Musselshell County Commission Minutes

Commissioners August 23, 2024 Minutes

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 for the day after adding an Encroachment permit. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion as amended. Motion carried.

Commissioner Goffena made the motion to approve the minutes from the August 16, 2024, meeting as written. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion. Motion carried.

No public comment.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign the Contract of County Superintendent of Schools Between Rosebud County and Musselshell County. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Goffena made the motion to sign the Proposal for a Conceptual Drawing for the Wier Building submitted by Tieszen & Sons, Inc. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign the Quote for the Sheriff’s Duo MFA service submitted by Thad McGrail from Systems Tech. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Goffena made the motion to sign the Offer of Employment as Chief Deputy County Attorney to Ben Krakowka. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign Change Order #2 for the Fairgrounds Water Main submitted by Stahly Engineering. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Goffena made the motion to sign the Encroachment Permit for and approach in Section 1, Township 6 North, Range 23 East on Dean Creek Road submitted by Alvin J. Hochstetler. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion based on Road and Bridge Supervisor Stockert’s approval.

Safety Coordinator Beck, Road Secretary Newman and Troy Meier from Montana State Fund met with the Commissioners regarding the Bring them Back to Work Policy.

Sheriff Lesnik gave his weekly report to the Commissioners. They hired a new communications officer, and one Deputy is at the Academy.

County Attorney Larsen met with the Commissioners.

A citizen met with the Commissioners regarding the Senior Center.

DES Director and Coordinator gave their weekly report to the Commissioners. They have been extremely busy with fires. Staffing Stations have been very helpful, and they have been getting their reports in. There were 3 new address applications this week.

Nathan Schroht and Justin Zindell with KLJ met with the Commissioners to discuss projects at the airport. Airport Manager Kelly Gebhardt was also present. There needs to be a policy and letter to the FAA regarding cash deposits for fuel purchases. Mr. Schroht will be sending a template for us to use. They may have to put a gate at the entrance of the airport to keep wildlife out and off the runway.

Pam Carter, Mike Morgan, Chris Kirk and Irv Weigum with Homes on the Range met with the Commissioners regarding a letter for the tenants regarding asbestos. County Attorney Larsen was also present. Mr. Larsen has written a letter that will be sent to all tenants, and they will put together a plan for repair. September 10, 2024, Ms. Kirk and Mr. Weigum will be attending the Emergency Planning meeting.

All Commissioners were on the Radio Wednesday August 21, 2024.

All Commissioners attended the interviews for the County Agent Assistant Wednesday August 21, 2024. Tracy Mosley from MSU was also in attendance.

All Commissioners attended the FEMA meeting on Wednesday August 21, 2024. The focus was on flooding and fire mitigation.

Claims were done on August 21, 2024. Claims = $344,323.26

Public Comment:

Theresa Doumitt and Bill Tieszen met with the Commissioners regarding the Wier building structural engineering.

Marcie Brookie from Area II Agency on Aging met with the Commissioners. Ms. Brookie has been directed by the State to schedule some training classes for employees.

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

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1153 per Justin Russell, transferring cash from Fire Protection 2340, to cover negative in DNRC 2346.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1154 to correct 2 claims that were entered incorrectly, per Denise Newman.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1155 the First Semester payment for Transportation Distribution.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1156 Cancelling outstanding Warrants/Clerk of Court checks per MCA 7-6-2607 and moving the cash to the general fund.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1157 to Xfer tax receipt to correct Cemetery Fund 7301.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1158 Xfer restricted cash to regular cash.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1159 Xfer cash from 2170 to 2172 to cover negative cash balance due to extra loan payment.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1160 moving postage expense to tax deed from Treasurer.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1161 moving expenses from 2300 to Sheriff CapImp per Shawn Lesnik.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1162 2nd Semester Transportation Distribution from County transportation fund to Melstone Elementary and Melstone High School Per order of the County Superintendent of Schools.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1163 correcting claim #28112-Mattfield Insurance.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1164 Distributing Elementary Retirement money to Melstone School. Per order of the County Superintendent.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1191 to cover the negative cash balances at FY2024. This will reverse on July 1, 2024.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1193 allocating the Fair Market Value of the investments. This will have a reversing entry posted in July.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1196 to record grant monies not received by fiscal year end.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1198 2024 Year End Accrued Payroll.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1200 covering negative cash balances in FY 2024. This will reverse on July 1, 2024.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1202 correcting deferred tax revenue to match tax receivables.

Musselshell County

Commission Minutes

Commissioners August 30, 2024 Minutes

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

Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Goffena made the motion to approve the agenda as is, Commissioner Pancratz seconded. Motion carried.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to approve the Minutes as is from August 23rd, 2024. Commissioner Goffena seconded. Motion carried.

No Public Comment on the Business items below:

Business:

Commissioner Goffena made the motion to Review and sign the invoice from Tieszen & Sons, Inc. for the design work for the Wier Building. Commissioner Pancratz seconded. Motion carried.

Mayor Jones and the Park Committee visited with the Commissioner’s regarding partnership between the City and the County for the upkeep and funding of the Roundup Community Pool.

Sheriff Lesnik gave his weekly report to the Commissioners. Deputy Barber is at the Academy. The Sheriff’s office has one patrol vehicle down, due to transmission failure.

