September 22, 2020

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
September 22, 2020

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

8:30 Pledge of Allegiance

Commissioner Bullock reported that Superintendent of Schools Lori Lynde has researched the bussing issue for Prosperity Road and determined that an address in question belongs to Joliet’s school district. There had been a discrepancy between the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) whose map erroneously placed the address in Fromberg’s district, while County records placed the address in Joliet’s district.

Commissioner Bullock moved to approve claims for August 2020; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.

Commissioner Bullock moved to approve early claims for September 2020; Commissioner Blain seconded; motion carried.

8:45 Gordon Sirrine joined the meeting.

9:00 AmeriCorps Vistas Orientation joined by Sarah Mears and Nemo Jackson. They are part of National Civilian Community Corps and are volunteering for the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation doing community projects for various non-profits. The Vistas had originally volunteered to conduct COVID-19 sanitization for the General Election but since backed out due to their management’s determination and disqualification due to “political activity”; Commissioner Bullock asked for their manager’s contact information disagreeing with the “political activity” (ie partisan) determination.

9:15 Scott Miller joined the meeting. 9:30 Sirrine departed the meeting.

10:30 Airport Board member Gary Herem joined the meeting to discuss the bid he received to move dirt fill to the proposed access road between the rows 16 and 17 at Red Lodge airport. He also reported that Airport Board member Craig Hash has sent his resignation to the Airport Board president.

10:50 Sirrine re-joined the meeting.

11:00 Sheriff Josh McQuillan and Brent Moore of Interstate Engineering joined the meeting to discuss the proposed Detention Facility. Commissioner Bullock stated his intent to re-initiate pursuing the bond election since much planning had been put forward prior to COVID-19. He noted that other community initiatives have passed this year (Red Lodge High School vocational building, Red Lodge Resort Tax, Bridger Gym) so economy/public support for these projects is strong. Newell will confer with bond counsel to firm up numbers. The citizen advisory committee will be re-convened. Commissioner Blain spoke regarding the Town of Joliet’s water/sewer; the Town won’t annex the property without contingencies regarding the necessary water and sewer upgrades being the owner’s financial responsibility, while the property sale won’t go through unless the property is annexed. Moore reported that there is a good chance that Joliet’s water tank will be covered by Treasure State Endowment Program (TSEP) funds. Commissioner Blain stated he would like to wait until the Bridger Commissioner is elected in November in order to draft a Resolution of Intent to hold the bond election; Commissioner Bullock concurred about waiting. Commissioner Blain and Moore will meet with Town of Joliet to discuss water issues. McQuillan outlined current issues with insufficient space for evidence storage. Moore, Miller and Sirrine departed the meeting.

McQuillan requested permission to advertise and establish a hiring pool for 911 dispatchers; applicants receiving high testing and interview scores would have the option to remain in the hiring pool for a 12-month maximum. Commissioners approved McQuillan’s request.

12:00 Adjourned.