COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
November 5, 2019
Commissioners Scott Blain and Bill Bullock, and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance
Joe Johnson of the Red Lodge Country Club Estates met with Commissioners regarding the Win Development LLC land proposal off of Highway 78 for the detention center. He noted the Home Owners Association (HOA) is against the construction of a detention facility on that site; Commissioners confirmed the proposal noted the was contingent upon the approval of the HOA.
Becky Grey met with Commissioners for Public Comment to observe.
Mary Cameron and Diane Dimich joined the meeting. Mary invited Commissioners to lunch on November 12th before the Mental Health Local Advisory Council meeting to finalize DUI Task Force By-Laws.
8:50 Steve Roi joined the meeting. He asked who would ultimately make the decision on the detention center site? Commissioners noted they will ultimately choose the site and it would be presented with bond issue when it is on the ballot. Steve asked what criteria were being considered for selecting a site. Commissioner Blain noted cost will not be the only factor considered. They are looking at various things including labor pool availability and housing affordability for employees.
9:00 Sheriff Josh McQuillan, Beartooth RC&D Executive Director Joel Bertolino and Economic Development Director Steve Simonson met with Commissioners for the selection of the Detention Facility Citizen Committee. Carbon County News reporter Eleanor Guerrero was present. Commissioner Blain noted all 14 applicants have an interesting perspective to provide and he would like to have them all on the Committee. Commissioner Bullock moved to appoint the following members to the Detention Facility Citizen Committee: Pete Critelli, Shelly Thompson, Tera Reynolds, Denise Rivette, Melvin Haisler, Gary Morseman, Hal Lewis, Melvin Hoferer, Amber Foechterle, Gary Foechterle, Mark Keyes, Jane Swanson-Webb, and Steve Thuesen; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
Beartooth RC&D work with the Committee members to set their first meeting. Steve noted all meetings will be open to public. Sheriff Josh McQuillan asked about creating a history of detention issues and a fact sheet for the committee and public. There was a discussion regarding the expectations of the committee. Commissioners agreed that they want their input in the planning process and hope the committee will serve as a communication bridge with the public through the planning process.
9:36 Commissioner Bullock moved to approve District Court Fines and Fees, Treasurer Cash Report, and Clerk and Recorder Monthly Deposit Reconciliation for October 2019; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
Commissioners continued the discussion with Sheriff McQuillan regarding detention facility land sites. They also discussed an email from District Court Clerk Rochelle Loyning regarding the need for a new court house. Commissioners agreed the court house issues also needed to be addressed, but they felt there may be options that would not require bonding for that project.
Phil Mankin representing Norm and Gail Stevens met with Commissioners to present another land proposal for the detention facility next to the old extension office in Joliet; the 5-acre parcel could be bigger with a boundary relocation. City water and sewer is available on the lot. Phil was not sure about a price proposal, but hoped to get something to the Commissioners soon.
10:15 Sanitarian Cortney Lynde met with Commissioners for her monthly report. She reviewed licensed establishment inspections noting most of the food inspections that remain are in Red Lodge.
10:30 DES Coord. / Fire Warden Tom Kohley met with Commissioners for his monthly update (report attached). He noted he is looking at moving the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system from IMC to Zurker; this project would be eligible for 911 Funds grant application.
Commissioner Bullock moved to adopt the revised Sick Leave Grant Policy to allow Commissioners to make exceptions to the criteria for extenuating circumstances on a case by case basis; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
Meeting closed to discuss request for exception to sick leave grant policy.
12:00 Adjourned
Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer