March 18, 2021

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
March 18, 2021

Commissioners Scott Blain, Bill Bullock and Scott Miller; Administrative Officer Angela Newell; and Commissioners’ Secretary Barbara Krizek were present.

8:30 Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioners attended a meeting of the Detention Facility Citizen Advisory Committee last evening; the minutes from the Committee’s March 3 meeting were approved (see attached).

Josh Dupler of Tremco joined during Public Comment period to present information on his company’s roofing products.

Craig Stephens of Matriarch Construction joined the meeting to discuss gravel crushing.

Commissioner Miller moved to approve the Justice Court End of Period Disbursement for February; Commissioner Bullock seconded; motion carried.

9:30 Red Lodge Mayor Bill Larson joined for his regular meeting. Commissioner Bullock discussed the persistent flooding around Two Mile Bridge; Floodplain administrator and DNRC will meet Monday. The Mayor plans to attend the April 14 public meeting at the Fair Grounds held by the Detention Facility Citizen Advisory Committee. Discussion regarding the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan funds and what the city might propose to utilize those funds. Discussion regarding House Bill 636; passage would reduce residential property taxes and reduce County Taxable Value by about 5%. Commissioner Bullock reported that the Red Lodge Airport is being re-surveyed in order to clean up existing site issues and properly allocate future sites.

10:00 County Attorney Alex Nixon joined for his regular meeting. Discussion regarding the annexation of the proposed Detention Facility property by the Town of Joliet. 10:05 Meeting closed to discuss a personnel issue; 10:20 Meeting re-opened.

10:30 Safety Coordinator Pam Schwend from the Weed Department joined to discuss the Department of Labor inspection conducted yesterday at the Joliet Road Shop. Forklift and Skid Steer trainings are due. Discussion regarding resuming safety meetings and the County’s favorable Workers’ Compensation modification factor due to the recent positive safety record.

Newell presented a possible amended pay schedule for County employees which could be effective July 1, 2021. Discussion will continue at a future date.

Commissioners concurred that adding Tuesday afternoon work sessions where decisions wouldn’t be made, but work could be followed-through, would be beneficial. Will be added to future agendas.

11:30 Annual Certification of Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) Fuel Tax Roadway Mileage determination joined by Geospatial Information Systems Coordinator / Fire Warden Tom Kohley. Kohley detailed how roads “open to public travel” are defined by MDT: a segment of road available for public use except during periods of extreme weather or emergency conditions, passable by a 2-wheel drive passenger car and open to the general public. Commissioners noted that routes that meet “open to public travel” requirements are to be used for Fuel Tax Allocations and do not indicate public access, ownership or maintenance responsibility; maintenance is not a factor in Fuel Tax Allocations nor are the local governments required to maintain these routes. Kohley will make updates based on Commissioners’ feedback and will submit by March 25.

12:00 Adjourned.