February 10, 2023 Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 by Commissioner Turley. Commissioner Pancratz was present. Commissioner Goffena was absent for the day.
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 February 3, 2023 minutes as written. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion. Motion carried.
February 7, 2023 Commissioner Pancratz and Turley were present for virtual testimony against House Bill (HB) 328. HB328 will require that all public meetings including school board meeting must be video and audio taped and within 3 days of subject meeting, to be posted on official website for public review. This bill is presented by Representative Barker from Carbon County and Representative Tony Brockman of Kalispell. Rep Brockman is a digital recording system salesman. Rob Watson of the Coalition of Public Schools supported HB328. Discussed transparency and liability reduction of this bill. Neither house member are Montana natives. Any district with less than a thousand members is except under this bill. Many websites are available for such recording even by phone. Technical difficulties that prevent recording must be made by public notice.
Musselshell County opposes this bill primarily because it is an unfunded mandate and they want to keep it at a local level, as does Montana Association of Counties (MACO).
Others opposed:
Jason Strouf, Custer County Commissioner
Montana League of Cities and Towns
Lewis and Clark County Commission
Joette Woots Liberty County Commission
Mike McGinley Beaverhead County Commissioner
Tyrel Hamilton Stillwater County Commissioner
Daniel Farr Northeast Montana Schools
Dan Ellison Jefferson County Commissioner
Larry Hendrickson County Commissioner
Larry Ross Fallon County commissioner
Shelby Demars Oil Gas and Coal County Commissioner
Jason Rittal MACO
George Real Bird Big Horn County Commissioner
Jennifer Saunders Fergus County Commissioner
Roman Zywaly Mineral County Commissioner and MACO President
Robert Pancratz Musselshell County Commissioner
Fallon County IT Administrator
Todd Devlin Fallon County Commissioner
February 8, 2023 all Commissioners attended a Mitigation TEAMS meeting with DES & FEMA regarding clarification on what can be done with the Bair Collins area of the last FEMA buyout. Especially clarification on the gravel that is in the area. Specific questions were sent to FEMA.
February 9, 2023 all Commissioners attended the Roundup Community Partners (RCP) meeting. It was a general meeting to catch up.
Commissioner Turley attended a Bull Mountain Land Owners Association meeting.
Pam Walling with MACo met with the Commissioners to go over the Renewal Rates for Employee Medical Plans. There is an 11.4% increase. Ms. Walling will return on March 3, 2023 to see what plans the Commissioners decide on.
Sheriff Lesnik gave his weekly report to the Commissioners. There are going to be 3 people entering the Reserve Deputy Program. Under Sheriff Bednar is going for a grant for platforms for patrol vehicles. Visa issues were discussed.
County Attorney Larsen met with the Commissioners.
DES Director Russell and Coordinator Rook gave their weekly reports to the Commissioners. Mr. Russell sent a letter to the State Hazard Mitigation Officer regarding questions regarding the Bair Collins property. They have received a request for information from the Floodplain Coordinator regarding the Roundup Mesa Water District. The Parrott Creek Ranch is installing a 8500 gallon tender fill station on the ranch the VFD will have access to. Mr. Russell is checking Yellowstone Counties GIS system for maps.
Jeff Bollman and Jeff Brown with DNRC met with the Commissioners to give an update before the fire season starts. All County documents for the Co-op are in. It’s very important for the Fire Chiefs to get their reports in as soon as possible, that’s how they get their funding. There is a big need for prescribed burns to help with fire mitigation. The Commissioners told them they highly support the DNRC Co-operative effort in fire prevention and fire suppression, and to not hesitate in contacting Musselshell County regarding any issue surrounding fire prevention and suppression.
There was no public comment for the Determination that an Environmental Exclusion is appropriate for the purchase of 2 belly dump trailers for the Road Department.
There was no public comment on several budget amendments.
Public comment:
Monty Sealey and Ken Naylor were present and discussed the title insurance that may be needed to get the Roundup Mesa Area into the Central Montana Regional Water Authority project. Mr. Sealey will talk to County Attorney Larsen about the issue.
Theresa Doumitt was present to discuss the Montana Frontier Sandstone Invoice with the Commissioners.
End of public Comment.
Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign Certificate of Survey 2023-3 amending Certificate of Survey 2023-1 in Section 7, Township 9 North, Range 29 East, Tracts 1A & 1B. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign Certificate of Survey 2023-4 in Section 25, Township 6 North, Range 26 East, to create an Agricultural Tract. Submitted by Signal Peak Energy. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign the Coal Impact Grant Environmental Checklist for the 2 belly dump trailers for the Road Department. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign Resolution 2023-8 Determining that an Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Statements are not necessary for the Coal Board Grant Application for 2 belly dump trailers for the Road Department. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Lura Pitman from the Roundup Record met with the Commissioners to schedule their February interview.
Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1051 transferring partial Coal Proceeds to individual Fire Departments
Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1052 to transfer monies from 4046 that have been there several years for the 2340 UTV fund per Justin Russell.
Last modified: February 17, 2023
