COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
October 1, 2019
Commissioners Robert ‘Pits’ DeArmond, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock, and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance
Commissioners attended the Montana Association of Counties (MACo) Annual Conference in Great Falls September 23-26, 2019.
Brent Moore from Interstate Engineering met with Commissioners regarding the replacement of the Pryor Mountain Road Bridge over Bridger Creek. Commissioners had asked if there was a less expensive way to replace the Bridge. Brent noted the Montana Department of Transportation’s evaluation determined the existing piles and abutments are wood and in poor shape and cannot support a precast concrete bridge. Brent noted Red Lodge surveying is ready to start this week and geo tech work will commence as soon as the contract is signed. Commissioners agreed to move forward with a full replacement as originally proposed.
Commissioners received an email from David Lehnherr and Kurt Sandmire on behalf of the Meeteetse Meadows South Homeowners Association regarding additional maintenance for Meeteetse trail. Commissioners Bullock and DeArmond responded with a joint letter which included the Road Priority policy, the Code of the West which guides Carbon County’s road maintenance philosophy, and minutes from May when road priorities were revised.
Commissioner Bullock moved to approve minutes for August 27 and September 3 as corrected; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
Commissioners approved Justice of the Peace Kevin Nichols request to begin advertising internally for an upcoming vacancy in his office.
10:00 Sanitarian Cortney Lynde met with Commissioners for her monthly update. Commissioner DeArmond moved the successful completion of Cortney’s probationary period now that she has passed her Registered Sanitarian test; Commissioner Bullock seconded; motion carried. Cortney noted she hopes to get caught up on food inspections now that the weather has turned and construction is winding down. Commissioners discussed family transfers and septic applications for parcels in the Roberts area. Commissioners would like to see some additional criteria to define patterns of development under subdivision exemptions.
Commissioner Bullock moved to approve the Edgar Gruel Building lease agreement with the Red Lodge Wrestling Club; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
10:30 DES Coord. / Fire Warden Tom Kohley was not available for his monthly update, he is attending training in Billings.
10:50 Eleanor Guerrero and Alistair Baker from the Carbon County News met with Commissioners regarding concerns about the budget article. Eleanor noted she would be happy to do additional articles to better explain budget information. Commissioner Blain believes his letter to the editor will be sufficient.
Commissioner Bullock moved to approve employee time as submitted; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
Commissioner Bullock left to attend the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS) Board of Directors meeting.
11:00 Sheriff Josh McQuillan and Red Lodge City Council representative and Mayoral candidate Diane Dimich met with Commissioners for jail facilities discussion. Commissioners reviewed the request for land proposals. Commissioner Blain noted Beartooth RC&D will help facilitate a citizen committee consisting of 3-4 people per commissioner district. Commissioner Blain noted at the MACo conference there was a meeting regarding mental health and jail recidivism. Sheriff Josh McQuillan noted the County has been willing to pay for Alternatives’ services to keep people out of jail if cost is a barrier to using those services rather than serving jail time.
12:00 Adjourned
Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer