COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
March 17, 2016
Commissioners Doug Tucker, John Grewell, and John Prinkki were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance
Commissioner Tucker moved to accept Justice Court End of Period Disbursements for February 2016; Commissioner Grewell seconded; motion carried.
Commissioners received confirmation of award for Bridger Airport Aeronautics Grant in the amount of $2,917.00.
DES Coord. / GIS Mgr. Tom Kohley met with Commissioners regarding State Homeland Security Grant Application. He plans to submit an application to fund improvements to the DES Public Information and emergency warning system. The grant project is expected to cost approximately $100,000 and does not require a match from the County. The project proposal includes: enhancements to the emergency notification system; responder notification improvements and resource tracking; expand Emergency Operations Call Center and joint information Center to alleviate calls to 9-1-1 Dispatch during incidents; purchase mobile public information pod; and purchase a warning siren for the Joliet community. Commissioner Tucker moved to approve grant application submittal; Commissioner Grewell seconded; motion carried.
9:00 John Husar met with Commissioners to give them an update on the Mud Springs Wind Project. There will be a Golden Eagle Working Group meeting in Helena Wednesday March 23rd; Commissioner Prinkki plans to attend. There will be a sage grouse survey starting Monday.
9:30 County Attorney Alex Nixon met with Commissioners. They discussed recent news articles regarding the Bearcreek search. The Red Lodge Cemetery District Proposal map has been revised to include only precincts 8, 9, 10, and 11 and a public hearing will be set for May 5th. Alex noted the Silvertip Zoning appeal has been classified to a five judge panel rather than the full court.
10:00 Election Administrator Judy Christensen met with Commissioners to discuss the Primary Election Ballot. Judy presented an outline of which races have multiple candidates. Commissioner Tucker moved to accept Election admin recommendation for primary non-partisan elections on primary ballot; Commissioner Prinkki seconded; Commissioner Grewell abstained as he is a candidate in the election; motion carried. The Commissioner District 2, Joliet race and the Bridger Park and Recreation Board candidate race will be on the primary ballot.
10:30 Commissioners signed Contracts with Timberline Contracting for the replacement of the East Pryor Road Bridge Treasure State Endowment Program (TSEP) project.
Commissioners discussed projects to help local agricultural producers and other businesses in the County and the roles they would like to take to promote economic development.
Commissioner Tucker informed the Board that he will be attending a follow-up meeting tomorrow in Congressman Zinke’s office in Billings regarding Sage Creek/Pryor Mountain Road maintenance.
Commissioners signed a letter concurring with the funding allocation formula and deliverable activities proposed for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant for July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017.
11:00 Commissioners participated in a conference call with Jeremiah Theys from GreatWest Engineering regarding the TSEP project to replace the Chance Road Bridge. The bridge is TSEP Level 5 Structure making it the “highest priority.” Jeremiah believes the County has a good chance to get the project funded and to partner with MDT for the TSEP Grant match. Jeremiah noted the cost of Bridge replacement is significant. The grant application would be for $750,000 in TSEP funds and the $750,000 match requirement would be supplied by State Off-System-Bridge funding. Jeremiah also noted there will be a preconstruction meeting next week for the East Pryor Road Bridge replacement.
12:00 Adjourned
Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Assistant