Conflict arises in wake of extension office collapse

In the middle of June, the ceiling in the extension office portion of the Mineral County Library building collapsed. A claim was promptly filed with the Montana Association of Counties and the entire building was closed due to observations that ceilings still intact in the building were sagging.

A series of emails between MACo representatives and County Commission Secretary Cindy Grimm occurred in order to receive information regarding whether or not there needed to be an open bid period for the repairs. Harold Blattie, Executive Director of MACo, cited an exemption clause, which states that exemptions for competitive bidding requirements take place for “purchases that, in the opinion of the governing body are made necessary by fire, flood, explosion, storm, earthquake…or for the restoration of a condition of usefulness that has been destroyed by accident.”

Following the email, county commissioners contacted construction companies in their respective districts, and eventually gave the contract to Michael J Galloway Construction LLC.

However controversy arose when a comment was made by Commissioner Duane Simons said that he was “told by the insurance company not to contact” Reed Mountain Construction, regarding the repair job.

Pam and Paul Reed, owners of Reed Mountain Construction, were on hand at Thursday’s meeting of the county commissioners to discuss comments made by Commissioner Simons.

“On July 12 we attended a meeting here at the commissioners room in which you discussed what you were going to do with regard to selecting a contractor for the repair of the extension office,” Pam said. “We came to that meeting knowing you had the legal authority to not put it out to bid. Also knowing that we have done almost $100,000 worth of work for the county in the past three years and knowing our reputation in the county as being a good one. We came frankly with the idea that we would be the selected contractor to do the repair work.”

Pam went on to continue discussing the July 12 meeting, stating that when they left the meeting they left “thinking we would be invited to participate” in the bid.

“The following Thursday I called Cindy (Grimm) and asked her what the status of that invitation was,” Pam said. “I was told that Galloway construction was awarded the contract.”

She was then prompted to call Commissioner Simons and upon calling him was informed of Commissioner Simon’s interaction with the insurance company. Commissioner Simons then gave Pam the number of Greg Jackson with MACo.

“I didn’t understand why you would make that statement,” Pam said. “And I understand you also made the statement in a public meeting to the other two county commissioners and to others who suggested we be called upon to do the work at the extension office.”

Pam then asked Commissioner Simons to explain why he made the statement.

“The Friday after the ceiling collapsed we had a meeting here and I had called Greg Jackson, “ Commissioner Simons said. “I was a little perplexed that the insurance company would just hand us a blank check to go get somebody to have this fixed. I didn’t want the county to end up having the bill at the end of this for something that wasn’t kosher.”

Commissioner Simons added that he called Jackson and the call was returned. During this call, Jackson “made that statement and that was my understanding of the statement he made.”

“Well I called Mr. Jackson, who is the trust administrator for both of the insurance companies for MACo,” Pam said. “I have an email from him here and in it he says ‘I did have a conversation with Commissioner Simons regarding the roof collapse, but only in reference to filing a claim and the process that needed to be followed…I never did advise that any company, yours specifically not be contacted or not be used for any repairs.’”

Commissioner Simons once again stated that the statement he made regarding Reed Mountain Construction was his understanding of the statement made by Jackson, which prompted Pam to ask for a retraction of the statement as well as an apology.

“I will do that,” Commissioner Simons said. “I publically retract that statement and I apologize.”

Pam then asked Commissioner Simons if he “understands” what his statement does to the reputation of their company.

“At the time, ma’am what an insurance company says and does, I was just trying to protect the county,” Commissioner Simons said.

Continued discussion was had regarding the repairs and the bidding process on the project between Reed Mountain Construction and the county commissioners.

Pam continued to assert her position that “chances are we would have been asked to do the repairs” due to their history with the county had the statement not been made by Commissioner Simons.