Minutes:September 07, 2021
The Board of Carter County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, September 07, 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 was present.
Commissioner Rosencranz called for public comment. There was none.
Carter County Attorney Corbit Harrington joined the meeting.
The commission reviewed the CDBG close outs (Dhal Memorial/ Hospital funds). They called Beth Epley of Eastern Plain Economic Development Corporation to ask about the $8,000.00 that has been withheld for the grant. It will be released when the close out documents are signed. The commission requested an itemized list of the purchases made with the grant funds which Beth will send out as soon as possible. Commissioner Tauck made the motion to sign the Conditional closeout Certification and final close out. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Carl Knapp Road and Bridge Supervisor, joined the meeting where he requested the commission approve the Thomas Ranch Inc. gravel pit lease. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the Thomas Ranch Inc. gravel pit lease. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Carl spoke to Rick Fike of Fike Crushing Inc about crushing 25,000 yards at the Thomas pit. Carl would like to use 20,000 yards on the Cottonwood Creek Rd. He will speak to Rick to see if he would be willing to crush for $3.20 per yard.
Fike Inc. has two piles crushed gravel at the Brownfield Pit that the County will have measured. Broz Engineering has done this in the past.
Carl would also like to advertise for a Road and Bridge Employee. Commissioner Tauck made the motion to advertise for a Road and Bridge Employee. Commissioner Watkins seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
Obsolete property, Commissioner Watkins made the motion to advertise two gravel trailers for sale: 1990 Midland triple axel gravel trailer and a 1990 Alco pup trailer. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried.
There was discussion about the cost of treated sign posts. Carl 4x6x12 treated posts are about $65.00. The Road Department needs a bundle (40 posts). Carl can supply the posts for $15.00/ post and take them to Whitewood, SD to be treated for $14.00 a post. Commissioner Watkins made the motion to approve the purchase of 40 posts from Carl Knapp to be treated and used for sign posts. Commissioner Tauck seconded the motion. There was no public comment and the motion carried. Carl left the meeting.
The commission discussed placing a notice in the paper when the New hospital building receives the certification of occupancy.
Tye Williams of South East Electric stopped in to the meeting to request the Commissioners support SEE and MECA in keeping the Sage Grouse rider in place in the. If the Sage grouse rider does not continue they may be listed as an endangered species. This would affect the work Southeast Electric does as well as landowners. The commission requested that attorney Corbit Harrington draft a letter supporting the Sage grouse rider. The letter will be sent to Montana representatives Tester, Daines and Rosendale. Tye left the meeting.
The Commission called Cody Taggart of Scull Construction to check on the Certificate of Occupancy. The dryer install needs to be completed and pictures sent to the inspector before the certificate will be issued. The call ended with Cody.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:54.
Board of County Commissioners
Carter County, Montana
Attest:/s Steve Rosencranz Attest:/s Pamela J Castleberry
Chairman Clerk of the Board Clerk to the Board