COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
October 29, 2020
Commissioners Scott Blain and Bill Bullock; Administrative Officer Angela Newell; and Commissioners’ Secretary Barbara Krizek were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance
8:45 Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) Coordinator / Fire Warden Tom Kohley joined the meeting to propose approaching Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) to install gates on Montana highway 308 at the top/bottom of Bear Creek hill to close it during vehicular emergencies and inclement weather. Kohley reported that both the Sheriff Josh McQuillan and Red Lodge Chief of Police Jason Wells were in support; Kohley will inquire with Red Lodge Fire/Emergency Medical Services. Commissioner Bullock stated he was neutral on the issue and could see pros/cons either way. Commissioner Blain voiced apprehension that closing the gate for weather could create hardship and safety issues requiring vehicles to travel farther miles to reach their destination. Therefore, Commissioners would want a discussion about what the protocol and authority would be for closing such gate. Kohley will draft letter asking MDT to look into further.
9:00 Clerk and Recorder Christine Stovall, Election Administrator Macque Bohleen, and Scott Miller joined the meeting. Discussion regarding final preparations for the General Election taking place on Tuesday. The Clerk and Recorder’s office has struggled with Information Technology (IT) support from the current contractor (DIS), as well as previous contractors, and would recommend hiring an in-house IT staff-person for better response. 9:15 Carbon County News Reporter Eleanor Guerrero joined the meeting; 9:17 Guerrero departed the meeting.
9:30 Red Lodge Mayor Bill Larson joined the meeting for an update. Discussion about Christmas Stroll; due to COVID-19, there will not be a street closure, nor a parade, but rather a shopping day from 10am to 6pm. 9:40 Treasurer Lori Lynde joined the meeting to discuss the Red Lodge Country Club Estates Special Improvement District (SID); residents were double-billed for those taxes in their November bills. Lynde is working with City of Red Lodge Clerk/Treasurer Loni Hanson to rectify. Discussion regarding the upcoming bond election for the proposed Detention Facility in Joliet; meeting with bond counsel on November 18th. Discussion regarding the Red Lodge airport; interview this afternoon for a new Airport Manager.
10:00 County Attorney Alex Nixon joined via tele-conference to update that the Town of Joliet’s legal council has not been in communication regarding drafting an Interlocal Agreement for property annexation for the proposed Detention Facility.
10:30 Guerrero re-joined the meeting. Commissioner Bullock moved to approve the appointment of Cyrina Allen as Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) Coordinator and as the Carbon County chairperson of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC); Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
Commissioner Bullock moved to approve Commissioner Proceedings for October 13th, 15th, and 20th; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
11:00 Pam Hellerud of Youth Court and Spela Pavlick of Child & Family Services joined the meeting to discuss logistics regarding maintaining their operations during the Personal Services Building re-model. 11:25 Commissioner Blain and Scott Miller departed the meeting.
11:30 Red Lodge Airport Manager interview of Jeff Wise.
12:00 Adjourned.