February 11, 2019
The meeting was called to order at 8:40 by Commissioner Borner. Commissioner Berry was present. Commissioner Carlson will be late due to a meeting.
Pledge of Allegiance
Commissioner Berry made the motion to approve the Agenda. Commissioner Borner seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Carlson (when he joined the meeting) made the motion to approve the minutes from the February 4, 2019 meeting. Commissioner Borner seconded the motion. Motion carried. (Commissioner Berry was not present for the February 4, 2019 meeting, so could not approve them)
The Commissioners discussed the legislative watch. Commissioner Berry said that he talked to Tom Richmond regarding SB66 revise open cut mining, and was told that local government will not be charged fees. He is also going to talk to some new lobbyist about the bill while in Helena this week. Commissioner Borner talked about HB403 revised coal tax laws and SB191 allowing Counties to establish Coal Trust Funds. The Commissioners discussed having a public meeting for County taxpayer input on Signal Peak Mine getting another tax abatement for the next 10 years. There is a Legislative hearing on the February 19, 2019 at 9:00 and it is very important that at least 1 Musselshell County Commissioner be present to testify. Commissioner Borner wanted it noted that Commissioner Berry testified in the Legislature for SB66 and she did for the Reclamation & Development Grant. She also wanted it noted that her, Commissioner Carlson and Clerk & Recorder Cheryl Tomassi all drove to Helena together for the MACo conference. On February 14, 2019 they all met with Legislator Barry Usher and then the Secretary of States Office.
Wells Fargo Building- Commissioner Berry has heard nothing and will try to contact them again today.
Storage in Courtroom is on hold for now.
Steps at the Courthouse will most likely happen when the weather is better.
Maintenance Supervisor Jett met with the Commissioners. Ms. Jett asked the Commissioners about getting blinds on the big window in the Courthouse. The Commissioners said to leave the blinds off. We are still waiting on bids for working on the heat in the Courtroom and bids for the bathrooms at the County Complex.
County Agent Walter met with the Commissioners to let them know that he will be transferring and his last day is February 28, 2019.
Road and Bridge Supervisor Stockert and Secretary Kenner gave their weekly report to the Commissioners. There will be a site inspection on some of the FEMA property. Commissioner Borner is going to talk to MACo about the #4 Road alteration contract. Stahly Engineering sent everything into the Coal Board for the Farrel Bridge application to the Coal Board. Hopefully the pump replacement will be done by the end of the week.
Commissioner Carlson joined the meeting.
Accounting Supervisor Angel gave her weekly report. There needs to be a resolution to re-up the previous resolution regarding hours for health insurance coverage. It will be on the agenda next week. Ms. Angel told the Commissioners that they need to get a list of major conduit roads from the Montana Department of Transportation. Commissioner Borner asked Ms. Angel to get them a list for each department lost or received from coal gross proceeds.
Public Comment:
Mr. & Mrs. Greg Eiselein, Gary Thomas, Linda Yount, Bill Edwards and Deb Adolph were present to discuss the Musselshell Valley Community Foundation request which will be done after the 3:00 business.
No Public Comment.
Item #1 to discuss and vote on hiring an Engineering firm for the Central Commons structural issues was tabled. The Commissioners are waiting for a response from Collaborative Design. Item #2 to open and vote on bids for the bathroom repair at the County Complex until we get more bids.
Commissioner Borner wanted to discuss LLC1178 (now HB403) The Signal Peak Tax Abatement. Ms. Borner thinks we should have a public meeting to get tax payers aware of the Bill that will go before the Legislature for the 1st time on February 19, 2019 and find out what it means for Musselshell county and get input. Commissioner Berry agreed that the tax payer should be informed. Commissioner Berry said that from talks he has had the owner of the mine will fund the Signal Peak community Foundation “if” there is enough money. Ms. Yount asked what would happen to the money they already have? Commissioner Berry said that they will still have it they just will not get anymore funding. Mr. Thomas said that with all the environmental issues the mine might not be here anyway. (there will be a meeting at 10:30 February 15, 2019 at the Ambulance barn)
Commissioner Carlson made the motion to discuss doing a Resolution Approving the Montana Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant Program Contract. Commissioner Berry seconded the motion. Motion carried. This will be on next week’s agenda.
Ms. Yount and party were in to ask permission to put a bronze sculpture on the SW corner of the Courthouse lawn that the Musselshell Valley Community Foundation is putting in applications for a grant to fund. They are also asking for the County support. (there will be no tax dollars used for the project) Mr. Eiselein said that the sculpture is a historical memorial to Teddy Blue Abbott who was the rep. for the early day cattle people that he would like to gift the time and art to the Community. All of the Commissioner’s agreed and were in support.
January payroll – $124,209.72 Check # – 23546 –
January Claims – $261,331.64 Check 3 – 64465 – 64628
Meeting Closed
Last modified: July 30, 2019
