Meeting Minutes: September 30, 2021
Commission Proceedings
09-30-2021
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday, September 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 Chairman and Mike Watkins, member were present.
Commissioner Rosencranz called the meeting to order at 9:00.
There was no public comment.
Georgia Bruski stepped into the meeting to let the commission know that BLM will set Stage 1 fire restrictions in conjunction with the Forest Service and Carter County.
The commissioners reviewed and approved the payroll in the amount of $231,958.50 and the claims in the amount of $927,526.76. After review they pulled the warrant for Muth Electric in the amount of $7115.00 for further review.
There was discussion regarding moving Carter County Public Health to the new building. Steve spoke to John Niesner of Scull Construction, concerning move in dates. John sees no issues if the internet services are available.
The Commission contacted John from Scull Construction, regarding the warrant for Muth Electric. John is on vacation. Cody Taggart, Scull Construction was contacted has well. He found that there had been a change in the billing because the propane tank project was bid as underground and then changed by the County to above ground. The bill was sent to Dahl Memorial September 29, 2020. John and Cody will look into the matter further.
Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry joined the meeting where she explained that she did not sign the warrant for the purchase of posts from Carl Knapp. It is her opinion that is in violation of the ethics policy of the County Policy and Procedures’ manual outlined on page 34.
County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting. He reviewed the Policy and Procedures’ manual and stated his opinion that purchasing posts from Carl may not be a violation of the policy. Carl is a vendor of a product. Pam requested that Rod sign the warrant. Pam left the meeting.
The Commission placed a call to Dahl Memorial’s CEO Ryan Tooke about the New Hospital Inspection from Fire, Life Safety. He joined the meeting to discuss the inspection. The inspection noted issues with conduit, CT scan isn’t assembled, the lab equipment isn’t in place and questioned alarm button by elevator.
Ryan has goal to start move November 1, 2021, though some staff may start move before that. Dahl has tentative scheduled trainings Through October and November. The State recommends that Dahl Memorial divert medical services to Fallon County during the move.
Public Health manager Stefanie Harrington joined the meeting. There was a discussion about the phone and internet services provided separately to Public Health and Dahl Memorial in the new hospital. The service is currently on, and The Public Health Department is preparing to move to the new facility.
Ryan would like to request a quote to install more electrical outlets upstairs in the waiting area near the PT Department. The commission agreed and suggested he contract Muth Electric and other contractors for a quote. Ryan left the meeting.
Senior Coordinator Tricia Lovec joined for the Zoom meeting with Action Eastern Montana. Zoom guests included Linda Wolff and Heather. The group reviewed the funding budget received from Action for Eastern Montana as well as the ARPA/ COVID funds. Discussion included allowable purchases with the ARPA/COVID monies. The zoom meeting concluded, and Tricia left the meeting.
Commissioner Tauck made the motion to sign the Department of livestock Predator control agreement for 2021-2022. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried unanimously.
The meeting broke for lunch at 11:45 am and reconvened at 1:00 pm.
The Road and Bridge Supervisor Carl Knapp and David Loudermilk joined the meeting for an interview for the position on the Road and Bridge Crew. David left the meeting and Dana Blutt joined the meeting to interview for the position. Dana left the meeting at the conclusion of the interview.
The commissioners placed a call to the auditor Bob Denning of Denning and Associates. They requested his opinion regarding the purchase of milled signposts from Carl Knapp which he took to Whitewood to be treated. Bob stated that similar transactions regularly take place in small Montana communities because there are little to no options to purchase items elsewhere. Bob doesn’t see an ethical violation of policies and recommended documenting the purchases in the commission proceedings. The call ended with Bob and Carl left the meeting.
Stefanie Harrington, Public Health Manager and Rita Williams County Health Board joined the meeting for Stefanie’s 6-month performance review. Stefanie gave an update on Public Health including:
o Partnership with the school is working well
o COVID -19 is keeping the department busy
o Care van is set up for vaccines in Alzada today and will be in Ekalaka tomorrow
o The department is making contacts across the state.
Rita commented that she has had several phone calls from County citizens as they could not get a hold of anyone at the public Health Department. The phone doesn’t seem to be forwarded to a person just a voicemail. Rita finds there to be a negative public perception of the Department when calls are not answered promptly by an employee.
Stefanie stated that the nurses are part time and that the office is not manned 5 days a week. The phone is forwarded to herself or one of the nurses around the clock.
Commissioner Rosencranz sees a need for the office to be staffed regularly and the move to the new facility may make that easier. There was discussion about vaccines, suicide prevention training and preschool screening. There next Health Board meeting will be October 29, 2021, and a possible date for the After-Action Review debriefing is October 18, 2021.
Commissioner Tauck moved to remove Stefanie from her 6-month probation period. This will increase he wages to $19.03 per hour. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment. The motion carried unanimously. Stefanie and Rita left the meeting.
Commissioner Tauck made the motion to approve the meeting minutes for September 17th and 20th 2021. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Commissioner Tauck made the motion to sign the BARSA resolution. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion with no public comment. The motion was approved.
Jesi Pierson, Carter County Treasurer met with the board to discuss school finances.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:00 pm.
The Board of Carter County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
Attest:/s: Rod Tauck Attest:/s: Pamela Castleberry
Rod Tauck, Vice - chairman Clerk to the Board