April 23, 2018

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
April 23, 2018
Commissioners Robert “Pits” DeArmond, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock, and Administrative Assistant Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance.
DES Coord. / GIS Mgr. Tom Kohley met with Commissioners regarding flood potential. Mary Cameron and Gordon Sirrine were present. Tom shared most recent modeling on the Clarks Fork river; there are no monitoring stations on Rock Creek. There is a 95% chance the Clarks Fork will reach minor flood stage; an 80% chance it will reach moderate flood stage; and a 30% it will reach major flood stage. Snow pack in the mountains is at 170%. Tom asked Commissioners how they wanted to track flood issues within county; and whether he or the foreman should be compiling the information. Commissioners would like Foreman to work with Tom to use spreadsheets provided by State DES.
Mary Cameron discussed the DUI Task Force Plan approval. It has been placed on the Commissioners’ Agenda May 17th. Mary also noted tele-med for Mental Health Center clients, seems to be working well.
9:00 Justice of the Peace Kevin Nichols, Justice Court Clerk Callie Allen, Red Lodge Mayor Bill Larson, Red Lodge Attorney Rebecca Narmore, and City Council Members Glory Mahan and Corey Thompson met with Commissioners regarding the City Court Agreement. The City would like to limit the contract term rather than have it automatically renew; the contract term will be changed to a bi-annual contract with annual budget review. There was a discussion of office costs including the desk reference guide and use of the full set of Montana Code Annotated. Rebecca also asked for clarification on what wage figures are based on. Justice Nichols noted the invoice is based on Callie’s hourly wage, but all three clerks do City work. The City would like to reduce the maximum reimbursement for Office supplies to $3,000 so they don’t have funds tied up that won’t be used. The City would also like to add language that they will only reimburse for “essential office supplies,” they do not believe a coffee maker is essential for office operations. Angela noted in the 2016-17 fiscal year, the City’s half of expenses was $3,770; the Agreement will reduce the expense cap to $4,500. Parties discussed operations when the Judge is out of town; it was noted Clerk Raphael ‘Skeeter’ He Does It is now a Pro-Temp and will be able to sign orders of protection, do video arraignments, and other items when the Judge is out. Judge Nichols noted Mr. He Does It will not be doing search warrants, but Judge always has his cell phone and there are other judges available in the area. There was a discussion about Clerk training costs; the City would like to limit reimbursable training to instate training. Callie noted the out of state training last year was mandatory training for the new software system, unfortunately the Company is not holding any trainings for that System in Montana.

The City requested any unusual expenses be discussed with City so can communicate with council. Glory asked about City Court case load; Judge Nichols noted the number of cases dropped off last summer in line with other courts regionally. He did note City cases continue to be more complex than County cases; they often involve multiple offences.
Commissioners discussed road projects and items for foreman meeting on Thursday.
11:00 DES Coord. / GIS Mgr. Tom Kohley presented handout from Floodplain Administrator Annie Gillespie regarding guidance for emergency projects in the floodplain.
11:27 Commissioner Blain moved to approve April 2 and April 5 Commissioners Proceeding; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
12:00 Adjourned

Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Assistant