COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
May 20, 2019
Commissioners Robert ‘Pits’ DeArmond, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock, and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance.
DUI Task Force Coordinator Mary Cameron met with Commissioners. Commissioner Bullock moved to approve the DUI Task Force Plan for 2019-2020; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
Contract Planner Forrest Mandeville met with Commissioners regarding a mobile home subdivision within the Fromberg town limits. Forrest noted the project would fall under subdivision laws and the Town of Fromberg referred the developer to Forrest. Forrest asked if the Commissioners would like him to review the subdivision for Fromberg. Commissioners agreed it would best to have Forrest handle the subdivision on their behalf for a fee. Commissioners are concerned that the Town does not have the expertise to properly facilitate the development of the subdivision and would agree to enter into an interlocal agreement for subdivision review.
9:00 Forrest and Commissioners met regarding the variance request for the Clearview Subsequent Minor Subdivision variance. Forrest noted the variance is to to pay a fee in lieu of on-site fire protection; Forrest noted the past practice of applying an impact fee for fire protection was not desirable. The City of Red Lodge would not approve connection to their fire hydrant system for this lot. Forrest also noted the neighbor’s well did not have adequate flow to provide fire protection. The Planning Board recommended conditional approval of the variance with one change to the preliminary conditions: condition #8 of the preliminary plat approval for the Clearview Subsequent Minor Subdivision shall be changed to “Prior to filing final plat, a lien agreement shall be in place requiring that upon sale or septic permit application of Lots 5 and 6, a $2,500/lot fee shall be paid to Carbon County.” 9:15 Bill Karas from Red Lodge surveying joined the meeting. Commissioner Bullock expressed concerns about how a fee will help provide fire protection. Forrest noted he believes variance process will help prevent the county from setting a precedent. Commissioner Blain and DeArmond noted the lot’s proximity to the City of Red Lodge does make the variance more consumable. Commissioner DeArmond, having reviewed and considered the variance request, recommendation from the Planning Board, public comment and all information presented, moved to conditionally approve the variance request from fire protections requirement for the Clearview Subsequent Minor Subdivision; Commissioner Bullock seconded; motion carried.
Forrest reviewed the Silver Sage Hills Subdivision and the Planning Board’s findings, recommendations, and conditions as follows:
1. Filing of the final plat shall be subject to the review and approval by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality
2. A notation shall be provided on the final plat that legal and physical access is provided per 76-3-608(3)(d), MCA.
3. The final plat shall contain the following statement: “The undersigned hereby grants unto each and every person, firm, or corporation, whether public or private, providing or offering to provide telephone, telegraph, electric power, gas, cable television, water or sewer service to the public, the right to the joint use of an easement for the construction, maintenance, repair and removal of their lines and other facilities, in, over, under and across each area designated on this plat as ‘Utility Easement’ to have and to hold forever.”
4. Documentation shall be submitted showing that a weed management plan is in place, and, if necessary, that the Weed District has approved of a remediation plan.
5. The final plat shall be prepared and reviewed in accordance with Section IV-C of the Carbon County Subdivision Regulations and the Uniform Standards for Final Subdivision Plats (24.183.1107, ARM).
Commissioner Bullock having reviewed and considered the variance request, recommendation from the Planning Board, public comment, and all of the information presented, moved to approve Silver Sage Hills Subdivision, with the findings and conditions included in the project memorandum; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
Forrest and Commissioners discussed the County’s growth policy; it is up for review in the next fiscal year. Forrest and commissioners do not believe enough has changed to necessitate more than a targeted revision. Forrest will review with Planning Board at their June meeting.
9:40 Commissioner Bullock moved to postpone the Alternatives Service contract renewal until contract language had been finalized; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
10:00 Commissioners and Sheriff Josh McQuillan met with representatives from the Red Lodge Rural Fire District No. 7 Fire Chief Tom Kuntz, Tyler Raye, Amy Hayfield, and Tara Mastel. Carbon County News reporter Eleanor Guerrero was also present.
Kuntz noted the Red Lodge Fire and EMS facility is 30 years old and the Fire District is looking at a major addition to accommodate staff offices and growing needs and more efficient operations. Both entities would like to explore the feasibility of a shared space to accommodate Court House Offices to determine if it would be more cost effective for tax payers. There was a discussion about the additional space Red Lodge Fire needs; they are still in the investigation phase and are not yet sure what the square footage they are looking for. Commissioners and Sheriff noted the operational efficiencies of keeping existing Court House offices consolidated or in close proximity to one another. Commissioner discussed the County’s recent space needs assessment and the County’s exploration of constructing a jail. Commissioner Bullock encouraged Red Lodge Fire to pursue their own space needs assessment to determine if the two projects could fit in the same foot print. There was a discussion about planning for future growth and making sure additional space could be added onto in the future.
11:15 Commissioner Bullock moved to approve meeting minutes for April 25, 2019; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
11:30 Election Administrator Macque Bohleen met with Commissioners for the special districts’ election canvas. Macque presented the Canvas for the rural fire districts. Macque noted no election was needed as all board members were voted in by acclamation. Macque noted there are still some board vacancies that will need to be appointed by the Commissioners. Commissioner Bullock moved to approve Fire District Election canvas as presented; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried. Macque presented the Bridger Parks and Recreation Board Canvas; all members were also approved by acclamation. Commissioner Bullock moved to approve Bridger parks and Recreation District Canvas; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
Macque noted the State will be providing Help America Vote Act grants to replace the auto mark voting machines. The County will need to purchase 8 new machines at approximately $3,500 each. The Grant will pay for 50% of the cost. Discussed possibility of central counting center to reduce the cost of machine replacements.
12:00 Adjourned
Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer