Meeting Minutes: September 20, 2021

The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, September 20, 2021, in the Carter County Commission Board Meeting Room of the Carter County Courthouse at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, Montana.  Steve Rosencranz, Chairman; and Mike Watkins, member was present; Rod Tauck, Vice Chairman was absent. Guest: Jeff Venhaus

Commissioner Rosencranz called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.

 Commissioner Rosencranz requested public comment. Jeff commented that he would like to see the commission proceedings published in the Ekalaka Eagle. Jeff left the meeting.

Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the meeting minutes from September 07 and 13, 2021 with corrections. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

The commission discussed the hospital project drainage including the sprinkler system, putting rock in the retention ditch and pond.  Discussed the installation of a vertical drain in the retention pond.

The commission signed the 2022 budget Certification and Resolution 08302021-01 that was approved August 30, 2021.

OAC meeting

Present Ryan Tooke, DMHC CEO Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry, Public Health Manager Stefanie Harrington and Corbit Harrington County Attorney. Phone in: John Neisner and Cody Taggert from Scull Construction. Scott Cromwell and Kelly Axtman from Slate Architect.

The state inspection of the new hospital is scheduled for Wednesday, 09-23-2021.

Scull as scheduled a turn over meeting with the maintenance staff at the hospital.

Certificate of Occupancy was received last week.

Scull Construction is still monitoring the propane usage. The boiler was turned back on September 13, 2021.

Scull Construction has caulking to replace and a drywall patch in the entry to paint to complete the owner punch list. The contractors punch list is complete. There will be a final walk through with James, Scott and Kelly.

There was discussion regarding the landscape drainage and sprinkle system. Repair dirt retention berm and the add drain pipe. The commission would like to see the sprinkler in the retention pond capped. Scott will contact Greg Benjamin of Stahly Engineering to finalize the drainage system.

Scull Construction is prepared to deliver the final bill including the 2.5% / 5% retainage.  Commissioner Rosencranz requested that the boiler issues are worked out and any affidavits are signed before final payment.

Water on the floor in the mechanical room, no water leaking from the roof. Scull will look into it. 

The call with Scull Construction and Slate Architect ended. The next OAC meeting will be October 12, 2021 at 10:00 am.

Ryan is optimistic that Dahl will move in November 01, 2021. He requested permission to request quotes for negative air in one of the ER rooms.

Judy Wright EMT coordinator, joined the discussion regarding the ER bay. Attorney Harrington has concerns about the carbon dioxide build up in the bay. The EMT’s have policies that include leaving the overhead doors open until the ambulance engine is turned off. If it becomes and issue an exhaust fan can be installed. Judy left the meeting.

Bruski Fencing submitted a quote of $9,000.00-$10,000 for the Hospital Propane tank farm fence. The commission called Mark Bruski to clarify bid. The quote includes 3’ gate at the shut off and a 4’ fill gate. Corners will be set in concrete and the project completion date will be October 31, 2021.  Commissioner Watkins made the motion to accept the quote from Bruski Fencing. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.

Attorney Harrington presented the rough draft of the ARPA funds contract with Town of Ekalaka for the water main project. There was discussion regarding ARPA funding payouts for the Town of Ekalaka water main project. Contract will include monthly claims submitted to the County with progress checks by The County.  

Sheriff Kittlemann joined the meeting to inform the Commission that he intends to stay in stage I Fire Restrictions as long as Forest Service continues with restrictions.

The meeting broke for lunch at 12:00 and reconvened at 1:00 pm

County Superintendent of Schools Tracey Walker joined the meeting with school levies. The commission approved the levies and discussed student enrollment in rural schools. Tracey left the meeting.

Airport Master Plan meeting with KLJ Engineering. Guests included Dick and Karen Hammel, Darin Pluhar, Dane Castleberry and Troy Fruit Carter County Airport Board. Kent Penney, Andrew Zilki and Craig Canfield from KLJ Engineering.  Ryan Tooke DMHC CEO. On Webex: Mary Lynch KLJ, Scott Eaton FAA, and Mark McKee , State Aeronautics Division.

Topics of discussion included location for the AWAS system and runway length in relation to the property owner’s usage. Hammel’s would prefer 45-50ft access for machinery and cattle without odd fence angles to work around.

 KLJ presented the various options for the terminal and hangers. The group favored Alternative A with hangers and taxi ways located to the South to avoid the creek and drainage area. KLJ will redesign alternative A to present at the next meeting. The Airport Master Plan meeting adjourned.

The commission visited with Eric Lovec of the Ekalaka Eagle about publishing the commission proceedings. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve publish the proceedings in the Eagle weekly for $450.00 per month. Commissioner Rosencranz seconded the motion. The motion passed with no public comment.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:50 pm.

Board of County Commissioners

Carter County, Montana

Attest:/s: Steve Rosencranz                            Attest:/s: Pamela J Castleberry

Chairman of the Board                                                           Clerk of the Board