Commissioners approve contracts, grant reimbursement and subdivision prelim; several routine approvals recorded

Flathead County commissioners on Feb. 4 voted on several procurement and land-use items, approving an architect-engineer services contract, a bridge erosion-control construction contract, acceptance of a Help America Vote Act subgrant reimbursement for elections staffing, authorization to publish a FY2025 budget-amendment public hearing notice, and preliminary plat approval for the Frampton subdivision.

Why it matters: The motions create immediate contractual commitments for construction and design work, move county budget procedures forward, and clear the way for a two-lot subdivision review to advance to final plat requirements. Several actions include follow-up requirements such as health-department reviews and permit conditions.

The main actions recorded in the meeting (voice votes; tallies not specified in the transcript):

- Award RFQ for contracted architect-engineer services to Cushing Terrell and RPA team. Motion to award was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote. (Transcript evidence: discussion and motion beginning at 303.49 seconds and motion at 342.94 seconds.)

- Authorize publication of notice of public hearing for FY2025 budget amendment. Commissioners moved and carried the authorization to publish the notice; staff said departments are preparing the amendment and a public hearing would follow in about a month. (Transcript evidence: discussion beginning ~730.42 seconds and motion at 759.06 seconds.)

- Approve signature on Montana Secretary of State HAVA subgrant recipient agreement (elections). County election staff said the county qualified and will be reimbursed $28,007.37 for temporary election-worker expenses; commissioners moved and carried the document for signature. (Transcript evidence: discussion beginning ~406.21 seconds through motion at 536.94 seconds.)

- Deny Grievance Level 3 filed by the Montana Federation of Public Employees on behalf of health department employees (request to remove marijuana from random drug testing). The motion to deny was moved and carried. (Transcript evidence: grievance presentation beginning ~781.03 seconds and motion at 809.235 seconds.)

- Approve contract for Blankenship Bridge erosion-control project with Olympus Technical Services, Inc., low bidder, contract amount $529,354.70. Motion to sign the contract carried. (Transcript evidence: presentation beginning ~825.535 seconds; motion at 891.795 seconds.)

- Approve Preliminary Plat: Frampton subdivision (two-lot minor subdivision at 125 Wagon Wheel Road). Commissioners amended staff findings to remove incorrect references that Wagon Wheel Road is paved, accepted conditions (including review of wells/septic by the Flathead City-County Health Department and DEQ), and approved the preliminary plat by motion and voice vote. (Transcript evidence: Planning presentation beginning ~3013.11 seconds, findings discussion starting ~3216.81 seconds, motions ~3944.42 and 3958.175 seconds.)

Notes on vote records and follow-ups: The transcript records voice votes with “Aye”/“Opposed, same sign” and not a roll-call tally; the transcript does not list numeric tallies for each item. Several approvals incorporate follow-up reviews or conditions: final plat approval for the Frampton subdivision is contingent on health-department and DEQ reviews for wells, septic and stormwater; the HAVA subgrant is reimbursement-based and requires documentation; the bridge contract has a specified completion target tied to permitting and seasonal high water windows.

Ending: Commissioners handled a set of routine approvals and several items that require staff follow-up, permitting or administrative review before final implementation.