REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Tuesday April 16, 2024

          ALL PRESENT:  Commissioner Ostlund, Chair; Commissioners Morse and Jones; Clerk and Recorder Jeff Martin.

          PLEDGE:  MOMENT OF SILENCE, Held.

9:30 a.m. BID OPENING – Bid Opening for Metra West Concessions

Lump Sum Alt. #1 Alt. #2

Hardy Construction              $206,000.00            $    8,225.00            $  17,650.00

Wyman Construction, LLC     $296,957.00            $305,087.00            $310,817.00

TW Ridley Construction        $219,000.00            $    9,000.00            $  10,000.00

Commissioner Morse made a MOTION to refer the bids to staff with a recommendation back to this board, Commissioner Jones seconded.  Passed Unanimous.

9:30 a.m. PUBLIC HEARING – Resolution 24-70 to Grant Tax Abatement to Fortify on Class 8 Equipment.  Commissioner Ostlund opened the Public Hearing.  One person spoke in favor of the tax abatement.  Hearing no other comments Commissioner Ostlund closed the Public Hearing.  Commissioner Jones made a MOTION to approve Resolution 24-70 at 80%, Commissioner Morse seconded.  Passed Unanimous.   

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON REGULAR, CONSENT AND FILED AGENDA ITEMS – Mr. Bob Wilmouth, President of Rocky Mountain College spoke in favor of the Public Safety Mill Levy by School District 2 that is being voted on.  Hearing no other comment Commissioner Ostlund continued the Board Meeting.  

BIG SKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY – Annual Tax Abatement Report.  Ms. Dianne Lehm, Big Sky Economic Development went through the Annual Tax Abatement Report.  The report is available in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.

COMMISSIONERS – Alcohol Earmark Funds.  Commissioner Morse stated that he thinks each entity should get 1/3 of the money.  Commissioner Morse stated that The Mental Health Center and Alternatives have done a lot of the heavy lifting with regards to services provided at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility.  Alternatives monitored 2900 people to get them out of the jail and The Mental Health Center was at the jail anytime there was an issue.  Rimrock Foundation has had some issues but are still a community partner and Commissioner Morse stated he would like to see them succeed.  Commissioner Morse made a MOTION to approve 33.3% to The Mental Health Center, Alternatives and Rimrock Foundation, Jones seconded.  Commissioner Jones stated that he understands Commissioner Morse thinking and he doesn’t necessarily disagree but is concerned about the detox beds that Rimrock Foundation provides to the county, which is critical and is a high level of service.  Commissioner Jones made a substitute MOTION to give Rimrock Foundation 50%, Alternatives 25% and The Mental Health Center 25%.  Motion died for lack of a second.  Commissioner Ostlund stated that he liked the 1/3 to each entity distribution.  Ms. Jennifer Jones, Finance Director stated that the percentages could be change anytime throughout the year.  Original Motion passed 2 -1.  Commissioner Jones voted against the original motion. 

CLAIMS – Batches 24-140, 24-141, 24-142 and 24-143.  Commissioner Jones made a MOTION to approve the Claims, Commissioner Morse seconded.  Passed Unanimous.

CONSENT AGENDA – 1.  CLERK AND RECORDER – Plat of Budget Storage Subdivision and the S.I.A.  2.  COMMISSIONERS – A.)  Board Openings – Updated List.  B.)  Board Appointments – Darcie Temple & Deborah Anspach to Yellowstone Art Museum.  C.)  Yellowstone Art Museum County Appointments Reorganization.  D.)  Response Letter to the City of Billings.  E.)  MOU Between the City of Billings and Yellowstone County to Develop and Operate a Short- Term Facility at YCDF.   3.  FINANCE – A.)  Determination of Authority – Alternative Delivery Method – Short-Term Holding Facility.  B.)  Recommendation of Award for Architectural Design of the YCDF Short-Term Holding Facility to Schutz-Foss Architects.  C.)  Recommendation of Award for Courthouse Security Cameras to High Tech Solutions.  D.)  Metra Recommendation of Award for Skid-Steer Loader to RDO Equipment.  E.)  Road CIP Fund Budget Adjustment for Motor Graders.  F.)  MT-MCEP-CG-25-042 Reimbursement Request #1 for 56^th St. W. Bridge Project.  G.)  Metra Request to Expend for Digital Displays.  4.  PUBLIC WORKS – A.)  Change Orders for Bridge 03-03 56^th St. W.  B.)  Paving MOU Yellowstone County and the City of Laurel.  5.  HUMAN RESOURCES – PERSONNEL ACTION REPORTS – IT – 1 Appointment; Detention Facility – 2 Appointments; County Attorney – 1 Termination.

FILE ITEMS – 1.  AUDITOR – Payroll Audit March 16 to March 31, 2024.  2.  CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT – Checks and Disbursements for March 2024.  3.  FINANCE – Detailed Cash Investment Report March 2024.  4.  HUMAN RESOURCES – March 16 – March 31 Payroll Audit.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON COUNTY BUSINESS – Hearing no comments Commissioner Ostlund adjourned the meeting at 9:51 a.m.

APPROVE ATTEST

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