April 11, 2024

072
COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
April 11, 2024
Commissioners Scott Miller and Bill Bullock, and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance.
Bullock and Newell informed Miller of the discussion at Tuesday’s Compensation Board Hearing.
Bullock noted the discussion with Red Lodge Airport Board members regarding costs of obtaining the Federal Surplus CASE Loader and current budget concerns; the issue will be placed on the Airport Board’s May Agenda.
8:50 Commissioner Scott Blain joined the meeting. Noted his discussion with Representative Brad Barker regarding the Senate Bill 442 veto override letter; Blain expressed frustration over SB 442 and the State Equalization Mill and disagreement with Barker on the role of the Montana Association of Counites in both issues.
9:00 Sanitarian Jesse Gutierrez and Sanitarian Assistant Lori Kane met for the Environmental Health Department monthly update. Gutierrez reviewed the written report (attached). Gutierrez noted they have had several inquiries for East Rosebud cabin replacement septic systems following catastrophic flooding in 2022, the need for test wells due to potential groundwater changes, and the Department’s view of how septic applications need to be processed with landownership and cabin ownership split.
9:30 Red Lodge Mayor Dave Westwood met for his regular meeting. He discussed the City’s Request for Proposals for Planning Services and asked about the County’s work with Interstate Engineering regarding Floodplain Regulations; Bullock noted Intestate is contracted for on-call Engineering but does not do floodplain or planning for the County. Discussion of Interstate’s work for the County including some of the challenges with their workload capacity. Discussed Fireworks in the City limits and posing the question to residents. Need follow-up with City Attorney on County’s redline
10:00 County Attorney Alex Nixon and Contract Civil Attorney Jacque Papez met for regular time. Blain moved to close the meeting to discuss litigation strategy in the Matriarch Gravel Crushing case; Miller seconded: motion carried.
10:35 Meeting reopened.
Bullock moved to approve Commissioners Proceedings for March 26, 2024; Blain seconded; motion carried.

Commissioners discussed administrative changes and delegation of duties from Clerk and Recorder to Administrative Officer to commemorate the fiscal responsibilities that have been historically fulfilled by that position.
Nixon noted he will again be requesting Paralegal training for his legal secretaries; Nixon noted he has not spent any funds on training for his staff since they were hired. Bullock is concerned that the staff will expect additional wages to account for their increased pedigree. Nixon noted he has not had any discussions with staff and does not intent to request additional pay for that staff. Discussion about training timeline; Nixon noted online course so there is not travel costs and can be accomplished within normal work hours. Blain expressed concerns about employees leaving employment after receiving certification; Nixon noted the salary for the position varies wildly.
11:00 Safety Committee meeting. HR Specialist Kate Asbury, Public Health Coordinator Erin Cross, Undersheriff Jeff Schmalz, Treasurer Lori Lynde, Sanitarian Jesse Gutierrez, and Justice Court Clerk Amanda Dove were present. Blain moved to approve Safety Committee meeting minutes from January 11; Miller seconded; motion carried. Asbury noted she is Working on Safety Manual updates, the replacement of our safety management consultant in quarter 3, and safety training requests. 11:15 Deputy Clerk and Recorder Lola Ashby joined the meeting. Discussed providing narcan training. Asbury reviewed incident trends noting slips, trips, and falls and material handling are our top categories for claims; this is typical of most Montana State Fund clients. Asbury reviewed Department of Labor and Industry inspection at the Weed District shop.
12:00 Board of Health meeting. Dick Nolan, Dr. William Oley, County Attorney Alex Nixon, Contract Deputy County Attorney Jacque Papez, Public Health Coordinator Erin Cross, Sanitarian Barbara Krizek, Sanitarian Assistant Lori Kane, Jason Mahoney, and Rod Ostermiller were present.

Adjourned.

Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer