Commissioners Proceedings

January 14, 2019

County commissioners, Donna Giacometto, Lee Randall and Rod Schaffer met for the weekly meeting.

There was no public comment at this time.

Minutes from the last meeting were presented, read and approved.

Marty Drane, Maintenance Supervisor, met with board and discussed the finalization of the tinning of the fair barn. Marty believes about half of the old particle board is salvageable. No decision at this time was made as to what they are going to do with it. Bruce and Larry are making good progress at the manor with the room renovations. Marty installed a new panic bar at the west end clinic door. Board discussed the panic button at the clinic and if that was ever installed. The board will contact Sheriff Drane to see where they are with that issue. Board informed Marty of how cold the new windows are. Marty will double check with the heating systems in the courthouse and make sure that is all working correctly before contacting the window company. Brief discussion was held on the dumpsters at the manor.

Local community member was in last week and asked the commissioners if they had any interest in participating in the upcoming 100-year county reunion. The board would like to visit with the community member more and get a better understanding of what they could do.

Kathy Roberts, Transportation Supervisor, met with board and briefly discussed the Transit Coordination Plan. She asked if they would postpone the grant decision as she is not quite ready. She is on the agenda for January 28. She let them know it is not a board it is a committee, and the commissioners are her official board. Transportation Board is the county commissioner and the Transportation Advisory Committee is a group of people that let the board know what they think is needed for the county. The county had extra money left over from last year from the Transportation Aid. Kathy gave a financial update. The program was allocated $105,551.00 in 2020 and the Trans Aid Grant $5591.00 in 2020. This number is down from last year, $7000.00. Trips are down due to one less driver. There was 80,000 miles driven last year between Kathy and Melanie. Rod stated if there are any inquiries from the public regarding the coordination plan that it can be read anytime and it is in the Clerk and Recorders office. Kathy looked at a new van 12 passenger bus. It was quoted at $46330.00- after all rebates, grant, etc., the van total will be $39038.00. Kathy asked the commission if they would give some thought into getting rid of the current 17 passenger van and maybe downsizing. The van was not used once in the last year. This van has been released from the state. She will check with Jim Hansen and see if the school has any interest. The white transit van has also been released from the state. No decision was made regarding the 17-passenger bus.

Teel Mullanix, Road Supervisor, met with board to discuss weekly road updates. The crew is crushing and working on various repairs on equipment. Teel and the board were presented with an acceptance letter from the US Dept of Transportation regarding the Biddle East Project. MK Weeden Construction Inc. was awarded the contact. They discussed the tinning project at the fair barn. A community member called and informed the commissioners they will be having family move home and they will be utilizing a county road that has not been used in quite some time. The road is the Moore Road. Teel will check on the Reisland Pit.

Tammy Vantine, Weed Supervisor, met with board to discuss the weed plan not getting signed. They discussed the Ranch Creek Staging Area. MK Weeden Construction has given the county the bond money for the job and an inspection fee. Elgin’s will be taking care of the pit when the job is finished.

The board met with Jerry Grebenc, Julie Korkow, Cynde Gatlin, and Planning Board Members Bill Stevens, and Gene Smith for the Growthy Policy update meeting. Jerry presented the draft survey and requested input from everyone and the needs and wants from the county as to what they would like the survey to look like.

Cheri Stachey, Nursing Home Administrator, met with board for her weekly meeting. She reported 25 residents. She then presented the letter that will go out concerning the private pay rate increase. It was discussed in the last meeting there would be a 5% increase but that has changed to 6.935% increase. She explained this is due to Medicare rates and she feels our private pay rates should be the same as Medicare rates. The rates were changed last time in 2016. The board is going to contact MACO in regards to the rate increase before they sign the official letter. The board presented Cheri with a letter they received in regards to the manor’s employee’s dress attire, hair color and department heads attending meetings. She has returned the check that was to be used for a cash box for the PT Department. The check will be voided. Cheri updated the room renovations and informed the board there is still an email issue with the manor and the courthouse.

Public hearing was held for the Intent to Amend the Budget, Resolution 2019-18, Lee opened the public hearing, there was no public comment, the resolution was discussed, Rod motioned to amend the budget with Resolution 2019-18, there was no public comment, Donna seconded the motion, all in favor, motion passed. The Resolution to Amend the Budget will have a public hearing on January 28.

Donna reported she attended the Council on Aging meeting and the Transportation meeting held on Wednesday January 9.

Cynde Gatlin, Clerk and Recorder, met with the board to discuss various issues. She informed the board that it appears the predator control permission letters will expire at the end of January. The board will contact the predator board to get a board meeting planned. Steve Vail has resigned from the library board. She presented the board with the closed meeting minutes, they read, signed and approved. A letter was presented in regards to Action of Eastern Montana discrepancies in reporting. The board feels Senior Center director will take action on this. MACO was contacted in regards to two commissioners being in the office at the same time during non-meeting day. MACO response to this issue was as long as no decisions or discussion on issues was made between the two commissioners they could be in the office and be working on their various projects.

The board is going to work on a resolution to increase travel compensation.

Pat Phillippi, Treasurer met with board to present the securities and interest December report. She reported on her monthly interest. They discussed a current mobile home in the county that is behind in taxes since 2009. The board and treasurer discussed the options they can do to eliminate the delinquent taxes. The owners of the mobile home have currently passed away. Pat has contacted county attorney with the steps to proceed with this issue. She will work on a resolution to write off the taxes. She also updated the board on the writ policy. The board approved her moving forward with the resolution. They will meet again on January 28. The board asked Pat for a copy of the roll books.

No public comment was received at this time.

Meeting adjourned.