January 2, 2018
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 by Clerk & Recorder Tomassi. Commissioner Goffena Borner and Berry were present(Mr. Berry was present via telephone). Nominations for Chairperson were opened. Commissioner Berry nominated Commissioner Goffena for Chairperson. Commissioner Borner seconded the nomination. No other nominations were made for Chairperson. Carried. Nominations for Vice- Chairperson were opened. Commissioner Berry nominated Commissioner Borner. Commissioner Goffena seconded the nomination. Carried. No other nominations were made for Vice- Chairperson. Nominations closed.
Shirley Marking from Accounting met with the Commissioners to set meeting dates for claims to be done. They will be: January 3, February 6, March 6, April 3, May 3, June 5, July 5, August 7, September 6, October 2, November 8, December 4 and January 3, 2019 for December claims.
The minutes from the December 26, 2017 meeting were reviewed and approved by all Commissioners.
Road and Bridge Supervisor Stockert and Secretary Kenner gave their weekly report to the Commissioners. There was a misunderstanding with pay checks and time sheets . As of January 2, 2018 the Road Department pay period starts on the 23 of the month and ends on the 22 of the month. The County Attorney will review documents regarding the County ROW on the Old RR Bridge near Goffena Road. Flex time and Comp time is going to be discussed at the Department Head Meeting on January 8. The road crew worked a lot over the weekend to make sure roads were getting cleared. They didn’t get to all of them but they are back at it today. Chuck Widdicomb visited with the Commissioners and Mr. Stockert about a possible new route for a bridge.
Sheriff Thomas gave his weekly report to the Commissioners. Snow removal of the parking lot at the Sheriff’s Office was discussed with Road and Bridge Supervisor Stockert. The Road Department will call so employees can move their vehicles, but the school bus routes are always a priority for snow removal. In an emergency, each department can hire someone to do snow removal.
DES Coordinator Carlson gave his weekly report to the Commissioners. Mr. Carlson gave all of the Commissioners a copy of the Roundup Reach Flood Mitigation Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis for review.
Public Comment:
Troy Evans, Patty & Brad Pfeiffer, Adam Carlson, Bill Milton, Steve Tyrell, Amy Angel, Tom Stockert Meriel Beck and Barb Halverson were present.
Brad Pfeiffer wanted to let the Commissioners know that he received a lot of calls once people learned of item #4 on the agenda regarding a policy on employees and social media and radio. Mr. Pfeiffer thinks that there is a major concern regarding communication and social media is the #1 way to communication and is key. Mr. Pfeiffer is concerned that changing a policy to where there has to be approval of what is said would effect when there is a fire and the news channels are present to report the incident. As the Fire Chief for Hawk Creek VFD, he would not be able to relay what is happening and that is not a good thing.
Road and Bridge Supervisor Stockert told the Commissioners that DES Coordinator Carlson is a big asset for the Road Department.
Weed Coordinator Beck told the Commissioners that the Weed District uses some social media and plans on using it more and if policy is going to be changes she wants to know why.
Troy Evans asked to entertain a question regarding why the change of Policy and what brought the change up? The Commissioners told Mr. Evans that this time is for public comments and the issue is on the 3:00 business agenda and will be discussed then. Mr. Evans told the Commissioners that he tunes in to DES Coordinators show on the radio often and finds it very informative and there is no speaking out of turn by Mr. Carson. Mr Evans thinks that the Commissioners should be on the radio and that they should not try to shut down communications or control in any manor.
Item #1 to discuss the Wireless Point to Point estimate submitted by High Point Networks and Adam Toombs was tabled until there is another estimate. Commissioner Berry is going to talk to Mid-Rivers to see what they can do also. Item #2 to sign the letter to The Melstone City Council regarding the Melstone Transfer Site was tabled until we get the letter and after the new Mayor is sworn in. Item #3 to consider seeking an engineers report on the scope & cost of the purposed Big Pond components was tabled until more information is gathered regarding water rights and Contract water. Item #4 to discuss adopting a policy regarding County Employees on Social Media and the radio was taken off the table because there already is a Policy Addendum in place. It needs to be clarified that Commissioner Berry’s main concern is that there should not be a paid employee as a spokesman on behalf of the County. The Commissioners are discussing meeting with DES Coordinator Carlson at the Monday meeting and then one or more of them will go on the radio to have better communications between the Commissioners office and the public. Social media and the radio are very important but the employee needs to work within their own jurisdiction.
Commissioner Borner made the motion to review and sign the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Environmental Quality and Musselshell County for the site investigation work at the Davis Mine/Meathouse Road site. Commissioner Berry seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Berry made the motion to sign Resolution 2018-1 raising the new mileage rates to 54.5 cents a mile. Commissioner Borner seconded the motion. Motion carried..
Commissioner Borner made the motion to sign Resolution 2018-2 naming the Legal Holidays that the Courthouse will be closed. Commissioner Berry seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Berry made the motion to sign Resolution 2018-3 establishing regular meeting dates of the Musselshell County Commission. Commissioner Borner seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Borner made the motion to sign Resolution 2018-4 establishing travel reimbursement rates for which County employees are eligible to be reimbursed at up to the federal room rate but not to exceed $93.00 plus tax per night. Commissioner Berry seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Borner made the motion to sign Resolution 2018-5 establishing the 2018 Elected Official Salary Compensation Board. Commissioner Berry seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Borner made the motion to sign resolution 2018-6 setting the fire season for the County of Musselshell for 2018. Commissioner Berry seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Borner made the motion to approve the accounting office closing out 3 grants for the Weed Department and transfer that money into another account. Commissioner Berry seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Steve Tyrrel told the Commissioners that the Conservation District is working on a program that addresses the County fuel load and fire hazzard and may bring revenue to the County. Also possibly getting an accredited school to possibly have a satellite campus for vocational training which would set a good demographic for good stable jobs.
There being no further business the motion was made to adjourn. Motion carried.
Last modified: January 10, 2018
