Minutes: April 04, 2022
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, April 04, 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; Rod Tauck, Vice Chair and Mike Watkins, Member.
County Maintenance Bob Jacobs joined the meeting to discuss the utilities for the old hospital building. Dahl Memorial is currently paying the electric, water and propane bills. The water and electrical services would need to stay on as long as the boiler system is still running. The group discussed the number and locations of the water shut off to the various areas of the building as well as rekeying the locks sometime in the near future. Bob left the meeting.
The Commission called Shelli Isle, she is the Brownfield grant program coordinator. She has not gotten word back from EPA if Carter County will qualify for assistance with clean up funds. They discussed what type of assistance the County may be eligible. The commission would like to apply for clean-up funds for the Old Hospital building and grounds as well as public outreach. Shelli will contact the commission with information as soon as she receives it.
County attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.
The Board called Cody Taggert of Scull Construction to confirm the OAC meeting date of April 19th at 9:00. Cody also informed the commission that the window manufacturer representative will be at the new hospital facility to inspect the windows on April 11, 2022.
There was a call placed to Montana State Representative Jerry Schillinger to request that the commissioners and anyone else interested meet with an independent voting machine expert and Representative Bob Phalen. They scheduled a special meeting for Thursday April 07, 2022 at 10:00.
Clerk and Recorder/ Carter County Election Administrator Pam Castleberry and Deputy Clerk and Recorder Judy Wright joined the meeting Where Pam reviewed the practices and procedures that must be followed by herself, her staff and the election judges during an election. She does not agree to a meeting with an independent consultant regarding the voter machines.
There was discussion regarding the Stahly road use assessment fees that where split with Denbury.
Commissioner Tauck made the motion to approve the Resolution # 04042022-01 for the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM) grant provided by The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
The Commission also signed the in-kind agreement with The Carter County Sheriff’s Department and the United States Forest Service Sioux Ranger District.
County attorney Corbit Harrington reviewed the procedures for a County/ City inter-local agreement for fire suppression. He also brought up the need for a written County policy for re naming roads.
The meeting broke for lunch at 12:00 and reconvened at 1:00 pm.
Tracey Goerndt and Carey Tronstad from Prairie Hills Recovery, Addition Counseling services joined the meeting. They have scheduled a meeting with the commission to request State Alcohol tax funds designated to the County to be used for Addiction services. Tracey and Carey outlined the services that they could provide The County including, MIP classes, Family Education class, parenting classes and Money management classes. They have offices in Baker and Glendive and They also staff a 24-hour crisis line.
Carter County currently provides the funding to Eastern Montana Mental Health out of Miles City and would be required to resubmit the forms with DPHHS to change the funding designation. The commission will look into what is required to include Prairie Hills Recovery for funding.
Attorney Harrington requested that they contact the schools and County Public Health office to offer their services. He also stated that the County is in the process of re-establishing the Child Intervention Team (CIT) in Carter County. Tracey and Carey left the meeting.
Clerk and Recorder Pam Castleberry reported that they County has received the Denbury Road Use Payment of $749,000.00.
The commission called Rachel Hayes from the MTDHHS regarding the designation of who is allowed to receive the alcohol tax distribution. The only designee listed is Eastern Montana Mental Health, because of this they would be the only organization eligible for the funds. Rachel agreed to look into making sure that Prairie Hills Recovery is eligible and listed on the forms. The Forms are due in June 2022 for the 2022 allocation.
Clerk and Recorder/ Election Administrator Pam Castleberry joined the meeting with concerns about having the vote tabulating machines examined by an independent consultant. Wibaux Co. has refused to meet those involved. The commission called Jerry Schillinger to discuss what the meeting will pertain to and who will be included in the meeting. Jerry stated that there will be an educational discussion on the use of machines counts VS hand counting of ballots.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:10 pm.
Board of County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
Attest: s/: Steve Rosencranz Attest: s/: Pamela J Castleberry
Steve Rosencranz, Chairman Clerk of the Board