Commissioner February 3, 2020 Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 by Commissioner Borner. Commissioner Berry and Commissioner Carlson were present.
Pledge of Allegiance.
Eric Eliasson visited with the Commissioners to give the estimates to change the lighting in the Courthouse and County Shop building for the Northwestern Energy Audit.
Commissioner Berry made the motion to approve the agenda as is. Commissioner Carlson seconded the motion. All in favor? Commissioner Berry and Commissioner Carlson said aye. Motion carried.
Commissioner Carlson made the motion to approve the January 27, 202 minutes as is. Commissioner Borner seconded the motion. All in favor? Commissioner Borner and Commissioner Carlson said aye. Commissioner Berry abstained because he wasn’t at the meeting. Motion carried.
Commissioner Carlson had a Refuse Board meeting on Tuesday January 28, 2020 and they signed the Lease Agreement for Musselshell County and the City of Roundup for the Refuse District/Transfer Site. Commissioner Carlson also had a Musselshell County Council on Aging Board meeting on Wednesday, January 29, 2020. They are working on the joint bus venture with the Hospital.
Commissioner Berry did not have any Board meetings.
Commissioner Borner didn’t have any board meetings but she had an e-mail from Mid-Rivers regarding the phone system at the Courthouse and sent them information. Commissioner Borner also talked to MACo regarding if the County has the authority to charge a review fee for Certificates of Surveys. MACo said in their legal opinion they do have the authority to charge but it is up to the County and the County Attorney. Commissioner Berry said that the County Attorney said that his opinion is that they do not have the authority to charge. Commissioner Borner would like the County Attorney to give them his written opinion. Commissioner Berry will take the information from MACo to County Attorney Peterson for review. ( Commissioner Berry told the Commissioners that after giving Attorney Peterson the information from MACo, the Commissioners should put MACo’s response on County letterhead) Commissioner Borner also talked to MACo regarding PERS reporting and their opinion is that because it was an employee error, the Commissioners need to meet with all employees affected and explain that they will now have the money taken out of their paychecks. Commissioner Berry would like to see the employee’s paperwork to see if maybe they “opted out” of PERS. Commissioner Borner went to a Roundup Reach meeting. They are working with the Watershed Coalition, Fish Wildlife and Parks and DEQ. Mayor Jones suggested a community conversation regarding how the property is to be used. Commissioner Borner also said that they are slowly moving forward with the EDA grant. Commissioner Borner said that Hartford insurance needs more information regarding the hail damage, she will send it. Commissioner Borner talked to Denning Downey & Associates and they are just finishing up the 2016 financials and are going to be starting on the rest. Wipfli is still waiting on letters from Attorneys. After reading the policy manual it was determined that employees cannot accumulate vacation days. At the Department Head meeting on January 27, 2020, there was a discussion about possibly doing a 1 time 40-hour payout that could be used as an incentive and benefit for employees. Commissioner Carlson is going to run the idea before MACo for viability.
Commissioner Berry had a call from Helen Hougen on January 28, 2020 regarding the Melstone City Council meeting on January 27, 2020. The members agreed to accept the donation of County owned property.
Maintenance Supervisor Jett gave her weekly report to the Commissioners. The dish washer at the Commons is not working properly. All Commissioners agreed to get it fixed and have Council on Aging start looking into grants to possibly replace the dishwasher.
Road and Bridge Supervisor Stockert and Secretary Kenner gave their weekly report to the Commissioners. There is still no word from Attorney Swimmley regarding the #4 Road alteration and the MFLAP ROW letter. Commissioner Carlson will contact her again. Mr. Stockert updated the Commissioners of his meeting with the Montana Department of Transportation regarding Goffena Bridge. MDOT did not realize how unique the situation is and all the issues and hurdles that will need to be handled, they will be working on it with the Watershed Coalition but are not sure they are going to be able to rush it through to 2022. Mr. Stockert had a meeting with Signal Peak regarding Fattig Creek Road. Signal Peak will be liable if anything happens and any concerns from the public, they will need to call Signal Peak dispatch.
Sheriff Lesnik gave his weekly report to the Commissioners. There are 2 Deputies at the Academy and their first review says they are doing well.
DES Coordinators Fisher and Harper gave their weekly report to the Commissioners. The Commissioners were given the updated Lease Agreement for County properties for approval. Burning was closed over the weekend due to high winds but was reopened this morning.
Treasurer Hetrick gave her weekly report to the Commissioners. Monthly reports were signed for record. Ms. Hetrick is moving forward with tax deeds. There is an issue regarding a parcel of land that someone paid taxes on under false pretenses that will result in a Civil case.
Ambulance Director Solberg met with the Commissioners to discuss a budget amendment for this year.
Public Comment:
No public comment.
Commissioner Berry made the motion to review, discuss and vote on signing the MACo Insurance Renewal forms. Commissioner Carlson seconded the motion. Discussion: They are going to look at the values but need to add Hawk Creek VFD’s new building and 9% to keep up, they will review when they do claims on Thursday February 6, 2020. All in favor? Commissioner Berry and Commissioner Carlson said Aye. Motion carried.
Commissioner Carlson made the motion to review and sign Certificate of Survey 2020-1RB Amending COS 2019-9 in Section 20, Township 8 North, Range 28 E, submitted by Kite Cattle Company. Commissioner Berry seconded the motion. All in favor? Commissioner Berry and Commissioner Carlson said aye. Motion carried.
Commissioner Berry made the motion to amend the agenda and add doing a Resolution to transfer the Melstone property, Lot 8, Block 16 of the Melstone Original Township, to the City of Melstone before the County Attorney will draw up the deed. Commissioner Carlson seconded the motion. All in favor of Resolution 2020-9? Commissioner Berry and Commissioner Carlson said aye. Motion carried.
Commissioner Berry made the motion to amend the agenda to accept the bids from Eric Eliasson for updating the lighting fixtures to LED in the Courthouse and the County Shop for the NW Energy Audit. The Courthouse cost is $4,725.50, the County Shop is $2,892.20. Commissioner Carlson seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Berry said the rebate the County will get from Northwestern Energy and the reduced bill will help with the cost. All in favor of accepting the bids? Commissioner Berry and Commissioner Carlson said aye. Motion carried.
County Agent Fosjord gave her weekly report to the Commissioners. Ms. Fosjord told the Commissioners that Florin Excavating gave a sample of dirt for the horse barn and that it would take approximately 15 to 18 loads. Ms. Fosjord would also like to add a charge for electric for events to the Fairgrounds user agreement. The Commissioners agreed to the change.
There being no further business the motion was made to adjourn. Motion carried.
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