The Ekalaka Eagle - Your Community Builder

09-19-2022

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, September 19, 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 a.m. There was no public comment.

Carter County Public Health Officer interview. Guests: Health Board President Steve DeFord, Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry, Health Provider Carrie Haar, and Public Health Manager Stefanie Harrington. The position would be Permanent part-time at 624 hours a year. Pay would be set at $500.00 a month. The County provides insurance and would provide an opportunity to attend training. The guests left the meeting.

Commissioner Tauck made the motion to accept the resignation of Carter County Courthouse Custodian Savanah Ashbrook effective September 30, 2022. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The commission joined a virtual (on line) meeting with Greg Benjamin of Stahly Engineering. Greg is working with MACo to complete the Off-System Bridge Study. This will be used to evaluate the current condition of County maintained bridges and develop a strategic plan for future repairs and replacement. There may be federal grant funds available to fund the bridge project.

Public Health Personnel and Department update. Guests included Health Department Manager Stefanie Harrington.

Stefanie presented a follow up to the Work Force Supplemental Funding task order# 2307101-1060. The grant does not have to be used for a new hire. Stefanie is still working with Montana Department of Health and Human Services to learn how the grant may be used. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to sign the Work Force Supplemental Funding Task Order# 2307101-1060. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

DPHHS has released the Maternal Child Health Block Grant task Order# 23-25-5-01-00-60. Stefanie will research what funds can be used for the match on this grant. Commissioner Tauck made the motion to sign the Maternal Child Health Block Grant. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Carter County Public Health Department in conjunction with the Care Van will have a influenza vaccination clinic in Ekalaka at the Museum on October 21, 2022 and they will be set up in Alzada on October 22, 2022.

Public Health will have a booth at the back to school night at the Ekalaka Public School next week.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the correction of Resolution# 0909-82022-02. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the application for the (SS4A) Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant application through The US Department of Transportation. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. This grant will be administrated by Julie Stoddard, through Southeastern Development Corporation.

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

Bid opening for 25,000 yards of crushed gravel at the Padden Pit. Guests included Rick Fike, Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp and County Attorney Corbit Harrington.

There were bids received from Fike Crushing Inc. $3.19/ yard and Wyrick Construction $3.50/ yard. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to award the bid to Fike Crushing Inc. for the amount of $79,750.00. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Carl discussed crushing 10,000 yards at the Padden Pit at the request of the land owner, Willard John Padden. Commissioner Watkins made the motion requesting Attorney Harrington prepare an agreement for the gravel crushing at the Padden gravel pit. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Airport Board Chairman Troy Fruit joined the meeting. There was a call placed to Kent Penney of KU Engineering where the group discussed the required public notice of the meetings of Airport Master Plan. The Commission was concerned that the plan had been sent to the FAA before the Commission, airport users and public had an opportunity to weigh in. Kent stated that the previous meetings met the requirements for public notice and that he has scheduled a meeting with the commission On October 03, 2022 at 1 p.m. to review the AWAS wind study.

Troy brought up issues with mowing and the weeds around the runway lights. Troy would like to reseed grass in some of the areas next to the runway to prevent erosion and make maintenance easier.

The Airport Maintenance position pay and hours was set as part time, 625 hours a year at $20.67 per hour.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the meeting minutes for September 06th, 08th, and 12th, 2022. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp joined the meeting to discuss road crew personnel hours worked, sick leave and vacation requests. Brian Ballou requesting part-time work. This would be temporary 30 hours a week.

Kurt Hansen, Custer National Forest Service District Ranger joined the meeting for a signature on the in kind weed agreement. Modifications include $2,000.00 in additional funds to be used to spray Forest roadways. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the modified agreement for the amount of $12,000.00. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to sign the Inmate Insurance proposal and the Southeast Electric agreement to change the utilities at the old Hospital building from Dahl Memorial to Carter County. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion passed.

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

The next meeting will be October 30th, 2022.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Steve Rosencranz, Chairman

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