Public Notice No. 1922

Posted

May 18, 2021

Town of Guernsey Regular Meeting

Platte County, Wyoming

Present: CM Harris, CM Augustyn, CM Kelley, CM Delgado, Mayor Paustian

Staff: J. Sterner, L. Bryant, S. Thomas, Officer Chavez, Judge Conner

Guests: Christa Bartel, Kurt Sittner, Chris Delay, Joe Michaels, Frankie Adams, AJ Gillaspie, Julina Nyquist

Via Zoom: 1 guest 

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 Harris moved to approve the agenda as written, seconded by CM Augustyn. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 4 ayes.

Minutes: CM Augustyn moved to approve the regular minutes for May 4, 2021, as written, seconded by CM Delgado. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 4 ayes. 

Consideration of Claims: Mayor Paustian presented the vouchers for approval. CM Augustyn moved to approve the Considerations of Claims for $184,526.66 seconded by CM Harris. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 4 ayes. Vouchers follow in their entirety: BAM Document Destruction & Rec – 241.90, Biolynceus – 1,111.43, Bob Ruwart Motors – 288.81, Border States Industries – 4,012.05, Burns Insurance – 20.00, Caselle – 600.00, Cash-Wa Distributing – 299.75, CenturyLink – 5.00, CNA Surety – 450.00, Ferguson Signs – 425.00, Grainger ¬– 98.88, Guernsey Gazette – 1,716.00, Guernsey Super Foods – 25.08, William Holtz – 140.00, Mapco Industrial Products – 167.88, Masek Golf Car Company – 306.98, Michael Montgomery – 19.88, One-Call of Wyoming – 9.75, Sam’s Club MC/SYNCB – 321.38, Stotz Equipment ¬– 199.54, TDS Collection Services – 1,846.86, United States Postal Service – 245.00, Verizon Wireless – 520.89, Vistabeam – 449.55, Wex Bank – 2,725.09, Wheatland R.E.A. –38.19, Wyoming Municipal Power Agency ¬– 83,639.73, Wyrulec – 659.27, Payroll – 28,661.63, Taxes & Benefits – 55,281.14, Total Vouchers – $184,526.66.

Camp Guernsey Back Brief: Christa Barthel stated that we could see an increase in economy with additional troops in town over the summer. She also stated that there are summer jobs available for IT, computer. Flyers were sent out in the mail.

Clerk/Treasurer Appointment & Oath of Office: CM Augustyn moved to approve new clerk/treasurer, seconded by CM Delgado with comment for further discussion in executive session. A vote was taken, and the motion was carried with 4 ayes. Judge Conner appointed.

TDS Contract – Kurt Sittner: CM Delgado asked Sittner why there was such a large increase. Sittner replied this is due to increases to them across the board. He said that for this contract, there hadn’t been an increase over the last 3 years. He said that percentage-wise it’s a large jump, but increase per resident is about $60-$70 per year. CM Delgado said we are a retirement community and he would like to see a gradual increase instead. Sittner said he would rather not go to an annual contract, but that we could go to an annual contract and absorb some of the increase each year, or keep a 3 year contract with a gradual increase. Mayor Paustian agreed that a gradual increase would be preferred, and stated we have had some budget cuts already. Sittner suggested a work session to come to an agreement that works for both the town and TDS. CM Delgado also mentioned the increase in roll-off rate. Sittner responded there had been an oversight 3 years ago on the $207 rate given to the town, and that the previous contract did not reflect what should have been the current rate. Council agreed to hold off 2nd reading of Ordinance 2021-002 until after the upcoming meeting. Kurt will contact town clerk to schedule.

Ordinance 2021-002 – Sanitation Rates, 2nd Reading: CM Delgado motioned to postpone 2nd reading, CM Augustyn seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 4 ayes.

Ordinance 2021-003 –FY 22 Budget – 1st Reading: CM Kelley motioned to approve budget as written, seconded by CM Harris. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 4 ayes. 

Ordinace 2021-007 ¬ Banner Capital Bank Signatures: CM Harris motioned to approve the change in signatures and online banking to include new clerk/treasurer, seconded by CM Delgado. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 4 ayes. 

Ordinance 2021-008 First State Bank Signatures: CM Augustyn motioned to approve the change in signatures and online banking to include new clerk/treasurer, seconded by CM Kelley. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 4 ayes. 

Public Comment:  Resident Bill Holtz addressed his concerns with the TDS 33% increase. He said he found minutes from 2018 in which there was a $1 dollar increase to each sanitation bill, plus fuel surcharge, which he stated was a 9% increase at that time. Mayor Paustian explained that there will be a workshop with TDS to discuss a more gradual increase. Holtz expressed his concern that the residents are captive customers. Mayor Paustian stated there will be incremental increases, hopefully under the 33%, and he understands we are a retirement community and that could be tough.

Chris Delay, superintendant of Guernsey State Park, explained a program he’s working on which includes hiding giveaways on the park. The goal is to promote a specific part of the park and a business at the same time. Delay presented a request for the town to partner on a giveaway. He suggested golf related prize. Mayor and council agreed to partner for the giveaway. Delay stated that the previous giveaway brought 30 people to the museum, and an estimated 50 or more participants.

Delay also mentioned that the park is working on grants for trails. CM Augustyn suggested youth challenge or a volunteer day to do cleanup. He also suggested speaking with Shawna Reichert from the chamber of commerce about current state park programs. 

Department Reports: Judge Conner presented the Municipal Court month report for April. 

Mayor and Council Report: CM Augustyn said Saturday at 10am will begin phase 2 of the beach project by Register Cliff on the Frederick’s land. We will be looking for volunteers for upcoming work. There have been donations from the quarry, Dave Cole, Nate Cook, Lee Hashman, and others that have been helping with the project.

Mayor Paustian mentioned that the PD has been able to take care of some vehicles sitting on the road, and that yard cleanup (weeds) around town is improving.

L. Bryant mentioned that summer help is needed for public works, we are down to one summer help person. 

Announcements: 

6/1 – Town Council Meeting @ 6pm.  6/02 – Guernsey Volunteer Fire Meeting @ 6pm. 

6/10 – Concert - Spring Canyon Band @ 7pm. 6/15 – Town Council Meeting @ 6pm. 

6/18 – Movie in the Park – The Croods: A New Age @ dusk. 6/19 –Mobile Food Pantry @ Town Hall Parking Lot @ 1pm – 3pm 

Executive Session: CM Harris moved to go into executive session. seconded by CM Augustyn. Public meeting took a break at 6:34 pm for executive session. 

Adjournment: With no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Paustian called for a motion to adjourn. CM Harris moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:02 pm, seconded by CM Kelley. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 4 ayes.

Attest: Nicholas Paustian, Mayor Jasmine Sterner, Clerk/Treasurer

Public Notice No. 1922 published in the Guernsey Gazette on May 25, 2021.