December 17, 2020

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
December 17, 2020

Commissioners Scott Blain and Bill Bullock and Commissioner-elect Scott Miller; Administrative Officer Angela Newell; and Commissioners’ Secretary Barbara Krizek were present.

8:30 Pledge of Allegiance

Commissioners attended a meeting of the Detention Facility Citizen Advisory Committee last evening; the minutes from the Committee’s December 9 meeting were approved (see attached). Discussion regarding Public Outreach for the proposed Detention Facility.

Discussion regarding the Bridger Senior Center re-model project being funded by the Montana Coal Board; Commissioner-elect Miller will ensure the project proceeds as originally proposed.

9:30 Red Lodge Mayor Bill Larson was in attendance for his regular meeting. He noted that three applications have been received for the Council vacancy. Department heads have revised their mission statements and updated purchase priority lists in preparation for the 2021-2022 budget. City Hall remains closed to the public as a COVID-19 precaution. Council has accepted a proposal for a basic pool design to replace the dilapidated structure. 3rd Quarter Resort Tax revenues were $15,000 over 2019 figures; some of this was due to the percentage dedicated to property tax relief and administrative allocations being reduced when the resort tax was renewed this spring. The additional 1% Resort Tax for storm water has already brought in around $84K. Commissioners noted current progress on the proposed Detention Facility.

11:00 Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) Coordinator Cyrina Allen joined the meeting to update Commissioners with quotes related to the 911 Grant application. Commissioner Bullock moved to approve the 911 Grant Application for Public Safety Call Handling Software; Blain seconded; motion carried.

Sheriff McQuillan requested, via email, a deviation from the Commissioners’ employee travel policy regarding in-person trainings during COVID-19, by requesting pre-approval for in-person trainings with the following conditions: the training is essential to certify for the individual to perform their job duties; only one member of the staff will attend the training so as to avoid multiple people being involved in a single quarantine situation; and staffing levels can accommodate additional absences. Commissioners approved the request.

Commissioner Bullock discussed a Memorandum of Understanding for RiverStone Health clinics acting as the “lab” for school COVID-19 BINAX testing. Dr. George has been in contact with RiverStone Health regarding providing drive-up testing using school purchased BINAX testing kits. This would alleviate the schools from having to jump through hoops to become their own testing lab.

12:00 Adjourned.