COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
January 9, 2020
Commissioners Robert ‘Pits’ DeArmond, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock, Commissioners’ Secretary Barbara Daniel, and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance
John Harwood met with Commissioners for public comment period. He noted his support for the Sheriff and Deputies, but is against the construction of a detention facility. John discussed the proposed budget; Commissioners noted it is a preliminary overview but is based on other facilities’ actual costs. John also expressed his concerns about the facility’s impact on rural communities. John and Commissioners discussed mental health services. Commissioners emphasizes that they are looking to fulfil their statutory obligation to provide detention and that services provided by the facility are secondary.
9:20 Clerk and Recorder Christine Stovall met with Commissioners regarding some road research on Railbed Road easements.
Commissioner Blain noted he attended the Republican Women’s meeting. Generally, they were in favor of a Detention Facility.
10:00 County Attorney Alex Nixon and Contract Deputy County Attorney Jacque Papez met with Commissioners for their regular meeting. Clerk and Recorder Christine Stovall joined the meeting regarding Railbed Road. Jacque noted the Powell County case regarding county roads that sets a precedent that rules were followed when the road was established and acknowledges that records may be lost over time. If someone wanted to challenge the establishment of the road, the burden would be on them to prove that it is not a county road. Jacque and Alex do not believe it is necessary to take any action at this time and are comfortable with the County asserting it as county road.
10:30 Commissioners reviewed annual resolutions.
Commissioner Bullock moved to adopt Resolution 2020-01 to move Commissioners’ meeting on January 23rd to Bozeman Montana for the purpose of touring the Gallatin County Detention Facility; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
Commissioner Bullock moved to adopt Resolution 2020-02 to move the Commissioners’ afternoon meeting on January 28th at 2:00pm to the Stillwater County Commissioners Office for a discussion regarding a memorandum of understanding for contracting with Carbon County for detention space and to hold a special meeting January 28th at 6:00 pm at the Bridger Senior Center to meet with the Citizen Detention Facility Planning Committee; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
Commissioners also discussed holding an evening meeting every quarter around the County to try to improve public input.
Commissioners received a letter from a citizen group in Roberts regarding the Highway 212 project. Commissioner Bullock will attend upcoming meetings. Commissioners are not inclined to make a formal response until the project is completed.
Commissioner Blain noted the Yellowstone County Commissioners are requesting the Mental Health Center HUB be moved to the south side of town. He is concerned about how the financial impact to the organization may impact the satellite office in Red Lodge. He noted the Mental Health Center likes the current location as it is closer to hospitals.
12:00 Adjourned
Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer