COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
November 12, 2019
Commissioners Robert ‘Pits’ DeArmond, Scott Blain, and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance
Ken Clark with Pacific Corp met with Commissioners to discuss possible changes to the Pryor Mountain Wind Farm’s traffic plan. They are looking at alternate routes to access the project so as not to negatively impact traffic safety on Highway 310 and to not negatively impact traffic from the Montana Limestone quarry.
8:40 Commissioners’ Secretary Barbara Daniel joined the meeting.
9:00 Election Administrator Macque Bohleen met with Commissioners for the Municipal Elections Canvas. Commissioner DeArmond moved to accept the election canvas for Bearcreek, Bridger, Joliet, Fromberg, and Red Lodge as submitted; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
Commissioners continued their discussion with Ken regarding construction support vehicles, supplies, and the movement of turbine parts. Ken noted PacifiCorp has had discussions with MT Limestone; they do not have concerns with the material trucks using Quarry road, but are concerned about the trucks with turbine parts using that route and the impacts to their truck traffic.
9:35 DES Coord. / Fire Warden Tom Kohley met with Commissioners regarding renting a crane for placing the new Bridger radio tower.
Commissioner DeArmond moved to approve meeting minutes from October 22 and 24 meeting minutes; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
Commissioner Blain noted Keebler Ranch LLC has filed a lawsuite against TCT West for trespassing regarding the placement of Fiber Optic lines in the County’s road easement.
10:20 Prevention Specialist Mary Cameron and intern Alexsis Webster met with Commissioners regarding the DUI Task Force By-laws. Commissioner Blain moved to accept DUI Task Force By-Laws as presented; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
Commissioner DeArmond moved to approve employee time from 10/27/19-11/9/19; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
11:00 Detention and Court House Facilities Discussion. Sheriff Josh McQuillan, Clerk of District Rochelle Loyning, Red Lodge Police Chief Jason Wells, and Susan Roi from the Country Club Estates Home Owners Association were present. Commissioner Blain noted the Commissioners are still in the site selection process and will be working with our architects and the citizen committee to compare the proposed sites. Commissioner Blain also noted they have received a verbal land proposal for a site just south of Joliet from Norm and Gail Stevens. This site has city water and sewer lines to the property although the pipes may need to be upsized. Commissioner Blain also noted that Burmeister clarified that his proposed land price included him coordinating and paying the cost of connecting to water and sewer and putting in other utilities. Chief Wells noted he believes there are economic benefits to the City of Red Lodge for the jobs the facility would create. He appreciates the possible employment challenges with drawing people to work in Red Lodge. 11:11 Carbon County News reporter Eleanor Guerrero joined the meeting. Chief Wells emphasized his support for the project; he noted it is challenging in operating the department when officers have to be taken off patrol to transport a prisoner. Commissioners noted they are looking at cost analysis to determine if there is a financial benefit to accommodating other counties; noting county taxpayers are paying for construction and the size of the facility needs to be justified. Commissioners noted they do not want to make the same mistake as Broadwater County and have to rely on detention contracts for law enforcement operations. Sheriff Josh McQuillan emphasized that he still wants to use Alternatives programs whenever possible. He believes having a facility would be a deterrent to crime and would help expedite the court process if people knew outstanding warrants could result in jail time. There was a discussion regarding the opposition to the detention facility being in or near Red Lodge. Rochelle Loyning noted there was a jail in Red Lodge for years and it wasn’t a problem; she believes it is the County Seat’s obligation to host the detention facility.
11:20 Adjourned
Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer