Meeting Minutes: June 30, 2021
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday June 30, 2021 in the Carter County Courthouse Board Meeting room of the Carter County Courthouse in Ekalaka, Montana. Steve Rosencranz Chairman, and Rod Tauck Vice Chair, were present. Watkins member, was absent. Board Chairman Steve Rosencranz called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
The commission reviewed payroll in the amount of $234,721.38 and claims in the amount of $ 123,300.74 plus a late warrant for the Hospital levy for the amount of $22,769.23 for a total of $146,069.97.
The commission called Carl Knapp to for clarification on a claim for stripping at the Sandy Ridge Gravel pit. This would be West Thomas Pit.
The Commission called Dave Smith of Denbury resources to see what their fire safety practices are. Dave assured the commissioners that fire prevention has been discussed with all of the contractors and crews. They have spotters that stay with each welding rig and they have also worked with the Carter County Fire Marshall who has provided two slide-in fire units that have been stationed at the pipeline.
Kurt Hansen of the USFS, Sioux Ranger District joined the meeting to discuss the upcoming Forest Service projects. BLM will station extra fire resources in the area next week. DNRC will have 3 strike teams set up in Miles City next week.
The District applied for Funding Capital Rock and Wickham Gulch improvements. They currently have gravel coming from the South Dakota side for Capital Rock road improvement. They would like to gravel approximately nine miles of road, and update the parking as well as the picnic areas. The Sioux Ranger District is still interested in continuing the in kind weed spraying program with the County and hopes to have funding for next season.
The Forest Service currently has a thinning contract in the Opechee Park area and a second one near the 4 corners area, Speelmon Creek RD.
The District is currently in Stage II fire restrictions as of last Friday. Kurt left the meeting and the meeting broke for lunch at 11:50.
The meeting reconvened at 1:00 pm
Stefanie Harrington, County Health Department Manager joined the meeting for the Health Department 2021-2022 annual budget review.
Stefanie presented information on the Town of Ekalaka rural development grant.
She requested permission to do more public outreach through paid ads on Facebook. The ads would be focused on well child and immunizations as well as other services offered by the County Health Department. The commissioners agreed.
Stefanie has been contacted by a reporter from The New York Times requesting the Health Department fill out a survey regarding COVID-19 in Carter County.
The County Health Department ordered Vaccines for the non-eligible students. The vaccine was purchased from Henry Shine for $2,500.00. The Health Department is waiting for the State of Montana to release the up coming seasons influenzas vaccine.
Stefanie placed a conference call with Mid-Rivers, DIS Technologies, and Ryan Tooke, DMCEO regarding the internet service for the Health Department in the new hospital building. The DIS Technologies representative suggested that DIS install a traffic network line, Router and firewall. The cost would be $360.00 annually plus a one-time fee of $950.00 to install the firewall.
The Carter County Health Department employees will be attending virtual training provided by DDPHS. This training will take place July 15, 2021 and may require the Health Department staff to work overtime. Commissioner Tauck made the motion to approve additional hours to be worked, for Trish Laughlin, Kirstie Nelson and Stefanie Harrington. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Stefanie expressed interest in attending The Global Leadership Summit held in Billings, Mt August 5th and 6th. The cost of the conference is $189.00, she will cover the cost of lodging and food.
The Public Health Emergency preparedness training is in Missoula this September by DPHHS. The Health Department staff will be attending this program as well.
Kirstie Nelson will attend the car seat certification training program in Minot, ND the first week of August.
Stefanie has asked DIS Technologies for quotes for 2 laptops at a cost of $2,400.00 each.
Stefanie discussed ARPA funding. The county has applied for the federal piece of funding in the amount of $243,186.00. Stefanie has researched and found that there is a local fiscal funding grant that is part of the ARPA funds which maybe be used for public health as well has a state recovery fund.
The Town of Ekalaka as requested the County ARPA funds for water and sewer improvements. There was discussion of the ARPA funding allocations.
There was discussion regarding the County Health budget. Stefanie asked if there was a way to show a separate line item for a description of the Grants as they are received. The was a review of the break down of the line items on the budget. They discussed the FHEP grant and Mental Health Grant that was applied for June 2021. Stefanie has applied for the Maternal Child Health Grant. The commissioners asked about the funding for the Tobacco program that has been split with Power Rivers County in the past.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:20 pm.
Board of County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
Attest: s/ Steve Rosencranz Attest: s/ Pamela J Castleberry
Chairman Clerk of the Board