COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
January 18, 2018
Commissioners Doug Tucker, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock, and Administrative Assistant Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance.
Gordon Sirine was present.
Jenny Alexander Bureau of Land Management Outdoor Recreation Planner and Marina Matheson Cooney Park Manager met with Commissioners regarding BLM Recreational Trails Grant for Pryor Mountain OHV trails. Commissioners signed letter of support for the grant application.
George Mann met with Commissioners to update them on his efforts to address transportation needs for area seniors. He is looking into Montana Department of Transportation grant funding to develop a transportation plan.
Commissioner Tucker moved to accept Justice Court End of Period Disbursement report for December 2017; Commissioner Bullock seconded; motion carried.
8:45 DES Coord. / GIS Mgr. Tom Kohley met with Commissioners regarding this evenings Fire Council meeting; they will be discussing moving Fire District buildings and equipment off the County’s insurance schedule. Tom noted yesterday’s hazardous material exercise with the Army National Guard went well; there was good participation and it gave local emergency responders a better understanding of what resources the National Guard can provide. One concern was how overwhelmed the dispatch center could be in a large incident where there will be a lot of people calling in for information. Commissioner Bullock suggested implementing protocols to designate one dispatcher as call taker and other as radio operator to help define roles in a major event. Tom also noted they are looking at ways to route informational calls to another location.
9:00 Alistair Baker Carbon County News, Fromberg Attorney Hope Freeman, Council member Shirley Miller, and Mayor Richard Anderson met with Commissioners to discuss Fromberg Law Enforcement Services Agreement. Hope noted the initial contract period is 6-months at $23,750, and does not designated personnel to respond to calls like the agreement with Joliet. Shirley noted Council had a highly attended meeting in Fromberg where the public’s response to contracting law enforcement with the County was positive. 9:05 Sheriff Josh McQuillan joined the meeting. Commissioner Bullock asked what criteria would be used to evaluate the 6-month trial period; Fromberg will look at number of calls and response times. Angela noted there will be a project code set up in accounting to track actual costs. Commissioner Tucker suggested the Town and Sheriff meet with the school administration to make sure they understand how response times and service may change going forward. Commissioner Blain noted he perceives great service in Joliet with contract.
Commissioner Bullock moved to approve Law Enforcement Services Agreement with Town of Fromberg pending review by County Attorney; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
9:15 County Attorney Alex Nixon joined the meeting.
Commissioner Blain moved to accept Cross Match Sales Agreement for the Sheriff’s Office Digital Fingerprint Scanner; Commissioner Bullock seconded; motion carried.
9:30 Tayla Snapp from Congressman Greg Ginaforte’s office and Jenna McKinney from Senator Steve Daines office met with Commissioners for congressional updates. Discussed First Net and rollout timeline. Commissioner Blain asked about the broadband bill; both representatives believe it will expand wired service to rural MT. Discussed the closure of the Office of Public Assistance and impact on residents.
9:45 Commissioners and County Attorney discussed county business. Alex will review Cemetery District Board resolution. A demand letter regarding the Simulcast System will be sent to Industrial Communications; the final quote from Dunne Communications was just over $500,000. Discussed amending fairground deannexation petition to include streets and alleyways and to correct legal description that inadvertently included Airport property. Commissioner Blain asked about abandoning alleyway in Silesia. 10:00 Deputy County Attorney Shannon Foley joined the meeting. Commissioner Blain discussed use of Road Shop dumpster by residents. Alex noted they could be charged with a misdemeanor “theft of services.” Commissioner Bullock and Shannon discussed agreement with Marco Larowe regarding construction of Larowe St. by the Red Lodge Road Department. Also discussed Justice Court move request. County Attorney’s Office would lose the convenience and efficiency of having the court in the same building if it were relocated. Alex also noted he believes rentable space should be better utilized.
10:30 Treasurer Jane Swanson-Webb met with Commissioners for Quarterly Collateral. Commissioner Bullock moved to accept Treasurer Collateral report; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
10:50 Danny Mydland met with Commissioners to deliver his Fair Board resignation letter.
11:00 Pam Schwend, Jane Swanson-Webb, Judy Prinkki, Jeff Schmalz, Tom Kohley, Lola Ashby, and Rick Martin met with Commissioners for Safety Committee meeting.
11:30 Justice of the Peace Kevin Nichols and Court Clerk Callie Allen met with Commissioners regarding request to move Justice Court. Mary Cameron, Pam Hellerud, County Attorney Alex Nixon, Carbon County News Editor Alistair Baker, and Therese Picaso Edwards were present. Judge Nichols would like to revisit his request to move the Justice Court business office to the Personal Services building now that the Office of Public Assistance will be closing. Commissioner Bullock noted the inconvenience of separating the Court from the County Attorney and Sheriff’s Office and the proposal would require multiple offices to move. Therese noted the Community Foundation may request to rent the space currently occupied by the Office of Public Assistance for navigators. Pam Hellerud wanted to reiterate that building does not feel having court in the building full time is ideal.
12:00 Board of Health meeting. Mary Cameron Jean Atherly, Tom Kohley, Alex Nixon, Lori Kane, Dick Nolan, Roberta Cady, and Sheila Boggio were present. Red Lodge Community Foundation representatives Therese Picasso Edwards, George Mann, and Sage Henderson were also present. Doug Tucker moved to approve minutes from the October 2, 2017 Board of Health Meeting; Bill Bullock seconded; motion carried.
1:30 DES Coord. / GIS Mgr. Tom Kohley met with Commissioners regarding I Am Responding Agreement amendment to add the road department for $285/year. Going forward Emergency Management Planning Grant will cover 50% of the cost. Also noted, Tom Dunne would like to test the surplus Quantar Repeaters to determine what it will take to get them back into service. Commissioners agreed a diagnostic evaluation is necessary and gave Tom authorization to deliver the repeaters to Dunne Communications.
Commissioner Bullock will attend the Stock Growers Association meeting on Saturday.
1:45 Adjourned
Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Assistant