February 18, 2016

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS        

          February 18, 2016

          Commissioners Doug Tucker and John Prinkki were present.

          8:30 Pledge of Allegiance.

          Renee Coppock, Crowley Fleck met with Commissioners regarding the East Rosebud Road. She presented a letter summarizing her research in the East Rosebud Home Owners’ Association records. She does not believe that there are sections where easements for the road are missing. 8:35 Mark Morse, Black Butte Subdivision joined the meeting. Ms. Coppock requested documentation of why the County believes there are easement gaps along the road and why the County does not believe it is a County Road. She believes her clients would be willing to bring the issue to Dist. Court for it be deemed county road. Mr. Morse asked if landowners could shut off the road to public access. His is concerned about where property tax money is going and does not believe he should have to pay into a special road improvement district to support tourism.

8:50 Mary Ellen Mangus joined the meeting. Commissioner Prinkki noted there are other roads in the County that have not been designated county roads that also have maintenance issues. Mr. Morse indicated that if it would take a law suit to designate it as a county road, landowners may be willing to take that step. 8:55 County Attorney Alex Nixon, Jacque Papez contract Civil Deputy Attorney, and Betsy Scanlin joined the meeting. Commissioner Prinkki noted that believes establishing a road improvement district would benefit landowners by giving them control over the maintenance of the road. Mr. Morse thought it was better if the county set the maintenance standards.

Jacque will review documents presented prior to making that determination on the next steps for landowners. Ms. Scanlin asked if by approving the subdivisions along the road implies public obligation to maintain the road. Commissioner Prinkki noted that if the road was accepted as a County Road it would most likely be designated a Priority 3 road.

          9:30 Debbie Brown and Samantha Long from the Carbon County Museum met with Commissioners. Commissioner Tucker moved to approve the Certified Local Government Historic Preservation Grant Application; Commissioner Prinkki seconded; motion carried. Historic preservation commission has also applied for a grant to move Ray School to a location provided by the Fromberg Museum.

           Commissioners reviewed the final letter to EverPower Wind Holdings, Inc. regarding the Mud Springs Wind Project Impact Fee. The letter requests payment for the 2014 Impact Fee based on the estimated construction cost of $383,000,000 as outlined in MCA 15-24-3004. They also discussed the issues with the eagle impact studies and the designation of the Project as a Category 1 risk to eagles. Commissioner Prinkki will arrange meeting with Fish Wild Life and Parks, the Governor’s Office andUS Fish and Wild Life Service to further discuss the issue to help the project move forward.

           10:00 Commissioners received letter of interest from Dan Mydland for the open position on the Fair Board. Commissioner Tucker moved to appoint Danny Mydland to fill the remainder of Rex Koch’s term on the Carbon County Fair board to end 12/31/16; Commissioner Prinkki seconded; motion carried.

          10:05 DES Coordinator Tom Kohley met with Commissioners regarding alternative dispatch locations. They are looking at the old jail as a possible location because of its proximity to existing IT infrastructure. Tom is also looking at a Homeland Security Grant that could help fund a remodeling project as it would also improve cyber security of Carbon County’s Dispatch operations. Tom noted the dispatch manuals were completed under budget and the Sheriff plan to use the extra funds to look at the possibility of remodeling the building.

          10:30 Commissioner Tucker moved to accept USDA Forest Service Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreement Annual Operating Plan for 2016; Commissioner Prinkki seconded; motion carried.

          10:50 Commissioner Tucker moved to send the letter to EverPower Wind Holdings, Inc. regarding the Mud Springs Wind Project Impact Fee; Commissioner Prinkki seconded; motion carried.

12:00 Adjourned

 

Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Assistant