July 20, 2021
Town of Guernsey
Regular Meeting
Platte County, Wyoming
Present: CM Harris, CM Delgado, CM Kelley, CM Augustyn, Mayor Paustian
Staff: J. Sterner, L. Bryant, J. Thomas, Officer Chavez, Officer Smith
Guests: Cheryl Hoff, Rose Martinez, Kathy Montgomery, Christa Bartel, Penny Wells, Renee Boomhower, Terri Vandam, Shawna Reichert, John Condos, Janette Hart, Christopher Martinez, Dave Stenson, Shane Clevenger, Misty Clevenger, Frank Jones, Stacia Cook, Brad Cook, Lori Ibarra, Clay Hort, Sarah Mosley, Michelle Roberts, Colonel Teoesh
Via Zoom: Shenna Thomas, T. Horne, Kara Saukkola, Melissa Howe, Lisa Bristow, Brandi McCoid
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 5 ayes.
Minutes: CM Augustyn moved to approve the regular minutes for July 6, 2021 as written, seconded by CM Delgado. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 5 ayes.
Consideration of Claims: Mayor Paustian presented the vouchers for approval. CM Augustyn moved to approve the Considerations of Claims for $217,031.38 seconded by CM Harris. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 5 ayes. CM Delgado added discussion that it might be a better idea to pay to fix things right away instead of having employees spend time trying to fix. Vouchers follow in their entirety: ADTS – 330.02, BDO – 1625.00, Burnco Colorado – $1152.18, Jim Burnitt – 29.32, Capital Business Systems – 139.58, Cash-Wa Distributing – 281.80, Clark Plumbing – 950.00, Crystal Ice Company – 150.00, Fast Stop 1132 – 40.00, Green Pro Solutions – 667.65, Guernsey Community Food Pantry – 2800.00, Guernsey Gazette – 1878.50, Guernsey Petty Cash – 111.12, Guernsey Public Library – 4800.00, Guernsey Senior Center – 8000.00, Intermountain Sweeper Co – 256.80, Jirdon-Agri Chemicals – 577.35, Larson Park Petty Cash – 10.60, Navajo Manufacturing Company – 211.28, Peak Wellness – 2400.00, Project Safe – 2400.00, Heidi Rothenbuehler – 85.00, Stotz Equipment – 99.78, SYNCB/Amazon – 447.96, Torrington Beverage – 358.05, Tri-City Parks & Rec – 8000.00, Verizon Wireless – 520.93, Vistabeam – 459.50, Wex Bank – 3963.66, Wheatland R.E.A. – 38.76, Wyoming Child & Family – 9600.00, Wyoming Municipal Power Agency – 110,076.81, Wyoming Public Health Laboratory – 64.00, Wyrulec – 423.57. Payroll – 41,964.03, Taxes & Benefits – 12,118.13. Total Vouchers – $217,031.38.
Camp Guernsey Back Brief: Christa Bartel introduced Colonel Teoesh. Colonel Teoesh thanked Kellie Augustyn, Shawna Reichert (Platte County Chamber of Commerce), Shane Whitworth, Kelley’s Bar, Bomgaars in Torrington, and others for their assistance with the north range fire, which is now being called Camp Guernsey Baldy Mountain Fire. Containment has fluctuated but the fire is expected to be out soon.
Natashia Lambert: Open Container – August 13th: CM Augustyn moved to approve the open container permit for Natashia Lambert, seconded by CM Harris. The vote was taken and the motion carried with 5 ayes.
Public Comment: Penny Wells addressed the ongoing problems of weeds, and the fire hazard of the tree on the Davy property. Wells suggested cleaning it up and putting a lien on the property. Wells said we should not be issuing parking permits for campers on the street when there is not an ordinance. CM Delgado agreed that ordinances need to be followed. Wells expressed her disappointment with the town in reference to hiring and firing practices, financial risk, and humiliation. She would like the Mayor and CM Augustyn to resign.
Cheryl Hoff wanted to address the problem of a camper on the street as a safety hazard, as it is sticking out too far and people cannot see around it.
Lori Ibarra discussed the showers in bathrooms at swimming pool. There have been complaints and the showers in both the women’s and men’s bathrooms need to be repaired. Ibarra requested that when the extra unused money from the pool contract is returned each year, that it be used for repairs and maintained in the off-season. CM Delgado agreed that would be a good idea and if our employees do not have time for repairs, that a company be called to take care of it.
