November 19, 2020

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
November 19, 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

Commissioners attended a meeting of the Detention Facility Citizen Advisory Committee last evening; minutes will be attached to Commissioners’ Proceedings after they are approved at a future Committee meeting.

Alvin Ellis, Jr and Steve Roi joined for the Public Comment period. Ellis expressed dissatisfaction regarding the County’s snowplowing; Commissioner Bullock expressed that his goal is to accomplish the most with the budget available and encouraged Ellis to phone him directly at the time he has an issue with the snowplowing and he’ll see if it can be handled immediately. Roi discussed road maintenance expectations for services and changes that occur at the County level that aren’t communicated at the community level. Roi and Ellis questioned the efficacy of labor unions as pertaining to the Road Crews.

Geospatial Information Systems Coordinator / Fire Warden Tom Kohley joined the meeting to request approval for Morgan Contractors to conduct foundation work for the East Bench radio repeater site; Commissioner Blain signed the contract. Morgan was the only contractor of six inquiries to reply to Kohley’s Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

Discussion continued regarding mass COVID-19 vaccinations, when they become available, specifically roles/responsibilities of the Incident Management Team and Beartooth Hospital, and the funding for supplies to accomplish vaccinations (CARES Act funding expires December 30). Decision to have Incident Management Team contractor Jason Mahoney develop a vaccination plan to supply to the County to present to Beartooth Hospital for approval; some of this work should be done under his Public Health Emergency Preparedness coordinator subcontract with Beartooth Billings Clinic.

9:30 Red Lodge Mayor Bill Larson joined the meeting for an update. Due to the recent increase in active COVID-19 cases, Christmas Stroll has been canceled this year.

10:00 County Attorney Alex Nixon joined the meeting for an update. Commissioner Bullock recounted last night’s meeting with the Detention Facility Citizen Advisory Committee attended by Bullock, Blain and Miller. Commissioners intend to present the bond election to voters in late March 2021; therefore, time is of the essence. Nixon recounted a conversation with the Town of Joliet’s legal counsel regarding an Interlocal Agreement for Annexation for the proposed Detention Facility site; Nixon expects a final version to be drafted this week; main concern is connecting water/sewer. Commissioner Bullock requested that Nixon coordinate with County Attorneys in Stillwater and Sweetgrass Counties to draft Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) for leasing inmate space in the Detention Facility; MOUs would eliminate requirement to run a bond for Operations. No further information regarding on-going litigation with Industrial Communications.

Newell discussed staffing in the Clerk and Recorder and Administration Departments, especially as pertaining to Christine Stovall’s upcoming retirement and succession planning. Another consideration would be a dedicated Human Resources position to handle staffing for the proposed Detention Facility should the bond pass in March. Commissioners will agenda a future, more in-depth discussion.

Sheriff Josh McQuillan joined the meeting to discuss staffing issues in Dispatch. He asked to retain two certified Dispatchers who would not be full-time, but exist as on-call, per-diem Dispatchers; Commissioners approved his request after Newell detailed the negligible impacts from the Finance/Human Resources stand-point. Discussion about Nixon’s work towards Detention Facility items.

12:15 Adjourned.