April 2005 Commissioners Minutes

April 4, 2005

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

·       Monthly RC&D Meeting: the commissioners attended the monthly RC&D Meeting. For complete minutes contact the Mineral County Extension Office. Most of the agenda items were related to fire plans and fuel reduction projects.

·       BARRY DECHAMP-BAILY POST AND POLE: Present Kevin Chamberlain, Barry Deschamps and Troy Perry. Barry and Troy were in to present a proposal to buy out the Post and Pole Company and create a manufacturing plant that produces walls for homes. The commissioners would be able to negotiate the counties second position, but the commissioners would need for the potential buyers to negotiate with the Post and Pole company and bring us a proposal. The commissioners would be willing to negotiate a package with this company. Our main concern is to bring in jobs and an increase to the economy. The commissioners will contact the Post and Pole Owners to see if they even want to sell their property.

·       JASON MCCLEES, MINERAL COUNTY ROAD FOREMAN: Present was in to give an overview of the Montana Road Foreman’s Conference in Billings.

The commissioners adjourned.

 

April 5th, 2005

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

·       BAILEY POST AND POLE: Present Kevin Chamberlain, Sharon Patterson, Mineral County Extension. Dana and Mick Bailey, Don Felstet, and Ed Hollenback. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possibility of the Felstets investing time and money in the Post and Pole business; as long as they have controlling interest in the management. The county is involved because they own a second on the loan. No decisions were made. Suggestions were made to get a market analysis done before the Felstets could make any commitments. Kevin will have the Mineral County Economic Development Office contact a specialist in Missoula to get the market analysis done as soon as possible.

·       TIM READ – CONTRACT: the commissioners signed a consulting agreement with Dave DeGrandpre of Land Solutions LLC to apply for a community development block grant (CDBG) to do a growth policy for Mineral County.

·       TIM READ – CONNOLLY (road in st. Regis townsite) EASEMENT: there is a 30 ‘ county easement adjacent to the subdivision that the Connolly’s are developing. They wrote a letter to address the issue because it was not addressed at preliminary plat approval. The Connolly’s are putting a 30’ driveway in adjacent to the easement. The commissioners feel there is no reason for the county to negotiate if the Bennett family from St. Regis does not seem to respond; the easement accesses their property.

·       AUDIT EXIT CONFERENCE FOR FISCAL YEAR 03-04: Present Laurel Raymond, Denning, Downing, and Associates, Kathy Jasper, clerk and Recorder, Billye Ann Bricker, Treasurer, and Sharon Patterson, Extension Office. Laurel was in representing the DD&A and gave an overview of the accounting experience at Mineral County. Laurel reported that the county staff was helpful and provided information when needed. The following findings were reported by DD&A:

1.    Taxes Receivable Reconciliation. The county needs to print off a subsidiary ledger on June 30th of every year.

2.    Loans Receivable: Mineral County revolving loan fund does not agree with loans receivable and some were reported delinquent. Sharon and Kevin explained the position of the loan program and noted that some of the loans are current.

3.    Coding of Expenditures: this was caused from transfer moneys to the Public Safety Fund.

4.    Deficit fund balance: the pubic safety fund was allowed to be in deficit.

5.    Fair Internal Control: the mineral county fair board needs to follow the counties accounting system; they are an entity of the county. They recommended that the fair utilize the county’s disbursement system.

6.    Misclassification of Advance: the county reported an advance to the Airport Fund from the PILT fund.

7.    Federal equipment and real property management: the county is not aware of how to properly maintain federal awards capital asset records. This was caused from the federal grant from the airport project.

8.    Documentation management. The county should develop an orderly method to maintain documentation related to all federal programs.

9.    Pledged securities. The county should require additional pledged securities or transfer monies to other accounts that are insured by the FDIC.

10. Exceeding budget authority. The county exceeded its budget authority in the airport fund. The homebuyer’s grant was also amended without a budget amendment.

11. Management discussion and analysis. The county needs to prepare a management discussion and analysis.

The commissioners will go through each of these findings a develop a recommended plan to correct these issues.

·       PEGGY STEVENS – MINERAL COUNTY HEALTH NURSE- TOBACCO GRANT MOU WITH SANDERS COUNTY: Present Peggy Stevens, Mineral County Health Nurse. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the MOU we have with Sanders County for administration of the TOBACCO GRANT. The commissioners received a letter from the Sanders county Attorney stating that Sanders county no longer wants to have a MOU with Mineral County and will "go it alone" at the next grant cycle. Peggy noted that this letter was dated March 31st, 2005 and she had an e-mail message from the Sanders County Health Director that wanted Peggy to meet with her on April 8th, 2005 to try and negotiate a solution. The commissioners will talk to the Sanders County Commissioners to emphasize the importance of the two entities working together on this issue.

The commissioners adjourned.

April 13th, 2005

A regular meeting of the Mineral County Commissioners was held in the Commissioners Meeting Room. Commissioners present include James Warnken, Judy Stang and secretary were present. A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order at 9:10 a.m.

·       HOSPITAL DISTRICT BOARD

Present: Cliff Case, Holly Blaylock, Dan Magone, Jim Henshaw, KM Bullock,

Ed Hollenback.

The Commissioners approved the following Mineral County Hospital District Resolution:

The Mineral County Hospital District Board is authorized to make a levy of 24 mills for the purpose of providing funds to provide charity and uncompensated care in addition to taxes already levied for a period of 4 years.

There will be 2 rounds of public meetings regarding the Resolution.

·       SEPTIC PROBLEM – ANARITA BOTELHO

Present: Anarita Botelho, Tim Read

Ms. Botelho requested consideration from the County Sanitarian and the County commissioners regarding the issue with the neighbor’s septic system.

·       LAZY H ACRES CONDITIONAL PLATS – TIM READ

Present: Tim Read, David Hollenback, Roger Hearst

Judy Stang abstained due to conflict of interest.

Commissioners James Warnken and BJ McComb approved the Lazy H Acres subdivision located on Brockway Lane and River Band Road. The conditions for final plat approval have been imposed to insure that the subdivision is in conformance with the Montana Subdivision Platting Act, has legal and physical access, minimizes the impact to the environment and the lot owner(s) are made aware of various Mineral County regulations.

·       Tim Read presented a MAPS invoice for $2062.00 for services rendered. James Warnken approved the invoice.

·       SALTESE SEWER DISTRICT RESOLUTION

Present: Tim Read

The commissioners approved Resolution No. 04-13-05 authorizing ?

 

·       MINERAL COUNTY COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN

Present: Roger Hearst

Roger Hearst provided the Commissioners with a draft of the Wildfire Protection Plan.

 

·       MINERAL COUNTY ROAD DEPT.

Present: Jason McClees

Jason presented two photos showing illegal entrances to county roads. Jason will discuss this with Shaun Donovan.

The commissioners approved an agreement for Terry Erikson to use his own tools under the agreement that if any tools come up missing or broken the county will not be responsible for compensation. Jason will check with the counties insurance regarding the tools.

The commissioners reviewed the performance evaluation for Nathan Keith.

·       STATE DSL CONNECTIONS

Present: Anthony Francesconi.

The commissioners approved the State use of existing county lines (not in use) for new DSL service in lieu of installing new lines. The commissioners referred Anthony to Nancy in the Treasurer’s Office.

The commissioners adjourned.