REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Tuesday May 16, 2023
ALL PRESENT: Commissioner Ostlund, Chair; Commissioners Morse and Jones; Board Clerk Teri Reitz; Clerk and Recorder Jeff Martin.
PLEDGE: MOMENT OF SILENCE, Held.
MINUTES April 25, 2023, and May 2, 2023. Commissioner Morse made a MOTION to approve the Minutes, Commissioner Ostlund seconded. Passed Unanimous.
9:30 a.m. PRESENTATION Swearing in New Sheriffs Deputies Deputy Justin Hanes and Reserve Deputy Tyler Simpson.
9:30 a.m. BID OPENING Bid Opening for the Demolition of the Round Building.
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Total Construction Cost for June 30, 2023 Completion |
Total Construction Cost for July 30, 2023 Completion |
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Olympus Technical Services, Inc. |
$434,776.85 |
$424,457.85 |
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Askin Construction |
$531,750.00 |
$521,750.00 |
Commissioner Morse made a MOTION to refer the bids to staff for recommendation back to the Board, Commissioner Jones seconded. Passed Unanimous.
9:30 a.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS A.) Resolution 23-64 to Grant Tax Benefits to WP East 80, LLC. Ms. Dianne Lehm, Big Sky EDA Director of Community Development stated that this will be a 5-year abatement. The projected cost of the remodel/reconstruction is $800,000. This business has been in Yellowstone County for 22 years and currently has 8 full time and 12 part-time employees and intend to expand their work force by at least 3 within 6 months. The business plans to begin construction this spring with the hope that it will be complete later this year. Both the architecture and design and construction companies are local businesses completing the expansion and remodel project. The tax abatement request is only on the new investment in the business meaning the tax savings are only on that new incremental tax value of the $800,000 investment, the existing business obligations remain at the full 100%. Ms. Pam Ask, owner, stated the 3 new employees have already been hired and the business will remain open during the project. Commissioner Ostlund opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments Commissioner Ostlund Closed the public hearing. Commissioner Morse made a MOTION to pass resolution 23-64 to Grant Tax Benefits to WP East 80, LLC. Commissioner Ostlund seconded. Commissioner Jones stated the tax abatements that were passed previously created higher paying jobs and passing the tax abatement for this kind of business was a bad precedence to set. For those reasons he will be voting no on this resolution. Passed 2-1. B.) Resolution 23-65 to Grant Tax Benefits to the Players Club, Inc. Ms. Dianne Lehm, Big Sky EDA Director of Community Development stated this business has been in Yellowstone County for 27 years. The projected cost of the remodel/reconstruction is 1.4 million. The business plans to begin construction this spring with the hope that it will be complete later this year. Both the architecture and design and construction companies are local businesses completing the expansion and remodel project. The tax abatement request is only on the new investment in the business meaning the tax savings are only on that new incremental tax value of the 1.4 million investment, the existing business obligations remain at the full 100%. The business currently has 8 full time and 12 part-time employees and intend to retain their current employment of 20 full/part-time positions. Ms. Pam Ask, owner, stated it is important to them that the exterior be updated on this building. Commissioner Ostlund opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments Commissioner Ostlund closed the public hearing. Commissioner Morse made a MOTION to pass resolution 23-65 to Grant Tax Benefits to the Players Club, Inc. Commissioner Ostlund seconded. Commissioner Jones state that due to the previous reasons he has stated he will be voting no. Passed 2-1. C.) Resolution 23-66 to Create RSID 890 and 890M. Mr. Mike Black, Yellowstone County Civil Engineer gave a brief overview of the proposed project to pave and maintain a portion of 54th Street West. This is currently a gravel road and the proposed paving appears to benefit 22 parcels. 5 written protests have been received. 1 protest represented 2 parcels. Commissioner Ostlund opened the public hearing. 5 spoke again this resolution and 1 spoke for. Hearing no more comments Commissioner Ostlund closed the public hearing. Mr. Black stated that with the written comments and the public comment at the meeting 7 out of 22 are in opposition of this resolution. Commissioner Jones made a MOTION to approve resolution 23-66. Commissioner Morse seconded. Passed Unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON REGULAR, CONSENT AND FILED AGENDA ITEMS
COMMISSIONERS MetraPark Naming of Street in Honor of Bill Dutcher.
CLAIMS Batches 23-171, 23-172, 23-173. Commissioner Morse made a MOTION to approve the Claims, Commissioner Jones seconded. Passed Unanimous.
CONSENT AGENDA 1. COMMISSIONERS A.) Health Insurance Rate Recommendation for FY24. B.) Board Reappointment Gene Hammatt to Huntley Public Cemetery Board. C.) FY24 Salary Increase for Non-Union Employees. D.) Lockwood TEDD KLJ Grant Writing Services Agreement. E.) Board Openings Updated List. 2. FINANCE A.) Parks Department Contract with Grizzly Peak Excavation for Dredging Pheasant Brook Ponds #2 and #3. C.) Elections Professional Services Agreement with Stahly Engineering for Precinct Descriptions. 3. PUBLIC WORKS Recommendation and Bid Award with Hardrives for the 2023 RSID 798M Asphalt Overlay Sweet William and Coneflower Project. 4. HUMAN RESOURCES PERSONNEL ACTION REPORTS Justice Court 1 Appointment; Sheriffs Office 1 Salary & Other; Detention Facility 1 Termination.
FILE ITEMS 1. AUDITOR Payroll Audit April 16 to April 30, 2023. 2. CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT Disbursements and Checks for April 2023. 3. COMMISSIONERS CDBG Planning Grant Award Letter. 4. ELECTIONS Election Canvass Heights Water District Certification Report. 5. FINANCE A.) Justice Court Budget Adjustment FY23. B.) Detailed Cash Investment Report April 2023. 6. HUMAN RESOURCES April 15 April 30 Payroll Audit. 7. TREASURER Treasurers Disbursements and Checks for April 2023. Commissioner Jones made a MOTION to approve the Consent Agenda and place the File Items to file, Commissioner Morse seconded. Passed Unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON COUNTY BUSINESS Hearing no comments Commissioner Ostlund adjourned the meeting at 10:08 a.m.
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