Meeting Minutes: December 30, 2021
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday, December 30, 2021, 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 at 9:00 am.
There was no public comment
DES Coordinator, Georgia Bruski joined the meeting to request a time on the agenda for Monday January 03, 2021. She will have draft copy of the Pre- Mitigation Plan for The Board to review.
Bob Jacobs Carter County Maintenance, stepped into the meeting to report repair issues including old hospital boiler, courthouse generator and two heat pumps in the courthouse.
Ryan Tooke, Dahl Memorial Hospital CEO joined the meeting.
There was Discussion boiler license requirements and covering the new hospital boiler system. Ryan plans to speak to The Ekalaka Public School about boiler license coverage. There may be a possibility that Branson Rogers, Ekalaka Public School Technology director, who may have a boiler license, could cover for the New Hospital building until Dahl Memorial maintenance can complete the certification.
Ryan is still not satisfied with the heating and the windows and doors in the new hospital. The rooms are cold, the windows are cold and drafty. The is also a hole in the sheet rock between the metal building and the main level. He would like to request that Scull Construction resolve the issues as soon as possible.
Ryan also gave brief update on the business plan which included, CT scanner in use. The lab analyzer is not online at this time.
Dahl is looking to hire nursing staff and CNA’s. They are in the process of interviewing for a Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The Cost report is complete. The pharmacy hasn’t moved to the new building as they are waiting on approval from the State of Montana.
The commission placed a call to John Neisner of Scull Construction about issues Ryan has broached with the commission. They left a message for him to return their call.
Carter County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.
Commissioner Rosencranz scheduled a walk through of the new hospital facility to look over the issues.
Deputy Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting with the claim for Yellowstone Environmental in the amount of $671.56. Payment was withheld for the claim in October. Judy will void the warrant and write a letter requesting clarification on the reason for the charges.
Attorney Harrington is redrafting The County Health Bylaws to be in line with the updated State Legislation.
The commission reviewed claims in the amount of $569,668.77 and Payroll in the amount of $225,495.71. The commission agreed to withhold the final payment to Scull Construction and Slate Architecture until the issues with new hospital building are resolved.
John Neisner returned the commissioners call. Ryan Tooke and the commission explained the issues with the building including cold air and condensation in the windows, doors that are not sealed and rooms that are cold. They are still concerned about issues with the heating system. The Commission let John knows that they will be withholding final payment until the issues are resolved. John stated that he will contact the contractors that installed the windows and doors as well has the heating and cooling company so that the problems can fixed.
The commission reviewed a copy of Montana Association of Counties (MACo’s) guidance on purchasing by County employees and elected officials for reference in the upcoming 2022 Resolutions
Commissioner Tauck made the motion to approve the meeting minutes for December 20th and 23rd 2021. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Commissioner Tauck made the motion to approve the December 27th 2021 meeting minutes with corrections. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Commissioner Tauck made the motion to approve a notice to be printed in the Ekalaka Eagle outlining the new protocol for renting the Event Center. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Carter County Treasurer Jesi Pearson stopped in to have the commission sign a title for the Sheriffs vehicle.
The Board discussed the possibility of updating the employee job descriptions.
Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry joined the meeting were the commission set a list of resolutions that will be required for 2022.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:55 pm.
The Board of Carter County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
Attest:/s: Steve Rosencranz Attest:/s: Pamela J Castleberry
Steve Rosencranz, Chairman Clerk to the Board