MINUTES OF COMMISSIONER’S MEETING

April 10, 2006

Chairman Steven R. McCullough called the regular meeting of the Broadwater County Commissioners to order. Commissioner James V. Hohn and Commissioner Elaine M. Mann were present.

Walter Hanley of Rocky Mountain Development Council met with the Commissioners to give an update of the services that Rocky Mountain Development provides to our citizens. He focused mainly on the Senior Citizen Center and what could be done to improve it. He feels that leadership is a big issue in these Centers. An Activities Coordinator would be good for Townsend’s Center. He reported on some of the activities and projects that other Senior Centers are doing in neighboring cities. He talked about the meals program and that anyone who needed to be enrolled in the program but didn’t have the money is encouraged to sign up. The transaction would be confidential. His concern is that no one should go hungry. Mr. Hanley told the Commissioners that the commodities food program which has distributed surplus food to our citizens has been cut. The Federal government has cut the budget for this program and Broadwater County has about 100 people who qualified. Mr. Hanley opened his presentation to answer questions from the audience.

Virginia Knerr appeared before the Commissioner to discuss her NACAA nomination.

A group of her supporters were in attendance also. Chairman McCullough told Mrs. Knerr and her supporters that her boss from MSU phoned the Commissioners asking them to postpone their decision until April 17, 2006. He set up an appointment for the next Commissioners meeting at 10:15 a.m. with the Commissioners and Mrs. Knerr.

Mrs. Knerr explained to the Commissioner how she divides her time between her duties. She said that she understands that the Commissioners have received complaints regarding her performance regarding 4-H. She told the Commissioners that she spends about 20% of her time with 4-H but expects that parents to be involved. Virginia asked the Commissioners to let her get rid of her mosquito district duties. She said that this takes a great deal of her time. The Commissioners said that they would look into the matter. The audience voiced their opinions on Mrs. Knerr nomination and of her job performance. The Commissioners took this under advisement.

Julie Lethert, County Sanitarian and Nichole Brown, Planning Board Secretary, met with the Commissioners to discuss the transition of some their duties to WWC. Mrs. Brown asked if WWC would be here once a week for the Customers to meet with them. The Commissioners said that they would not. Mrs. Brown asked if she should be discussing subdivisions regulations with customers. The Commissioners told her that she could. The Commissioners asked her what her duties were. She said: Planning Secretary, Environmental help for the Sanitarian and Addressing Coordinator. The Commissioners told Mrs. Brown that the office needs to be covered at all times. If she is to be gone that she needs to get the Commissioners approval. Mrs. Lethert asked how the office hours would work when she has to be gone on inspections. The Commissioners stated that hopefully the office will be covered most of the time.

Julie Lethert , County Sanitarian, informed the Commissioners of a problem with a septic system located in the Missouri River Rendezvous Subdivision. She said the permit should not have been issued because it did not address the slope of the land around it. It does not meet the 25 foot requirement. The Commissioners will ask the County Attorney if they need to schedule a Public Hearing on the septic permit variance. She also discussed the Fish washing station which is to be constructed at the Silo’s Bay. The proposal does not meet the standards for State regulations. Mrs. Lethert asked the Commissioners about the 100 ft easement for agricultural set back in the Pat Frische Subdivision and what it could be used for. The Commissioners told her that the easement was to warn or tell people that the land around the subdivision was used for agriculture. The easement can be used for whatever the owners want them to be used for.

Commissioner Hohn moved to approve the communicable disease reporting protocol. Commissioner Mann seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Hohn moved to allow the Lion’s Club to use the Courthouse lawn to hold the Easter Egg Hunt. Commissioner Mann seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

A discussion on raising the cap for loans under Gateway Economic Development program occurred. Commissioner Mann moved to raise the loan for Headwaters Livestock could go to $50,000 and the new cap on other loans would go from $35,000 to $50,000. Commissioner Hohn seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Mann moved to accept the Commissioner Minutes of April 03, 2006. Commissioner Hohn seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Sharon Walker appeared before the Commissioners to discuss her agreement for managing the Silo’s campground. Commissioner Hohn moved to approve the agreement with JSJ Inc. dba Silos RV and Campground. Commissioner Mann seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. A discussion regarding how the Commissioners want the boat docks rented out occurred. Also, a proposal for gas service to the Bay was submitted.

Mail/Items for signature:

• Dept. of Transportation would like to set up a meeting with the Commissioners regarding a speed zone.
• CASA Program is asking for continued support in the next year’s budget. The Commissioners will budget the $1000 they have currently given to the program.
• The City of Townsend sent a copy of their letter to Dept. of Transportation stating their CTEP funds to the sidewalk project.

Discussion items:

• Natalie Tomeo, Finance Officer, informed the Commissioners that the professional fund is out of money. She said she would like to take money out of the PILT fund to pay legal fees for Tom Budewitz in the amount of $2,212. for his work on the airport. The Commissioners gave their approval.

Public Comments:

• Leonard Lambott, Subdivision Developer, informed the Commissioners that his plat that he submitted on the Lambott minor is lost. He told the Commissioners that he brought his plat in 2 weeks ago and now it can’t be found. He said that he is not sure the new process is going to work. He also informed the Commissioners that the meeting regarding Sandhill Overlook Minor was cancelled, but he was never informed. The Commissioners took his comments under advisement.

The meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on April 17, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioner’s Room of the Courthouse.

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Steven R. McCullough, Chairman

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Judy R. Gillespie, Clerk