Powder River Examiner -

Monday, February 28, 2022

Chairman Lee Randall called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioner’s office, Powder River County Courthouse. Commissioners Donna Giacometto and John Olson were present.

8:45 a.m. - Road update was postponed to later in the day.

9:30 a.m. - Medical Administrator Sean Hill met with the board. He reported 27 residents. He stated the phone system will be installed March 1, 2022. The bath area is finished. Hill updated on the mask requirements by CMS. Transitioning to a rural clinic status is still in the process.

10:30 a.m. - Commissioner Giacometto left the meeting to attend MACO convention in Billings.

11:00 a.m. - Airport Hangar Project. KLJ engineer Nathan Schroht phone conferenced in to discuss the county’s decision on the hangar project. The board stated they would like to proceed with the hangar project. The group discussed possible funding sources and the possibly of the county being able to loan the airport the money if needed.

12:00 to 1:00 - Commissioners adjourned for lunch.

1:00 p.m. - Acting Road Supervisor Dan McDowell met with the board. Roads were discussed.

During the day, claims were reviewed and approved for payment of various county departmental expenses as submitted by the Clerk & Recorder’s office.

The board will reconvene Monday, March 7, 2022.

Monday, March 7, 2022

Chairman Lee Randall called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioner’s office, Powder River County Courthouse. Commissioners Donna Giacometto and John Olson were present.

8:45 a.m. - Weed Coordinator Tammy VanTine met with the board to discuss BLM contract.

9:30 a.m. - Denbury representatives Dave Anderson and Nathan Stone, Stahly Engineer Greg Benjamin and Teel Mullanix, Road Supervisor, met with the board to review the road summary of damages during the pipeline installation last fall. Stahley reported on the assessment and damages were determined to be in the sum of $409,000.00. Denbury has agreed to reimburse the county this sum of money for damages caused by their company. East Powderville Road was not included in the assessment but damages done on this road have been included in the repair cost.

10:15 a.m. - Stahly Engineer Greg Benjamin updated the board on the status of the transportation building roof. He will give repair plans to Christy Olson and he will then reach out to local contractors to get the roof repaired. Commission approved Greg to work directly with Ms. Olson on this matter. Greg also informed the board that Stahly Engineering is moving forward with bridge engineering if the county would ever need their assistance.

11:00 a.m. - Raymond Ragsdale met with board to request a letter from the county in support of an updated flood study to MT DNRC Water Operations. The board approved the request.

12:00 to 1:00 - Commissioners adjourned for lunch.

1:00 p.m. - Extension Agents Mary Rumph and Julie Riley met with board for their monthly meeting. Agents informed the board of a statewide needs survey that they are sending out to everyone in the county. Agents asked the commissioners to fill out this survey. The Recycling Center was discussed. The agents informed the commission of the community project that the Big Sky Big Leadership class would be doing. The commission suggested a community beautification project. They would like to see the county work with the city to clean up junk/junk vehicles around town.

1:30 p.m. - A local resident stopped in to ask the commission if they had any upcoming construction projects. The board stated that there are several small projects coming in the near future. Dependent upon funding, the board may also authorize the replacement of the rest of the courthouse sidewalk.

2:00 p.m. - Local residents met with board to discuss securing funding to make improvements to the multi-purpose building. Northwest Farm Credit has a program that offers up to $100,000.00 for community projects. The residents feel that the county has a good chance at receiving this funding. Combined with the possible Capital Improvement Plan that the county is working on, the multi-purpose building could receive some much-needed improvements.

3:00 p.m. - A Predator Board and Commissioner joint meeting was held in election room.

The board will reconvene Thursday, March 10, 2022.

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Chairman Lee Randall called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioner’s office, Powder River County Courthouse. Commissioners Donna Giacometto and John Olson were present.

8:30 a.m. - Clerk & Recorder Cynde Jo Gatlin met with the board.

8:50 a.m. - Commissioner Giacometto left the meeting.

9:00 a.m. - The board reviewed and approved the 2023 gas tax road maps.

10:00 a.m. - Discussion was held on the creation of a committee to assist the commissioners in the future updating and remodeling of the multi-purpose barn.

11:00 a.m. - Treasurer Pat Phillippi met with board to update on the monthly balancing progress.

After hearing no further public comment, the meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m. The board will reconvene Monday, March 14, 2022.