CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

08-31-2022

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday 31, 2022, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Rod Tauck, Vice Chair and Mike Watkins, Member; were present. Steve Rosencranz, Chairman; absent.

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 and there was no public comment.

The Commission approved payroll in the amount of $277,511.03 and claims in the amount of $455,027.50.

Carter County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp joined the meeting to present Brence gravel pit lease. He also requested a Gravel crushing contract ad for the Brence Pit.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the lease agreement between Carter County and Paul and Nancy Brence of the Rose Ranch. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve approximately 25,000 yards of gravel crushing at the Brence Gravel Pit. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Commission approved and signed the Action for Eastern Montana contract modification which included an increase in funds that were $34,859.00 with a match of $2,426.00 from the County to $53,079.50 with a match of $7,480.00 from the County. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the modified contract. Commissioner Tauck Seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the State Livestock Board Predator fund allocation in the amount of $13,699.00. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried unanimously.

County Maintenance Bob Jacobs stepped into the meeting with on an update on utilities and fire suppression system at the old hospital building. He replaced the toilet at the museum with one from the old hospital building. Bob and Corbit left the meeting.

Deputy Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting with an update on Camp Needmore. There was a water sample sent in on August 24th that required treatment. Helen Stevens and Jeff Vanhaus doing the treatment and will do the follow up tests.

The meeting broke for lunch at 12:00. The meeting was called back in session at 1:13 p.m.

Public Health Task Order discussion; Present - Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry, County Attorney Corbit Harrington, Public Health nurse Kirstie Nelson, Deputy Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright, and Public Health Manager Stefanie Harrington. Public Health Nurse Trish Loughlin called into the meeting.

Kirstie has reached out to DPHHS, Magdalena Kendall Scott MPH, Communicable Disease Epidemiology Supervisor who will send a revised Congregate Living Coordinator/ Disease Intervention Specialist (CLC/DIS) Task order. The funds from these two task orders may now be used for employees’ salaries that are already on staff.

Judy update the group on the refund of the payment for the credentialing services from Bickham Healthcare. The follow up email stated that they could not provide Credentialing services to a government entity. Stefanie was not aware of this refund or the reason behind it until today.

Trish recommended reaching out to Fallon County Public Health for the next steps for Credentialing that will be needed in order for Carter County Public Health to charge for services.

Kirstie received approval from the state for a Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in Carter County. DPHHS offers funding and assistance setting up the program. It may be a year before the program is operational. The guests left the meeting.

The Commissioners called Scott Cromwell of Slate Architecture for information on the New Hospital generator feasibility study. There is a draft report in progress that Scott has not received yet. There is still the option to add a second unit or replace the current generator with a larger one. Scott will be in touch when receives the copy of the draft feasibility study.

Corbit and the Commissioners reviewed the land surveys, deeds and the current lease for the Old Airport property provided by Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry. Neil Kittelmann joined the meeting where he asserts that the current lease for the property does not include the section of property once referred to as the Pavement Mixing lot. More formally known as tract! COS16 in records of the Clerk and Recorder. Neil requested consideration for the fact the agreement that the commission made in 1999 that allowed Neil to lease the property if he agreed to remove the junk.

The lease signed August 15, 2022 between the County and Dell Dague included the property referred called the Old Airport Property. Commissioner Watkins made the motion for a 90 Day grazing agreement with Neil Kittlemann for the pavement mixing lot. The lease will be ending on 90 days. Corbit will write up a lease agreement for Neil. The Commission will revisit the lease on December 05, 2022. Neil left the meeting.

Cyber security was discussed. The County will wait to decide a course of action based on the insurance renewal.

The Commission with the assistance of the Clerk and Recorder randomly drew lots to determine terms. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to set the terms for the Carter County Board of Health as follows. Steve DeFord- Chairman 3-year term. Sharon Carroll- 2-year term. Rona Meyer- 1-year term. Dana Eshelman secretary, 2-year term and Jessica Walker, 3-year term. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion there was no public comment and the motion carried.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:02 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Steve Rosencranz, Chairman

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

09-06-2022

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday September 06, 2022, 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 by Chairman Steve Rosencranz at 9:00 am. There was no public comment.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington, Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry and Treasurer Jesi Pierson joined the meeting. The Secure Rural Schools Funding regulation changes were reviewed as well as the amounts currently allocated to Title I, II and Ill. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to allocate all the funds to Title I. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Jesi left the meeting.

The was a brief review of the Fiscal 2022-23 budget.

Montana Department of Transportation {MDT} Shane Mintz, District Administrator and Mike Skillstad, Maintenance Chief, joined the meeting. They are reaching out to the Commissioners regarding weight limits on Highway 323, the reduced speed limit on Highway 212 through Alzada as well as safety issues including road closures during winter storms and the intersection of Highway 323 and 7.

Shane outlined the work that has been done from 2014 to 2022 on highway 323 with approximately 20 million dollars spend on repairs. The South end of Highway 7 had a lift and chip seal last year and is slated for major repair in the next 5 to 8 years.

Dahl Memorial CEO Ryan Tooke, Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry and Public Health Manager Stefanie Harrington joined the meeting. Dahl Memorial has seen an increase in patronage leading to the phone system going offline during peak usage. Ryan has contacted Midrivers to find a solution.

Ryan is working with Scott Cromwell of Slate Architecture to get the automatic doors functioning properly. They will be working with Muth Electric to wire outlets in the dayroom to the generator, install additional exit signs and the motion sensor lighting in the Public Health Offices.

