February 13, 2020

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
February 13, 2020
Commissioners Robert ‘Pits’ DeArmond, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock; Angela Newell, Administrative Officer; and Barbara Daniel, Commissioners’ Secretary were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance
Commissioners discussed on-going snowplowing efforts in the County. Consensus to purchase surplus Oshkosh snow truck in Colorado Springs found by DES Coordinator Tom Kohley.
Commissioner Blain recounted a conversation he had yesterday with Gary Levine, Spectrum Architects, regarding site preparation costs in the detention facility proposal. Discussion ensued about detention facility design and potential cost estimate reductions. The projected site preparation costs include water and sewer connection cost.
Commissioner Bullock moved to approve Commissioners’ Proceedings from January 22 and January 23, 2020; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
9:25 Dave Westwood, Council President, joined for the City of Red Lodge regular meeting. City of Red Lodge is holding a Special Meeting on Tuesday regarding the City’s upcoming Resort Tax ballot measure. Westwood asked what the County’s role is, whether there is any beyond what is required by the Election Administrator; Commissioners responded that the County’s role is solely through the Election Administrator. Newell stated that the County Attorney will not provide ballot language for the City; City Attorney will do that.
10:00 County Attorney Alex Nixon joined for the regularly scheduled meeting. Discussion about clarifying wording in the upcoming Road Maintenance Priority Resolution. Commissioner DeArmond asked whether a landowner can plow a Priority 3 road for themselves; Nixon replied that he would like to see same requirements as for County contractors – licensed and bonded.
Commissioner DeArmond moved to approve the January 28 and January 30, 2020 Commissioners’ Proceedings; Commissioner Bullock seconded; motion carried.
11:00 Red Lodge Area Community Foundation (RLACF) Executive Director Tracy Timmons joined the meeting for an update. Commissioners discussed County’s challenges with Office of Public Assistance’s (OPA) departure and asked Timmons about RLACF’s Navigator services which were offered as a volunteer bridge program in OPA’s absence. Timmons stated that Navigators have done their best to help, but acknowledged barriers such as: RLACF is a non-governmental organization, and most associate them with the Fun Run, so citizens sometimes have challenges finding them; and Navigators can’t provide case management services as OPA does. RLACF would welcome OPA’s return to the County so that citizens can receive full scope of services.
Timmons discussed RLACF’s Transportation program initiative; she is researching program partners and long-term funding. She provided an update on the old Roosevelt School renovations, grants, and future goals. She asked whether there are any County meetings or conferences that could utilize Roosevelt rental space; Commissioner DeArmond mentioned Montana Association of Counties conferences; Commissioner Blain mentioned Montana Association of Ag Teachers conferences; Commissioner Bullock mentioned Weed Coordinator meetings. Timmons stated that RLACF is trying to be mindful of other local businesses with rental spaces and not undermining them or the County’s rental spaces.
RLACF is working with Helena Habitat for Humanity and the VISTA program to build Workforce Housing of four housing units at the Spires subdivision this summer.
12:00 Adjourned.

Respectfully submitted: Barbara Daniel, Commissioners’ Secretary