Powder River Examiner -

April 15, 2021

Commissioners met for their weekly meeting with Donna Giacometto and John Olson present. Commissioner Randall was absent.

The meeting was called to order. No public comment was received at this time. Consent agenda was approved.

Mid-month claims were reviewed and approved for payment of various county departmental expenses as submitted by the Clerk & Recorder’s office.

Commissioner Giacometto presented an EMS update. Giacometto reported the license has been applied for and other paperwork has been created and ready for review by the commissioners.

The board entered into a phone conference with Great West Engineering, Brandon Duffy and Julie Emmons Stoddard. An update of the Moorhead Bridge project was discussed and the widening of the bridge. Stoddard and Duffey explained to the board the steps for changing the scope of the project at this time. The board will need to make a decision within the next two weeks.

The board then discussed the position of Transportation Director and the board decided to not do in house advertising and open position to the public.

Commissioner Olson updated on the fire meeting he attended on April 13 at the fire hall.

Clerk and Recorder Cynde Jo Gatlin presented the contract from Nationwide to offer more options to the county employees.

No public comment was heard at this time. Meeting adjourned at noon.

April 19, 2021

Commissioners met for their weekly meeting with Lee Randall, Donna Giacometto, and John Olson present.

Meeting was called to order. No public comment was received at this time. Consent agenda was approved.

Teel Mullanix, Road Supervisor, met with the board. The FLAP grant and the application were discussed. Teel will work on getting the application filled out. Mullanix also reported Bob Smith, retired Road Supervisor, has volunteered to help instruct new road employees on how to install car gates.

A request has been made by the MDT, Jerry Klemm, via phone, for the landfill to take tires from the Transportation Department. The board will follow up with Jerry Klemm before finalizing a decision.

The board then opened and voted on quotes for the courthouse sidewalk project. Gatlin Construction LLC presented a quote. Donna motioned to accept quote, John seconded, all in favor.

The board then met with the Health Advisory Board members Dave Gardner, Mike Riley and Wendy Richards. Sean Hill, Medical Administrator, also joined the meeting. The Medical Advisory Board is looking for direction from the commissioners as to what they would like to see from their board and what their expectations are from them and the vision the commissioners have for the healthcare in Powder River County. Discussion was held on educating the public, strategies for healthcare in the county and opening up the communication with the public. The Medical Advisory Board stated they are not interested in administrative duties and will plan on making trips to other local facilities. The Medical Advisory Board also asked to have more joint meetings with the commissioners.

Pat Phillippi, Treasurer, stopped in to present STIP interest.

Sean Hill, Medical Administrator, met with board for his biweekly meeting. 29 residents were reported. Hill presented quotes to upgrade the phone system. He also recommended the county look into a consultant to help the Medical Advisory Board decide what they need in the healthcare area. He stated the state inspectors were here, PHEP funding was discussed, and the food quality issues have been addressed. He also stated he has been in contact with two providers that are interested in full time and will keep the commissioners up to date.

Marty Drane, Maintenance Supervisor, met with board for his biweekly meeting. The sidewalk in front of the Senior Center was discussed, and Drane will check into this issue. Commissioners asked Drane to get measurements of the nursing home parking lot. The Cemetery Road was discussed along with the alarm system at the clinic.

SCDC board members Dave Gardner, Jim Hansen, Doug Wilbert, Ann Emmons, Kelda Page and Patty Williams met with board to discuss funding opportunities through SCDC grants. Julie Emmons Stoddard also joined the meeting. SCDC also stated they are willing to assist in education funding following the steps of the previous Manor trust helping fund education and in return the individuals would work for the county. SCDC stated they want to open the door for communication between the county and their organization for any funding possibilities with no time limits.

Julie Emmons Stoddard stayed to discuss the FLAP grant with the commissioners.

Finishing all business for the day and receiving no further public comment, the board adjourned the meeting.