COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
March 5, 2020
Commissioners Robert ‘Pits’ DeArmond, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock; Angela Newell, Administrative Officer; and Barbara Daniel, Commissioners’ Secretary were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance
Musselshell County Commissioner Tom Berry attended as a Carbon County property-owner for the Public Comment Period. Berry complimented the Commissioners for their initiative in planning for the proposed Detention Facility and stated he would be happy to testify towards its support. Berry empathized that Carbon County’s detention problems are shared by every small community in Montana, struggling to keep Deputies in town rather than on-the-road for hundreds of miles transporting inmates to other facilities, and having to pay rent to those facilities with those dollars leaving the County. Berry foresees Musselshell County accessing Carbon County’s facility at some point in the future. Due to water and energy-supply issues, Berry doesn’t foresee Musselshell ever building a facility of their own. 8:40 Berry departed the meeting.
Newell shared that Wagon Wheel Estates is petitioning to transition from Roberts Fire District to Red Lodge Fire District.
8:50 Craig Hash, Mary Cameron, Crystal Roascio, and Donna Dawson joined the meeting. Hash inquired during Public Comment regarding the proposed Detention Facility: election process/timeline; why not multi-jurisdictional with Stillwater/Sweetgrass Counties; housing federal/state inmates; why 100 beds as opposed to 50 beds; sentiment of Joliet citizens; and operating budget and staffing.
DUI Taskforce Coordinator Mary Cameron asked whether the Commissioners would sign a Proclamation declaring April as “Alcohol Awareness Month”. Added to March 26th agenda.
9:25 Indigent Services Agreement Renewal with Donna Dawson of Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel. Commissioner Bullock moved to approve the agreement; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
9:30 City of Red Lodge regular meeting attended by Mayor Bill Larson, Assistant City Planner Neil Mathews-Pennanen, City Attorney Rebecca Narmore, and Council Members Glory Mahan and Mary Cameron. Discussion regarding the City’s Resort Tax election in June changing 3% tax to allow for uses like park maintenance, and a 1% increase to address storm water issues. Mahan commended Macque Bohleen’s efforts and disposition as County Election Administrator.
10:00 County Attorney regular meeting with Alex Nixon. Nixon reported that there was an assault on a law enforcement officer yesterday in Bridger, but because Yellowstone County Detention Facility was over capacity, our Deputy had to transport the offender to Townsend.
The County Attorney’s office will not be representing Roberts Water-Sewer District who will be required to acquire their own counsel.
10:15 Closed-door meeting to discuss a personnel matter. 10:25 Door re-opened.
10:30 Deputy County Attorney Jacque Papez joined the meeting and reported no news regarding Industrial lawsuit; will be scheduling depositions.
10:30 Conditional Purchase Agreement for the Stevens Property for Detention Facility. Papez presented draft copies for review and feedback. Discussion regarding existing and desired easements. Papez will research water rights to ensure that there aren’t any. Joliet Town Council is expected to approve annexation of remaining acreage at next week’s meeting.
Commissioner Bullock moved to approve Claims for February; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
Commissioner Bullock moved to approve Justice Court End of Period Disbursement for January; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
Commissioner Blain reported mailing the Letters of Support to the State requesting the return of the Office of Public Assistance to Carbon County.
11:00 Public Health Response Planning for Coronavirus (COVID-19) attended by DES Coordinator Tom Kohley, Public Health Nurse Roberta Cady, Sanitarian Cortney Lynde, Beartooth Billings Clinic Director of Community Services Brandi Mains, School Superintendent Assistant Lori Kane, Public Health Officer Dr. Bill George, Beartooth Billings Clinic CEO Kelley Evans, and Clerk and Recorder Christine Stovall. Kohley reported good attendance and participation at last night’s Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meeting in Joliet. He provided the ICS 214 Activity Log documenting all the tasks completed by various entities beginning in January and to date, and has scheduled an IS-700 / ICS-100 training on March 18th.
Newell initiated discussion regarding the County’s contract with Public Health highlighting the “above and beyond” regular services provision and asking what “triggers” would enable the activation of that provision of the contract. Evans stated that they would ask for more funds only if additional staffing becomes required; Cady concurred stating that only if a County citizen becomes designated as a Person Under Investigation (PUI), would they require more staffing and therefore more funding.
Commissioner Bullock moved to approve pre-authorization to give Beartooth Billings Clinic additional funding should there be a need for more staff to attend to a PUI in Carbon County; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried. Newell stated up to $60k is readily allocable in the budget.
Discussion whether to contract the Incident Commander position with Jason Mahoney, who lives in Billings and is currently subcontracted through Beartooth Billings Clinic for Public Health emergency preparedness, or staff within the County via the DES Coordinator.
Evans stated that preparations should be organized so as to ensure no interruption to public services should portions of emergency, hospital, or government personnel become infected. Dr. George stated that there are CDC/National standards of precautions developing that may tie our hands and disrupt our services. Kohley reiterated that there is no “mutual aid button” and that the County needs to be prepared to address its own needs.
Commissioner Bullock moved to implement the COVID-19 Incident Command Structure; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried. Decision to meet again on Monday, March 9th at 10am.
12:15 Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted: Barbara Daniel, Commissioners’ Secretary