June 2, 2020

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
June 2, 2020

Commissioners Scott Blain and Bill Bullock; Administrative Officer Angela Newell; Commissioners’ Secretary Barbara Daniel; and Gordon Sirrine (via tele-conference) were present.

8:30 Pledge of Allegiance

Newell reported that Sanitarian Cortney Lynde has an appointment this morning and will not be present for her monthly update; she emailed in advance saying she has nothing new to report and will provide an update next month.

Newell approached Commissioners about the employee Flex Benefit plan and whether they would consider loosening restrictions in light of COVID-19’s effect of employees having been unable to schedule and receive health care over the past quarter. Commissioners agreed to refund employees with a balance over the rollover limit.

Commissioner Bullock moved to accept the Treasurer’s Cash Report for May 2020; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.
Discussion regarding CARES Act funding versus FEMA funding for COVID-19 expenses. Reimbursable expenses include payroll for Sheriff Deputies, Sanitarian, Health Officer, and the County’s Public Health contract. The reimbursements could be used to offset interfund transfers from PILT; this would help to re-establish PILT cash reserves depleted by Simulcast radio system.

Commissioner Bullock moved to accept the District Court Fines and Fees Summary for May 2020; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.

Commissioner Bullock moved to accept the Clerk and Recorder Monthly Deposit Reconciliation for May 2020; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.

Commissioner Bullock moved to approve the Agreement for Services and Per Capita Contribution for Chemical Dependency and Mental Health Services; Commissioner Blain seconded; discussion about amended per capita rate which is higher than other counties because Carbon County has requested the Mental Health Center be open five-days per week (most other offices are open four-days per week or less; motion carried.

Commissioner Blain reported that with the new CARES Act grant mental health services will be provided in Joliet on Fridays by Anne Genereux; she will start seeing clients on July 11th.

Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator / Fire Warden Tom Kohley joined the meeting for his monthly update. The Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River saw a new record crest yesterday; the Edgar gauge hit 9.42 ft stage height (10,900 cfs) which is the highest on record. Rock Creek recorded its 4th highest crest at 7.24 ft (1,120 cfs). The Burlington Northern railroad tracks near Edgar are under water in some areas. No damages to County infrastructure reported at this time. Weather would indicate that flooding will continue through the week. The Joliet road shop deployed sandbags to Fromberg. 10:35 Carbon County News Reporter Eleanor Guerrero joined the meeting (via tele-conference). Tower lighting has been installed on the new Bridger radio tower. The old Bridger radio tower shed is surplus at this point. Kohley is coordinating with PacifiCorp to explore co-locating a County radio repeater on one of their meteorological towers at the wind farm project. DES and Bridger Fire met with PacifiCorp subcontractor Mortenson to discuss Fire/EMS response concerns. The Roberts Fire District petition to modify the Fire District 6/7 boundary is underway; it has been approved by the County Attorney. Newell detailed the net financial effects on the districts by the boundary modification; the boundary change would expand the Rural Fire 7 District increasing their taxable value and lowering the burden on existing taxpayers. 10:50 Scott Bauwens tele-conferenced into the meeting. A draft mutual aid agreement has been provided by Big Horn County, WY; Kohley needs to review. Kohley expressed frustration that COVID-19 is occupying much of his available time and shared that some Incident Management Team members are experiencing burn-out. Kohley is drafting a Deputy Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator job description for the recently vacated position. This position will no longer administer the floodplain components; the Commissioners are exploring contracting floodplain administration. 11:20 Guerrero and Bauwens departed the meeting.

Commissioner Bullock stated he will depart the meeting early to address an irrigation ditch and water right complaint on Grove Creek.
Commissioner Bullock moved to approve the Residential Service Agreement for Natural Gas and Propane with AmeriGas; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carries.

11:35 Bullock departed the meeting. Adjourned.