COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
September 14, 2017
Commissioners Doug Tucker, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock, and Administrative Assistant Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance
Gordon Sirrine and John Prinkki were present
Sanitarian Josh Juarez met with Commissioners as he was out for his scheduled meeting on Monday. He noted Lori Kane, his new assistant, is doing great and has been a great help and exceeding expectations. Josh noted Floodplain Administration has consumed a significant portion of their time and is being complicated by the Conservation District giving improper guidance to applicants regarding Floodplain Permits. Floodplain has distracted him from other programs that produce revenues and are required by State law and contracts with the Department of Public Health and Human Services; he has 140 licensed establishment inspections to complete by the end of the calendar year. Josh noted the FEMA Community Development site visit report card is also putting additional requirements on the County including adding “findings of facts” which would increase the time it takes to issue a permit from 20 minutes to over an hour. Josh also noted sanitary issues with lots in the Grove Creek area. Lots are being sold sight unseen and the buyers want to “live off the grid” and put in outhouses; outhouses are not allowed in State law. Josh is concerned the Development Permit process is not functioning as intended and may need better enforcement.
9:25 Civil Deputy Jacque Papez met with Commissioners. Recommend that Commissioners send letter to water and sewer districts regarding liability insurance available to them through the Montana Association of Counties.
9:32 Meeting closed to discuss personnel issue. 9:40 Meeting reopened.
Discussed preparing lien release for Clearview Subdivision alternate fire fees which have all be paid.
10:00 Personnel Service Building representatives Barb Mettler South Central MT Regional Mental Health Center, Pam Hellerud Youth Court, Heidi Mann Office of Public Assistance, Stena Bushnell Office of Public Assistance, Rhonda Williams Office of Public Assistance, Jody McCampbell Adult Protective Services, Roberta Cady Public Health Coordinator, Mary Cameron DUI Task Force Coordinator/Mental Health Center, Jean Atherly Public Health, Gayle Dravetsky Child Protective Services, Lindsey Olsen Alternatives Inc, and Amanda Green met with Justice of the Peace Kevin Nichols, Sheriff Josh McQuillan, County Attorney Alex Nixon, District Court Clerk Rochelle Loyning and Commissioners to discuss requested office changes. Judge Nichols noted he is looking at options to relocate his office to provide ADA access for an employee having knee surgery and for the public.
Personnel Service Building representatives expressed concerns with confidential nature of their offices and adding Justice and Red Lodge City Court traffic to the building and how that will impact their offices. They also noted collaboration of services with offices being located in the same building and would hate to lose that by moving one of the offices out of the building. Commissioners will consider what would need to be done to set up the conference room as a backup/ADA accessible court room, but do not feel moving Justice Court’s business office is the best solution.
11:00 Red Lodge Area Community Foundation’s Healthy Communities’ Coordinator Therese Picasso Edwards and Age Friendly Communities VISTA George Man met with Commissioners to discuss Age Friendly Communities. George is in the process of assessing the needs of the County and surveying senior citizens to evaluate the AARP’s Eight Domains of Livability for Carbon County to join the Network Age Friendly Communities. The AARP Network of Age Friendly Communities is part of the World Health Organizations efforts to prepare for population aging. George noted in his preliminary surveys transportation and communications barriers seem to be the top concerns in the County. Would like letter of support to participate and to have collaboration if there are any policy decisions that need to be made. Initial focus on seniors, but hope to address livability issues for other age groups.
11:25 Jane Swanson Webb met with Commissioners regarding Red Lodge School Budgets that were revised to account for lost federal funding. Commissioner Bullock moved to approve revised school budget as presented; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
11:30 Danielle Moore and County Attorney Alex Nixon met with Commissioners; the meeting was closed to discuss a personnel issue.
12:00 Adjourned
Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Assistant