Yellowstone County commissioners adopt therapy-animal proclamation, set hearings and refer HVAC bids to staff

The Yellowstone County Board of County Commissioners met April 30, 2024, adopted a proclamation declaring April 30 National Therapy Animal Day and moved a series of routine items including setting public hearings and referring construction bids to staff.

Commissioner Morris read Resolution 24‑57, noting Pet Partners’ designation of the day and citing research on the potential benefits of animal-assisted therapy for veterans, seniors, patients and students. After the reading, Commissioner Morris moved to adopt the resolution; the board recorded affirmative votes and announced the resolution passed. Bianca Bell, who identified herself as a volunteer with Pet Partners and introduced her therapy dog Cruella De Vil, thanked the board for the recognition and encouraged more community members to serve as therapy animal handlers. "I would like to share my sincere gratitude for allowing my furry partner, Cruella, and I to be in attendance to hear the proclamation," Bell said.

The board opened bids for HVAC work at the Metro Complex 4‑H Building. Clerk/staff read four bids and noted each included a bid bond. The lowest listed bid was presented by John Burns / Conditioned Air Services Air Systems (listed at roughly $119,580), followed by Air Fab Inc. (about $126,407), Empire Heating and Cooling (about $141,007.62), and a bid shown as from Air Controls in Billings (about $168,004.80). Commissioner Morris moved to refer the bids to county staff for review and a recommendation back to the board; the motion carried.

The board set several public hearings: Resolution 24‑77 (intent to dissolve RSID 713, M Tanglewood Lake Estates, second filing) and Resolution 24‑78 (boundary change for RSID 715, M Tanglewood Lake Estates Subdivision) were both set for public hearing on June 11, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 3108. The board also appointed a board of viewers under Resolution 24‑79 for the proposed abandonment of a portion of Rosebud Lane, naming the chair (unnamed in the transcript), Clerk and Recorder Jeff Martin, Transportation Planner Laura Maddox, and Public Works Deputy Director Monica Plecker. Resolution 24‑80 was approved to set a hearing on the proposed abandonment of a portion of 50 Sixth Street West in Sunny Cove Fruit Farm Subdivision for May 14, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 3108.

The board approved claims numbered 24‑147 through 24‑150 and approved the consent agenda. No substantive public comments on other county business were recorded before adjournment.

What’s next: staff will evaluate the HVAC bids and return with a recommendation; public hearings on the RSID matters and the 50 Sixth Street West abandonment are scheduled for May 14 and June 11, 2024, as noted. The board adjourned following the consent vote.