Powder River Examiner -

April 20, 2020

All commissioners present.

Consent agenda approved.

Teel Mullanix phone called in to meet with commissioners. Gravel pits were discussed. The blade with transmission problems has been hauled to Billings and in need a lot of repairs. Discussion was held on the large amount of crude oil trucks being hauled on Ridge Road. Discussion was held on the governor lifting restrictions at the end of the week. Mullanix will put the road crew back to full force beginning April 27. Donna will talk to Shane Mintz and work on getting memorandum with the DOT at the scales. Taylor Creek Road has been bladed. Teel updated the board on a phone conversation with local residents regarding road conditions.

The Board of Commissioners proceeded to write a letter to the governor in reference of supporting getting workforce up and going.

A Board of Health meeting was held via Zoom. Lee Randall, Donna Giacometto, Rod Schaffer and Peggy Fruit were present. Becky McEuen joined the meeting. Darlynn Williams, Public Health Nurse, Acting Secretary, took full set of minutes.

Becky McEuen stayed after to visit about FEMA grant funding. She presented a grant to be signed. Commissioners did not sign at this time.

Liz Riter, Soil Conservation, met with board to present a proposal for a Conservation District grant for weather stations in Powder River County. No money match for Powder River County. Commissioners signed request.

A COVID-19 Task Force Meeting was held via Zoom. 11 deaths in state of Montana were reported. Lee Randall gave an update on stimulus money received. Money is intended to backfill loss of revenue for providers. No other updates were available.

After no further public comment for the day, commissioners adjourned the meeting at 3:00 p.m.

April 27, 2020

All commissioners were present.

Consent agenda was approved. No public comment was heard.

The reopening of the courthouse was discussed. The board decided to put this issue on the May 4th agenda.

The COVID-19 Task Force town hall meeting via Zoom began at 10 a.m. Various questions were asked concerning the process of opening businesses back up. Congregate meals were discussed. Businesses gave updates on a few of the measures they have taken regarding the separation of tables. Face masks were discussed and who and where businesses can get some.

Sean Hill met with board and discussed plans if cases appear in Powder River County. The clinic was discussed and they will begin to start seeing patients again.

Marty Drane was in to meet with commissioners. Reopening of the courthouse was discussed. Also discussed were the various items that could be cleaned in the courthouse and ways to keep the carpet clean in the courthouse. Marty will look for a company that could bring and clean rugs on a regular basis. Discussion was held on the cleaning crew and what is expected when the courthouse opens up. Drane stated he is putting in a track and trolley system in the boiler room. He also stated Bill Burkhart, TV antenna repairman, found a problem in the TV antennas this past weekend. Tin at the indoor barn is being worked on. The expansion tank will be in this week. Lifeguard training was discussed.

Teel Mullanix met with the board. He reported a full crew is back on. He reported roads are good and they are almost finished up at the Gotfredson Road. He reported on various roads they are working on. Donna informed Teel she spoke with Shane Mintz regarding language in the legislature discussing county trucks being weighed each and every time they make a trip by the scales.

Darlynn Williams, Public Health Nurse, met with the board to discuss a grant for telehealth. Williams will get more information on this grant and it will be tabled until next meeting.

April 30, 2020

Commissioners Lee Randall and Donna Giacometto were present. Rod Schaffer was absent. The board reviewed and approved claims. Claims can be reviewed upon request in Clerk & Recorder’s office.

Becky McEuen was in to inquire on the signing of the Public Assistance Grant for FEMA and the First Responders. The grant is a reimbursement for COVID supplies. Commissioner Randall reviewed paperwork and informed her he had questions he needed to follow up on.

The board reviewed and discussed the Mental Health Grant. The board directed the public health nurse to work on a plan for the funding.

No further public comment was heard.

Meeting adjourned at noon.