March 2004 Commissioners Minutes

March 1, 2004

Commissioners Judy A. Stang, James S. Warnken, and B. J. McComb met in a regularly scheduled session. The commissioners conducted the following business:

RC&D MEETING: The monthly RC&D Meeting had the following agenda items, 1.) Healthy Forests Restoration Act update and explanation. 2.) Fuel Mitigation Report on funding and process. 3.) Rob Harper, Superior Ranger District Report. 4.) County Reports
ENTRANCO BRIDGE INVENTORY CONTRACT: Present Dan McCauley, Entranco Manager, Bill Vigue, Road Foreman, and John Murray. The commissioners reviewed an agreement to provide engineering services related to the inventory evaluation, funding assistance, design and construction management for Mineral County Bridges. The commissioners signed the contract with ENTRANCO.
TITLE III REQUEST FOR WATERSHED PROJECT IN TOWN OF ALBERTON: Present George Regan, Project manager for Alberton, John Murray, Dennis Hildebrand. The commissioners heard no adverse comments. The commissioners approved awarding up to $30,000 in TITLE III funds to the Town Of Alberton for fuel mitigation to protect the land around their water supply.
RAC TRAINING: The commissioners approved giving two $500 scholarships to help pay expenses to send two RAC members to their annual conference for the Forest Schools and Counties Coalition.

The commissioners adjourned.

March 2, 2004

Commissioners James S. Warnken, Judy A. Stang, and B. J. McComb met in a regularly scheduled session. The commissioners conducted the following business:

SHERIFF’S STORAGE OF VEHICLES: Present Anita Parkin, Sheriff and Shaun Donovan, Attorney. Anita and Shaun discussed MCA 61-8-906, which describes a qualified tow truck operator and that they shall provide a storage facility, either a fenced lot or a building that is secure, available for access and some other criteria. The county is looking at having their towed vehicles put on a private ground.
ELECTED OFFICIAL AND DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING: Present Anita Parkin, Billye Ann Bricker, Sam Viche, Tim Read, and Bill Vigue. The department heads listened to a report from Nancy Coles on computer hardware needs. The departments are supposed to make a list of future and present needs for a county plan. The department heads also discussed a job evaluation that added to the present one a persons behaviors and competences in relations with other workers. The department heads believed that maybe we can form an evaluation to combine both performance evaluations. Other items discussed on the agenda were employee training and needs of offices.
WEST-END FIRE DEPARTMENT CONTRACT ISSUES: Present Tom Anderson, Chris West, Shirley Hancock, all from the West End Fire District, and Dave Mangold, from Mangold Enterprises. The commissioners requested this meeting to try and resolve a dispute in the contract between Mineral County and Mangold Enterprises for the construction of a fire hall in the West End Rural Fire District. Shaun Donovan gave a brief legal opinion of the contents of the contract. The two entities could not come to an agreement.

The commissioners adjourned

March 10, 2004

Commissioners Judy A. Stang, James S. Warnken, and B. J. McComb met in a regularly scheduled session. The commissioners conducted the following business:

GEORGE GUPTON-DES COORDINATOR, LEPC GRANT PROPOSAL: George was in to update the commissioners on the LEPC’S Grant request. Mineral County has a total of $85,878 coming in funds. They must be spent on qualified projects and equipment.
CTEP PROPOSALS: Present at the meeting,

Alan Amborn
Dennis Hildebrand
Larry Price
James Murphy
Gordon R. Hendrick
Ruth Graybill
Brenda Schneider
Roger Wasley
Gerald Jones
Scott Anderson
Mike Jacquot
Jackie Sanford
Barbara Jacquot
Sharon Patterson
Lowell Hanson

The commissioners listened to two proposals; 1. St. Regis Resort Board for improvements in the town of St. Regis around the 4-way stop and the business district around town east, west, north and south of the 4 way stop. They are requesting $175,000 with a match from them of $100,000. 2. Town of Superior is requesting $70,700 for a project creating handicap sidewalk ramps on all the street corners of River Street. Their match would be $11,000. The commissioners asked questions and listened to public comments and questions. The Town of Superior is ready to start on their project and St. Regis has plans for construction in 2005. The commissioners approved $60,700 to the town of Superior for their project and allocated the remaining funds to the St. Regis Resort Board plus any future funds of this six-year allocation going to the St. Regis Resort Board Project.

BILL VIGUE, MINERAL COUNTY ROAD FOREMAN, TSEP BRIDGE PROJECT: Bill was in with a list of items that the county needs to try and get the information on and process before they put into the legislature for TSEP funds. Bill also gave the commissioners an update of the road crew’s activities, a project he felt they needed to do to update our road r/w and easements records, and any paving projects that the commissioners may want done this summer.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPLICANTS: The commissioners tabled the decision on appointing an advisory committee to advise the commissioners on USFS land management issues until they heard more about cooperating agency status.
DONNA SVELSTAD, BEAVERHEAD COUNTY COMMISSIONER, COOPERATING AGENCY STATUS PROCESS: Present at the meeting were a number of folks from Mineral, Flathead, and Sanders County.

G Newton Haleblain Plains
Dennis Hildebrand Superior
Alan Amborn Superior
Larry Price Superior
Margaret (Peggy) Prince Superior
Roger Hearst Superior
Larry Anderson (Conrad Burns) Missoula
Kevin Chamberlain Superior
David Brink Superior
Clarice Ryan Bigfork
Dave Skinner Whitefish
Jo Belles Plains
Jim Belles Plains
Roger Lund Paradise
Ron Olfert Paradise
Shaun Donovan Mineral County Attorney

Donna gave a presentation of the process that the Beaverhead Commissioners used to create a Resource Guide of their county to establish cooperating agency status with public land agencies in Beaverhead County. Donna answered questions and listened to comments. The commissioners had this meeting for public information purposes. It was well attended and the commissioners will form an advisory committee and will also attend the cooperating agency workshop in Missoula on April 20^th, 2004.

· LARRY ANDERSON-SENATOR CONRAD BURNS MISSOULA OFFICE/ APPROPRIATION REQUESTS: Present Kathy Jasper, Dennis Hildebrand, and Larry Anderson. The commissioners list included the Hiawatha trail be funded, extra moneys for all the drug cases our county gets from the I-90 Interstate. Another way to spend the extra 20% of the HR 1089 Legislation. And to also fund it fully until it has been resolved to keep the payments tied to the land.

The commissioners adjourned.

March 17, 2004

Commissioners Judy A. Stang, James S. Warnken, and B. J. McComb met in a regularly scheduled session. The commissioners conducted the following business:

· BUDGETERY AUTHORITY RESOLUTION 03-17-04. The commissioners passed this resolution for the appropriation of grant monies received from the United States Treasury for the Mineral County Airport. The amount from the FAA is $205,339. It will go into airport fund 2170-331129.

· CITY OF SUPERIOR CTEP APPLICATION: Brenda Schneider was in and the commissioners signed the City’s application. The commissioners had approved giving $60,700 to the project. Their project includes making handicap accessed sidewalks on River Street in Superior.

· GREEN ACRES SUBDIVISION: Present Keri Noonan-Willhite, Keri is requesting an extension the commissioners gave Keri an extension to May 3^rd, 2004.

· REVOLVING LOAN COMMITTEE: Loan committee members present are the three commissioners, Billye Ann Bricker, Jim DeBree, and Shaun Donovan. Staff present is Kevin Chamberlain, Sharon Patterson, and Peggy Prince. The committee decided to loan the applicant $7500 for a 3 year term.

· RS 2477 ROADS IN MINERAL COUNTY: Present Dennis Hildebrand, Jim DeBree, Kevin Chamberlain, Alan Amborn were in to present to the commissioners a copy of the roads that they have researched. The commissioners will research the information and also the liabilities of petitioning and a memorandum that was presented.

· WEST-END FIRE DISTRICT CONTRACT ISSUE: Present Shaun Donovan, Mineral County Attorney, Tom Anderson, West-end Fire District Chief. Shaun was in to advise the commissioners of what kind of decision to make with the dispute between the West-End Fire District and Mangold Construction. Shaun’s advice is to terminate the contract. The commissioners signed the paper to terminate the contract. Commissioner Stang abstained from any input or decision.

· SAVANAC BRIDGE AND FIRST 1/10 OF MILE: Present at the meeting are Bill Vigue, Road Foreman, Ron Schlader, USFS, Tim Read, Environmental and Health Office, and Shaun Donovan, Mineral County Attorney. Mineral County was in the process of studying bridges in Mineral County that may be eligible for updating through TSEP, the county cannot find where they have any ownership or easement on the first 1/10 of a mile at the Savanac Road. This would mean that we have no responsibility to the Savanac Bridge. In these cases the commissioners will notify the property owners affected of the situation and that we will no longer be able maintain or have any responsibility.

· RESOLUTION 03-17-04B. (RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE MINERAL COUNTY BRIDGE STANDARDS. The commissioners passed a resolution adopting Mineral County bridge standards. The bridge standards will act to keep up the safety and maintenance of the county bridges.

· WEED BOARD PROPOSAL: Present Dave Brink and Ron Schlader, Dave and Ron were in requesting that the commissioners adopt the following resolution to put a 2-mill levy for the weed fund to the voters.

· LOIS SHERD DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE: the commissioners approved a reduction in taxes to Joe Thompson for property in the St. Regis Townsite, the reason for the change is poor condition of buildings on the property have negative influence on the property as a whole.

· RESOLUTION #03-17-04C. RESOLUTION TO PUT THE QUESTION TO THE VOTERS TO LEVY 2 MILLS TO THE COUNTYS NOXIOUS WEED FUND. The commissioners passed this resolution.

· TITLE III REQUESTS HEARING ON PROPOSALS FROM SEARCH AND RESCUE AND FROM THE WEED BOARD. Present at the meeting Dave Brink, Ron Schlader who came early and answered questions about the Weed Proposal. Present at the meeting also are Dennis Hildebrand, Michele and Mike Byrnes, Anita Parkin, Mineral County Sheriff, Larry Price, Terri Meeks. The commissioners approved $11,280 for the weed budget to spray on county roads; they also approved $15,000 to the search and rescue. They will have to wait to spend money until the proper budget can be approved and set up with an auditor.

· PUBLIC HEARING ON LOCAL GOVT REVIEW: Present at the meeting Kathy Jasper, Clerk and Recorder, Kelann McLees. The commissioners had no comment and passed RESOLUTION 03-17-04D to provide for a study commission and funding for the same.

· COUNTY BOARDS APPOINTMENTS: Present was Kathy Jasper, Kelann McLees. The commissioners reviewed the boards they appointed the following:

Philip Donally Cemetery Dist #1

Tina Dockter Cemetery Dist #2

Robbie Smith Cemetery Dist #2

Jim Hollenback Superior TV Dist

David Hollenback Superior TV Dist

Tom Anderson WE Fire Dist

Mike Byrnes Health Board

The commissioners will advertise for members of the Planning Board and also one member on the Airport Board.

The commissioners adjourned.

March 24, 2004

Commissioners Judy A. Stang, James S. Warnken, and B. J. McComb met in a regularly scheduled session. The commissioners conducted the following business:

· ALBERTON RURAL FIRE/SUTTON PROPERTY: Billye Ann Bricker, Mineral County Treasurer was in to recommend that the county remove $43.85 from Robert Sutton of Alberton from his tax bill. It was a charge collected from taxpayers in the East End Fire District. The tax was put on the bills late and would not show up yet and is caught by a Title Company when Mr. Sutton bought his property. The commissioners agreed and approved that Mr. Sutton have this removed from his 2001 Tax Bill. ID # 16000.

· NANCY COLES/STATE UPDATE OF ETHERNET. Nancy was in to get the commissioners approval of the State of Montana updating their internet access for their state computers in Mineral County’s Courthouse. They will have to do some of the wiring and may have to put more holes in the courthouse structure. The commissioners approved Nancy overseeing the project and using her discretion.

· BILL VIGUE, MINERAL COUNTY ROAD FOREMEN, Bill brought in the Bailey Bridge Contract to be signed by the commissioners. The contract is for us to borrow a Bailey Bridge from the State to use on Cedar Creek because of condition of the bridge. Bill also went over an update of proposed projects for us to consider.

· DONALD LYNCH/COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES: Present Donald Lynch owns property up Keystone Townsite. Mr. Lynch property was appraised wrong, but he missed the deadline to appeal it. He is asking the county if there is anything we can do. The commissioner are going to table the decision until we can talk to the Department of Revenue. We will see if there is something we can do.

· OPEN BIDS ON POLES AT AIRPORT: Present at the meeting is Bob Clyde. The commissioners received four bids. They are as follows: Rick Seeman - $175.00, Knadler, Construction - $1750, Bob Clyde - $1850, and Mark Castor $526.00. The commissioners awarded the bid to the highest bid, which is Bob Clyde.

· SAM VICHE/LILLIAN MCGUNG’S CAR: Sam had hit Lillian’s car with the counties tractor, it will cost $351.00 to fix. The commissioners approved paying for the repair work on the vehicle out of the Counties Building Fund.

The commissioners adjourned.

March 31, 2004

Commissioners Judy A. Stang, James S. Warnken, and B. J. McComb met in a regularly scheduled session. The commissioners conducted the following business:

· BILL VIGUE, ROAD TSEP PROJECT REPORT: Bill reported that the Bailey Bridge for the Cedar Creek Bridge would be here this month. We will need to have a hearing on the 21^st of April for our TSEP Project. The Bailey Bridge will have a cost of $11,940 and the county will pay around $6000. Bill asked the commissioners if we wanted to do some improvements at Cougar Meadow Drive. Bill is going to look into chip sealing Cougar Meadow Drive.

· MATT PEARCE, MAPPING AND PLANNING SPECIALISTS, INC: Present Matt Pearce, Tim Read, and Anita Parkin. Matt presented the commissioners with GPS/GIS Mapping Agreement. The agreement is in stages to provide mapping for our E-911 center.

· LOIS SHERD: Department of Revenue was in and the commissioners approved the following additions to the 2003 tax rolls added because of heavy equipment from an out of state company that reported finally. Rampart Hydro Services, Heavy equipment added $365.70 in dollars.

· SAM VICHE; TREE TRIM BID: Sam received a bid for $3600 for trimming the trees around the courthouse. The commissioners approved him getting the trees trimmed for this amount.

· LOAN COMMITTEE: Mineral County Loan committee met. Present was Jim Warnken, B. J. McComb, Judy Stang, Billye Ann Bricker, staff present was Sharon Patterson, Kevin chamberlain. The committee approved the loan, with James Warnken voting no.

· TIM READ, PLANNER-SANATARIAN SUBDIVISION PRELIMINARY PLANNING EXPIRATIONS: Tim was in to discuss with the commissioners what the policy is for when subdivisions that have been through planning process and did not have there conditions done in the timeline that was required by statute. The commissioners are worried that if we do not keep to the statute we could create a precedent.

· Claims and Payroll written for the month of March and approved by the commissioners were:

Payroll $133,494.06 Claims $390,169.16

A complete listing may be seen in the Clerk and Recorders Office.

The commissioners adjourned.

MINERAL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Judy A. Stang, Chairperson

James S. Warnken, Member

B.J. McComb, Member

ATTEST:

Katherine Jasper, Clerk and Recorder