November 17, 2020

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
November 17, 2020

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

8:30 Pledge of Allegiance

8:35 Carbon County Youth Court Manager Pam Hellerud joined the meeting to announce her retirement effective December 31, 2020.

8:45 Geospatial Information Systems Coordinator / Fire Warden Tom Kohley joined the meeting to discuss surplus equipment. A surplus snowblower should be arriving today.

Commissioner Bullock moved to approve Commissioner Proceedings for October 22nd, 27th, and 29th of 2020; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.

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

9:00 Public Hearing for the Petition to Annex Portion of the Roberts Rural Fire District #6 into the Red Lodge Rural Fire District #7. Chairperson of Roberts Fire District Jay Lastusky, Red Lodge Fire Chief Tom Kuntz (tele-conference), and Hunter Bell (tele-conference) joined the meeting. Commissioner Bullock moved to open the Public Hearing; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried. Kohley detailed that private owners in Roberts Fire District petitioned to join the Red Lodge District; they would receive better insurance ratings (ISO–Insurance Services Office) being within 5 miles of a fire station in their fire district. Bell stated that ISO does not honor mutual-aid agreements and that insurance savings could mean a savings of $700-$2,000/year in insurance premiums per landowner depending on the value of their home. Lastusky stated that he has no objection to this petition. Kohley emphasized that this change will not in any way change fire response for any landowners because of the mutual aid in place. Commissioner Bullock moved to close the Public Hearing; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried. Commissioner Bullock moved to approve Resolution 2020-29 Annexation of Adjacent Territory into the Rural Fire District #7 – Red Lodge; Commissioner Blain seconded; discussion that all petitioners were very much in support of the annexation; motion carried.

9:30 The 2020 General Election Canvas joined by Election Administrator Macque Bohleen and Treasurer Lori Lynde. Commissioner Bullock moved to approve the General Election Canvas for 2020; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.

10:00 Beartooth Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) staff Jillann Knutson, Joel Bertolino and Steve Simonson (tele-conference) provided an annual update as per their Memorandum of Understanding. Current projects include: Revolving Loan Fund for businesses; Carbon County COVID-19 Economic Recovery Team; Pryor Mountain Wind Farm logistics; National Resource and Conservation Services (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program Grant; the proposed Detention Facility; Workforce Housing Committee; targeted Brownfields Assessment for the Red Lodge pea cannery and Joliet Rural Development project; Bridger Senior Center re-model; Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant; and Growth through Ag program.
Newell led discussion regarding the County’s contract for General Engineering Services with Spectrum Architects. She inquired whether Commissioners were still comfortable with Lombard Conrad as Spectrum’s subcontractor for the proposed Detention Facility or whether they felt they wanted to go out for bid for architect. Commissioners voiced their support for continuing to use Lombard Architects via Spectrum Architects. Newell will notify Spectrum to draft contracts so that once the bond passes, there will be no lag time.

12:00 Adjourned.