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COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
July 18, 2023
Commissioners Scott Miller, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock; and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance.
Bullock moved to approve the June 2023 Claims and the early claim run for July 2023; Blain seconded; motion carried.
Bullock noted that going forward he will be a little late on Thursday mornings to attend construction meetings for the replacement of the East Side Road North and South Bridges and the Meeteetse Road Bridge.
9:00 Department of Revenue Property Valuation Specialist Mark Heron, Treasurer Lori Lynde, and City of Red Lodge Planner Cortney Long met for the Interlocal Agreement regarding the Black Mountain Software Tax Increment District (TID) Module. Heron discussed the process of balancing tax assessments with the Treasurer’s tax software and the current complications they are having without the module in place. The Software Module would perform the calculation to determine what portion of taxes received need to be allocated to the District. Long noted City’s changes to the agreement including the removal of attorney fees under the termination provisions, the addition of language regarding various ways the district could be terminated, and the change of notice to go to the mayor instead of City Council. Bullock moved to approve the Interlocal Agreement; Blain seconded; discussion of concerns with changes, payment provision after sufficient taxes are collected which could be several years, lack of City’s response to correspondence this spring, concerns regarding City’s processes to terminate interlocal agreements. Motion failed.
Blain moved to approve the implementation of BlackMountain TID software pending a final MOU between the City and County requiring payment within 30 days from the City for the software; motion failed for lack of second. Long asked if the Commissioners would provide suggested changes; Bullock noted he would like to see the upfront payment and the City propose altered language.
9:29 Bullock moved to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the Montana Wool Growers Association; Blain seconded; motion carried.
9:30 Deputy Clerk and Recorder Piney Helmuth met for a records destruction request. Bullock moved to approve the record disposal request for claims from July 2013 – June 2015; Blain seconded; Bullock noted that the records are past the retention period established by the Secretary of State; motion carried.
Bullock moved to approve Commissioners’ Proceedings for May 25, May 30, May 31, June 1, June 6, June 8, June 13; Blain seconded; motion carried.
10:00 Human Resource Specialist Kate Asbury met for her monthly update. She reviewed her written report (attached). Asbury noted there has not been a great response for Nurse positions. Cost of advertising.
10:30 Bullock moved to approve employee time; Blain seconded; motion carried.
10:45 Blain departed to attend a preconstruction meeting for Dorvall Corner.
Miller noted in discussions with the Fromberg Legion, the cost of remodeling the existing building with the ARPA grant is going to be more expensive than tearing the current building down and building new. They would like to allocate grant funds to the new construction. Purchases already made will be repurposed for the new construction. Bullock agreed that repurposing the money makes sense.
Bullock noted this is also likely going to be the best outcome for the Cedarwood Property. For long-term improvements to really fix what needs to be fixed Bullock believes a new structure is the solution, Miller agreed.
11:00 Bullock moved to approve the Audit Agreement with Olness & Associates for Fiscal Years 2023-2025; Miller seconded; motion carried.
Bullock moved to approve the Phillips Gravel Pit Lease Agreement; Miller seconded; discussion regarding splitting royalties between cash and material; motion carried.
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Airport Board. Merrill Pfeifer, Bo Ewald, Steve Smith, Angela Newell, Gary Harem, Marie Olsen, Reporter Denise Rivette, John Prinkki, Drew Daniels, Sandy Conlee, Red Lodge Attorney Dennison Butler, and Red Lodge Mayor Kristen Cogswell were present.
Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer