the blades are out. Finished filling the Baker Fire Department’s extra lot last week. Bobby is contacting Wyrick Construction about hot mix, will start chip sealing around July 9th. Discussed maintenance needed for the cemetery pickup and trailer.

    1. FY25 Road Department Budget Meeting/ Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk

        Reviewed submitted budget; discussed replacing two blades and the Road Superintendent’s pickup. Discussed Bergstrom Hill Road project rolling over into the FY25 budget.

10:20 AM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

10:30 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering

    Shannon was unable to attend the meeting.

10:30 AM DISCUSSION/DECISION ON GIS ROAD MAPPING/ Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk; Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering

     Cindy reported that the road names on the GIS Road Map program do not match the road names in the 911 Address book. Discussed which reference to correct; Cindy will determine which reference is more accurate.

10:45 AM Mandi Varner joined the meeting as a member of the public.

    Discussed road definitions.

11:00 AM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

11:30 AM Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder has joined the meeting.

11:30 AM DISCUSSION ON .GOV DOMAIN WITH ELECTION/ Josh Lewis, System Administrator

     Josh reported that the County will eventually have to move to the .gov domain for security purposes, and Elections has funding opportunities if the County is migrated under the .gov domain. Discussed difficulty with future insurance coverage and grants without the domain. The funding application deadline is September 30th. Josh recommends applying soon due to a delay in processing the domain. Commissioner Braun asked who in the State level is responsible for issues involved with the domain. Josh stated that GoDaddy would be handling the security involved with the .gov domain. Would prefer to migrate the website and some office emails to .gov and slowly transition the rest of the emails. Discussed other services that require the domain change; Fallon County would be eligible to apply for tabulators to use during elections. Decision will be made Tuesday, June 26th.

     1. System Administrator (IT) FY25 Budget Meeting/ Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk

         Reviewed submitted budget; discussed meeting with Clint Townsend, Townsend Computers about contract services.

12:11 PM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

12:11 PM Commissioner Rost made the motion to recess. Vice Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Baldwin) The motion carried.

                           NOON RECESS

1:15 PM RECONVENED

PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Vice Chairman; Roy Rost, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary

ABSENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman

FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT

    Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering reported on the finished asphalt at the Parkview parking lots. Updated on scoria pit measurements and wetland surveys.

1:30 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann

    1. Review Application for Burial Assistance

         Discussed process of vetting an individual through the updated burial application.

    2. Baker Senior Center transfer of ownership/lease.

         Darcy will include insurance clause, subleasing, and rental amount to the drafted lease. The Commission will wait for Carla to review the warranty deed and lease before making a final decision.

    3. Agricultural easement for Randy Tunby.

         There was no discussion at this time.

    4. Resolution for Fair Board reimbursement.

         Discussed reimbursement language for the fair board members.

    5. Grazing Districts

         There was no discussion at this time.

2:04 PM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

2:09 PM CLASSIFICATION ON AIRPORT ASSISTANT MANAGER/ Roger Meggers, Airport Manager; Darin Meggers, Assistant Airport Manager; Airport Board Members; Julie Straub, HRM

    Dale Hinton and Dennis Twedt attended the meeting. Julie explained how the position used to be part-time but was changed to intermittent. Discussed Darin’s role of assisting and how his help is being requested every day. Roger stated that he and Darin work simultaneously more often now that the airport has expanded, resulting in more work; mowing, snow plowing, airport hangar.

2:23 PM Mandi Varner joined the meeting as a member of the public.

    Julie will ask for Darcy’s legal opinion on the intermittent employee classification due to Roger not being a regularly scheduled work force. Commissioner Rost recommended to Darin to specify the sporadic hours on his time sheet for the July pay period for clarification. Clarified that Roger can assign daily work to Darin, but the Airport Board supervises him. Will discuss further after July 24th.

2:31 PM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

2:31 PM AIRPORT FY25 BUDGET MEETING/ Roger Meggers, Airport Manager; Darin Meggers, Assistant Airport Manager; Airport Board Members; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk

     Reviewed submitted budget; discussed applying FAA funds towards upcoming projects.

3:07 PM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

3:09 PM LANDFILL PLANNING/ Jeff Frank, Manager of Landfill Operations

     There was no discussion at this time.

     1. FY25 Landfill Budget Meeting/ Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk

         Reviewed submitted budget; discussed setting aside money for the possible expansion of the landfill in the far future. Discussed adjusting rates for non-residents at the landfill.

3:30 PM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

3:30 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION

   1. Approve June 10th – June 14th, 2024 Commission Minutes

Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the June 10th – 14th, 2024 Commission Minutes. Vice Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Baldwin) The motion carried.

    2. Approval of June 2024 Mid-Month Claims

Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve June 2024 Mid-Month Claims for the amount of $361,309.31. Vice Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Baldwin) The motion carried.

    3. Executive/Action Items:

        a. Discussion on Road Department hours/ Christa Alford, Payroll Clerk; Julie Straub, HRM

            Discussed setting Road Department hours and explaining vacation/sick leave usage.

        b. Approve Cooperative Fire Support Agreement between Fallon County and the State of Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Eastern Land Office

        c. Adopt Resolution #1131 to Aggregate Fallon County Certificate of Surveys.

