067
COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
April 4, 2024
Commissioners Scott Miller, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock, and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance.
Denise Rivette in attendance.
Commissioners and Rivette discussed the County’s asphalt preservation planning efforts and financial limitations to preserve current asphalt and insufficient funding to add asphalt.
Blain moved to sign the Montana Association of Counties’ (MACo) Letter regarding the SB 442 Veto Override; Miller seconded; Commissioners discussed the State’s surplus funds and questioned what the State’s intent is with the marijuana revenues if it is not passed to Counties for road improvements. Blain noted local governments are closer to the will of the people and expressed his frustration with Representative Brad Barker who was not in favor of the Bill. Bullock again questioned if the State intends to divert funds to law enforcement and what are the specific expenditures being contemplated; motion carried.
9:05 Blain departed.
Public Health Director Erin Cross met with Commissioners for her monthly update (report attached). Cross noted the Request For Proposals for the Crisis Diversion Grant should be out this month. Also discussed was the addition of a generator at the Personal Service Building and making sure the generator is secured if it is placed.
Commissioners approved the purchase request for truck repairs and asset disposal of wheelchairs and walkers to the Red Lodge Fire Rescue CARE Team.
Bullock moved to approve Commissioners Proceedings for March 19 and March 21; Miller seconded; motion carried.
9:30 Mayor Dave Westwood met for his regular update. Discussed garbage at the Eagles Nest Motel; the owner should be here to clean up the property over the weekend. Westwood will be meeting with the City Attorney regarding Airport Interlocal redlines tomorrow.
10:00 Contract Civil Attorney Jacque Papez joined the meeting. Bullock moved to close to discuss litigation strategy regarding Windstream and Bennett; Miller seconded; Motion carried. Rivette departed.
10:35 Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) Coordinator Cyrina Allen met with Commissioners.
Bullock moved to approve the probationary termination of the Public Information Officer; Miller seconded; motion carried.
Allen discussed the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Application. She noted supplemental funding has been eliminated and State funding continues to decrease. The Federal Government has cut preparedness funding by 9%. The EMPG Grant continues to be a 50% cost share, Allen has increased the grant request although she expects the award to be reduced from the current Fiscal Year’s amount. Discussed budget proposal, and options to amend the grant budget if necessary. Bullock moved to approve the EMPG Application as presented; Miller seconded; motion carried.
Commissioners discussed the long-term effects on mitigation funding and the shift in focus away from mitigation and preparedness to response.
Commissioners approved Allen’s purchase request for an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) laptop for better functionality and access to documents for additional staff brought in emergency response and the purchase of food for the Home Hardening Workshop.
11:00 Allen provided her monthly department update (attached). Discussed whether or not the County was interested in maintaining a stream gauge for the East Rosebud Lake area. Allen discussed the revision of the Emergency Operations Plan. Discussed eliminating the use of Digital Sign Boards for event advertising; Allen noted repeated damage from event use and concerns that event use is not in compliance with Federal DOT guidelines. Commissioners approved eliminating the use of digital sign trailers for tourist events and would like to limit the use to emergencies and road work.
11:40 Discussed preparations for emergency response should there be another disaster this year. Fromberg Mayor Tim Nottingham joined the meeting. Discussed Emergency response documentation, the need for more pictures, time & materials contracts, permanent work vs. non-permanent, approved material sources, disaster declaration process, FEMA project cost thresholds, and FEMA Reimbursements.
12:00 Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer