COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
July 6, 2021
Commissioners Bill Bullock and Scott Miller; Administrative Officer Angela Newell; and Commissioners’ Secretary Barbara Krizek were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance.
Discussion regarding the Public Health contract with Beartooth Hospital expiring August 31.
9:10 Commissioner Scott Blain joined the meeting.
Community/Senior Programs Preliminary Budget. A 2% increase was requested for the next fiscal year. Commissioner Bullock will continue to represent the County on the Area 2 Council on Aging board.
9:30 Resolution to Amend Carbon County Fee Schedule. Sanitarian Cortney Lynde, Weed Coordinator Brian Ostwald, County Attorney Alex Nixon joining. Regarding department specific fees in relation to the Large Group Ordinance, Lynde felt Sanitarian fees are fully outlined in statute and should cover any county costs. Ostwald asked to add a $250 flat fee for weed inspections. Newell allocated $30/hr for Sheriff Deputies when called upon for events. After the fact Planning permit fees were also added at double the original fee rate. Commissioner Miller moved to approve Resolution 2021-21 Adopt Amended Fee Schedule; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
10:00 Red Lodge Fire Chief Tom Kuntz and Sheriff Josh McQuillan joined the meeting to provide an update regarding an on-going search and rescue mission for missing 23-year old solo hiker Tatum Morrell. Discussion regarding available resources for the search and potential costs that may be outside of the Interlocal Agreement.
10:30 Geospatial Information Systems Coordinator / Fire Warden Tom Kohley and Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) Coordinator Cyrina Allen met with Commissioners for their monthly update. Discussed the missing ATV; Commissioners would like to file a stolen vehicle report with the Sheriff’s Office. Allen reported she has submitted an EMPG Reverted funds grant application for $7,000 for new base and HAM radios for EOC. Discussion about looking for mitigation funding on behalf of ditch companies regarding recent ditch blowouts. Discussed radio system enhancements and maintenance. Radio system maintenance and enhancement planning is on the August 10th Agenda. Allen noted she has signed some deliverables as acting Public Health Officer. At this time there are 7-8 active COVID cases in County. Kohley noted lots of questions about Fire Restrictions and the exemptions process. Discussion regarding Road-Fire crew; Kohley will make sure all 8 are in IamResponding and have PPE.
Discussion regarding address requests for top of Highway 308; Kohley asked if Commissioners would consider naming the road. The County currently has road right of way, but it has not been established or developed road as a county Road. Kohley would like to do some more research to determine if there is Right-of-Way all the way to 2-Mile Road. Bullock is hesitant to establish it as a road because of the potential maintenance burden. Kohley noted all fire reimbursements have been submitted.
Miller moved to approve employee time as submitted; Blain seconded; motion carried.
Discussion regarding firework-initiated fires; two firework ignited fires over the weekend, approximately 1.5 acres burned. Most fire activity was due to lightening. Allen noted washout on Meeteetse Trail Road on Grove Creek Ranch.
Allen and Commissioners discussed Public Health Budget / staffing.
12:00 Miller approved the Public Health Coordinator job description and opening notice; Blain seconded; motion carried.
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Discussion regarding Standard Operating Procedure for emergency situations in the county (fire and non-fire). GIS Coordinator Tom Kohley and DES Coordinator Cyrina Allen in attendance. Discussion about some of the redundancies that they had in Robertson Draw, that bogged operations down. Discussion regarding the allocation / management of resources – one person with too many resources to coordinate reduced their efficiency.
Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer