Commissioner Proceedings

Regular Meeting

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Commissioner Chair Lee Randall called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioner’s office, Powder River County Courthouse. Commissioner John Olson was present and Lori Fortner was absent.

Forest service agents Ron Hecker, Ryan Melin and Luke Schwagler met with the board to discuss the Forest Service 72-hour notice policy. Ron Hecker updated the board on the process.

A phone meeting then began with Thad McGrail, Morrison-Maerile representative to present security options for video surveillance and panic buttons. Thad requested the board to gather all security needs and he will get a quote for the County.

A board of health meeting began at 11:00 a.m. in the Commissioner’s office with Taylor Price, Darlynn Williams, Abbey Barnhart, and Becky McEuen present. Full meeting minutes for this meeting were taken by Board of Health secretary and will be kept on file in the Clerk & Recorders office.

After hearing no further public comment the board adjourned at 12:00 p.m.

Regular Meeting

Monday, March 18, 2024

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

Commissioners read and approved minutes from the March 11 and 14th, 2024 meetings and ordered published.

Teel Mullanix, road supervisor met with the board to present repair quotes for the MP2 and Cat Blade. Two quotes were presents by Tractor & Equipment. Quote 202088-1 was for $70,554.63 and Quote 201431-1 was for $42,337.63. The board reviewed and discussed the quotes and authorized Mullanix to proceed with the repairs.

Great West Engineers Brandon Duffy and Daniel Wiggins, TCA Group Benjamin and Teel Mullanix Road Supervisor met to discuss the beginning dates and project steps for the EDA bridge project for Little Powder Bridge.

Brandon Duffy then presented Capital Improvement surveys to be handed out to department heads and returned to him in 4 weeks.

Proposal for Architect Services quotes were opened at 10:00 a.m. One proposal was received by SDI Architects. The board reviewed and with unanimous consent approved to accept the proposal.

Mid-month claims were then presented to the board for approval. Claims may be reviewed at the Clerk & Recorders office upon request.

Bid opening for county bleachers began at 11:00 a.m. One bid received: Kay Park Recreation: $98,681.00

The board reviewed the quote and with unanimous consent approved to accept the quote.

The board then reviewed the Tongue River Electric work order for the Airport Hangar Project. After review, the board decided to table the request until further discussions with the KLJ Engineer Nathan Schroht.

Meeting with KLJ Engineer Nathan Schroht began at 1:00 p.m. by phone. Nathan reported to the board KLJ has received three bids for the hangar project. Nathan will be reviewing the bids and sending recommendations to the county in the next week. The board asked Nathan about the work order requested by Tongue River Electric and Nathan stated the work will be reimbursed to the county through the hangar project grant funding.

Kylie Randall, nursing home administrator met with the board to report on the state survey conducted last week. Kylie requested that county employees be allowed to use the physical therapy gym after 5 pm with no cost and the board approved.

Clerk and Recorder Cynde Jo Gatlin presented month end bookkeeping for January 2024.

After hearing no further public comments, the board adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Regular Meeting

Friday, March 29, 2024

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

Commissioners began their meeting by approving the consent agenda and reading mail.

The board then reviewed and signed the DEQ contract.

Resolution to update the county’s subdivision regulations was tabled until the following meeting.

The 10:30 meeting with Sheriff Boman regarding school speed zone was cancelled due to working with town council on the matter, and his 11:00 meeting regarding the repeater tower was rescheduled.

After hearing no further public comments, the board adjourned at 12:00 p.m.

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Commissioner Chair Lee Randall called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioner’s office, Powder River County Courthouse. Commissioners Lori Fortner present and John Olson absent.

Commissioners reviewed and approved the consent agenda.

Clint Pederson, Broadus Volunteer Fire Department, met with the board to request approval for an easement for the new repeater site on the Gay Ranch. The board signed the easement.

Teel Mullanix, Road Supervisor, met with the board to conduct his biweekly department meeting. Mullanix reported the road department will be fixing the approach at the landfill this week. Levi McEuen joined the meeting by phone to request the road department to blade the road in certain areas where the washboards are bad.

Resolution 2024-12, Resolution to Adopt the Powder River County Subdivision Regulations, the board read and approved with Lori Fortner motioned to approve, Lee Randall seconded, motion carried.

Shaun Brown, Morrison-Maerile President, met with the board to discuss the security needs for the county. Mr. Brown visited with the board and then left the meeting to tour the county facilities. Kylie Randall, administrator of the nursing home, joined the meeting to request Mr. Brown to tour the nursing home also.

The board then reviewed the letter request by Montana Association of Counties to sign a support letter for SB442. The board declined to support the letter request.

Kylie Randall, nursing home administrator, met with the board. Kylie updated on ongoing training and survey findings.

Darren Alderman and Damian Desatoff stopped in to inform the Commissioner they will be renting the indoor arena to shoot bow and arrow and would like the Commissioners create a standard fee for their use of the facility. The board stated they will take their request into consideration and made no decision at this time.

After hearing no further public comment the board adjourned at 5:00 p.m.