March 14, 2019

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
March 14, 2019
Commissioners Robert ‘Pits’ DeArmond, Scott Blain, and Bill Bullock, and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance
Commissioner Bullock moved to approve meeting minutes for February 25th and 28th; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
Commissioner Bullock moved to approve Justice Court End of Period Disbursement for February 2019; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
9:00 Commissioner Bullock moved to approve the Cooperative Road Maintenance Agreement with the Town of Bridger; Commissioner DeArmond seconded; motion carried.
Commissioners appointed Lola Ashby as an at large representative to the Insurance Committee.
10:00 County Attorney Alex Nixon and Deputy County Attorney Shannon Foley met with Commissioners. Commissioner Bullock noted the roof of the Sally Port is leaking again in the same place. They also discussed floor sloping issues and the negative floor slope that has caused water pooling near the bathroom. Shannon noted the Sheriff’s Office received a bill from Industrial Communications for work in a radio tower for another entity they claim was necessary because Codan disconnected items when installing the new Simulcast system. The County attorney will request any billing regarding radio towers be submitted through counsel.
DES Coord. / GIS Mgr. Tom Kohley noted West Pryor Road is considered a major arterial road to the Federal Highway system and is not eligible for reimbursement under the FEMA declaration.
11:00 Weed Dist. Coord Brian Ostwald, Red Lodge Mayor Bill Larson, Council members Diane Dimich and Glory Mahan, and Public Works Director Jim Bushnell met with Commissioners to discuss noxious weed management in the City of Red Lodge. Brian suggested City present a three-year weed plan to the Weed Board for City property. Brian noted the plan should indicate if the City will or will not be sending initial compliance letters to landowners. Jim expressed concerns about the length of the non-compliance process noting action is often not taken until the season is already over. Brian noted fall spraying in the Red Lodge area is very effective; he also noted court orders are open for future years so that preventative spraying can be done the following season. Jim noted from the City’s perspective it is most effective to address noxious and nuisance weeds at the same time but there is not City staff well versed in identifying noxious weeds. Brian noted his concerns stemmed from last year’s conversation that City had no funds for weed control. Brian noted the district spent over $12,000 in education and spraying in the City of Red Lodge last year. Jim noted home owners’ properties are the ones that they have issues with. Brian will bring up more education materials. Diane asked about County weed district being responsible for all weeds in the County. Brian noted the District will spray weeds but the cost of the spraying is invoiced to the property owner. Brian noted it would be most effective if the initial compliance letter was sent by the City. There was a brief discussion about quarantining the City; Brian noted that decision would be up to the Weed Board.
12:00 Adjourned