Musselshell County Commission Minutes

Commissioners October 13, 2023 Minnutes

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 by Commissioner Turley. Commissioner Pancratz and Commissioner Goffena were present.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to approve the agenda after adding the tabled item from last week regarding the MOU with Golden Valley County and County Attorney and adding Charles Widicomb at 1:00. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Goffena made the motion to approve the minutes from the October 6, 2023 meeting after adding Commissioner Turley minutes from the Hospital District Board meeting. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion. Motion carried.

No Public comment.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign Amended Resolution 2023-48 to receive the DNRC Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Goffena made the motion to sign Amended Resolution 2023-54 fixing the Mill Levy for the State Equalization, County High School Equalization and County Elementary Equalization Mill Levy for fiscal year July 1, 2023 to June 30 2024. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign Resolution 2023-55 to receive the DNRC Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Goffena made the motion to sign Resolution 2023-56 Rescinding Resolution 2023-35 Abandoning the last mile of Allen Road. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to table signing the MOU with Golden Valley County for the salary of the County Attorney. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Turley and Commissioner Goffena toured the mine last week with a few Montana Senators and Representatives. After the meeting Commissioner Turley went to the Charter ranch with everyone to discuss the mine.

Commissioner Goffena attended the Musselshell Water Shed Coalition. The water reports were given out. The Natural Resources Conservation District (NCRS) is working on opening a program for residents to get funding for pipelines for water from the new Regional Water Authority.

All Commissioners and County Attorney Larsen had a meeting with Nancy Everson from MACo, CFO Kirk and Treasurer Hetrick regarding the School meeting and issues that need addressed.

Maintenance Supervisor Jett gave her weekly report to the Commissioners. They need a new outlet in the Clerk & Recorders Office and at the Food Bank.

John Husar and Christian Alvear with UK North American LLC met with the Commissioners regarding the wind farm that is going to be going in up north. They are going to be doing a wind speed study for the next 2 years. They will be doing 3 public meetings. Tax abatement was discussed.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Stockert met with the Commissioners to let them know the place he bought his new shop building from is having a sale, if any department needs a building. The Commissioners will let Sheriff Lesnik know about it for a possible evidence building.

Charles Widicombe and County Attorney Larsen met with the Commissioner regarding closing the last mile of Alan Road. The Commissioner will contact WWC to look into investigating the road and looking into what needs to be done.

Ambulance Director Solberg gave his weekly report to the Commissioners. The Commissioners new computers are in and will be set up this week. They are finalizing the extended phone deal with Systems this week also. Mr. Solberg will bring the phone and headset at the Department Head meeting Friday October 20, 2023. The Dispatch generator died on Wednesday October11, 2023, but was fixed the next day. October 18, Northwestern Energy is going to shut off power from 10 PM until 4 AM.

Treasurer Hetrick met with the Commissioners to go over the monthly cash reconciliations and go over Melstone and Roundup School budgets.

Public comment:

Mary Lou Brandt met with the Commissioners to ask that the handicapped sign be moved from in front of the Teddy Blue Statue. The Commissioner will get it moved.

Michaela Viviano with Child and Family Services met with the Commissioner regarding getting bigger office space for the department. The Commissioners are working on getting space for a few different departments and offices.

Barb Wacker came in requesting a copy of Resolution 2023-56.

There being no further business Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.

October 16, 2023 Road Department meeting.

Commissioner Turley, Commissioner Goffena Road and Bridge Supervisor Stockert and Secretary Newman were present.

They have been doing traffic counts on a few County roads. They are going to be doing a resolution to charge a $25.00 fee for Encroachment Permits. They will first have 2 public comment times for any public comment there may be. There were only 2 job applications received. All County Roads have been mowed.

End of meeting.

Commissioners October 20, 2023 Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 by Commissioner Turley. Commissioner Pancratz and Commissioner Goffena were present.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Goffena made the motion to approve the agenda after adding Steve Zimmerer in at 2:00. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to approve the October 13, 2023 minutes with a few errors. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Public Comment on any public matter within the jurisdiction of the Commissioners that is NOT on the agenda.

There was no public comment.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to table the MOU with Golden Valley for the salary of County Attorney Larsen. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried

Commissioner Goffena made the motion to sign Resolution 2023-51 to receive a Coal Board Grant for a backhoe for the Road Department. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign Resolution 2023-57 to receive the Signal Peak grant for a public safety drone for the Sheriff’s Department. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Goffena made the motion to sign Resolution 2023-58 Authorizing MACo to Represent the Interests of Musselshell County in Seeking a Declaratory Judgement from The Montana Supreme Court Regarding Statewide Mills. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign the State of Montana Invoice for the Fairgrounds Water Supply submitted by Stahly Engineering. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.

