Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times -

Commissioners February 10, 2023 Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 by Commissioner Turley. Commissioner Pancratz was present. Commissioner Goffena was absent for the day.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to approve the agenda for the day as is. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Turley made the motion to approve the February 3, 2023 minutes as written. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion. Motion carried.

February 7, 2023 Commissioner Pancratz and Turley were present for virtual testimony against House Bill (HB) 328. HB328 will require that all public meetings including school board meeting must be video and audio taped and within 3 days of subject meeting, to be posted on official website for public review. This bill is presented by Representative Barker from Carbon County and Representative Tony Brockman of Kalispell. Rep Brockman is a digital recording system salesman. Rob Watson of the Coalition of Public Schools supported HB328. Discussed transparency and liability reduction of this bill. Neither house member are Montana natives. Any district with less than a thousand members is exempt under this bill. Many websites are available for such recording even by phone. Technical difficulties that prevent recording must be made by public notice.

Musselshell County opposes this bill primarily because it is an unfunded mandate and they want to keep it at a local level, as does Montana Association of Counties (MACO).

Others opposed:

Jason Strouf, Custer County Commissioner

Montana League of Cities and Towns

Lewis and Clark County Commission

Joette Woots Liberty County Commission

Mike McGinley Beaverhead County Commissioner

Tyrel Hamilton Stillwater County Commissioner

Daniel Farr Northeast Montana Schools

Dan Ellison Jefferson County Commissioner

Larry Hendrickson County Commissioner

Larry Ross Fallon County commissioner

Shelby Demars Oil Gas and Coal County Commissioner

Jason Rittal MACO

George Real Bird Big Horn County Commissioner

Jennifer Saunders Fergus County Commissioner

Roman Zywaly Mineral County Commissioner and MACO President

Robert Pancratz Musselshell County Commissioner

Fallon County IT Administrator

Todd Devlin Fallon County Commissioner

February 8, 2023 all Commissioners attended a Mitigation TEAMS meeting with DES & FEMA regarding clarification on what can be done with the Bair Collins area of the last FEMA buyout. Especially clarification on the gravel that is in the area. Specific questions were sent to FEMA.

February 9, 2023 all Commissioners attended the Roundup Community Partners (RCP) meeting. It was a general meeting to catch up.

Commissioner Turley attended a Bull Mountain Land Owners Association meeting.

Pam Walling with MACo met with the Commissioners to go over the Renewal Rates for Employee Medical Plans. There is an 11.4% increase. Ms. Walling will return on March 3, 2023 to see what plans the Commissioners decide on.

Sheriff Lesnik gave his weekly report to the Commissioners. There are going to be 3 people entering the Reserve Deputy Program. Under Sheriff Bednar is going for a grant for platforms for patrol vehicles. Visa issues were discussed.

County Attorney Larsen met with the Commissioners.

DES Director Russell and Coordinator Rook gave their weekly reports to the Commissioners. Mr. Russell sent a letter to the State Hazard Mitigation Officer regarding questions regarding the Bair Collins property. They have received a request for information from the Floodplain Coordinator regarding the Roundup Mesa Water District. The Parrott Creek Ranch is installing a 8500 gallon tender fill station on the ranch the VFD will have access to. Mr. Russell is checking Yellowstone Counties GIS system for maps.

Jeff Bollman and Jeff Brown with DNRC met with the Commissioners to give an update before the fire season starts. All County documents for the Co-op are in. It’s very important for the Fire Chiefs to get their reports in as soon as possible, that’s how they get their funding. There is a big need for prescribed burns to help with fire mitigation. The Commissioners told them they highly support the DNRC Co-operative effort in fire prevention and fire suppression, and to not hesitate in contacting Musselshell County regarding any issue surrounding fire prevention and suppression.

There was no public comment for the Determination that an Environmental Exclusion is appropriate for the purchase of 2 belly dump trailers for the Road Department.

There was no public comment on several budget amendments.

Public comment:

Monty Sealey and Ken Naylor were present and discussed the title insurance that may be needed to get the Roundup Mesa Area into the Central Montana Regional Water Authority project. Mr. Sealey will talk to County Attorney Larsen about the issue.

Theresa Doumitt was present to discuss the Montana Frontier Sandstone Invoice with the Commissioners.

End of public Comment.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign Certificate of Survey 2023-3 amending Certificate of Survey 2023-1 in Section 7, Township 9 North, Range 29 East, Tracts 1A & 1B. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign Certificate of Survey 2023-4 in Section 25, Township 6 North, Range 26 East, to create an Agricultural Tract. Submitted by Signal Peak Energy. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign the Coal Impact Grant Environmental Checklist for the 2 belly dump trailers for the Road Department. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign Resolution 2023-8 Determining that an Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Statements are not necessary for the Coal Board Grant Application for 2 belly dump trailers for the Road Department. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Lura Pitman from the Roundup Record met with the Commissioners to schedule their February interview.

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1051 transferring partial Coal Proceeds to individual Fire Departments

Commissioner Turley signed Journal Voucher 1052 to transfer monies from 4046 that have been there several years for the 2340 UTV fund per Justin Russell.

Commissioners February 17, 2023 Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 by Commissioner Turley. Commissioner Pancratz and Commissioner Goffena were present.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to approve the agenda for the day as is. Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Goffena made the motion to approve the February 10, 2023 meeting minutes as amended. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Turley and Commissioner Pancratz had a LEPC zoom meeting on Wednesday February 14, 2023.

Commissioner Goffena had a Watershed meeting on Tuesday February 14, 2023 he also attended by Zoom

They all had a meeting Wednesday February 15, 2023 with Snowy Mountain Development, Duane Snook, Irvin Weigum, and mayor Jones regarding the Homes on the Range apartment building condition. Snowy Mountain will get back with the Commissioners with a schedule fee and they will be checking if Tamarack has the authority to spend funds on a feasibility study.

Commissioner Goffena went to a Conservation meeting on Thursday February 16, 2023. They are working on ideas for projects with NRCS (Natural Resources and Conservation Services)

Commissioner Goffena also attended the swearing in of the 2 new Deputy’s.

Weed Coordinator Beck met with the Commissioner for approval for the bid to finish the work on her shop. Commissioner Pancratz mentioned that it is funded within the budget appropriations. All Commissioners agreed.

Mayor Jones and Dave Liggett met with the Commissioners and County Attorney Larsen about the Interlocal Agreement with the Justice of the Peace. They will be working on a new agreement to be signed by Justice of the Peace Marking.

DES Director Russell and Coordinator Rook gave their weekly report to the Commissioners. There is a wildland fire under investigation. There was a school safety meeting regarding the film for the windows. The films should arrive mid-June. They are working on software to help with the address books. The Commissioners were given a draft copy of the Mutual Aid Agreement for fires to review and give input.

There was no public comment on the various budget amendments.

There was no public comment for the 3:00 business.

Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to sign Resolution 2023-9 for the following Budget Amendments:

410370.350 General/Restitution $ 12,064.00

450135.228 115 CARES Act – Rdup Bathroom $101,987.00

411000.910 General

$6,350.00

431100.220 Weed Control $10,808.00

431100.940 Weed Control $ 22,100.00

410580.355 Planning – Land $7,000.00

420600.110 General – DES Wages $0.00

440500.357 Alcohol Rehab $17,876.00

420400.940 Hawk Creek Fire $33,758.00

4200400.940 Melstone Fire $43,318.00

420400.940 Bull Mountain Fire $51,802.00

420400.940 Dean Creek Fire $33,044.00

420400.940 County Fire $30,737.00

Total $370,844.00

Commissioner Goffena seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Commissioner Turley made the recommendation to Appoint Jack Daigrepont to the Hospital District Board. Commissioner Pancratz seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Charles, Gettelman, Mike Pratt, Judy Sutherland, Janice Beck, Lura Pitman Moore, Dave & Wendy Shreve, Warren Hanson, Daniel Main and Mark Snyder met with all of the Commissioners and County Attorney Larsen with concerns and questions about the Roundup Mesa Subdivision forming a water district to get water from the Central Montana Regional Water Authority. The Board of Directors of the Roundup Mesa Landowners Association gave a letter regarding their decision to not allow permission for the water line to be placed in the subdivision road easements. The Commissioners told everyone they will need to go to the February 22, 2023 (Due to the weather the meeting was rescheduled for March 8, 2023 at 6:00 at the Commons) meeting with the Water Authority.

There being no further business Commissioner Pancratz made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner Turley seconded the motion. Motion carried.