Meeting Minutes: May 31, 2022
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on, May 31, 2022, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana. Present were Steve Rosencranz, Chairman; and Rod Tauck, Vice Chair. Mike Watkins, Member was absent.
There was no public comment.
The commission approved payroll in the amount of $237,266.46 and claims in the amount of $246,790.00.
Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry joined the meeting where she updated the Commission on the Workers Compensation payments made last year to Victory Insurance. The $29,441.89 was paid in last year.
Attorney Corbit Harrington and maintenance Bob Jacobs joined the meeting. Bob has cleaned out the rain gutters at the Event Center. There has been a roof leak so he is also looking into replacing several stained ceiling tiles. The commissioners requested that he anchor several heat ducts that are setting on the ceiling tiles.
The Inspector from Newfield’s came yesterday to inspect the Old Hospital Building. Bob was available to attend a portion of the inspection that was required by the DEQ/EPA to qualify for Brownfield grant funds that will be used for rehabilitation of the old Hospital building.
The commissioners reviewed the custodial position duties list.
Jolene Paxson of Victory Insurance called to explain the Workers Compensation Insurance request for renew. She stated that a portion of the fees are a deposit. The new policy premium would have to be paid by June 30, 2022 to accept the new policy for fiscal year 2022-2023.
Steve Summers called into the Commission meeting. Rod informed him that the price for auto gates on the Bell Tower Mail Route Road would cost $4,500 for the steel and $500.00 for the cement abutments per car gate location. Steve will contact the County if he decides to have the car gates installed.
Steve called to discuss the expired Ned Summers gravel pit contract. Steve questioned the Counties plan for the pit and the gravel pile still on the site. The Commission, Steve and Attorney Harrington reviewed the contract and concluded that the crushed gravel pile may be stored on site for 2 years past the expiration of the contract. The contract expired May of 2021. The Road and Bridge Department has plans to use all of the stored gravel by the end of the 2022 season.
The meeting broke for lunch at 11:55 and returned at 1:00 pm.
The Museum Board met with the Commissioners. Guests include, Llane Carroll Nate Carroll, Brice Lambert and Sabre Moore.
The museum has not received any bids for the lighting project. They discussed other options for bids, which included advertising in more periodicals and contacting several contractors that had not been contacted the first time the ad was placed. They plan to extend the bid deadline to August 1, 2022 which would give the contractor until the grant deadline of June 2023 to complete the project.
The members discussed the insurance claim for roof damage to the museum storage buildings located on highway 323. The repair of the interior of the building was included in the claim but not the repair of the leaking roof that caused the damage. The museum board would like to patch the roof temporarily until the major repairs can be done. They will speak to the insurance adjustor as well as area contractors to get quotes for the patch work and possibly bids for the final repair. The meeting with the Museum Board adjourned.
Federal Audit Exit interview with Bob Denning CPA of Denning Downing and Associates. Attendees included Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry, Deputy Clerk and Recorder, Judy Wright, Public Health Department manager Stefanie Harrington, County Treasurer Jessi Pierson, Attorney Corbit Harrington. Bob Denning CPA, and Commissioner Mike Watkins called into the meeting.
The Official Carter County Federal Audit received a clear report. This states that the financial records and statements are fairly and appropriately presented. Bob finalize his report that will be sent to the Federal and State government. Bob plans to send Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry a PDF of the audit report; and by request, to The Carter County Public Health Office. The exit interview ended at 2:35. Pam and Jessi left the meeting.
The commissioners called Jade Boggs, insurance agent with The Insurance Store about the insurance claim for the museum storage buildings. The Commission asked if the insurance will cover the roof repair. Jade stated that the building is insured up to 80% of the value. There can be a supplemental payment issued for the repair of the roof. The County may cash the original payment and make sure that no repairs are done until the estimate is complete. Jade requested that the County check with him for additional coverage for the roof. The call ended with Jade.
Fair Board members Cam LaBree and Seth Whitney met with the commission for the 2022-2023 budget review. The Fair Board has not made any changes to their budget.
There in the process of remodeling the horse barn. Cam was given permission to call Road and Bridge Supervisor, Carl Knapp to request more gravel for the inside of the horse barn.
The Fair Board has received grant funds from the FFA and donations for 4 and 5 heavy metal Picnic tables.
Stefanie Harrington request permission and was granted; to put up handwashing signs at the Fairgrounds.
The Board is in the process of booking the entertainment for this years Days of 85 Fair and Rodeo.
They are also in contact with some who would like to put in a bid to paint the rodeo grounds buildings.
Seth, Cam, Stefanie and Corbit left the meeting.
Commissioner Tauck made the motion to approve the meeting minutes for May 16, and 26, 2022. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:15.
Board of County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
Attest:/s: Steve Rosencranz Attest: /s: Pamela J Castleberry
Steve Rosencranz, Chairman Clerk of the Board