May 7, 2021
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 by Commissioner Goffena. Commissioner Turley and Commissioner Pancratz were present.
County Attorney Peterson met with the Commissioners to discuss the Water Court response for Half Breed Creek and the Riverside area water rights.
Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to approve the agenda for the day as is. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Turley made the motion to approve the minutes from the April 30, 2021 meeting with a minor adjustment regarding the McCleary Distributing bill for the Refuse. “The issue has been resolved”. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion as amended.
Commissioner Turley had a Hospital Board meeting Thursday April 29, 2021 and reported as follows:
Meeting Minutes
Roundup Memorial Hospital
Commissioner Turley attended a recent Roundup Memorial Hospital (RMH) Board meeting with a very uplifting report. RMH received a Trauma center upgrade in excess of expectations. Teresa Doumitt has secured approximately 3.7 million grant funds for hospital improvements, and remains committed to additional Roundup grant funding. Monthly normal operations are financially tight nonetheless positive. Hospital phone systems were found to be need of upgrade given privacy requirements and emergency call shortfalls. It is therefore essential to upgrade Phones and IT systems. Funding maybe allowed under the most recent Covid Bill with earmarked funds for rural hospitals. Dave Ligget indicated that Hospital District Board has also maintained approximately $650,000. Roundup Memorial Hospital has 100% employee and resident covid vaccination, and is moving forward with more normal visitation and patient care in light of sustained Covid reduction. Nonetheless, there is concern that only 30% of Montana and only 20% of Musselshell county residents have been vaccinated. This situation will be monitored.
The upgrades and funding noted above to such a small rural hospital are of special note and very important to Musselshell county and Roundup.
Maintenance Supervisor Jett gave her weekly report to the Commissioners. They need to find out who all has been using the mower. Ms. Jett found barbed wire wrapped around the belt, big pine branches broken off inside, a flat tire and there was no oil in it. They will look at the budget to see if she can get a new one. A window was broken at the Commons. A deputy advised Ms. Jett to put up “No Trespassing” signs. This way, if a deputy sees anyone around the building, they can tell them to leave.
Paul Santavy with The Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) and Todd Anderson met with the Commissioners to discuss the Federal Land Access Program and Lake Mason. The FWS are working on purchasing 1,500 acres from Mr. Anderson to increase the Bird Wildlife Refuge. Sheriff Lesnik joined the meeting. Mr. Santavy said County approval isn’t required, they were just letting them know. They will be getting a draft of the plan they hope to release in approximately 6 months. They hope to open the North Side of the refuge and gravel all the way to the lake.
Sheriff Lesnik gave his weekly report. There was a private discussion. The new speed limit signs have mostly complimentary reviews.
DES Coordinator Harper and Fire Warden Russell gave their weekly report to the Commissioners. The Army Corps of Engineers finally approved the permits for the Farrell Bridge Project. The MDT Highway 12 bank stabilization project phase 1 is almost complete. The Floodplain Permit for phase 2 is under review from the County & State. Fire Warden Russell said that burning is open but weather is constantly being monitored. The Staff Station paper work is all in and Musselshell County should be getting a new fire truck by June. Good job Mr. Russell. Mr. Russell would like to set up meeting with the Auditor and the Fire Chiefs regarding their budgets. There were 4 addresses issued last week. The new seasonal employee for Rural Addressing, Darren Rook, will start Monday May 10, 2021.
Treasurer Hetrick gave her weekly report to the Commissioners. Ms. Hetrick gave the Commissioners the Mobile Home tax write off list and they have 30 days to let her know if they want her to write them off or not. The need to look for someone to contract with us for the Superintendent of Schools position.
Brad Marking met with the Commissioners to discuss setting up a meeting with other parties to discuss the 4th of July events. They will be meeting on Thursday May 13, 2021 at 3:00.
Public Comment:
No Public Comment.
Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign Resolution 2021-13 requesting prosecutorial assistance from the Attorney General in the case of the State v. Bradley Elkins submitted by Attorney Kevin Peterson. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Turley made the motion to sign Resolution 2021-14 Ordering the County Treasurer to Issue Tax Deeds. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign Draw Down request #1 for the Farrell Street Bridge Project MT-CB-CG-19-0865 in the amount of $17,516.00 submitted by Stahly Engineering. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Turley made the motion to sign Certificate of Survey 2021-5 Retracing a Right-of-Way in the N2 of Section 1, Township 8 North, Range 27 East, and in the S2 of Section 35, Township 9 North, Range 27 East submitted by Dowl for the Montana Department of Transportation.
There being no further business Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Goffena and Commissioner Turley did the first run of claims for May on May 6, 2021.
Claims = $167,648.86
Last modified: June 7, 2021
