March 22, 2022

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
March 22, 2022
Commissioners Scott Blain and Bill Bullock; and Administrative Officer Angela Newell were present. Commissioner Scott Miller was at election judge training.
8:30 Pledge of Allegiance.
Blain attended the Fair Board Meeting last night. Discussions about Fair rental agreement and rates for non-profit organizations that are not putting on charitable events. Discussed fees specific to the Renaissance Fair and Ducks unlimited.
9:00 Human Resource Specialist Kate Asbury met regarding revisions to the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Policy. Commissioners would like the policy language to be revised so a sick absence of 3 days with a doctor visit will constitute FMLA Leave. Blain moved to amend the FMLA and Sick leave policies as presented; Bullock seconded; motion carried.
Blain moved to approve Commissioners’ Proceedings for February 17, 22, and 24, 2022; Bullock seconded; motion carried.
10:00 Resolution to initiate study on Interim Zoning Regulations for the Sale and Production of Marijuana and Marijuana Businesses. Contract Planner Forrest Mandeville, Sheriff Josh McQuillan, and Matt Stump were present. Mandeville noted the Planning Board is an appropriate body to complete the study, but it will be May or June before they can dig into it and open the Development Regulations. Mandeville noted there may be some other housekeeping issues to revise while revising the Regulations. Mandeville noted he received another marijuana business Group 2 Development Permit application in the last week; as the application sits, it is not in compliance with interim zoning. Blain moved to approve Resolution 2022-10 to Initiate Study for Interim Zoning Regulations on the Sale and Production of Marijuana and Marijuana Businesses; Bullock seconded; Mandeville noted two of the three pending permits have come into compliance with Interim Zoning. He would hope to have the study and revised regulations adopted by the end of the calendar year; Mandeville noted if the study is ongoing there is a mechanism to extend interim zoning. Discussion about legislature, Mandeville is aware of an interim group to review marijuana laws, but he is not sure what changes may be proposed in the next session. Motion carried.

11:00 Public Health Director Erin Cross met regarding a purchase request for travel to a training in Helena. Also asked for permission to apply for a Title 10 Grant for Family Planning Clinics; commissioners approved the application. Discussed Mental Health Center absorbing case manager functions of the County Tribal Matching Grant by pairing those functions with their administrative position.

Geospatial Information Systems Coordinator / Fire Warden Tom Kohley joined the meeting. Blain and Kohley discussed Fair facilities for emergency operations. The Fair Board was curious about building a shower facility to separate those from bathrooms and if there would be grant funding if the showers were available for emergency operations; Kohley will investigate grant opportunities.

12:00 Lunch.

1:00 John Prinkki and others with the New Prosperity Ditch met with Commissioner Bullock to discuss American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocations. The New Prosperity Ditch is looking for funding for repairs to their Ditch and asked if County’s ARPA funding would be available to help shore up their project. The Ditch Company has a State grant, but because of increased construction costs they are short on funding. Bullock noted that the Commission has elected to retain the remaining ARPA funding for County building facilities specifically to address space needs in the Court House. Bullock noted the commissioners are concerned about favoring one ditch company over others.

Respectfully submitted: Angela Newell, Administrative Officer