Minutes: September 06, 2022
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday September 06, 2022, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Steve Rosencranz, Chairman; Rod Tauck, Vice Chair and Mike Watkins, Member; were present.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Steve Rosencranz at 9:00 am. There was no public comment.
County Attorney Corbit Harrington, Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry and Treasurer Jesi Pierson joined the meeting. The Secure Rural Schools Funding regulation changes were reviewed as well as the amounts currently allocated to Title I, II and III. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to allocate all the funds to Title I. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Jesi left the meeting.
The was a brief review of the Fiscal 2022-23 budget.
Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) Shane Mintz, District Administrator and Mike Skillstad, Maintenance Chief, joined the meeting. They are reaching out to the Commissioners regarding weight limits on Highway 323, the reduced speed limit on Highway 212 through Alzada as well as safety issues including road closures during winter storms and the intersection of Highway 323 and 7.
Shane outlined the work that has been done from 2014 to 2022 on highway 323 with approximately 20 million dollars spend on repairs. The South end of Highway 7 had a lift and chip seal last year and is slated for major repair in the next 5 to 8 years.
Dahl Memorial CEO Ryan Tooke, Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry and Public Health Manager Stefanie Harrington joined the meeting. Dahl Memorial has seen an increase in patronage leading to the phone system going offline during peak usage. Ryan has contacted Midrivers to find a solution.
Ryan is working with Scott Cromwell of Slate Architecture to get the automatic doors functioning properly. They will be working with Muth Electric to wire outlets in the dayroom to the generator, install additional exit signs and the motion sensor lighting in the Public Health Offices.
Ryan addressed the County hiring a Public Health Officer. Dahl Memorial has no contractual conflict if that applicant is a provider for Dahl but would request that the County and the Public Health Officer respect the schedule and contracted hours required for the position at Dahl Memorial.
Ryan has received a bid for the sidewalk on the Southside of the hospital for $4,400.00. This project was a requirement of the DPHHS Fire, Life, Safety inspection completed in May of 2022.
As discussed Ryan will provide written copies of the quarterly reports that he presents to the Commission, check into the heating and cooling controls for the residents living areas and call the Town of Ekalaka about shutting off the water to the Old Hospital Building.
The meeting broke for lunch at 12:00 pm and was called to order at 1:00 pm.
The Commission reviewed and approved the Bridge and Road Safety and accountability Act Funding (BaRSAA).
Commissioner Tauck made the motion to designate the funds for purchase and application of magnesium chloride that would be applied to several sections of road in the County. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Bob Jacobs, County Maintenance joined the meeting to update the commission on repairs for the lawn tractor and the water shut off at the Old Hospital.
Jade Boggs, Insurance Store and Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry joined the meeting for the Property and casualty Insurance renew. The rates increased approximately 4-6% and includes Cyber security coverage.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:43 pm.
Board of County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
Attest:/s: Steve Rosencranz Attest:/s: Pamela J Castleberry
Steve Rosencranz, Chairman Clerk of the Board