June 2005 Commissioners Minutes

June 2, 2005

A special Session was called by the commissioners for the purpose of meeting with Noel Williams, USFS LANDS Consultant for the commissioners, and reviewing claims.

Present for the special session are commissioners Judy Stang and B. J. McComb. Commissioner Warnken was absent.

Present Noel Williams

The commissioners discussed several projects for Noel to research for the commissioners. They include:

1. Memorandum of Understanding with the Lolo Forest for cooperating agency status

2. Memorandum of Understanding with the Lolo Forest for other projects.

3. Letters of Support for a timber sale on the St. Joe Forest near St. Regis.

4. Research and comments for the commissioners on the Alberton Gorge Land Exchange.

5. Request and allocation of expenditures for Noel to attend the MACO Public Lands meeting in Lewistown for the commissioners. None of the commissioners will be able to attend.

6. A proposal for a new contract starting on July 1, 2005.

The commissioners reviewed the claims.

Salary board members: The commissioners re-appointed Kathy Verley and Neva Cummings to the Salary Compensation Board.

The commissioners adjourned.

June 6, 2005

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

PLANNING AND SANITATION:

Present Tim Read, Mineral County Environmental Health Administrator. Tim was in to update the commissioners on an atlas of roads draft for Mineral County. Tim also was asking permission to dig test holes for the gasoline issue near the Superior School. The commissioners will have the test holes dug close to the fence on the fairground property so it is not in the way of the county fair.

RC&D MEETING:

The commissioners attended the monthly Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Meeting. The agenda items included a statistic report from the Clark Fork Coalition. For complete minutes contact the Mineral county Extension Office.

MINERAL COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES QUARTLY REPORT:

Present Don Erickson, Mental Health Director

Review and update of this quarters business and future projects and plans.

Discussion included the following:

· Census (staff and consumers).

· Growth in schools and impact on our ability to serve the county.

· Progress with building and implications for the coming year(s).

· Turning Point and plans for the coming year.

· Mental health Center’s participation in community action: emergency response team, disaster response team, meth committee, DFS.

· Problem areas: Alberton school, changes in school personnel, recruiting/retention.

· Goals for coming year: increase outpatient therapy, assessment expert, increase services for non-severely mentally ill, improved summer programming for kids.

KIM TARON – EMPLOYEE EVALUATION

Present: Wanda James – Justice of the Peace

The commissioners received the annual evaluation on Kim Taron, Justice Court Clerk

LIBRARY CHIMNEY REPAIR PROPOSAL & DRESS CODE SIGN

Present: Sam Viche – Custodian

The commissioners approved the proposal for $650.00 for Gary Ruthford to make the needed library chimney repairs. The commissioners gave their permission for Sam to post a dress code sign in the courthouse.

Sam inquired about Lana’s vacation time and raise after 10 years of employment.

The commissioners adjourned.

June 7, 2005

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

SALARY COMPENSATION BOARD

Salary compensation board members present: Kathy Verley, Neva Cummings, Kathy Jasper, Billye Ann Bricker, Hugh Hopwood, B.J.McComb, Judy Stang. Absent: Shaun Donovan and James Warnken. Public present: Wanda James, Sharon Gull, and Tim Read.

Salary board met to discuss the 2005-2006 salaries for elected officials. The commissioners had Kathy Jasper prepare a proposal that increased the base salary to $27,000. Mineral County was proposing under other counties of similar tax base and size.

Hugh Hopwood requested that the base salary be raised to 28,500 or 29,000 instead of the proposed 27,000. The Justice of the Peace and the Sheriff’s Department. plan to hire a new officer and completely equip the new officer thru the use of drug forfeiture money. Kathy Jasper suggested reinstating longevity and raising the base. Kathy Verley made a motion for the base to increase from 25,000 to 27,500 and reinstate the longevity at 1% continued currently. Neva Cummings seconds the motion. The salary board approved the motion. It will be contingent upon looking at the new budget figures.

MAPS

Present: Tim Read – Sanitarian

The commissioners approved Change order number 05 stating that MAPS will create a "saturation mailing" of an informational postcard to the rural areas serving St. Regis, Deborgia, Haugan and Saltese. The cost for the mailing is $461.00.

June 2, 2005

The commissioners called a special Session for the following purpose:

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Present: Kevin Chamberlain – Mineral County Economic Development Coordinator, Ken Verley - Local Business Owner. Commissioners Judy Stang, and B.J. McComb were present. Chairman James Warnken was absent.

Ken Verley was here to present the commissioners with a proposal to buy Bailey’s Post & Pole. Mineral County has a second lien on the property. The lien is from a CBGD loan. The commissioners agreed to work with Ken Verley on the amount to be paid back to the county. The commissioners want to see jobs created and the facility working again.

The commissioners adjourned.

June 15, 2005

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

6/14/05 PM FOREST SERVICE MEETING REVIEW

Present: Dennis Hildebrand – Resource Advisory Group, Mike Byrnes – Resource Advisory Group

Dennis and Mike presented a map with all of the proposed road and trail closings (motorized) marked on the map. Dennis and Mike are requesting that the commissioners claim the areas marked on the map as RS2477 roads. The commissioners agreed to look into exercising the right of way on the affected roads, trails and ways.

MACO – HEALTH CARE TRUST

Present: Owen Voit – MACO

Mr. Voit presented a comparison between the new MACO health care and the counties existing health care plan.

HOSPITAL BOARD – MINERAL INDEPENDENT ARTICLE

Present: John Q. Murray – Chronicle (Telephonically), Mark McDaniel – Mineral Independent, Jim Henshaw – MCH Director, Gary Woodson – MCH Board Member, Roger Hearst – MCH Board Member, Ed Hollenbeck – MCH Board Member, Holly Blaylock – MCH Manager, Hope - MCH Nursing Staff, Stacy Conroe Ververis – MCH HR Director

The hospital board asked the commissioners to explain the problems expressed in the article. The commissioners expressed that the problems were old problems and the commissioners would like to improve relations and communications with the hospital. The hospital board also expressed their willingness to improve relations between the hospital and the commissioners. The board suggested that a commissioner attend the hospital board meetings in an effort to have more knowledge of hospital business. The hospital board informed the commissioners that they are implementing several new procedures to cover costs in various areas. The hospital board says they have looked at all possible ways to cut costs and are implementing all options they can. The board expressed their concerns about the timing of the article in the paper and pointed out that the hospital doesn’t have any way of generating donations and contributions such as research and development. John Q. Murray asked for a rebuttal to put into the Chronicle. Jim Henshaw provided the commissioners with a written rebuttal. The commissioners stated that they are not against the hospital and they support the hospital levy. The board expressed an interest to meet again with the commissioners when Judy Stang returns.

JOHN COCHRAN – TAXES

Present: Lance Jasper – Attorney, John Cochran – Tax Payer, Shaun Donovan – County Attorney, Billye Ann Bricker - Treasurer

Mr. Cochran is requesting that the commissioners issue a partial refund of the 2004 taxes. Mr. Cochran agreed to a letter of understanding with the commissioners agreeing to pay the full amount of the 2004 taxes and protest a portion of said taxes. The treasurer will be able to distribute the unprotected portion and will return any amount that is overpaid after the 2005 appeal process including interest. Mr. Cochran will give the Treasurer a letter stating the tax value and his opinion of what the tax value should be.

BAILEY’S POST & POLE PURCHASE

Present: Shaun Donovan – County Attorney

Ken Verley is requesting that the county release the lien against Bailey’s Post & Pole. Shaun requested that the Loan Committee meet on the subject.

TIM READ – MAPS

Present: Tim Read – Planner

The commissioners signed two MAPS invoices: $4791.70 and $431.60 for mapping services.

JASON – ROAD DEPT.

Present: Jason McClees – Road Foreman

Jason discussed road maintenance issues with the commissioners. Jason presented his budget to the commissioners. Jason presented performance evaluations on Terry Erickson, Wayne Boyes, and Nathan Keith.

SAM – RAISE FOR LANA HAYES

Present: Sam Viche – Custodian

Sam requested a pay increase for Lonna Hayes. Sam presented a performance evaluation for Lonna Hayes.

REVIEW AND MODIFY AIRPORT LEASE AGREEMENT FORM

Present: Commissioners McComb and Warnken.

The commissioners reviewed and modified the Airport Lease Agreement. The commissioners approved a yearly lease amount of $280.00.

WEED BOARD

Present: David Brink – Weed Board

Mr. Brink discussed his helper’s performance and pay.

BUDGETARY AUTHORITY RESOLUTION NO. 06-15-05

The commissioners signed a resolution for the appropriation of grant monies received from the State of Montana for IAP (Immunization Action Plan) 2976. The State of Montana has appropriated $1646.00 for fund 2976 IAP.