Commissioner Rost made the motion to adopt Resolution #1131. Vice Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Baldwin) The motion carried.

        d. Approval of Turf Solutions LLC quote on greens fertilizer.

Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve the Turf Solutions LLC quote for the amount of $3,972.50. Vice Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Baldwin) The motion carried.

         e. Approval of Application for Burial Assistance.

             No motion was made to approve the application for burial assistance.

         f. Sign the Noxious Weed Trust Fund Project Grant Agreement.

           Vice Chairman Braun signed the agreement as of today.

    4. Old Business as needed

        a. Award Parkview Retirement Complex Cleaning Bid.

Commissioner Rost made the motion to award the Parkview and Public Health Cleaning Services Bid to Heather Havens, the only bid submitted. Vice Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Baldwin) The motion carried.

    5. Approve Fair Contracts (as needed)

        Vice Chairman Braun signed the Dino Refuge Addendum as of today.

    6. Appointments/Resignations to various boards (as needed)

Commissioner Rost made the motion to appoint Dustan Gundlach to the Lake Advisory Board and Lance Kono to the Noxious Weed Board. Vice Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Baldwin) The motion carried.

    7. Review & Approve Approach/Encroachment Permits

    8. Review Board Minutes/Agendas (Boards other than Commission)

    9. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers (as needed)

    10. E-mails/Correspondence 

4:58 PM Commissioner Rost made the motion to recess. Vice Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Baldwin) The motion carried.

                           RECESS

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2024

10:15 AM CONVENE

PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Vice Chairman; Roy Rost, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary

ABSENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman

FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

10:15 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT

    No one appeared for Public Comment.

10:30 AM HUMAN RESOURCES & SAFETY COMMITTEE FY25 BUDGET MEETING/ Julie Straub, HRM; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk

    Reviewed submitted budget; discussed milestone awards/plaques for employees.

10:58 AM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

11:00 AM LIBRARY FY25 BUDGET MEETING/ Beth Meggers, Director of Library Services; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk

    Reviewed submitted budget; discussed library roof repairs and painting.

11:08 AM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

11:30 AM Carl, Overland joined the meeting.

11:30 AM SHOOTING RANGE FY25 BUDGET MEETING/ Jim Leischner, Shooting Range Manager; Shane Bettenhausen, Shoot Match Supervisor; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk

    Shane was unable to attend the meeting. Reviewed submitted budget; discussed laying scoria for the entire shooting range.

11:48 AM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

12:01 AM Commissioner Rost made the motion to recess. Vice Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Baldwin) The motion carried.

                           NOON RECESS

1:15 PM RECONVENED

PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Vice Chairman; Roy Rost, Member; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary

ABSENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman

FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

1:45 PM COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT FY25 BUDGET MEETING/ Don Schillinger, County Superintendent

    Reviewed submitted budget.

1:49 PM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

1:55 PM EMS FY25 BUDGET MEETING/ Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk

    Reviewed submitted budget; discussed clarification needed on the SoleStone reimbursement services.

2:10 PM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

2:31 PM INSIDE BUILDING MAINTENANCE FY25 BUDGET MEETING/ Lynda Herbst, Inside Custodial Supervisor; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk

    Reviewed submitted budget and upcoming projects for the Courthouse. Upcoming maintenance/projects will be replacing the AC unit, the lighting in the Courthouse and the carpet in the Justice of the Peace office.

2:58 PM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

3:00 PM FAIR FY25 BUDGET MEETING/ Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager; Fair Board Members; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk

    Derrick deHaan joined the meeting. Reviewed submitted budget; discussed installing a reader board, will wait for Commissioner Baldwin’s opinion.

3:28 PM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

3:30PM Amanda Frickel, Weed Board Member joined the meeting.

3:30 PM WEED FY25 BUDGET MEETING/ Sara Berger, Weed Control Coordinator; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk

    Reviewed submitted budget.

3:32 PM Bev Burgduff, Weed Board Member joined the meeting.

3:35 PM Dave Kirschten, Weed Board Member joined the meeting.

    Discussed setting a rotation schedule for replacing side-by-sides.

3:45 PM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

3:57 PM DISPATCH FY25 BUDGET MEETING/ Brenda Hoeger, Emergency Communications Supervisor; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk

    Review submitted budget; discussed replacing monitors meant for watching the jail.

4:11 PM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

4:13 PM Mandi Varner, member of the public left the meeting.

4:26 PM COUNCIL ON AGING FY25 BUDGET MEETING/ Carla Brown, Council on Aging Director; Kimberly Jensen, AP Clerk

    Review submitted budget; discussed setting up a separate budget for the Senior Center buildings.

4:46 PM Vice Chairman Braun ended the discussion.

4:47 PM Commissioner Rost made the motion to adjourn. Vice Chairman Braun stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent (Commissioner Baldwin) The motion carried.

ADJOURN

                                                                                                s/ Kevin J. Braun, Vice Chairman

s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary

ATTEST:

s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder