May 19, 2020
Town of Guernsey
Regular Meeting Minutes
Platte County, Wyoming
Present: Mayor Paustian, CM Kelley, CM Whitworth, CM Harris, CM Augustyn
Staff: L. Bryant, M Allred
Guests: Lori Ibarra and Danielle Noggle from Tri-City Parks & Rec; Dana Lent, Esq, legal counsel for the Town of Guernsey was present by phone; Shawna Reichart, Platte County Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Paustian called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance and was welcomed to the meeting.
Agenda: CM Kelley moved to approve the agenda as written, seconded by CM Augustyn. A vote was taken with CM Harris opposed and the motion carried with 4 ayes.
Minutes: CM Augustyn moved to approve the regular minutes for May 5, 2020, seconded by CM Kelley. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 5 ayes.
Consideration of Claims: Mayor Paustian presented the vouchers for approval. A motion was made by CM Whitworth to approve the Consideration of Claims. This was seconded by CM Kelley. Black Hills Energy - $547.08. Border States Industries, Inc. – $541.00. Capital Business Systems, Inc. - $432.50. CPS Distributors, Inc. - $853.70. Croell Redi-Mix – 356.00. Guernsey Gazette - $1038.50. William Holtz - $260.00. Ideal Linen - $235.89. Jirdon-Agri Chemicals - $892.73. L L Johnson Distributing - $476.09. Nebraska Printworks, LLC - $901.07. Northern Tool & Equipment - $78.57. One-Call of Wyoming - $22.50. Powder River Heating & A/C - $75.00. Railroad Management Company III, LLC - $258.95. Heidi Rothenbuehler - $193.99. Sam’s Club MC/SYNCB - $276.73. Sargent Drilling - $21,276.85. SYNCB/Amazon - $887.02. Teel Gun Works - $604.00. Thomson Reuters-West - $147.00. Van Diest Supply Co - $10,236.00. Verizon Wireless - $758.18. Vistabeam - $449.55. W S Darley & Co - $15.45.94. Wheatland REA - $38.22. Wright Express Fleet Services - $2406.57. Wyoming Fire Chief’s Association - $100.00. Wyoming Municipal Power Agency (WMPA) - $77,649.25. Wyrulec - $649.41.
Oath of Office: Mayor Paustian administered the Oath of Office to new police officer, Trampas Glover.
Larson Park Shower House: Lindi Otero presented a bid from Anderson Flooring for a more durable flooring treatment for the shower house. The bid was for $3542.50 to include prep work and epoxy coating. It was discussed that this project will take five days start to finish. CM Whitworth made a motion to approve this bid and it was seconded by CM Harris. Ms Otero also requested to hire someone to marshal the Larson Park Golf Course on the Friday evenings and through the weekend. A budget amendment will be required to pay this individual. Ms Otero will call the mayor with specifics, and he will apprise the council.
Reappointment of Kate Farmer as Clerk Treasurer for Town of Guernsey: A discussion was had regarding the reappointment of Ms Farmer and a vote was taken. CM Harris and CM Whitworth were opposed. CM Kelley and CM Augustyn approved. There was much public discussion for and against a reappointment. It was decided that Ms Farmer would proceed through the interview process with other candidates for the position rather than be reappointed at this meeting. CM Harris made a motion to table further discussion and this was seconded by CM Whitworth.
Public Requests: Christopher Martinez from Hub City approached the council about placing a temporary slide in the park on July 3 & 4, 2020. The slide is approximately 20 x 60 x 30. There would be no cost to the city, but Mr Martinez inquired about the need for a permit. Mr Allred weighed in with questions. Is it temporary, been professionally assembled, and insured? Yes. Water and electrical services are available for this temporary water slide. A vote was taken resulting in three ayes with CM Harris abstaining as he is a member of Hub City.
Pool Report: Ms Ibarra and Ms Noggle discussed the 2020 Series in the Park. They stated that Craig Frederick from Economic Development will be assisting them with running the activities. They both felt that the size of the park would make social distancing possible and they saw no reason to curtail the series. They discussed Little League use of Baseball Park/Field with practice having just started, though no games have been scheduled. Registration fees have been waived for this season as well. As part of COVID precautions, no sunflower seeds or spitting is allowed this year. There are plans for staff to be present at all practices and games, should games be scheduled for 2020, with increased sanitation of facilities. For 2020, there are restrictions on sharing of equipment, by catchers in particular, so additional equipment will need to be purchased. CM Whitworth offered to donate his next council check to help offset these purchases. Ms Ibarra stated that the current plan is for the pool to open on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. There is currently no plan for swimming lessons this year. Ms Ibarra requested that the pool contract be changed to reflect the position and/or names of staff members who currently work for the Town of Guernsey.
Dust Mitigation: Joe Michaels approached the lectern and inquired about the magnesium chloride application to the dirt road in the Haynes development and around Lucindy Rollins for dust mitigation. Mr Michaels questioned the necessity of this application and Mr Allred assured him that this was necessary. There was discussion about the corrosive nature of magnesium chloride and damage to vehicles, and Mr Allred stated this can be avoided by waiting until the application is dry. CM Whitworth asked if a letter had been sent prior to the application of the mag chloride, which Mr Allred stated was not possible as the project had been delayed and rescheduled.
Chamber of Commerce: Shawna Reichart from the Chamber of Commerce informed the council that there is a new chamber website and that the Town of Guernsey is welcome to post events to the community calendar there. She stated that revenues for the State of Wyoming are down about 10.2%, which is less than the national average. She stated that public health has shut down a couple of businesses in Platte County for not following COVID-related orders set forth by the Governor Gordon and the county. She stated that Gray Rocks is still closed to visitors and other parks are allowing day use only. She had a copy of the latest variance from the state, which allows for bars to stay open past 10 p.m. Golf tournaments for summer 2020 are still a concern and no specific information has been forthcoming, as of yet.
Mayor and Council Report: Mayor Paustian brought up the new sandbar/launch at the north end of West/Heimbuck Park. The mayor suggested the name Bruce’s Beach in honor of Bruce Heimbuck.
Public Discussion: There was an ongoing discussion about Lucindy Rollins road, the speeds at which truckdrivers use that road and the weights they carry. A toll on that road was suggested as well as commitment from users to slow down and reduce the weight limits to prevent the sort of damage and erosion that this road currently suffers.
Announcements: There were none.
Adjournment: With no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Paustian called for a motion to adjourn at 7:10. This was seconded by CM Augustyn who asked for a brief recess before going into excessive session. Motion carried with 5 ayes.
Attest:
Nicholas Paustian, Mayor
Lynne Bryant, Clerk/Treasurer(pro-tem)
Public Notice No. 1859 published in the Guernsey Gazette, June 2, 2020.
