MINUTES OF COMMISSIONER’S MEETING

August 15, 2005

Chairman James V. Hohn called the regular meeting of the Broadwater County Commissioners to order. Commissioner Steven R. McCullough was present. Commissioner Elaine Mann was absent due to a family illness.

Bill Fleiner, Disaster Emergency Services Coordinator appeared before the Commissioners to discuss the following:

• Mr. Fleiner along with Jim Anderson and Tim Thennis of the Montana State Disaster Emergency Services Office discussed the Confederate Gulch Road damage as a result of flooding earlier this year. Jim Anderson told the Commissioners that there are two programs regarding disasters: (1) the State Declaration would reimburse the County for only the replacement costs (2) Federal or Presidential Declarations have to meet over a million dollars in damages in order to obtain recovery costs. It also has to be submitted by the Governor to the President within 30 days of the disaster. Even then, they may turn you down. Mr. Anderson stated that Northland Engineering’s bid to the County shows the cost and recommended construction. The State will not be able to reimburse the County for the bid amount because it doesn’t meet the criteria. Commissioner Hohn said that the County was getting complaints from Fish, Wildlife and Parks on not being able to use the road. Mr. Fleiner will check with them on their complaint. Bob Masolo, Road Department Supervisor, would like to see rip rap placed on the embankment of the road to help prevent washouts, however, the State will not fund it. Mr. Fleiner will research to see if any financial help can be obtained elsewhere. Mr. Anderson told the Commissioners that House Resolution 3883 or 3885 is being presented to Congress, which will address small states representation in disasters. Mr. Anderson has written a letter of support to our representatives on the resolution.
• A discussion of the DES Budget occurred. A CIP fund will be set up in preparation of future interoperable communications costs. Mr. Fleiner would like to combine homeland security and DES budgets. He said that reason he would like to combine the 2 funds is because of a match that could be obtained. The Tri-County Consortium will pickup Dave Clouse’s salary but Dave will still work on programs for Broadwater County.

Bob Masolo, Road Department Supervisor, gave the draft of the road approach permit agreement to the Commissioners with his recommendations. He also told the Commissioners that the road crew has installed the cattle guard on Lone Mountain Road.

Jim Holland, Chairman of the Airport Board, reported to the Commissioners that construction of the Fuel Vault at the Townsend Airport was starting. The runway project at the Canyon Ferry Airport has been put on hold since the contractor was enlisted to fight fires for the State. Mr. Holland asked if the money that was originally offered to update the pilot’s lounge was still available. Commissioners said that at this point in time, they didn’t think so. Natalie Tomeo, Finance Officer, asked Mr. Holland if he had included the cost of the Fuel at the Townsend Airport in his budget. The budget did not include the expenditure. The Commissioners told Natalie to budget $25,000 in both the revenue and expenditure side of the budget to account for the fuel. Commissioner McCullough asked about the Canyon Ferry Airport’s budget. Mr. Holland stated that there was about $5000 budgeted. Mr. Holland relayed that he had spoken to Colonel McGuire, operations officer for the National Guard, about the runway at Canyon Ferry Airport. He assured Mr. Holland that they would not use the runway. The Commissioners will write to the National Guard asking for support of the Canyon Ferry Airport.

Hershel Carpenter and Bill Huber representing the Canyon Ferry Trust Board presented the Commissioners with a spending policy regarding the Trust held by First Premier Bank. The Commissioners reviewed and approved the policy.

Dana Beaudry, Chairman of the TV District, met with the Commissioners to discuss the TV Building. He advised the Commissioners that Channel 11 would be off the air because there wasn’t a license for it. The TV District is making application for Channel 11. The cost should run around $2,000 to $3,000. Mr. Beaudry told the Commissioner that he is checking with a company out of Bozeman to run a test on the frequencies. The Commissioners asked him to check with Bill Fleiner, the Disaster Emergency Service Director, before hiring that particular company. The Commissioners will put in a notice in the paper to let everyone know about the licensing problems for channel 11.