Jeanette Hart discussed safety concerns with parking on River Road. She suggested blocking the residential side so people cannot park there. CM Augustyn said we need to make sure we are following ordinances before painting part of it to block the parking. CM Delgado agreed that there should be parking on one side of the street.
Sarah Mosley said she still feels a sense of community here. She feels listened to no matter where she meets people. She suggested we look at creating a river access for floating on the other side of the river to address the parking issue. Mayor Paustian said we would need to talk to the state or guard to figure that out. Mosley also reminded people that Kelley’s Bar does a lot for the community as a place that people have been able to drop off things to support the fire efforts or raise money for people who have cancer. She requests that people come together as a community and not judge.
Dave Stenson is still looking for help with osprey platforms. His request is to start with building one platform and if it works well, to eventually build 7. Mayor Paustian said he can have the unused poles from the rodeo grounds if he can get help putting them in the ground. CM Harris mentioned that we need to check on insurance liability for the city.
Shawna Reichert said the lodging tax board promotes floating the river, because they see that it is bringing a lot of money to Guernsey. She stated that it is a huge asset to Guernsey and has grown significantly. On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, Reichert thanked the mayor and council for their support and for always doing what is requested. She appreciates the relationship and always being able to depend on them. Reichert also mentioned there is an opening for a chamber board member to represent Guernsey. She shared that the Chamber of Commerce’s new website has towns and itineraries so people can look up a town and how long they will be there and see suggested activities. CM Augustyn thanked Reichert for her help with the fire.
Stacia Cook said that they love this community. Before moving to the town they were part of the community, floating the river and going to the lake. This community comes together, and they have seen that from a lot of different aspects. She asks that everyone set judgement aside and start pulling together as a community. She stated that the beach at the river came together from an entire group of people and is probably one of the best things that has ever happened in this town. She sees people from out of town ask questions about the activity and return to float the river. As an alternative to painting the road, Cook suggested that during busy times, the city can bring out blockades to control the parking on the street. She thanked the community for putting together the beach in memory of her granddaughter and reminded people that Hub City, the town council, and many other people, do a lot for this community.
Department Reports: Joe Michaels said approvals have been done, sale of portion of Laramie River Station should be complete by next council meeting.
J. Sterner said we need to decide what to do with the ARP money. The first round of ARP funds was higher than expected at $97,472.34. L. Bryant added that we will have to look at what we want to do and what we are able to use the money for.
Mayor and Council Report: CM Augustyn stated that he will not resign and requested concrete examples of the accusations against him. He stated that the town has been careful to stay within their guidelines. He thanked Shane Whitworth and Shawna Reichert for spearheading the fire efforts.
CM Harris discussed the problem of weeds in yards throughout town. He said we need to get that taken care of.
Mayor Paustian thanks the community for coming together to support people who need it. He also mentioned appreciation for Hub City as an organization that contributes greatly to the community. Mayor Paustian said that the parking problem by the river will be addressed, but that the community has benefited greatly from the beach access. He discussed cleanup of the Davy property and suggestions were given to have the town clean it up and place a lien on it, or to contract the work out.
Announcements:
Gordon Creek Band – Concert in the Park – July 22 @ 6 pm, Food Pantry will not be open ¬¬– July 23rd, Mobile Food Pantry @ Town Hall Parking Lot – July 24 @ 1 pm to 3 pm, Toy Story 4 – Movie in the Park – July 30 @ Dusk, Town Council Meeting – August 3 @ 6 pm, Guernsey Volunteer Fire Department – August 4 @ 6 pm, Mark Delap – Concert in the Park – Cancelled
Executive Session: CM Kelley moved to go into executive session. seconded by CM Harris. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 5 ayes. Public meeting took a break at 7:20 pm for executive session.
Regular Meeting Resumed: CM Kelley moved to resume regular session at 7:53 pm, seconded by CM Delgado. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 5 ayes. No decisions were made, no further discussion was needed.
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 7:54 pm, seconded by CM Augustyn. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 5 ayes.
Attest:
Nicholas Paustian, Mayor
Jasmine Sterner, Clerk/Treasurer
Public Notice No. 1933 published in the Guernsey Gazette on July 27, 2021.
