COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
February 6, 2017
Commissioners Doug Tucker, John Grewell, and John Prinkki and Administrative Assistant Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance
Commissioner Prinkki believes all easements for E. Rosebud Rd. should be secured by next week. Private attorneys are working with landowners to produce a valid petition.
Commissioner Grewell moved to approve Commissioners proceedings for January 26 and February 2, 2017 as corrected; Commissioner Prinkki seconded; motion carried.
Commissioner Prinkki moved to accept Department of Commerce contract for Treasure State Endowment Program (TSEP) East Pryor Road Bride, Red Lodge Creek Bridge, Homestead Road Bridge; Commissioner Grewell seconded; motion carried.
10:00 Sanitarian Josh Juarez met with Commissioners for monthly update. Next year looking at participating in cooperative training program so another sanitarian could step in for county inspections if something happened to Josh.
Commissioner Grewell moved to approve cooperative agreement with the Department of Public Health and Human Services and the Board of Health for annual licensed establishment inspections with addition of pools and body art; Commissioner Prinkki seconded; motion carried.
Josh processed 81 septic permits in 2016; there were 61 in 2015 and 2014. He noted Seamless Docs is working well for permits and would like to continue using the program; he estimates the elimination of the extra spreadsheet database has reduced processing time for each permit by 10-15 minutes. The Clerk and Recorders Office is continuing to upload new septic permits into the County Silo System. He is caught up on Floodplain issues and needs to notice the City of Red Lodge’s lagoon floodplain application. He will be starting 2017 licensed establishment inspections this month.
10:30 DES Coord. / GIS Mgr. Tom Kohley met with Commissioners for his monthly update (report attached). Sheriff Josh McQuillan was present. Tom discussed three (3) possible Homeland Security Grant submissions: replace dispatch call taking equip estimated at $180,000; upgrade Bridger radio tower site with security fencing and a generator to replace current battery backup; and purchase a generator for the Fromberg school as it is a designated county shelter. Commissioner Prinkki asked how the simulcast system is working for law and ems. Tom noted Industrial Communications discovered hardware issues with some of the repeaters which have been repaired under warranty. Once weather allows for better access, the devices will be reinstalled and will hopefully clear up issues.
Tom has been working with cellphone carriers to test Text to 9-1-1; the implementation has been delayed after tests with AT&T failed. Tom and Commissioner Tucker will meet with Frannie, WY’s Fire Department regarding entering into a mutual aid agreement to secure fire protection in the south-east portion of the county. Tom believes creating a new fire district is ultimately the best option for providing fire protection in that area. The Loynings and MT Limestone are on board to create the district.
Commissioners and Tom discussed last Friday’s closure of Highway 212 and severe conditions that kept the County from plowing. Commissioner Grewell suggested Tom use the Carbon Alert system to alert residents of closures and severe driving conditions in the future. The Commissioners would like to have a discussion regarding the County’s policy for rescuing stranded drivers who have ignored road closures and put County road crews and emergency responders at risk. Tom plans to work with Public Health to educate residents on emergency situations and the importance of self-sufficiency.
11:00 Sam Krum, Steve Keebler, Chris Devries, and Rena Negard from the Roberts Water and Sewer District and Greg Luxasik with GreatWest Engineering met with Commissioners regarding CDBG Grant application. The District would like to apply for grant funding to help finance improvements to reduce infiltration to sewer services from facilities owned by residents. The grant would provide funding for low income families to make the repairs. The project is projected to cost $630,000; grant funds would cover 2/3 the cost, $450,000. Commissioner Prinkki moved to go forward with the grant application; Commissioner Grewell seconded; motion carried.
11:10 Commissioners processed employee time approvals.
11:24 Commissioners has a phone conference with Architect Susan Hovde. They would like to solicit separate bids for remodel projects for the jail and Court House; they would like to have bid package ready to go in March.
Commissioner Prinkki presented letter outlining future plans (attached).
12:00 Adjourned
Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Assistant