CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

12-20-2021

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, December 20, 2021, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Steve Rosencranz, Chairman; Rod Tauck, Vice Chair and Mike Watkins, Member; were present.

The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m.

There was no public comment.

Commission proceedings for December 9th and 13th were approved with corrections with a motion by Commissioner Tauck and seconded by commissioner Watkins. There was no public comment and the motion carried unanimously.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

There was review and discussion of the Carter County Management’s Discussion and Analysis Document. This is a summary of the Carter County financial activities for fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.

OAC (Owner, Architect, Contractor) meeting.

Call in: Cody Taggart and John Neisner of Scull Construction. Scott Cromwell and Kelly Axtman, Slate Architect. In person: Ryan Tooke, Dahl Memorial CEO, Pam Castleberry, Clerk and Recorder and Georgia Bruski, DES Coordinator.

Contractor Items: the dining room lights have been lowered as per the state inspector. The ER garage door wiring, and chain have been installed and adjusted. The Decontamination floor leveling is complete.

Cody completed the close out documents into on PDF file that he will send to Slate, The County and Dahl Memorial.

Dahl Memorial maintenance, Scott Elmore is working with Nor Pac to make sure the heating issues are resolved. Ryan requested that the Scull Construction look into 3 issues; the door between the courtyard and the dining room has gaps between the frame and the door. The area between the first story and the second (ceiling tiles and the floor of the second story) is very cold. The windows are drafty when the wind blows.

The ER garage door antennas have been shipped to Dahl Memorial for the maintenance department to install. John Neisner and Scott Cromwell will look into the Commissioning report with regard to the other issues. Scott will be on site after the first of the year to help with any remaining issues.

Payouts were sent from Scull to Slate for approval November 2, 2021. Scott Cromwell will approve the payout and send it to Carter County.

Commissioner Tauck requested that the Commission be included in emails with regarding the final repairs. He wanted to know if the video recording of the maintenance systems and procedures walk through with Nor Pac was available. Scull has not received it yet. Cody will contact Nor Pac to see if the recording is available.

The Commissioners decided to continue to work with Scull Construction, Slate Architect and Dahl Memorial through emails rather than phone in OAC meetings. The OAC meeting ended.

Kurt Hansen, District Ranger, USFS, joined the meeting where he outlined the Sioux Ranger District Forest Plan revision. This included drought induced delays in lease turnouts and slash pile burns. The Forest Service Plan road work projects and thinning in Ekalaka Hills, Long Pines and Chalk Buttes. Kurt has plans to return in early 2022 with the updated Forest Plan.

Commissioner Tauck made the motion to approve MOU for the Process of the Jensen Settlement Program which County attorney Corbit Harrington signed. Attorney Harrington will continue to follow through with the process of application for the funds. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Tauck made the motion to sign the letter of request from the Commission to The Town of Ekalaka requesting that the Town precede with the startup program for the ARPA funding. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The meeting recessed for lunch at 12 p.m. and reconvened at 1 p.m.

Upon the Commissioners return, they discussed usage for the old hospital building. The also revised the Event Center facility Use agreement and cleaning list. The Commission called Courtney Montgomery for conversation about having her fill the position. This included number of hours need to perform the duties, possible start date and a job description. The Commission requested that Courtney join the meeting December 23, 2021 at 10 a.m. to further discuss the details of the position.

The Commission called Greg Benjamin, of Stahly Engineering regarding the Road Use Assessment. He is hoping to have the information ready for approval by the end of the year. Greg also has updated plans prepared for the Hospital drainage pond and ditch.

Ryan Tooke Dahl Memorial CEO joined the meeting to discuss the boiler license for the new Hospital. Dahl Memorial maintenance staff Scott and Clayton Elmore have not taken the boiler test as they have not been able to get into a class. Ryan requested that the hospital work under Bob Jacobs license. The commission called Bob who will speak with the Insurance inspector tomorrow. Ryan will research on-line boiler classes and what the requirements are to have Scott and Clayton Elmore work under Bob’s license until they are certified. Ryan and attorney Harrington left the meeting.

Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry joined the meeting where the Board requested clarification on the Carter County MDA- Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

Bob Jacobs joined the meeting. He can change the locks on the Event Center without changing out the doors. The commercial grade locks can be rekeyed or replaced. The commission asked that he replace all 6 of the exterior locks. They discussed boiler license requirements which will require further research before Bob will be willing to cover the new hospital boiler.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:33 p.m.

Board of Carter County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

Attest: /S/ Steve Rosencranz, Chairman

Attest: /S/ Pamela J Castleberry, Clerk of the Board

12-23-2021

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday, December 23, 2021, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Steve Rosencranz, Chairman; Rod Tauck, Vice Chair and Mike Watkins, Member; were present.

The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m.

There was no public comment.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

The commission discussed the Event Center facility use agreement and cleaning list. Courtney Montgomery joined the meeting. The Commission outlined the duties for the Event Center Coordinator. Commissioner Tauck made the motion to add 10 hours a month to Courtney’s work schedule for the additional duties of Event Center Coordinator. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Clerk and Recorder/ Human Resources Pam Castleberry furnished the appointment book and keys to the building. Courtney also received copies of the Event Center Facility Use agreement.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the Event Center Facility Use agreement and clean up check list. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) pass through funds letter to be entered into by Carter County and The Town of Ekalaka was approved and signed by a motion from Commissioner Tauck. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Watkins. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Board of Carter County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

Attest: /S/ Steve Rosencranz, Chairman

Attest: /S/ Pamela J Castleberry, Clerk of the Board

12-27-2021

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in special session on Monday, December 27, 2021, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Steve Rosencranz, Chairman; Rod Tauck, Vice Chair and Mike Watkins, Member; were present.

