November 18, 2019
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 by Commissioner Borner. Commissioner Berry and Commissioner Carlson were present.
Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Carlson made the motion to approve the agenda. Commissioner Berry seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The minutes from the November 12, 2019 meeting were approved by all Commissioners.
Commissioner Berry had no board meetings but there is a Hospital board meeting this week.
Commissioner Carlson had no board meetings.
Commissioner Borner had a Central Montana Health District meeting and everything is going well. They received 100% on inspections in all 6 Counties and they are working on new fee schedules. Commissioner Borner also had an HRDC meeting and they are excited that after a few years they have been funded for adult education and will be meeting every Tuesday at the Musselshell County Central Commons. Commissioner Borner has a Mental Health meeting on Friday November 22, 2019.
The Commissioners were given a draft of the Refuse District by-laws for review.
Old Business.
They have been working on the Extension Office repair but the grand stands at the fairgrounds probably won’t be painted until next year.
They are still working on the counties next move for the Floodplain violation.
There are no updates this week regarding the policy for claims or the Accounting Audit.
They are getting more information about the step repair at the Sheriff’s Office.
Commissioner Borner had a webinar about the Recreational Trails Programs Grant and she thinks it will cover vaulted latrines at Cowbells Campground and the west entrance to the walking trails.
Maintenance Supervisor Jett gave her weekly report to the Commissioners. The heat is fixed at the County Complex and the drain is fixed at the Commons. Ms. Jett will be contacting ServePro regarding a register in the Courtroom.
Road Secretary Kenner gave her weekly report to the Commissioners. They received $1850.00 from MACo Trust Loss Control to be put in the Safety Committee Fund. Thank you to Ron Manderfeld and the Safety Committee members for their hard work and also Road and Bridge Supervisor Stockert for his support in allowing the time from his department to address the safety issues of the County. For the #4 Road alteration the Commissioners will ask County Attorney Peterson if he will do a letter to be signed by all land owners for that particular parcel dedicating the land to Musselshell County for an easement. If he will not do a letter, they will have to hire an outside attorney. The cost was discussed and if the money spent is comparable to an easement? Commissioner Berry would prefer the land owners all do a letter but is ok with having a lawyer send one. Commissioner Carlson would like a time frame if they have to hire out and said that in 2016 FEMA values the loss of life due to an emergency at 1.6 million dollars for 1 life lost. The Montana Department of Labor and Industry inspected the main shop, storage area and fuel shed there were 4 infractions and they have been remedied. Today they are continuing work on Johnson, starting blading on Eagle Rock and Fattig Creek. There were requests for blading on #4 Road and 4 Mile and they will work on getting to them. There are a few of the crew that have schooling today for safety feast and defensive driving. Western Road was put on the “Road Improvement List”. Commissioner Carlson said there was a call regarding Chandler Road.
Kathy Thompson with Stahly Engineering called into the Commissioners with an update on the Goffena Road Bridge Project with Montana Department of Transportation. MDOT has proposals out for a consultant. Stahly is putting a package together to send to them. The proposal is due November 26, 2019 to be selected on December 6, 2019. They are getting permits together for Farrel Bridge since it is considered historical and will hopefully have a start time of summer or fall of next year.
DES Coordinator Harper and Fisher gave their weekly report to the Commissioners. They are working on a budget amendment/scope of work change for the FEMA projects. The Billings Swat Team was at the buyout projects doing training last week and are continuing training today. Closed bids for demolition of the FEMA buyout properties are due by 3:00 on November 25, 2019 and will be opened during 3:00 business
County Agent Fosjord gave her weekly report to the Commissioners. The budget was discussed. Ms. Fosjord will call ServePro regarding some work that needs done from the hail damage. Dirt is needed in the horse barn at the fairgrounds. There was some work done in it and now there are a lot of big rock that need removed. Ms. Fosjord is waiting on a return call from the person that did the work. The Commissioners suggested she also talk to the Court Compliance Officer to see if there is anyone doing community service that could help with the situation. Commissioner Borner updated Ms. Fosjord on the Recreational Trails Grant. Ms. Fosjord is going to be having a Winter Readiness Workshop on December 5th and 11th. Bids for the soap stone stove are due in by November 25, 2019.
Ambulance Director Solberg met with the Commissioners regarding a personnel issue.
Public Comment:
Joe Stahl, Bob Price and Bruce Hoiland were present.
All of the gentlemen voiced their concerned about their taxes being raised.
The Commissioners told them that they went off of the recommendation of the Department of Administration. With the help of the DOA, the County has been adjusting the Accounting Department and have had to hire new auditors to do the audits for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. The State has ended the contract with the auditor that was hired to do the 2015 audits and we have not received it yet.
Mr. Stahl asked about the status of the FEMA buyout and the Goffena Bridge project. Commissioner Carlson said in kind matches have been submitted to FEMA and they are working on an amendment to the scope of work. Commissioner Borner told Mr. Stahl about the conference call with Stahly Engineering earlier in the day regarding Goffena Bridge.
Item #1 to review the Preliminary Access Plan from Fish Wildlife and Parks was tabled until a new copy can be sent to the Commissioners. Commissioner Berry made the motion to table. Commissioner Carlson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Commissioner Berry made the motion to review and sign Resolution 2019-27 resolving the interest of the County to participate in the Snowy Mountain Development Corporation. Commissioner Carlson seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Berry would like to wait to see how much it is to participate. Commissioner Borner told him it is the same as last year it is just the annual dues. All in favor of signing? Commissioner Carlson said Aye. Commissioner Berry said nay. Commissioner Borner said aye. Motion carried.
Commissioner Berry made the motion to review and sign the Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for Construction Programs Form for roundup Airport, submitted by Interstate Engineering. Commissioner Carlson seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Berry said that he spoke with Airport Manager Kelly Gebhardt and he said everything looked good. All in favor? Commissioner Berry and Commissioner Carlson said aye. Motion carried.
Commissioner Berry made the motion to review and sign the Federal Financial Report for Roundup Airport, submitted by Interstate Engineering. Commissioner Carlson seconded the motion. All in favor? Commissioner Berry and Commissioner Carlson said aye. Motion carried.
Commissioner Berry made the motion to review and sign the letter to the Montana Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division for the Airport Capital Improvement Plan and the Improvement Plan Checklist. Submitted by Interstate Engineering. Commissioner Carlson seconded the motion. All in favor? Commissioner Berry and Commissioner Carlson said aye. Motion carried.
Commissioner Carlson made the motion to review and sign the Oil & Gas Lease for Township 10 North, Range 31 East, Section 5 and Township 11 North, Range 31 East Sections 31, 32 & 33, submitted by 1889 Energy Group, LLC. Commissioner Berry seconded the motion for discussion. Commissioner Berry wants to get competitive bids. The question was asked of how we would do that and who would we call. Commissioner Carlson made the motion to sign the lease. Commissioner Borner seconded the motion. All in favor? Commissioner Carlson said aye. Commissioner Berry said nay. Commissioner Borner said aye. Motion carried.
Commissioner Carlson made the motion to discuss and vote on giving Christmas bonuses to County Employees. Commissioner Berry seconded the motion. All commissioners were in favor of giving a bonus. All in favor? Commissioner Berry and Commissioner Carlson said aye. Motion carried.
Ambulance Director Solberg met with the Commissioners to give them a report from Morrison and Maierle on pricing of software. Morrison and Maierle and Mr. Solberg will be meeting sometime this week.
There being no further business the motion was made to adjourn at 4:25. Motion carried.
Last modified: November 27, 2019
