COMMISSIONER MEETING          

January 29, 2007                                                         

 

Chairman James V. Hohn had to report for Jury Duty.  Commissioner Keith C. Lynn nominated Commissioner Gail Vennes as Vice-Chair. Commissioner Vennes seconded the motion and accepted the duty. Vice-Chair Gail Vennes called the meeting to order.

 

 

Brenda Ludwig, Broadwater County Sheriff, held a general discussion with the commissioners regarding a hiring board.  The hiring board would consist of 1 county commissioner, the sheriff, 1 city councilman, 1 educator and the county attorney.  Sheriff Ludwig also expressed her concern of Search & Rescue volunteers using their personal vehicles for searches.  Commissioner Vennes agreed that was a concern.  Sheriff Ludwig suggested using the Sheriff’s vehicle with the highest mileage for Search & Rescue/Coroner vehicle, which at this time would be her vehicle.  The Sheriff would then go to the next vehicle with the highest mileage and issue a new lower mileage vehicle to a deputy.  Commissioner Vennes agreed and expressed that maintaining the vehicles is a priority, as well, to obtain high mileage on them.  Sheriff Ludwig also stated that at a later date she would like direction from the commission regarding members of the Search & Rescue volunteer organization, which have felonies on their records. Commissioner Lynn suggested contacting MACO regarding insurance coverage of the Search & Rescue volunteers with felony records.  Sheriff Ludwig would like the commission to consider an increase to the training budget for next fiscal year as this year the budget for training is falling considerably short.  Also a thought the Sheriff had was to set up an animal control officer through the sheriff’s office in combination with the city officer.  Immigration is also demanding that the county nurse set up medications for the inmates.  Sheriff Ludwig’s final concern was the inmate population is down.  She has been requesting more inmates.  Natalie Tomeo, Finance Officer, expressed that a major portion of the budget is non-tax revenue, i.e. boarding. The current budget is set on 28 inmates per month and Natalie suggested to strive for over 28 inmates for a few months to make up for the shortfall.

 

Commissioner Hohn returned to the meeting, as he was relieved of his duties as juror.  Commissioner Vennes turns the meeting over to Chairman Hohn. 

 

Mayor Mary Alice Upton and City/County Attorney, John Flynn, arrived to discuss the access road to the airport.  The county has maintained the city access road and the Mayor would like to know if a conditional easement was needed between the city and county to continue the road as is.  John Flynn suggested a “Use Agreement” for the city access road at the city/county airport.  Mayor Mary Alice Upton also had the same concern for Jack Farm Road, the county maintains the road but part of the road is within the city limits. Commissioner Hohn suggested leaving Jack Farm Road as the status quo for the time being. Mayor Upton agreed to leave Jack Farm Road as is for now.

 

Beth Ihle briefed the commission regarding a proposed bike trail from Missouri River to Silos Road. Beth stated that they have received a Fish Wildlife Parks Recreation Trails Grant that requires an 80%/20% match.  The Trust Board has shown interest in participating in the match with a $6800.00 cash commitment.  The trail project consists of 3 pieces Segment I is the Missouri River Bridge to the Frontage Road.  Segment II is the Frontage Road.  Segment III is Silos Road. The grant is a reimbursable grant, which does not pay up front. Therefore, the work must be done and invoiced before receipt of the funds. Commissioner Hohn was concerned about who would be responsible for the maintenance of the path. Beth replied that the county would be the responsible party.  Commissioner Hohn stated his concern for the heavy-duty maintenance of the path as well as, maintenance of the bridge path. Beth concluded that at some time asphalt would be a consideration thus reducing the overall maintenance. Natalie Tomeo asked that Beth submit copies of the grant awards to the Finance Office so that the money can be receipted and distributed properly.  Commissioner Lynn moved to approve The Recreational Trails Program Agreement.  Commissioner Vennes seconded the motion.  The motion carried. Commissioner Hohn signed the agreement for application of Phase II of the trail project.

 

Brian Obert with Montana business Assistance Connection briefed the board about the possibility of using CTEP funds to finish the sidewalk project along Front Street to the Post Office. Mr. Obert informed the commission that the I-Cap portion of the funds would take 10% off the top for administration fees.  Mr. Obert invited the commissioners to the BCDC Banquet to be held Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at Betsy’s Kitchen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mail items:

 

 

 

  • Items/Mail for Action:

 

o       Commissioner Lynn moved to approve Claims: 1/23/2007: $49,216.85. Commissioner Vennes seconded. The motion passed.

o       A bill from Lite Electric in the amount of $380.00 arrived.  Natalie Tomeo requested direction.  Commissioner Hohn asked that she give the bill to the Maintenance Department for payment.

o       Commissioner Lynn moved to award Grizzly Diesel Repair the suspension repair for the Broadwater County Road Department vehicle.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Items/Mail for Discussion:

 

o       The Montana-Dakota Report to the Public Annual Report from the BLM was presented to the Commissioners for their reference.       

o       The Montana Business Assistance Connection quarterly report was

                                    received by the Commissioners for their reference.                               

o       The State of Montana Department of Revenue sent notification that Qwest (tax year 2005) protest had reached a resolution. Commissioner Hohn questioned Rhonda Nelson, Broadwater County Treasurer if she had received the same notice.  Mrs. Nelson did receive the same letter from DOR, as well as, an adjustment from Libby Campbell in the assessor’s office for the tax reduction.

o       Commissioner Vennes stated that a constituent from his district, Jay Hankin, would like map books for the Three Forks District.  Commissioner Hohn suggested an inquiry with Nichole Brown, Planning Board Secretary, to get the map books for Mr.Hankin.

 

  • Public Comments:  Nichole Brown, Planning Board Secretary, brought to the attention of the Commissioners a comment/question from a Mike McCreanor who owns lot 2 of Muffley Estates # 2.  Mr. McCreanor’s comment was that a Mike Hohn stopped him from staking out his private driveway by saying that he (Mike McCreanor) did not have a legal entrance to the property.  Mr. McCreanor questioned Nichole about an easement to his property.  Commissioner Hohn asked Nichole if she had presented the question to Shawn Higley, Broadwater County Planner.  Mrs. Brown stated that she had a call placed to Mr. Higley. Commissioner Hohn recalls an agreement that should have been prepared by the developers as the surveyor neglected to put the easement on the COS. Nichole will talk to Mr. Higley.

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 pm.  The next meeting is scheduled for Monday February 5, 2007 and will be held in the Commissioners room located in the basement of the County Courthouse at 10:00 am.

 

 

 

                                               

                                                            _________________________________

                                                            Chairman, James V. Hohn

Attested By:

 

 

_____________________________________

Rhonda Nelson, Clerk & Recorder/Treasurer