June 9, 2020

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
June 9, 2020

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

8:30 Pledge of Allegiance

Discussion regarding the COVID-19 Incident Management Team (IMT): approving contracts for key personnel, the event review process that has been put in place, and future need for and role of the IMT.

Commissioner Bullock moved to approve May Claims as presented; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.

9:00 Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) Coordinator Tom Kohley and Sheriff Josh McQuillan joined the meeting to discuss the newly vacant Deputy DES Coordinator position. Kohley’s position has evolved over the past 5 years: serving as Fire Warden has increased Kohley’s workload due to changes at DNRC; coordinating the Local Emergency Planning Committee via the County instead of the hospital or Fire Department; administering grant money; and maintaining the public safety radio tower and repeater systems. Geospatial Information Services (GIS) rural addressing has evolved from being a contracted position to 50% of Kohley’s time and he expects growth in mapping needs, especially for 911. Going forward, Kohley recommends hiring a GIS and Rural Address Coordinator position for .8FTE and not a Deputy DES Coordinator. Sheriff McQuillan reported that Deputy Carrington’s time spent working on radio systems should be reimbursed to his department should the County wish to have him continue working on it in the next budget year. Commissioners recommended shifting radio management from DES to the Sheriff’s department, perhaps as a civilian, and exploring how other counties juggle their GIS, DES, and communications roles. The group will reconvene in the near future to discuss further.

Discussion regarding summer events such as the Home of Champions Rodeo, Beartooth Rally, and annual events as they pertain to COVID-19. Commissioners expressed concern that the IMT Event Review process implemented has been misinterpreted as a County approval/disapproval process and is being made a scapegoat for unpopular decisions made by other entities. For example, the Professional Rodeo Association had strict COVID-19 restrictions and therefore made the economics of holding this year’s 4th of July rodeo event an insurmountable challenge. The County did not shut down the rodeo; it was a decision made by the Rodeo board after thoughtful deliberation. McQuillan and Kohley stated that public inquiries come to the County anyway, so the IMT is a one-stop source to provide information. McQuillan noted without the event review process, there may need to be more emphasis on enforcement. 10:30 McQuillan and Kohley departed the meeting.

10:30 Commissioner Bullock move to accept the motor grader bid from Tractor & Equipment; Commissioner Blain seconded; Commissioner Blain confirmed that the cost was $9k less than the bid from RDO Equipment with comparable equipment; motion carried.

Commissioner Bullock moved to accept the Justice Court End of Period Disbursement for April 30, 2020; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.

10:32 Commissioner Bullock moved to approve Employee Time as submitted; Commissioner Blain seconded; meeting closed to discuss personnel issue; 10:38 meeting reopened; motion carried.

Commissioner Bullock moved to accept the Justice Court End of Period Disbursement Report for May 29, 2020; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.

Commissioner Blain reported that COVID-19 CARES Act grant funding will now be available for meat processors. (Carbon County had sent a letter to the Governor’s office requesting this action).

11:45 Miller departed the meeting. Phil Nardinger joined the meeting to discuss the Home of Champions rodeo and the Harley rodeo as pertaining to the COVID-19 IMT large-event review process in-place. Nardinger stated that there is a public perception of inconsistency on the IMT’s part on which events it determines to be in compliance with or not in compliance with Governor Bullock’s directives.

12:00 Adjourned.