Judy Gillespie, Clerk and Recorder/Treasurer, presented a letter from Tim Ravndal asking for the Commissioners to waive the taxes on his Mother’s mobile home. The Commissioners said that if Mr. Ravndal shows proof that the mobile home has been destroyed, then they will waive the taxes.

Commissioner McCullough moved to approve the minutes of the Commissioners meeting held on August 08, 2005 with corrections. Chairman Hohn seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned for lunch and reconvened at 1:30 p.m.

Julie Lethert, County Planner, presented final plat approval for the Slyngstad Minor Subdivision. She advised the Commissioners that all the conditions had been met. Commissioner McCullough moved to approve the Final Plat. Commissioner Hohn seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Julie Lethert, County Planner, presented the Scoffield Minor Subdivision for final plat approval. Mrs. Lethert stated that the Developer has met all the conditions. Commissioner McCullough asked about the 30-foot easement that was on the preliminary plat, which shows as a private driveway on the final plat. Donald Schauber advised the Commissioners that State law gives Lawrence Gibbs the right to use the driveway but not the general public. Commissioner McCullough moved to approve the final plat since all the conditions have been met. Commissioner Hohn seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Julie Lethert, County Planner, presented final plat approval for amended plat lot 5 of Mud Springs Estates, Tammy and Daniel English, Developers. Mrs. Lethert stated that all the conditions have been met. She also advised the Commissioners that the parkland fees that were collected would be refunded in the amount of $2636. Commissioner McCullough moved to approve the Final Plat for amended plat lot 5 of Mud Springs. Commissioner Hohn seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Julie Lethert, County Sanitarian, reported to the Commissioners that she hadn’t received a response from Chris Rains, homeowner or Mike Wagner, engineer of Spruce Grove. She told the Commissioners that Department of Environmental Quality is on the agenda to meet with the Homeowners Association. They will suggest a possible a community sewer system or an above ground system in which 3 ft of fill would be brought in. She reported that Steve Gilbreath of Dept. of Environmental Quality suggested that the Commissioners send a letter of complaint to the Board of Engineers regarding Mike Wagner’s performance. The Commissioners told Julie that if Dept. of Environmental Quality doesn’t think Mike Wagner is professional, then they need to write the letter. The Commissioners will not write the letter. Julie is also concerned about Wheatland Meadows putting in test pits for a subdivision but the Developer has not contacted Julie. The engineer for the subdivision is Dbeck, Mike Wagner, owner. The Commissioners suggested that Mrs. Lethert write a letter to the Developer over the situation.

Chairman Hohn advised the Board that Commissioner Mann had phoned him from Washington. She suggested if the County was short of funds to look at the local County Option Sales Tax that was available now through the legislative session 2005. The Commissioners took this under advisement.

Natalie Tomeo, Finance Officer, presented the preliminary Budget for fiscal year 2005-2006.

After budget cuts from some departments, the preliminary budget was reviewed. In order to comply with the maximum number of mills specified by the law, further cuts were made. The public hearing is set for next Monday to receive public comment on the matter.

Tim Ravndal, Broadwater County Citizen, appeared before the Commissioners to advise them of the Local Study Review Commission need for money to fund their findings. He asked the Commissioners what had to be done to receive a budget to handle the expenditures. The Commissioners advised him that a budget would have to be submitted in the spring of 2006. Mr. Ravndal also asked whether or not a decision had been made regarding the waiving of the taxes on his mother’s mobile home. The Commissioner’s decision on the matter was made earlier. It was relayed to him and Judy Gillespie, County Treasurer, will send an official letter regarding the Commissioner’s decision.

Mail:

• Met-Net session for information on Mental Health
• Letter regarding water rights and the Forest Service.
• Letter from Dept. of Transportation on the Highway improvement projects.

The meeting adjourned at 3:54 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on August 22, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. in the Courtroom of the Courthouse.

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James V. Hohn, Chairman

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Judy R. Gillespie, Clerk