COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
November 1, 2018
Commissioners Robert ‘Pits’ DeArmond, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock, and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance
Commissioner Blain noted the cold cowl seller in Colorado would like a $500 down payment to hold the equipment; the deposit would be refunded if it didn’t operate as expected. Commissioners approved the down payment.
9:00 Beartooth Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Economic Development Director Sue Taylor met with Commissioners to discuss the update of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Sue noted the CEDS is an Economic Development Administration requirement for the economic development district designation. Sue noted the current document has approximately 30 pages of local government projects; they would like to remove that component so the updated document focuses on projects Beartooth RC&D will be part of. Sue noted plan to review economic disaster plans, value added agriculture, and tourism. Commissioners suggested they also look at development of vo-tech skills and recruiting for well-paying non-degree required jobs. Commissioner Bullock noted there is a need for real estate appraisers and it would be good to know if there is a shortage of trained individuals for other industries. Sue and Commissioners also discussed broadband access limitations and its limits on economic development. Sue discussed opportunity zones that were part of the 2017 tax reform. The City of Red Lodge is designated an opportunity zone and Sue would like to work with Commissioners, the City of Red Lodge, and both entities’ planning departments to develop a strategy to attract funding. The Opportunity Zone program is 10-year program and relies on private investments. Real-estate development, such as projects focused on increasing housing stock, tend to be desirable investments. Beartooth would like to determine the most desirable locations for investment and have a project ready to go to attract funders. Sue believes the right project could target workforce housing issues in Red Lodge as she noted 4-plex rental units are desirable for investors. Sue and Commissioners also noted transportation issues and challenges to make any public transportation self-sustaining. Commissioner Blain also noted that affordable child care is a challenge throughout the County, especially with the loss of Head Start programs. Sue and Commissioners also discussed the benefits of an incubator kitchen, like the one in Livingston. Sue also noted Beartooth is looking at creating a Yellowstone Valley Food Hub to sell to local produce to area restaurants; they are working with the Rocky Fork Food Hub. The goal is to create a single point of contact so restaurants don’t have to work with various vendors to meet their demands.
10:00 County Attorney Alex Nixon and Civil Deputy Jacque Papez met with Commissioners. Commissioner Bullock noted the cattle guard was replaced on the road by Bill Burgen’s house with a functioning used cattle guard. Mr. Burgen was informed that any future cattle guard maintenance or replacement would be billed at the rates established in the cattle guard resolution.
Commissioner Blain moved to accept Treasurer’s Cash Report for October 2018; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
11:00 Pam Schwend, Nikki Bailey, Jeff Schmalz, Lola Ashby, Lori Lynde, Rick Martin, and Judy Prinkki met with Commissioners for the Safety Committee Meeting.
Commissioner Blain moved to approve Commissioners proceedings from October 25, 2018; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
12:00 Board of Health meeting. Robert ‘Pits’ DeArmond, Scott Blain, Bill Bullock, Dr. Bill George, Jean Atherly, Sheriff Josh McQuillan, Lori Kane, Dick Nolan, County Attorney Alex Nixon, Roberta Cady, and Sheila Boggio were present. Red Lodge Community Foundation representative Therese Picasso-Edwards was also present. Dr George moved to approve minutes from the August 23, 2018 Board of Health Meeting; Dick seconded; motion carried.
2:00 Sheriff Josh McQuillan met with Commissioners to participate in conference call with Codan and Tom Dunne regarding the radio system project. Codan participants included Rick Felt, James Ranforew, Don Brown, and Richard Wong. DES Coord. / GIS Mgr. Tom Kohley participated via phone. Commissioner Bullock confirmed the County is looking to have the system installed and deployed as soon as possible. Tom Dunn noted he is not concerned about tower access with the availability of snowmobiles and snow cats. Factory acceptance and training in Anaconda. Discussed technical issues. Will have weekly conference call to touch base on project status. Project rollout or contract related questions should be directed to James.
Adjourned
Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer