Council

Town of Moorcroft

Regular Meeting of the Council

Wednesday, May 10th, 2023

Town Council Present: Mayor Ben Glenn, Councilmembers Dale Petersen, Austin Smith, Bob Stewart and Heidi Humpal

Town Representatives Present: Clerk/Treasurer Cheryl Schneider, Attorney Pat Carpenter, Public Works Director Cory Allison, HDR Engineer Heath Turbiville, Brad McKee, Moorcroft Ambulance.

Absent: Dan Swaney

Mayor Glenn called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance being said. Roll call was taken and all was present.

Councilmember Petersen motioned to amend the agenda, adding the MTC to old business and Councilmember Stewart seconded. All ayes, motion carried.

Councilmember Petersen motioned to approve Consent Agenda items 1-4 and Councilmember Smith seconded. All ayes, motion carried. Councilmember Petersen motioned to approve Bill List 2 and Councilmember Stewart seconded. Councilmember Petersen, Stewart, Humpal and Mayor Glenn ayes. Councilmember Smith abstained due to conflict of interest. Motion carried. Councilmember Petersen motioned to approve Bill List 3 and Councilmember Smith seconded. Councilmembers Petersen, Smith, Stewart, Humpal ayes. Mayor Glenn abstained due to conflict of interest.

Jordan Miller, CrissCross Craos Boutique, was present to request a variance to the junk ordinance to allow an vintage pickup to be placed on the west side of the building for decoration purposes. Councilmember Humpal motioned to allow the variance to the junk ordinance to display a pickup for decoration on 600 ½ E. Converse and Councilmember Smith seconded. All ayes, motion carried.

Gary Thompson, was present to request a variance to the building ordinance to allow a garage to be built on his property. After discussion on the easement requirements and right away, Councilmember Stewart motioned to approve the variance and Councilmember Humpal seconded. Councilmembers Stewart Humpal ayes, Councilmembers Petersen, Smith and Mayor Glenn nays. Motion failed.

Anita Irving, town resident, was present to ask where public works was on getting the diffusers for the lights at the MTC. Public works director Allison stated the purpose of the bright lights was for security reasons. He will check on the estimated date of the diffusers and report back.

Krissy Hinkhouse, Moorcroft Chamber of Commerce, was present to discuss vendor permits for the upcoming Jubilee Days. Councilmember Smith motioned to allow a two-day food vendor permit for $50 and to waive the fee for the third day and to charge $25 for a one day permit and Councilmember Humpal seconded. All ayes, motion carried. Discussion was had on a blanket fee for vendors that Chamber will have set up at Robinson Park. Councilmember Humpal motioned to allow a two-day fee of $150 for those vendors going through the Chamber and sitting up at Robinson Park only and Councilmember Stewart seconded. All ayes, motion carried.

Clerk Schneider stated the clerk’s office received a request from a parent who would like to purchase or replace a picnic table that has her son’s name on it. Discussion was had. Councilmember Petersen motion to table the discussion until further information can be obtained and Councilmember Smith seconded. All ayes, motion carried. Schneider reminded Council of the upcoming WAM convention in Cody. She stated the WyDot TAP site visit is scheduled for June 13th from 11-12 pm. She requested to amend the April 12th, 2023 minutes as a motion was made to request the increase of the threshold to be changed from $1,000 to $2,000 and it should have stated to increase from $1000 to $1500. Councilmember Smith motioned to approve the correction and Councilmember Humpal seconded. All ayes, motion carried. Schneider stated the WYLite Energy Grant is now open and if the Council would like her to proceed in applying and the designation for the fund request. Discussion was had. Councilmember Humpal motioned to move forward with applying for funding to be used for window replacement at the MTC and Councilmember Stewart seconded. All ayes, motion carried. Schneider read a letter of support from a citizen for keeping the rooms for the Starfish. The treasurer’s report was provided.

Public Works Director Allison stated the parks were all aerated and the cost was approximately $2500. He stated he did receive quotes for the repair on railroad street. He feels the project is going to come in quite expensive. Discussion was had and it was decided not to proceed with the quotes and to fill the hole with rock. He stated he will be adding rock to the roads at the cemetery, and he has it in his budget for this year. Discussion was had on phasing the cemetery project. Cory stated mowing will be started soon and he would like to proceed with the contracted mowing contract at the cemetery. After discussion on the mowing and cleaning contracts, Councilmember Petersen motioned to advertise all three contracted services for two weeks and Councilmember Humpal seconded. All ayes, motion carried. Allison requested to be allowed to hire summer help again this year. Councilmember Petersen motioned to advertise for summer full time help, no benefits, no more than 40 hours a week beginning June 1st and ending last week in August and Councilmember Smith seconded. All ayes, motion carried.

Mayor Glenn gave the fire department report.

Chief Bill Bryant stated Officer Curley attended the Newcastle 307 Challenge. Discussion was had on Officer Dawson’s salary and in the motion to hire, the wrong salary was stated. Councilmember Smith motioned to amend the motion and to correct the starting salary for Office Dawson from $23 per hour to $22 per hour and Councilmember Petersen seconded. All ayes, motion carried. Chief Bryant stated he is going to use Troy Skeens, from the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, as a part time fill in employee and to pay $28 per hour. Part time officers have been paid $25 per hour in the past. Councilmember Smith motioned to moving part time, fill in officers from $25 per hour to $28 per hour and Councilmember Stewart seconded. All ayes, motion carried. He stated he would not be needed too often, and he has the funds in his budget. Chief Bryant presented a quote for ammo for the year for $1648.04, which is over the $1500 threshold for approval. Councilmember Smith motioned to approve the purchase of the ammo and Councilman Stewart seconded. All ayes, motion carried.

HDR Engineer Turbiville updated the Council on the landfill cease and transfer and other town projects. The deadline for the bike path feasibility is June 14th and there will be a draft to review.

Brad McGee, updated the council on the ambulance department. He stated there is a certified vehicle operating glass coming for those interested in driving the ambulance. He is actively trying to recruit EMT and EMR for the ambulance department. The department is planning to attend the upcoming Business Safety Days.

Travis Arney, Rage Baseball Club, was present to discuss the agreement that he sent over for review. Attorney Carpenter will use the phasing information for an exhibit to the agreement. Travis will provide a copy of their liability insurance to Clerk Schneider before work begins. The club would like to move forth right away digging up the old soil and getting the weeds out, which would be in phase one. Cory stated the soil would be taken to the landfill and discarded in the dead animal pit. Councilmember Smith motioned to approve the Rage Baseball agreement for 30 days and they can begin work and Councilmember Stewart seconded. All ayes, motion carried.

Mayor Glenn discussed the committee departments. Discussion was had that it was allowable for department heads to bring any matters to the other council members or mayor as well as to the specific committee department appointees.

Clerk Schneider read Ordinance 1-2023 into record on the 2nd reading:

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 1-305 OF CHAPTER 1, TITLE 1 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF MOORCROFT, WYOMING, 1979 TO SET REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY AT 7:00 P.M. ON THE SECOND AND FOURTH WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH OR IF THE REGULAR MEETING IS A LEGAL HOLIDAY THEN AT 7:00 P.M. ON THE NEXT FOLLOWING BUSINESS DAY WHICH IS NOT A LEGAL HOLIDAY; ESTABLISH THAT MEETINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY SHALL BE HELD IN THE TOWN’S ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES UNLESS OTHERWISE DETERMINED; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Councilmember Humpa motioned to approve 2nd reading of Ordinance 1-2023 and Councilmember Smith seconded. All ayes, motion carried.

Councilmember Petersen discussed moving the town hall to the MTC and the options for funding. Discussion was had to use specific purpose, town reserves or a couple of the WyoStar reserve accounts until such time the current building could sell, and the funds replenished back into the designated account. Discussion was to have Phase I be the funding phase and to possibly develop a committee to have a plan to be discussed at a future workshop. Clerk Schneider will email the Council the plans for the MTC that was designed a couple of years ago. A workshop will be scheduled for Wednesday, May 17th at 6:00 pm at the MTC library to view the area designated and to look at the plans. There will be a workshop to discuss the MTC funding and plans at 6:00 on June 14th, 2023, prior to the regular scheduled council meeting.

There will be a special meeting on Wednesday, May 31st to open and award the cleaning contracts, mowing contract and to approve the summer hire.

Councilmember Petersen motioned to move into executive session at 9:13 p.m. to discuss personnel and Councilmember Smith seconded. All ayes, motion carried. The regular meeting of the council reconvened at 9:37 p.m. with no action taken. With no further business to discuss, Councilmember Petersen motioned to adjourn at 9:37 p.m. and Councilmember Smith seconded. All ayes, motion carried.

Ben Glenn, Mayor

ATTEST:

Cheryl Schneider, Clerk/Treasurer

MAY 2023 BILL LIST #1

ADVANCE AUTO-OIL & BRAKES, $1, 377.53; AFLAC-EMPLOYEE PAID INS, $1, 034.68; AT&T-PD & PW, $295.40; BC/BS-EMPLOYEE HEALTH INS, $15, 988.00; CDS SUPPLIES-MTC, WATER, SHOP, $162.97; CAMPBELL CO HEALTH-EMSU-GORSUCH, ROBERTS, $160.00; CASELLE-SOFTWARE SUPPORT-MAY AND JUNE, $1232.00; CASEY TENKE TRUCKING-COAL DELIVERY, $1, 990.88; CITY OF GILLETTE-BASE CHARGE MAY, $127.04; CLARK, JODI-MILEAGE TO WAMCAT, $233.18; COFFEE CUP FUEL STOP-FUEL-LF, PW, EMS, WAT, WW, ST & ALLY, $1, 888.46; COLLINS COMMUNICTIONS-ALARM MONITORING-MAY&MARCH, $82.00; CONNALLY, JESSE-CLEANING CONTRACT, $600.00; CROOK CO SHERIFF’S OFFICE-DISPATCH, $1, 900.00; DELTA DENTAL-DENTAL INS-EMPLOYEE, $1, 047.00; ENERGY LABS-WATER & SEWER TESTING, $370.00; FERGUSON-METERS, $3, 648.00; GALLS-BOOTS LESS CREDITS, $70.78; GREAT WEST-DEFERRED COMP ($300 CARRYOVER), $930.00; HAWKINS-CYLINDER RENT, $110.00; HDR ENGINEERING-ENGINEER FEES, CLOSURE DESIGN, $5, 767.50; IRS-4/12/23&4/26/23, $11, 428.81; KAREN’S DELIVERY-TIME RENTAL DELIVERY, $75.00; LAW ENFORCEMENT-POLY BAGS & WARNING TICKETS, $190.00; LIFE ASSIST-MEDICAL SUPPLIES, $62.44; LINCOLN FINANCIAL-EMPLOYEE LIFE INS, $33.75; MARCO-POLICE COPIER, $97.85; MG OIL-#2 DYED & NON-DYED, $5, 301.40; NAPIER, J CARTER-LEADERSHIP TRAINING-DH & COUNCIL, $300.00; NORCO-OXYGEN, CLEANING & TANK RENTAL, $553.42; OMEGA COMPUTERS-500 GB DRIVE UPDATE-DEP CLERK COMPUTER, $99.00; ONE-CALL OF WYO-LOCATES-APRIL, $9.00; PAYROLL-4/12/23 &4/26/23, $36, 291.83; PETTY CASH-UTILITY BILLS, POSTAGE-CLERKS, $283.89; POWDER RIVER ENERGY-ELECTRICITY, $11, 487.76; PURVIS-HOSE-SWEEPER, $65.49; QUALITY AGG-GRAVEL, $5, 093.10; QUILL-OFFICE SUPPLIES, $44.97; RAMKOTA-2 ROOMS-WYO WATER CONF-ELLIOT & GREEN, $789.00; RANGE-PHONE CHARGES, $409.94; SINCLAIR/WEX-PD GAS APRIL, $691.71; SKYLINE REAL ESTATE LLC-2023 LEASE-WATER WELL, $1, 000.00; SMITH PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES-DAWSON, $400.00; STRYKER FLEX FINANCIAL-FINAL PAYMENT LEASE AGREEMENT-HEART MONT, $8, 339.98; SUNDANCE TIMES-ADVERTISING, $729.50; TEAM LAB-EASY SPRAY SEALER MACHINE, $6, 900.00; TOP OFFICE-COPIES-CLERK, $76.10; USA BLUEBOOK-BRUSH, $85.90; VAN HORN, KRISTI-CLEANING CONTRACT, $1, 100.00; VISA-OFFICE SUPPLIES, CODY FIRE SCHOOL, WAMCAT, $2, 794.13; VSP-VISION INS, $150.83; WESTERN WASTE-APRIL COLLECTION, $13, 224.00; WYO DEPT OF TAXATION-STARFISH TAX, $126.79; WYOMING NETWORK-WEBSITE DESIGN AND UPDATES, $25.00; WYOMING WATER SOLUTIONS-WATER, $37.25.

TOTAL $147,313.26

MAY 2023 BILL LIST 2

K.A.R.E.-AMBULANCE CONSULTING CONTRACT, $2, 700.00

MAY 2023 BILL LIST #3

GLENN CONST-FIRE HALL LIGHT REPAIR, $457.25

Publish: May 18, 2023