The Ekalaka Eagle - Your Community Builder

02-28-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday February 28, 2023, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Rod Tauck, Chairman Mike Watkins, Vice Chairman and Pamela Castleberry, member was present.

The meeting was called to order by Rod Tauck at 9 a.m. There was no public comment.

The Commission reviewed and approved Payroll in the amount of $242,462.47 and claims in the amount of $139,036.58.

The Commission discussed the Legislative update and the MACo meeting held last week.

Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to sign the Zoning Compliance form for the Padden Land & Cattle LLC gravel pit. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Slate Architect sent the Hospital Generator Cost Option plans that has been updated as of their last visit in January 2023.

Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Brett Dorak, Wildlife Manager and Brad Schmitz, Regional Manager and Carter County Predator Board President Jeff Tauck joined the meeting. Brett and Brad presented mule deer survival rates based on 2021 and 2022 Spring surveys. These numbers are lower then anticipated do to the continued drought, winter storms and predation by coyotes. FWP is proposing to offer funding to the Area Predator Boards, including Carter County, for the up coming spring season with approval of the program from FWP, County Commission and local Predator Boards. The FWP funds would work with the established County Predator program. Jeff will schedule a Board meeting in March to review the program. FWP will set in motion public comment and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The meeting adjourned at 12 p.m. and reconvened at 1 p.m.

Bid opening for Road and Bridge surplus property. Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp joined the meeting.

8230 Cat Dozer: E. Melum $777.00, Jesperson Const. $2,676.00, Knapp Excavation $6,075.00.

Screening Plant with trailer: Knapp Logging $1,050.00.

40’Conveyor: Knapp Excavation $525.00.

100’ Stacking Conveyor: Knapp Excavation $200.00.

Arial Lift: Murphy Hill Inc. $1,150.00, J. Gerleman $1,000.00.

1998 Midland gravel Trailer: E. Melum $777.00, C. Laughery $1650.00, R. Arpan $1876.00

1993 Ford Dump Truck: E. Melum $1,700.00, Knapp Logging $3050.00

Carl provided information on two upcoming bridge projects. The department received word that the bumper for the 2022 gravel truck will be in next week. Carl left the meeting.

The Commissioner Watkins moved to sign the fuel Tax Certification of roadway miles for 2024. Commissioner Castleberry seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The Public Safety MOU with Fallon Co and Powder River Co. are in negotiations with the respective Sheriffs Offices’.

Commissioner Castleberry made the motion to approve the proceedings for February 13, 2023. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

There was a call in from DIS Technologies to set up computer software updates.

Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright stepped into the meeting to provide an EMS and County addressing update.

The Fair Board meeting scheduled for this evening will be rescheduled for a later date.

The commission continued discussing legislative updates.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

Attest:/s/ Judy Wright, Clerk of the Board

03-06-2023

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, 06, 2023, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Rod Tauck, Chairman Mike Watkins, Vice Chairman and Pamela Castleberry, member was present.

The meeting was called to order by Rod Tauck at 9 a.m. There was no public comment.

Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting where there was discussion regarding the Montana House and Senate redistricting and the option to review the County District lines. The House and Senate Districts are reviewed and set after the census every 10 years by State Commission. The Final State Legislative Districts for 2024-2032 show Carter County in Senate District 17 and House District 34.

Attorney Harrington joined the meeting.

The Commission see no reason to change the County Districts, there for they will send a letter to the judge stating there will be no changes to the County Commissioners Districts.

The Hospital Generator Options and Cost Estimates: Dahl Memorial CEO Ryan Tooke joined the meeting. Scull Construction, NorPac and an independent Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Company have completed a HVAC system check. The hospital building is not maintaining proper temperatures. NorPac tested each section with the goal to discover why and fix the issues. vapor barrier leaks where found in several areas. They adjusted the air flow to Positive as a temporary fix. The vapor barrier will have to be repaired for the HVAC system to function properly.

The commission and Ryan discussed having a third party review the data and the current generator system so that a feasible solution to the lack of emergency power can be found.

Ryan also made the Commission aware that the Air Handlers struggle to switch between the generator and regular power. This will be evaluated by Norpac. Ryan left the meeting.

The Commission called Greg Benjamin of Stahly Engineering to discussed the next steps moving forward with the generator project.

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

The Commission reviewed and updated the personnel policy and the procurement policy.

They discussed Legislative updates.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:32 p.m.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

/s/ Rod Tauck, Chairman

Attest:/s/ Judy Wright, Clerk of the Board