COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
May 5, 2016
Commissioners Doug Tucker, John Grewell, and John Prinkki were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance
Commissioners sent a letter of support for a grant application for the Yellowstone County Community Crisis Center.
Commissioner Tucker moved to accept April 7, 2016 meeting minutes as presented; Commissioner Grewell seconded; motion carried.
9:00 Contract Deputy County Attorney Jacque Papez met with Commissioners. They discussed the Impact Fee and Indemnity Agreements for the Mud Springs Wind Project. Jacque reviewed changes as discussed at the April 11, 2016 meeting. She also noted the County is still waiting for the Supreme Court to issue a decision on the Silvertip Zoning Appeal.
9:10 Clerk and Recorder Marcia Henigman and Treasurer Jane Swanson-Webb joined the meeting. Jane discussed potential liability issues with an ambulance that had Carbon County exempt plates being used by a private company in Whitehall. Jacque will discuss the issue with County Attorney Alex Nixon. 9:20 Jane left the meeting.
Marcia discussed purchasing procedures with Jacque and the Commissioners. 9:30 Marcia left the meeting.
Commissioners signed the Mud Springs Wind Farm Impact Fee Agreement and the revised Mud Springs Wind Farm Road Use, Repair, and Indemnity Agreement.
Commissioner Grewell moved to accept April Claims as presented; Commissioner Tucker seconded; motion carried.
The Agreement for the Boyd to Cooney Dam Scrub Seal Project with Hardrives Construction Inc. has been signed.
10:00 Shannon Shanholtzer with the Montana Association of Counties (MACo), Tom Kastelitz and Heather Cope with HUB International Insurance, and Treasurer Jane Swanson Webb met with Commissioners for liability and worker’s compensation insurance renewals. Carbon County is very close to the Pool’s average with a 7.8% premium increase. Carbon County’s worker’s compensation modification factor has dropped to 86% and has a good property loss ratio at 24.72%. The cyber liability coverage limit has increased but cyber liability premiums are lower this year.
11:00 Public Hearing regarding the creation of Carbon County Cemetery District No. 8 – Red Lodge. Clerk and Recorder Marcia Henigman, Elections Administrator Judy Christensen, GIS Manager Tom Kohley, Red Lodge Community Development Director Peter Italiano, Red Lodge Public Works Director Jim Bushnell, Susan Foisy, Daniel Gainer, Bill Foisy, Beth Hutchinson, Burt Douthit Jr., Sam Painter, Polly Richter, and Gretchen Arndt were present. Dan Gainer gave an overview of the request from the City of Red Lodge for the Commissioners to hold a referendum to create a cemetery district and pass a mill levy to support the Red Lodge Cemetery. The proposed District would include property within voting precincts 8, 9, 10, 11. There was a discussion about burying individuals that do not live in the district in the cemetery; it was noted that some other districts charge a higher burial fee for those who do not live within the district. There was a discussion about setting a standard of care for the cemetery; it was noted that the intent is to increase the standard of care and increase maintenance efficiencies to reduce the personnel costs necessary to maintain the cemetery. There was some discussion as to whether or not it would be beneficial to initiate the process through a petition; the City’s preference is for the Commissioners to order a referendum. Judy Christensen clarified that the issue would have to be on a separate ballot and not incorporated into the general election ballot so that non-resident property owners had an opportunity to vote on the issue. There was a discussion about the noticing requirements on the Resolution of Intent to Issue the Referendum as adopted; Commissioner Prinkki clarified that the cost of sending the letters would be borne by City.
11:45 Treasurer / Superintendent of Schools Jane Swanson-Webb met with Commissioners regarding the Superintendent of Schools contract renewal with Dan Martin. Commissioner Grewell moved approval of the Agreement with Dan Martin for 2016-2017; Commissioner Tucker seconded; motion carried.
12:00 Adjourned
Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Assistant