DES Director Justin Russell and DES Coordinator Darren Rook gave their update to the Commissioners. No FEMA updates to report. Fire Warden reports the department had 2 mutual aid fires, Barber Draw and Remmington. The department held the Fire Information Meeting this week. At this time burn permits remain closed. Staffed Stations are still operating with 12 allocated Fire Fighters. VFC Grant was approved. The department met with the State for the CWPP Meetings. DES assigned 3 new addresses.

CFO Kirk met with the Commissioners regarding 2024-2025 budgets and the extension request for AFR.

Treasurer Hetrick reviewed School and Countywide levies with the Commissioners.

Board Meetings:

Commissioner Goffena attended the Tax Boarding Meeting via Zoom on August 27th, 2024. MACO will be making recommendations to the State to lower property tax assessments implemented in 2023.

All Commissioners met with Senator Daines office regarding Signal Peak Mine and the Crow Revenue Act on August 26th.

All Commissioners met with the Musselshell Council on Aging Board regarding community complaints on the portion size, variety and nutritional content of the meals provided by Meals on Wheels.

Commissioner Turley and Commissioner Pancratz attended the Refuse Board Meeting on August 27th. The board discussed the 2024-2025 Refuse Budget, Capital Purchase Issues and options of recycling revenue.

All Commissioners met with Theresa Doumitt and Bill Tieszen (Tieszen & Sons, Inc) regarding structural repair and feasibility of the Wier Building.

There being no further business Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried, at 3:27 PM MDT.

Commissioners September 6, 2024 Minutes

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 day’s agenda as is. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Goffena made the motion to approve the minutes from the August 30 meeting after mentioning that Commissioner Pancratz attended the Refuse board meeting. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Public Comment on the 2024/2025 Final Budget Resolution 2024-27. No Public Comment.

Public Comment on the County Purchase of the Wier Building.

Theresa Doumitt, County Attorney Larsen and Deputy County Attorney Krakowka. Were present. “Kate” was also present via go to meeting, but did not comment when Commissioner Pancratz asked if she had any comment or questions. Ms. Doumitt mentioned that Developer Randy Hafer would like to meet with the Commissioners and Bill Tieszen to discuss structural issues of the building. The Commissioners are going to task Tetra Tech to check on Hazmat materials for the safety of any workers.

End of Public comment.

County Attorney Larsen and Deputy County Attorney Krakowka spent the morning observing the meeting.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign the Request to the Department of commerce for an Extension to the MCEP Grant MT-TSEP-CG-21-164 the Goffena bridge. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Goffena made the motion to sign the Request for Reimbursement form for MT-TSEP-CG-21-164 In the amount of $577,355.24.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign the DNRC Agreement for the Fire Protection Bureau and County Fire Chiefs. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried. (This was signed by DocuSign)

Commissioner Turley attended the Roundup Memorial Hospital (RMH) Board meeting on September 5, 2024. Administrator Rick Schroeder introduced the new RMH Administrator Tracy Anderson. Mrs. Anderson stated that she is very excited to be administrator of RMH and her family is looking forward to being members of the local community. Cindy Moore made note that nursing personnel and patient care has made a great deal of improvement after Covid. Cindy also discussed that a Community Health Needs Assessment has been completed and that both RMH and Catalyst-For-Change employees hired by the Musselshell County Commission should co-ordinate efforts. Commissioner Turley stated that the Commission highly supports this effort, which is one of the reasons for their hiring of Community Health employees. Val Russell indicated that with the co-ordination of Billings Clinic, health care improvement continues at RMH to the point that many health care requests require an appointment given caseload. Mr. Jerry Rutan stated that a great deal of improvement to the RMH building, and grounds has been completed. RMH budget and financials remain positive, particularly due to reduced contract nursing. Roundup Memorial continues to be in a very positive situation.

Sheriff Lesnik visited with the Commissioners.

DES Director Russell and Coordinator Rook gave their weekly report to the Commissioners. The next Fi Council meeting will be November 7, 2024. This will be an “in-person” open house. A reminder of the road department meeting on the 16th with Wendy Jone for the mitigation of County R-O-W’s. They are trying to get more tenders and cisterns from DNRC. There were several car accidents this week. One of them was very traumatic. Fire Staffing Stations are good through the next week. There were 2 new addresses. A new plotter was installed.

CFO Kirk met with the Commissioners to go over the Airport and some policies. Gary Gates with the FAA was present via telephone. Ms. Kirk will be working on a new Policy and Procedure for tracking airport fuel and expenses.

Ambulance Director Solberg gave his weekly report to the Commissioners. The concrete slabs have been poured for the East Repeater. They are waiting to get the new camera for recording meetings to upload to YouTube next week.

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

Monty Sealey visited with the Commissioners to talk about the hearing with the City on the new water rates. The base rate is compared to consumption, and it is the national standard EDU (End User Units). There has to be a basis for repayment.

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

Monday September 9, 2024 Road Department meeting.

All Commissioners, Road and Bridge Supervisor Stockert and Secretary Newman, were present.

There was an update on Delphia Bridge. A proposal was received from TCA Group for the repair. The tentative start time is the first week of October. The Commissioners will sign the proposal, September 13, 2024. The septic was fixed at the shop all is well with the facilities now. The insurance company totaled both the truck and trailer from the accident. A new truck was picked up Thursday 9/5/24 and a new trailer was ordered. The new employee is doing great. The Musselshell County return to work policy was discussed. Ms. Newman is checking into getting employee ID’s.

End of meeting.