Commissioner Proceedings

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Chairman Lee Randall called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioner’s office, Powder River County Courthouse. Commissioners John Olson present and Donna Giacometto was absent to attend MACRS.

9:00 a.m. - Transportation Director Christy Olson met with board for a monthly update. Olson is concerned of the rising fuel costs. Roof repairs were discussed and Olson will reach out to local contractors for repair quotes. Olson reported the FY23 grants have been approved, upcoming conference, and requested to upgrade her county cell phone as it is not working correctly. Discussion was held on fare charges and commissioners asked for further discussion with the Transportation Committee.

9:40 a.m. - The board discussed and signed Fallon County Secondary Highway support request.

11:00 a.m. - Treasurer Pat Phillippi met with the board. Delinquent taxes were presented and security and interest for November.

12:00 to 1:00 p.m. - Commissioners adjourned for lunch.

1:00 p.m. - Claims were reviewed and approved for payment of various county departmental expenses as submitted by the Clerk & Recorder’s office and can be reviewed upon request.

2:20 p.m. - County Attorney Jeff Noble stopped into the office to request commissioners to pass resolutions for special prosecutor. Resolution 2022-9, Appointment of Special Powder River County Prosecutor. Resolution 2022-10, Appointment of Special Powder River County Prosecutor.

4:00 p.m. - The board conducted administrative duties.

The board will reconvene Monday, April 4, 2022.

Monday, April 4, 2022

Chairman Lee Randall called meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioner’s office, Powder River County Courthouse. Commissioners Donna Giacometto and John Olson were present.

The board read and approved meeting minutes from March 31, 2022 to be published. The board reviewed and read consent agenda.

8:30 a.m. - Declaration to cancel Soil Conservation Special District trustee election. Board approved to cancel election.

9:00 a.m. - Commissioner Donna Giacometto updated on MACRS meeting she attended last week.

10:00 a.m. - Denbury settlement and release agreement for the pipeline project. Settlement agreement is for $409,000.00. The board reviewed and signed agreement.

10:30 a.m. - The board reviewed and signed the Eastern Montana Drug Task Force Inter-Agency Memorandum of Understanding for FY23.

11:00 a.m. - The board met via Teams meeting with Aaron Eklund, FHWA, regarding the FLAP grant on the Belle Creek Road. Eklund updated board on the match of 13.42%. There will be paperwork that will need to be finalized at a later date.

12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Commissioners adjourned for lunch.

1:00 p.m. - Discussion was held on the purchase of ambulance #2 and bid specs.

2:30 p.m. - Libby Nisley, Pool Supervisor, met with the board regarding the upcoming summer season. Nisley reported she will start advertising for lifeguards, Jayme Gaskill has agreed to help with swim lessons again and the sand filters need to be repaired. Discussion continued with the floor repairs, roof repairs and awning. Anticipated open date for June 1.

4:00 p.m. - Road Supervisor Teel Mullanix met with the board. He reported on blading and MACRS conference.

The board will reconvene Monday, April 11, 2022. Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Monday, April 11, 2022

Chairman Lee Randall called meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioner’s Office, Powder River County Courthouse. Commissioners Donna Giacometto and John Olson were present.

The board read and approved meeting minutes from March 31, 2022 and April 4, 2022 to be published. The board reviewed and read consent agenda.

Megan Smith, Big Sky Big Leadership, joined the meeting to observe.

8:30 a.m. - Road Supervisor Teel Mullanix met with board. Mullanix reported a blade had the fuel siphoned out this weekend. Moorhead Bridge is open. Mullanix also updated he will be working on a cattle guard project to locate all county cattle guards within the county

9:10 a.m. - Megan Smith questioned the commissioners about various aspects of the board and their duties.

9:30 a.m. - The board certified the Moorhead Bridge Completion.

10:00 a.m. - Repeal Ordinance 2015-01, An Ordinance Prohibiting Firearms in Powder River County Buildings, board reviewed and John Olson motioned, Donna Giacometto seconded, all in favor, motion carried.

11:00 a.m. - Extension Office monthly update. Agents Mary Rumph and Julie Riley were present. The reported on a conference in Billings is this week, and recent training. Clean up day was discussed. Agents updated on Big Sky Big Leadership upcoming local government meeting on April 29 and involvement of the county officials. Riley informed the commission of her position on the State Trails Board.

11:30 a.m. - Morgan Weller met with board to request use of courthouse lawn for the pinwheel tobacco project. Weller would like to put pinwheels in the lawn to represent tobacco deaths a year in the State of Montana. Pinwheels will be put out the first week of May. Commissioner approved and will contact maintenance.

12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Commissioners adjourned for lunch.

1:00 p.m. - Resolution to modify county handbook. The board discussed and reviewed and will agenda final resolution at later meeting date.

1:30 p.m. - Clerk & Recorder Cynde Jo Gatlin requested the board to authorize the county to contract and co-op with other counties with Stahly Engineering to update the county’s subdivision regulations. Board approved.

2:00 p.m. - Medical Administrator Sean Hill reported 23 residents at the nursing home. The new phone system is in use. Hill reported on various items. Hematocrit device has been ordered. Rural clinic is still in progress.

3:00 p.m. - Soil Conservation Board - Liz Riter, Gloria Rosencranz, Floyd Huckins, and Gene Smith. Soil Conservation Board is requesting to remove mill levy money from county account to put into their own account, as they are not a part of the county. Commissioners approved and authorized Clerk and Recorder make the transfer of funds.

3:30 p.m. - Nathan Schroht, KLJ Engineering Zoom meeting with commissioners to discuss FAA competitive grant funding for airport hangar project. The board signed FAA grant for additional funding.

4:00 p.m. - Marty Drane, Maintenance Supervisor, met with the board. Drane presented quotes for the pool cover: $4600 and $5600. The cold patch has come in, Drane will start filling in pot holes around the Manor and the Sheriff’s Office parking lots as soon as the weather allows. He is still looking for a new generator, and pickup. Plans for the grandstand replacement, and getting the pool ready for summer were discussed. The white concession stand, north of the grandstands needs some maintenance work done. The forklift at recycling center isn’t running.

Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Commissioners will meet again on Thursday, April 14, 2022.

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Commissioners cancelled the meeting due to weather conditions and road closures.

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Chairman Lee Randall called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioner’s office, Powder River County Courthouse. Commissioners Donna Giacometto and John Olson were present.

Commissioners reviewed and approved consent agenda.

9:00 a.m. - Resolution to amend handbook polices. Resolution was tabled to a later meeting.

9:30 a.m. - Commissioner Randall left the meeting.

10:00 a.m. - The board discussed creating the requested position of Assistant Director of Nursing at the nursing home. The board discussed and Donna Giacometto motioned to table discussion to a later meeting date, John Olson seconded the motion.

12:00 to 1:00 - Commissioners adjourned for lunch.

1:00 p.m. - Commissioner Randall joined the meeting.

1:00 p.m. - The board reviewed and approved for payment of mid-month claims of various county departmental expenses as submitted by the Clerk & Recorder’s office.

2:00 p.m. - The board discussed fire, EMS, and DES programs within the county.

3:00 p.m. - The board reviewed and discussed bid specs for purchase of second ambulance.

4:00 p.m. - The board visited the pool building to inspect the roof and floor repairs needed and the MP building.

The board will reconvene Monday, April 25, 2022.