CARTER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

11-14-2022

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, November 14, 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 Chairman; and Mike Watkins, member was present.

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp joined the meeting to request interviews for the applicants for the Road Crew position. Carl left the meeting.

County Treasurer Jesi Pierson presented tax refund resolutions. Commissioner Tauck made the motion to approve Resolution #11142022-01 refund in the amount of $15.00 and #11142022- 02 refund in the amount of $60.00. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Commission reviewed and responded to email correspondence including emails regarding selecting a Public Health Officer.

Deputy Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright, County Attorney Corbit Harrington and Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry joined the meeting. Judy presented a phone system upgrade for the Clerk and Recorders and Commissioners office that could be purchased through Mid-Rivers Communication. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the purchase of the phone system. There was discussion regarding when the phones where last replaced and the features offered with the new system. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry respectful requested approval to hire Dana Eshelman as a full time Clerk in the Clerk and Recorders Office with the option to fill the position as Deputy Clerk in January. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to hire Dana. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Senior Transportation Director/ Senior Coordinator Tricia Lovec and Deputy Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting. Judy requested the County purchase the 2020 Chevy Equinox. Tricia requested that the County keep "Ruby" the Red Pickup so that she may use it for food bank grocery runs.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to purchase the Equinox from A and B Auto Sales of Ekalaka, Mt. There was discussion regarding keeping "Ruby" in the fleet at the Courthouse or move it to the Road Department fleet. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion to keep Ruby in the Courthouse fleet of vehicles. There was no other public comment and the motion carried. Judy and Tricia left the meeting.

The Commission called Scott Cromwell of Slate Architecture for an update on the New Hospital building generator project. Scott will provide an update in a few weeks.

The meeting broke for lunch at 11:45 and reconvened at 1:00 pm

The commission discussed the County owned old Stenseth house. The commissioners requested information on the property boundaries and information on lease or rental agreements. Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry and Deputy Clerk Judy Wright will research the documents involving the Stenseth house.

Public Health Officer candidate Carrie Haar officially declined the position as Carter County Public Health Officer. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to advertise for a PHO in the Ekalaka Eagle. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The ad will run November 18th, 25th, and December 2nd. The first interviews maybe held December 08, 2022. The position will be open until filled.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the meeting minutes for the November 7th, 2022. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The commissioners placed a call to Montana Department of Transportation Shane Mintz in support of the repair of Highway 7.

The commission also called Health Board Chairman Steve DeFord regarding the advertising for the PHO position.

The commissioners conducted the 2022 Federal General Election Canvass.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Vice-Chairman

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

11-21-2022

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, November 21, 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 Chairman; and Mike Watkins, member was present.

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM.

Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry presented the Post-Election Audit Reconciliation that was signed and approved by a motion made by Commissioner Tauck. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Watkins. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp joined the meeting. The Commission and Carl conducted two interviews for the position on the Road and Bridge crew. The commission discussed the applications and Commissioner Watkins made the motion to offer the position to Justin Kerr. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Public Health Nurse Trish Loughlin called into the meeting to give the Public Health Department up date. She requested approval to have Fallon County Public Health provide billing for CCPH. They would provide the service for $30.00 an hour plus half the cost of billing software subscription of approx.

$40.00 a month.

Trish and Kirstie have plans to meet tomorrow to work on the next steps to get CCPH credentialed. Credentialing provides the assurance that the medical provider has all the proper credentials to provide the services so that the billing processes my take place for services provided by Carter County Public Health.

The Health Department provided two influenza Vaccination Clinics, one in Ekalaka and one in Alzada. Both clinics were well attended. Public Health hasn’t planned another set of clinics at this time, they do offer vaccinations at the Public Health Office. The meeting with Trish ended.

Commissioner Tauck made the motion to approve the contract with Mid-Rivers Communication for the new phone system. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Commission reviewed the Request for Qualification from Stahly Engineering and Associates. Inc. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to accept the RFQ from Stahly Engineering and Associates Inc. pending final agreement of the Contract. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The meeting broke for lunch at 11:58 and reconvened at 1:00.

County Attorney Corbit Harrington had previously reviewed the transfer of the Stenseth house and property from previous owners to Carter County. The County Does not find a current contract or agreement between Carter County and Dahl Memorial who currently use the home to house traveling nurses. The metal shop is used to house ambulances and the garage is used for storage. Commissioner Steve Rosencranz called to table the discussion of the Old Stenseth Property to November, 30, 2022.

The Old Hospital building meeting included in person Beth Epley of Eastern plains Economic Development Corporation, Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry. Maggie Belanger of Kansas State University with the K-TAB program. This program is facilitated through Kansas State University as part of the Brownfields grant program. The group discussed needs for the County and what role the Old Hospital building may play in filling those needs. Maggie and her team are available to facilitate a feasibility study and Community outreach. Beth will reach out with contact information so that a meeting may be scheduled in December.

Commissioner Tauck made the motion to partner with Eastern Pains Economic Development Corporation, Beth Epley and KTAB, Maggie Belanger to move forward with a feasibility study. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. The meeting ended with Maggie and Beth.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the meeting minutes for the November 11, 2022. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Fallon County Disaster and emergency (DES) Coordinator Dale Butori and Carter County DES Coordinator Georgia Bruski joined the meeting. Currently Fallon, Carter, and Wibaux partner through Fallon Co. for 911 dispatch. The three Counties have no plans of joining the Statewide radio program.

Dale would like to see the 3 Counties use their remaining combined 911 state grant funds to upgrade the equipment, including the counsel without using the COVID-19 / LATCF funds. He would also like form a committee with members from each of the participating Counties to plan for future funding for operations and upkeep.

The Webster Road addressing issues were brought to the attention of Carter and Fallon DES through 911. Fallon Co. set address numbers for Webster Road starting with O from Highway 7 going toward Mill Iron. Carter County started at Mill Iron with zero going toward Highway 7. This resulted in duplicate address numbers which causes some confusion for dispatch as well as rescue crews. What ever the two Counties do will change 6 address’ at the Mill Iron end of the Road. Dale and Georgia left the meeting.

The County received one application for the Courthouse custodial position. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to offer the position to Kristy Bruce. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. The position offers 20 hours a week at the Courthouse. The motion carried unanimously.

Jesi Pierson joined the meeting to inform the Commissioners on the issues that Treasures office has had with Summit National Bank. Jesi has discovered discrepancy in the interest payments on Money Market accounts as well as checking account fees. She will have Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry check the figures before she has a conference call with Summit National Bank President. County Attorney Corbit Harrington suggested that the call take place during a regular Commission meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:13 pm.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Vice-Chairman

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