GLACIER COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS MEETING
November 13th,
2006 (Monday)
Glacier County Commissioners
Regular Meeting
November 13, 2006
The Board of Glacier County Commissioners met at their
regular meeting at 8:00 A.M. on Monday, November 13, 2006.
Commissioners Ray Salois and John Ray were present for
the proceedings. Commissioner Michael DesRosier was absent
for personal reasons. Chairman Ray Salois called the meeting
to order. Clerk and Recorder Sylvia Berkram recorded the
proceedings.
The Commissioners met with David and Adele Coe regarding
their purchasing the former Glacier Motor Inn from the
County. LeeAnne Kavanagh of the press was present. Chairman
Ray Salois presented the terms for sale of tax-deed land
from the Montana Codes Annotated 7-8-2304. $5,312.75 would
be the down payment figure for a contract for deed. The
Board would need to ask Larry to draw up a contract for
them. They do not want the liquor license. The fact the
building may be condemned was discussed. The Board will
consult with Sanitarian Ron Andersen. Commissioner Ray
suggested they do a walk through with Ron Andersen. The
Board will take action when they sign the contract for
deed. The Coes understand they must keep the taxes current
and insurance on the buildings.
The Commissioners met with Sanitarian Ron Andersen regarding
the East Glacier Park water problem from the flooding
last week that contaminated the water system.
The Commissioners approved paying claims for election
judges and workers for the November 7, 2006, General Election.
Total amount paid was $11,622.05.
The Commissioners discussed road matters with Road Superintendent
Bill Bandel.
The Commissioners met with Bill McCauley who reminded
the Board that for Sweetgrass Development the County is
responsible for 2 appointments to that Board. He stated
that Mike Brusch is interested in being one. Leanne Kavanagh
of the press joined the discussion. He also asked to have
minutes and agendas on the Internet which Bob Jacoby has
been doing as the Clerk asked him to do the last bunch.
Commissioner Ray moved to approve the appointment and
publishing on the Internet. Commissioner Ray Salois seconded
the motion that passed by Board vote.
The Commissioners met with Northern Rockies Medical Center
CEO Sheri Taylor and Board Chairman Jerry Ebelt. Board
members Rick Billman, Jason Bronec, Pat Montalbun, Becky
Kimmet, and Elaine Mitchell; and LeeAnne Kavanagh of the
press were present. Sheri stated they are here to request
the Commissioners do a recap to their board members of
the proposal to the hospital for a $20,000 budget a year.
Commissioner Ray stated that basically they would provide
$20,000 a year for maintenance of the building. The hospital
would have to identify if it is part of the maintenance
on the building. Sheri asked if they would change the
lease to that and eliminate costs of $5,000 or more. The
Board can not afford large expenses on the building. All
that they can do would be short fixes on anything costing
over $5,000. Commissioner Ray stated they are giving them
an option to put into the building every year. Financially,
NRMC can not take on the liability of large expenses or
for major costs. Sheri stated NRMC understands the point
but they can not take any additional on the hospital side.
On equipment purchases they understand and they took on
$209,000 that they did not come down here for funding.
They understand the purpose of the Commissioners’
proposal and want to go through it with their Board. Jason
asked if there is a way to get something paid from our
budget if they do not have the funds for it. Jerry asked
if they could negotiate an amount for each year. He asked
if the Commissioners would be open to negotiate next fiscal
year for an amount. Jerry stated they do not know what
they are faced with in the future. They are not going
to be grandfathered in always and there are more and more
requirements. Sheri explained the bed tax return to the
facility. As they do not own the building there are not
grants readily available for the facility. The phone system
they need costs $29,000. The County will get oil and gas
money for Glacier County stated Pat Montalban. They would
like to know how much and would like to work with the
Commissioners on the phone system. Pat stated they would
like to walk out today knowing what the County can do
about the phone system today. Commissioner Ray stated
the Board will commit to $20,000. Pat stated the Hospital
Board feels there is an issue here and would like to replace
it. It needs to be put out to bid for the new system.
They are fine with the $20,000 a year. Cheri explained
the process that went on for NRMC to lease the facility.
They also discussed the life of the hospital. They are
concerned about budgeting an amount for each year. Jerry
does not think $20,000 a year is going to cut it for their
maintenance. He stated they would like to be a part of
the budget process for the New Year. Jerry would like
to spend some time assembling what they need. They need
the support of the county commissioners to keep the facility
open stated Pat Montalbun. They are considering what to
do with the building and they need the support of the
county commissioners to rebuild or remodel. They are taking
one step at a time. Commissioner Ray moved to approve
the $20,000 for the hospital for this year. Commissioner
Salois seconded the motion that passed by Board vote.
They will need to come back in January to hear from the
other commissioners.
The Commissioners met with Great West Engineer Dan McCauley
and Planner Jim McDown regarding the County’s Growth
Study Policy. Dan explained what the Growth Policy entails
for the County. He will see if Joni Stewart is available
to help or get someone else locally to do it like a planning
board member or the chairman. Jim explained the document
that will be put together as required by State statue.
It will be divided into 5 sections. He explained the different
sections and what will it cover for the County. Cut Bank
has a growth policy that will be brought in to this one.
The population will also be considered for a number of
years. Public service will be part of the analysis. What
we do on an annual basis for instance with roads. How
things are changing will be reported. They will look at
economics and population. Housing is something that can
be handled as to sewer, water, and solid waste. They will
need local information there that the County will provide.
They will give a list of what they are looking for. It
will be needed in Babb, East Glacier, and Browning. They
need to be specific for what it will be. Public facilities
will be something from local information as they will
know better. They know there is a budget limitation on
what can be done. They will look at enrollments in schools
for the last five years. They discussed Browning’s
new 20 million dollar school that is starting construction.
They will do a small report on that. They will report
transportation and road systems for the County for their
annual program. What roads will be improved will be reported.
In Glacier County there are not many bridges but they
will also look at Bridges. The State looks at all the
ones over 20 feet but not the smaller ones. The State
has TSEP money for the smaller ones. The Road Department
has some plan on what they plan to do. Natural resources
are some data base to investigate. They will need to pull
that together. The second part of report is the community
goals of what is wanted for the future and how you would
like it to go. It will be a general statement for the
County. It is not hard to do. In order to get it done
correctly they will do a survey on public opinion. They
can use information from a prior survey. They will want
to have special needs. The needs to be first are the ones
we just talked about. They also need things of public
interest. The County may use CTEP money that could be
a part of it. Toole County has a series of meetings in
the different communities. They mentioned the subdivision
regulations which we have just adopted. Zoning around
the area is a question and they will address the issues.
Maintenance and budgeting within the County such as for
roads will be addressed. This is one of the planning board’s
functions but the County has the authority to adopt it
also. They would need to have a hearing to adopt them
by law. Dan stated he hopes to have Joni on board. Dan
will get going and still talk to GAIN and see what is
going on. He stated he does have a plan now to move forward.
Dan stated they also do a lot for CTEP funding if the
County would need them.
The Commissioners met with Jesus Giminez regarding his
garbage collections in Browning. He carries his own garbage
and has no dumpster. He is on the truck route for the
Town of Browning. It was explained to him why there were
garbage charges on his tax bill. They charge at the roll
off-site and charge $60.00 a ton. Two bags were $18.00.
He should not be charged if he pays on his taxes.
The Commissioners met with EMS Chief James Laidlaw regarding
his pickup that is having transmission problems. He is
looking for a good used truck. James is asking if he can
spend money from their capital improvement fund to purchase
a used pickup to replace the old one. He has called all
the dealerships for proposals. They have used it extensively
at fires and other places for the service. The Commissioners
approved James purchasing a used pickup truck from one
of the local car dealers. Bell Motors has presented a
good bid for what he is looking for--$11,800 for 2001
Chevy 4 wheel drive pickup. James stated it will cost
$2400 to equip.
The Commissioner and Deputy Treasurer Karen Morgan acted
as canvas board for the November 7, 2006 General Election.
There were 4491 voters of the 7962 registered for a 56%
turnout.
There being no further business for the day, the meeting
adjourned at 4:05 P.M. with a motion by Commissioner DesRosier
and a second by Commissioner Salois. The motion passed
by Board vote.
BOARD OF GLACIER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
____________________________
Raymond D. Salois, Chairman
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Glacier County Clerk and Recorder
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