End of business.

Commissioner Pancratz reviewed a 5-year strategy for Refuse.

Commissioner Turley and Commissioner Goffena did claims on Thursday October 19, 2023.

Sheriff Lesnik gave his weekly report to the Commissioners. They have hired a jailer for the Department. They were awarded $20,000.00 towards the purchase of a drone.

DES Director Russell and Coordinator Rook gave their weekly report to the Commissioners. They are still working on the paperwork for the demolition of the Old Milwaukee bridge. Two Department of Defense trucks have arrived. One will go to hawk Creek and one stays with the Command trailer. They have hired new rural addressing employees. Commissioner Pancratz would like to meet with DES Director Russell regarding the EOP, every Thursday at 1:00. They are finishing up winter maintenance on the vehicles. With the scheduled power outage on the 18 of October, they found a few issues that will need to be addressed. They attended the Montana Emergency Management Association Conference where Mr. Russell was awarded the Eastern District Emergency Manager of the Year Award!! Congratulations Justin!!

DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING OCTOBER 202, 2023

Present were:

Commissioner Turley, Commissioner Pancratz, Commissioner Goffena, Clerk of Court Halverson, CFO Kirk, Clerk & Recorder Tomassi, Treasurer Hetrick, Deputy Police, Sheriff Lesnik, DES Director Russell, Coordinator Rook, Ambulance Director Solberg and Secretary Hagstrom.

Absent were: County Attorney Larsen due to another meeting, Maintenance Supervisor Jett due to sickness, County Agent Solf- Maternity Leave. Justice of the Peace Marking.

Clerk of Court Halverson reported on the number of cases and search warrants they have done. They are looking into getting their documents archived through ARCASearch.

CFO Kirk reported that the Budget was submitted on time. Ms. Kirk really wanted to stress to the Department Heads to really look at their budget lines. She is now working on end of year reports.

Treasurer Hetrick reported that taxes will be going on today or Monday. There are motor vehicle changes and they no longer do drivers licenses in her office. They have done writs of execution for the mobile home taxes and they are really getting them taken care of. Thanks Sheriff Lesnik. Commissioner Turley mentioned that the reinvestments have really helped the County revenue and Ms. Hetrick has done an excellent job. Ms. Hetrick said she is going to work on less cash and more investments.

Clerk & Recorder Tomassi reported that everything was good. They are getting ready for the elections next year. People that are running for office can start filing in January. In February they will be going to election training in Helena. Claims are now every week on Thursdays. Claims have to be in on Tuesdays by 5. Commissioner Turley asked how everyone was liking the weekly claim cycles? Everyone is good with them.

Secretary Hagstrom read the Road Department report. The Goffena Bridge rebuild is complete. MDT put the bridge out for bids for possibly spring. No paper work yet but it is possibly 4.5 million to replace the bridge. They have been rebuilding on Eagle Rock. A lot of tree removal, 6 culverts, shale rock and gravel hauled. The mag chloride on mine hill turned out good and the treatment they put on Melstone Custer is holding up so far. They replace 2 cattle guards on Hawk Creek and would like to do 3 more before the gravel project. Half of the Holden gravel pit product is screened so far. Mowing complete in all 3 districts and they are working on fall maintenance. Coal Board approval for a grant to get a new backhoe, it should be here around the first of the year. Concrete aprons on the new shop and completed the steel building project for $402,349.30. S Bare S pole barn building was $630,000.00 Saved over 227,650. For a much better building. Advertising for 2 new maintenance workers. They have been doing traffic counts and the numbers have been high.

Sheriff Lesnik gave his report. 2 positions still open. Deputy Randall is at the Academy. They received a Signal Peak Grant for a drone that can be used for finding fires, flooding, evacuations and search and rescue. They have hired a detention officer.

DES Director Russell gave his report. They have been working on grants. The State will be here next week to discuss another buyout. Hired 3 less than part-time per diem people for rural addressing. One will mainly work at the office when they are out or at training. Justin received the Eastern District Emergency Manager of the Year Award.

Ambulance Director Solberg gave his report. The power outage was a good opportunity for testing some equipment. All generators worked well. There are final quotes for the new phones.

Commissioner Turley said they appreciate everyone and the work they do.

End of meeting.

Ambulance Director Solberg gave his weekly report. They are going to be doing the switch on the new phone systems.

There being no further business Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

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