The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m.

There was no public comment.

The Special session was called to approve and sign the new lease to Dahl Memorial for operation the new hospital facility.

Guests included: Ryan Tooke, Dahl Memorial Health Care Association CEO, Georgia Bruski, Carter County DES Coordinator and Pam Castleberry, Clerk and Recorder.

Ryan has contacted John Neisner of Scull Construction for help in resetting several of the systems at the new facility. There was a power failure that caused alarms with the Med gas and the nurses station call system as well as other systems.

The back up generator did function properly during the power outage. The additional outlets installed several weeks ago are not wired into the generator. Ryan will contract Muth Electric to correct the issue.

Ryan also requested the commission look into the parking area in the front of the new hospital building. He is concerned that a vehicle could potentially hit the building as the curb is not very high.

The commission read through the new lease agreement for the operation of the new hospital facility.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

The commission called Attorney Alissa Smith, requesting updates and confirming that the Commission and Dahl have the final copy of the Lease agreement. There was no answer. The Board agreed to table the vote and signature on the lease agreement until 11 a.m. or until such time as they can speak with Alissa.

Ryan, Georgia and Pam left the meeting.

The commission received the amended contract from Slate Architect as well as the final invoices for the new hospital building project. Commissioner Rosencranz signed the updated contract with Slate and will submit the claims for payment.

Pam provided the new hospital property description. This will be attached to the new hospital lease agreement.

Ryan, Georgia and Pam returned to the meeting.

Commissioner Tauck made the motion to sign the new lease agreement for operation the new hospital facility. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried unanimously.

The signed copies of the lease agreement have been sent with Ryan for approval by The Dahl Memorial Hospital Board.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:30 p.m.

Board of Carter County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

Attest: /S/ Steve Rosencranz, Chairman

Attest: /S/ Pamela J Castleberry, Clerk of the Board

12-30-2021

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday, December 30, 2021, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Steve Rosencranz, Chairman; Rod Tauck, Vice Chair and Mike Watkins, Member; were present.

The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m.

There was no public comment

DES Coordinator, Georgia Bruski joined the meeting to request a time on the agenda for Monday January 03, 2021. She will have draft copy of the Pre-Mitigation Plan for The Board to review.

Bob Jacobs Carter County Maintenance, stepped into the meeting to report repair issues including old hospital boiler, courthouse generator and two heat pumps in the courthouse.

Ryan Tooke, Dahl Memorial Hospital CEO joined the meeting.

There was Discussion regarding boiler license requirements and covering the new hospital boiler system. Ryan plans to speak to The Ekalaka Public Schools about boiler license coverage. There may be a possibility that Branson Rogers, Ekalaka Public School Technology director, who may have a boiler license, could cover for the New Hospital building until Dahl Memorial maintenance can complete the certification.

Ryan is still not satisfied with the heating and the windows and doors in the new hospital. The rooms are cold, the windows are cold and drafty. The is also a hole in the sheet rock between the metal building and the main level. He would like to request that Scull Construction resolve the issues as soon as possible.

Ryan also gave brief update on the business plan which included, CT scanner in use. The lab analyzer is not online at this time.

Dahl is looking to hire nursing staff and CNAs. They are in the process of interviewing for a Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The Cost report is complete. The pharmacy hasn’t moved to the new building as they are waiting on approval from the State of Montana.

The commission placed a call to John Neisner of Scull Construction about issues Ryan has broached with the commission. They left a message for him to return their call.

Carter County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

Commissioner Rosencranz scheduled a walk through of the new hospital facility to look over the issues.

Deputy Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting with the claim for Yellowstone Environmental in the amount of $671.56. Payment was withheld for the claim in October. Judy will void the warrant and write a letter requesting clarification on the reason for the charges.

Attorney Harrington is redrafting The County Health Bylaws to be in line with the updated State Legislation.

The commission reviewed claims in the amount of $569,668.77 and Payroll in the amount of $225,495.71. The commission agreed to withhold the final payment to Scull Construction and Slate Architecture until the issues with new hospital building are resolved.

John Neisner returned the commissioners call. Ryan Tooke and the commission explained the issues with the building including cold air and condensation in the windows, doors that are not sealed and rooms that are cold. They are still concerned about issues with the heating system. The Commission let John knows that they will be withholding final payment until the issues are resolved. John stated that he will contact the contractors that installed the windows and doors as well as the heating and cooling company so that the problems can be fixed.

The commission reviewed a copy of Montana Association of Counties (MACo’s) guidance on purchasing by County employees and elected officials for reference in the upcoming 2022 Resolutions

Commissioner Tauck made the motion to approve the meeting minutes for December 20th and 23rd, 2021. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Tauck made the motion to approve the December 27th, 2021 meeting minutes with corrections. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Tauck made the motion to approve a notice to be printed in the Ekalaka Eagle outlining the new protocol for renting the Event Center. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Carter County Treasurer Jesi Pearson stopped in to have the commission sign a title for the Sheriffs vehicle.

The Board discussed the possibility of updating the employee job descriptions.

Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry joined the meeting where the commission set a list of resolutions that will be required for 2022.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:55 p.m.

The Board of Carter County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/S/ Steve Rosencranz, Chairman

/S/ Pamela J Castleberry, Clerk of the Board