Ryan addressed the County hiring a Public Health Officer. Dahl Memorial has no contractual conflict if that applicant is a provider for Dahl but would request that the County and the Public Health Officer respect the schedule and contracted hours required for the position at Dahl Memorial.

Ryan has received a bid for the sidewalk on the Southside of the hospital for $4,400.00. This project was a requirement of the DP HHS Fire, Life, Safety inspection completed in May of 2022.

As discussed Ryan will provide written copies of the quarterly reports that he presents to the Commission, check into the heating and cooling controls for the residents living areas and call the Town of Ekalaka about shutting off the water to the Old Hospital Building.

The meeting broke for lunch at 12:00 pm and was called to order at 1:00 pm.

The Commission reviewed and approved the Bridge and Road Safety and accountability Act Funding (BaRSAA).

Commissioner Tauck made the motion to designate the funds for purchase and application of magnesium chloride that would be applied to several sections of road in the County. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Bob Jacobs, County Maintenance joined the meeting to update the commission on repairs for the lawn tractor and the water shut off at the Old Hospital.

Jade Boggs, Insurance Store and Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry joined the meeting for the Property and casualty Insurance renew. The rates increased approximately 4-6% and includes Cyber security coverage.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:43 pm.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Steve Rosencranz, Chairman

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

09-08-2022

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday September 08, 2022, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Steve Rosencranz, Chairman; and Rod Tauck, Vice Chair; were present. Mike Watkins, Member; was absent.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Steve Rosencranz at 9:00 am. There was no public comment.

DES Coordinator Georgia Bruski joined with the EMPG grant worth $21,500.00 that will be matched by the County. This is a Homeland Security/ FEMA Grant used for Disaster and Emergency Services for the County. Commissioner Tauck made the motion to approve the grant application. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

There was a review of the radio tower insurance coverage needs and fire severity workers compensation report. Georgia left the meeting.

Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry and County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

Commissioner Tauck made a motion to approve the BaRSSA funds Resolution# 0902022-01. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion and there was no public comment. The grant funds will be used by the County Road Department for the purchase and application of magnesium chloride for several sections of County road.

There was a call placed to the Brownfield Coalition Coordinator Sheli Isle. She just received the final inspection report of the Old Hospital building from Newfields Cooperation. She emailed the report to the commission and they will review the information and then set up a call to discuss the next steps for demolition or revitalization of the Old Hospital building.

Commissioner Tauck made the motion to approve the 2022-2023 fiscal year final budget Resolution# 09082022-02. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion and the carried.

Commissioner Tauck made a motion to approve the meeting minutes for August 31, 2022. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 12:23 pm.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Steve Rosencranz, Chairman

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

09-12-2022

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday September 12, 2022, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Steve Rosencranz, Chairman; and Mike Watkins, Member; were present. Rod Tauck, Vice Chair was absent.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Steve Rosencranz at 9:00 am. There was no public comment.

Deputy Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright gave public comment.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp joined to discuss the possibility of Willard John Padden, landowner at the Padden Pit using 8,000 yards of gravel from the pit. Willard John would not have to Permit the pit with DEQ as the gravel would be mined under the County permit. The Commission requested that Corbit prepare an agreement between the County and Willard John.

Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry joined the meeting.

Carl received a quote of $79,650 for the Magnesium chloride that will be used for road stabilization on the Hammond Road from the Brownfield Pit to Highway 212. Carl left the meeting.

Kelly Axteman from Slate Architecture called the commission to request permission to proceed with the extension of the walls in the future room at the New Hospital building. He emailed a quote from Paxton Drywall in the amount of $6,450.00. This project will extend the walls up to the deck. This would close in the room with walls that reach the ceiling. This is required as part of the inspection from DP HHS fire, Life Safety. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the completion of the walls in the future room at New Hospital building. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

There was a call placed to the Ekalaka Town Clerk Mariah Schneider for the yearly update to the Town deer management plan in conjunction with the Fish and Game Department. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to include the Old Airport in the Deer management plan and exclude the current Carter County Airport. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioners signed the year end budget report agreement with Montana State University Extension Agent program. This is a shared program with Fallon County.

Julie Stoddard of the Southeastern Development Corporation called to request that Carter County participate in the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program (SS4A). She is in process of filing the application that includes Rosebud, Powder River, Big Horn, Custer, and Treasure Counties. It would provide 4 years of funding that could be allocated for safety up grades on highway 212 such as passing lanes. There is a match that would be met by the Counties listed in the grant application. The commission agreed to include Carter County in the application.

The meeting broke for lunch at 12:00 and was called to order at 1:00 pm.

Commissioner Watkins received a call from Dave Garmin who requested gravel on the Road to the Thomas pit. He offered to load and haul it himself. The commission spoke to Carl Knapp, Road and Bridge Supervisor.

The commission called and left a message for Shelli Isle, Brownfield Coalition Coordinator in regard to the Old Hospital building inspection.

Public Health Nurse Kirstie Neilson and Public Health Manager Stefanie Harrington joined the meeting. DIS/CLC task order was presented by Kirstie. The first payment of this grant will be November 30, 2022.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to sign the Dis/CLC Task Order. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Stefanie presented the PHEP Task Order. Following a review Commissioner Watkins made the motion to sign the PHEP Task Order. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 2:30 pm.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Steve Rosencranz, Chairman

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