Commission Minutes – June 3 – June 7, 2024
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2024
8:30 AM CONVENE
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
8:30 AM BAKER LAKE & BERGSTROM HILL ROAD ON-SITE VISIT/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering; Jeremy Anderson, USACE Regulatory Project Manager; Sage Joyce, USACE Montana Program Manager
Met with USACE at Iron Horse Park. Surveyed Baker Lake; the waterfall, aerator, wetlands and the Upper Lake. Discussed progress on the Baker Lake restoration.
Moved to Bergstrom Hill Road. Explained intersection being a traffic hazard being as it is a short distance away from the top of a hill. USACE gathered samples of soil and plants to help determine where the wetlands are located along Bergstrom Hill Road.
Shannon will be sending an updated aerial photo to USACE for remapping of the wetlands.
11:25 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:35 AM SALARY DISCUSSION/ Julie Straub, HRM
Discussed changing job titles. Julie presented a report on an intermittent position; discussed speaking with the board and the employee about setting a schedule or changing the position in order to match the hours.
11:47 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:54 AM Commissioner Rost made the motion to recess. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENED
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
1:30 PM EPEDC UPDATES/ Terra Burman, EPEDC Executive Director; Teresea Olson, Community Development Specialist
This meeting has been rescheduled.
1:45 PM PERMISSION TO/ Julie Straub, HRM
1. Permission to renew Employee Assistance Program.
Commissioner Rost made the motion to renew the Employee Assistance Program. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Permission to hire Golf Course Seasonal Crew Hand/ Doug Varner, Interim Golf Course Superintendent
1:50 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
1:58 PM INSURANCE RENEWAL/ Jade Boggs, Insurance Store; Debbie Wyrick, Deputy Clerk & Recorder
Jade reached out to MACO and received confirmation from the reinsurance carrier, that they have no gun range exclusion. Increased concerns for law enforcement coverages for many insurance carriers was discussed.
Jade presented the Traveler’s Insurance quote for review. Jade explained premiums are based on the total expenditures. Discussed the cost increase and the fact deductibles will vary; $10,000 any loss and $25,000 for any wind related loss (per occurrence). Most other deductibles range from $5,000 to $10,000. June 18, 2024 is the renewal date. The Commission compared the two quotes and noted the quote from Traveler’s was the lowest.
Commissioner Braun made the motion to accept the quote from Traveler’s and renew the policy. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any discussion. Commissioner Rost discussed sending a letter to MACo, thanking them for quoting our insurance. Jade will also let MACo know of the decision made today. Commissioner Baldwin asked for further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
2:17 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
2:30 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve May 2024 End of Month Claims
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve May 2024 End of Month Claims for the amount of $175,943.11. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Approve May 2024 Payroll & Withholdings
Commissioner Braun made the motion to approve May 2024 Payroll & Withholdings for the amount of $624,732.87. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Approve May 27th – May 31st, 2024 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost made the motion to approve May 27th – 31st, 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.
4. Executive/Action Items:
5. Old Business as needed
a. Sign the Appraisal Engagement Letter for the Fallon County Man Camp.
b. GIS Mapping decisions.
6. Approve Fair Contracts (as needed)
7. Appointments/Resignations to various boards (as needed)
8. Review & Approve Approach/Encroachment Permits
9. Review Board Minutes/Agendas (Boards other than Commission)
10. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers (as needed)
11. E-mails/Correspondence
9. E-mails/Correspondence
4:00 PM Commissioner Braun made the motion to recess. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
RECESS
THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2024
7:00 AM RECONVENED
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
7:00 AM – ANNUAL TRAINING
10:33 AM FMC UPDATES/ Margorie Losing, CFO
Commissioner Rost was unable to attend the meeting. Margorie reported on Fallon Medical Complex’s financials. Updated on possible staffing for the Wibaux Clinic.
10:49 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:00 AM PERMISSION TO FINISH PROJECTS WITH FY24 BUDGET/ Lynda Herbst, Inside Custodial Supervisor
1. Carpet for City office.
Lynda presented a quote from Baker Furniture for replacing the carpet in the City’s office for the amount of $5,891.80 Permission granted.
2. Ceiling tiles in Mayor’s office.
Presented a quote from Wright Construction for replacing the ceiling tiles and insulation in the Mayor’s office for the amount of $1,660.00. Permission granted.
3. AC Unit outside.
Commission decided to wait until the upcoming fiscal budget to replace the AC unit.
11:05 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:07 AM EMS UPDATES/ Brittany Renner, EMS Program Manager
Brittany asked for an update on Ambulance #17; Commissioner Baldwin called Carl and reported that he is still rebuilding the plumbing of the ambulance manifold and should be done in about a week or so. Discussed setting up a meeting for an ambulance billing service. Brittany reported on ambulance run stats, trainings and current students. The current medical director retired from Wibaux; Brittany will meet with him for an update.
11:18 AM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
11:19 AM Commissioner Braun made the motion to recess. Chairman Baldwin stepped down to second the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 2 Ayes. 0 Nays. 1 Absent. (Commissioner Rost) The motion carried.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENED
PRESENT: Steve Baldwin, Chairman; Kevin Braun and Roy Rost, Members; Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
1:30 PM IT UPDATES/ Josh Lewis, System Administrator
Josh updated on a convention he recently attended; discussed procurement process through the State. Reported on museum, airport, landfill, and skate park cameras. Will ask Direct Electric for assistance with installing the bridge point at the golf course shop. Josh is working with Tyler to transition into the new server. Fixing phone issue in Dispatch; finished troubleshooting with Mid-Rivers. Started working with departments on setting up a budget for upgrading electronic equipment.
1:45 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
1:45 PM PARK TECHS BUDGET PLANNING/ Josh Lewis, System Administrator; Robbie Christiaens, Maintenance Supervisor
Josh updated on the installation of cameras for Iron Horse Park; Direct Electric finished installing multiple cables for the new camera systems. Presented a budget quote for next fiscal year’s projects. Will place new camera system in the same spot at the Splash Park until new location is situated. Discussed whether to start camera project this fiscal year or upcoming fiscal year; decided to replace all cameras in this fiscal year’s budget.
1:58 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
3:00 PM COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER DISCUSSION/ Angel Wyrwas; Mindi Murnion; Melissa Rost, Members of Fallon County Mental Health Council
Melissa asked about the public responses the Commission received regarding mental health. Discussed meeting with all the stakeholders that would be involved with the program. Discussed options for programs that provide mental health through the State, EMCHMC.
3:06 PM Mindi Murnion joined the meeting.
Discussed whether the County should create a department for mental health or if the County should hire a company to manage their own department within Fallon County. Angel reported on cost savings analyses. The Commission would like to pick a program where it is accessible to everyone, and no one will be turned away. Mindi updated on grants that could cover the deductible for patients that can’t pay; no one gets turned away. Commissioner Braun asked about financial liability in a lawsuit if the County creates the department. Debated whether to let the community vote for mental treatment or starting a program under the County’s discretion. Discussed putting in a line item for the community health program for the upcoming fiscal year. The Commission will attend the upcoming stakeholder meeting before making any final decisions.
3:56 PM Chairman Baldwin ended the discussion.
4:00 PM Commissioner Rost made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Braun seconded the motion. Commissioner Baldwin asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN
s/ Steve Baldwin, Chairman
s/ Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/ Brenda J. Wood, Clerk and Recorder
