August 3, 2021
Town of Guernsey
Regular Meeting
Platte County, Wyoming
Present: CM Delgado, CM Kelley, CM Augustyn, CM Harris
Excused: Mayor Paustian
Staff: J. Sterner, L. Bryant, M. Fronapfel, J. Thomas, M. Allred
Guests: Rose Martinez, Pat Russell, Elizabeth Pallow, Jim Pallow, Christopher Martinez, Terri VanDam, Ada Pulos, Shawna Reichert, Lori Ibarra, Brad Cook, Stacia Cook, Joe Michaels, Penny Wells, Bev Spungin
Via Zoom: Shenna Thomas, Melissa Howe, Cassie Hurley, Sarah Seyfang, Shane Clevenger, one person who chose not to identify themselves by name
Pro Tem Mayor Augustyn 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 Harris. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 4 ayes.
Minutes: CM Kelley moved to approve the regular minutes for July 20, 2021 as written, seconded by CM Delgado. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 4 ayes.
Consideration of Claims: Pro Tem Mayor Augustyn presented the vouchers for approval. CM Delgado moved to approve the Considerations of Claims for $172,963.14, seconded by CM Harris. CM Delgado added further discussion on approving a bill for $3000 and following procedure for approval through the council. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 4 ayes. Vouchers follow in their entirety: Biolynceus – 2260.20, Black Hills Energy – 1213.87, Bob Givens – 600.00, Bob Ruwart Motors – 532.84, Border States Industries – 730.18, Eric or Renee Butler – 75.00, Capital Business Systems – 160.88, CenturyLink – 1213.35, Charlie’s Repair – 1174.00, Marshal Corwin – 10.62, Frank Jones, Attorney – 1489.85, Guernsey Super Foods – 207.04, Howshar Hardware – 979.20, Intermountain Sweeper – 394.00, J P Cooke – 65.65, John Deere Financial – 21,068.06, Masek Golf Car Company – 22.46, Northern Tool & Equip – 799.99, Offe & Son Contracting – 1915.00, Pitney Bowes Global – 231.12, Rose Brothers Inc – 483.90, Roy’s Tree Service – 3000.00, Soapy Suds – 40.00, Spic and Span Cleaners – 445.00, Staples Credit Plan – 64.98, Stotz Equipment – 7700.00, TDS Collection Services – 13,286.65, Torrington Beverage – 302.95, Tri-City Parks & Rec – 20,026.66, United States Postal Service – 167.53, Van Diest Supply – 7865.00, W S Darley & Co – 456.09, WAM – 1474.91, Wyoming Retirement System – 300.00. Payroll – 39,656.90, Taxes & Benefits – 42,500.19. Total Vouchers – $172,963.14.
Camp Guernsey Back Brief: N/A
Crazy Tony’s: Open Container – August 7th: CM Harris moved to approve the open container permit for Crazy Tony’s, seconded by CM Kelley. The vote was taken and the motion carried with 4 ayes.
Public Comment: Pat Russell thanked the council for taking care of the trees that were causing a safety hazard. She also thanked the council for supporting the pantry and for the Town’s donation towards it. She thanked the Town of Guernsey and the Town Wheatland for working so hard on the electricity while it was down.
Rose Martinez presented her concerns for Floyd’s Floats having profited from improvements to the city. She believes it is a conflict of interest. She asked when the mayor and council have visited the buildings, parks, community events, and requested that they to be more available to people. She stated concerns that the work on weeds and around town is not getting completed. She stated concerns about employee turnover, and asked J. Sterner about her resignation. Sterner assured that her resignation is not in any way due to a negative experience with the town.
Penny Wells asked if the mayor and council have attended any of the conferences and trainings for Wyoming municipalities. She asked that the council pay attention to trainings on personnel issues, ethics, and open meeting procedures. She requested that they attend HR trainings. Wells expressed her disappointment with the town in reference to hiring and firing practices, financial risk, and humiliation.
Joe Michaels thanked the Town of Guernsey and the Town of Wheatland for their work in restoring the electricity. He expressed concerns that this problem has been an ongoing issue. He also expressed concerns for water pipes. Michaels said that the town is being reactive instead of proactive.
Lori Ibarra thanked the council for the $8000 donation to Tri-City Parks and Recreation. She stated that 2 of 7 showerheads were replaced, the boiler was replaced, and the pump was fixed. She explained that with the power outages they needed to close the pool to stabilize chemicals. Ibarra suggested that Gordon Davis Park be maintained by the town to keep it looking nice.
Shawna Reichert said the chamber saw over 800 people in attendance at the rodeo and the pancake feed served 450 people. The Chamber Golf Tournament will be September 18th and will raise money for scholarships. On behalf of the school board, Reichert thanked the council for support for the school, and for their work in the past to provide meals when needed. She mentioned that CM Augustyn helps put together school supply donations and it is appreciated. She thanked the council for doing work that brings more tourists to the town because it benefits the economy and people are wanting to move here. Reichert mentioned that the beaches were put in by volunteers and donations, not the city. She reminded people that Floyd’s Floats provided a service to the community.
Stacia Cook reminded people of the Thanksgiving dinner that the council, including CM Augustyn, Mayor Paustian, and former CM Whitworth, donated towards and helped put together for students and their families. She reminded people that Madison beach was done fully by donation and the efforts of volunteers which included Mayor Paustian and CM Augustyn, none of that was city involvement. Cook expressed her disappointment at people’s efforts to shut down good things in the community. She said the money for tube rentals does not create any profit after the amount of time Sarah spent on the phone and patching tubes. If we stop one person, then it needs to apply to everyone, all the pop-up shops, small in-home businesses, and should even have applied to people that profited from the eclipse. Cook reminded everyone that people love what this town has to offer, they can’t wait to come here and be involved in the community.
Department Reports: J. Thomas gave his report for the fire department. They had joint training with Hartville, Guernsey Rural, and Camp Guernsey last month. There will be another joint training this month. Next month will be fire training in Wheatland, and Camp Guernsey will cover while they are there. One truck is still waiting on a fuel pump. The response has been good. Annual Casino Night is August 21st from 6:00-10:00, auction begins at 9:00 upstairs at the VFW.
Chief Smith gave an update on citations issued for weeds. They are trying to collaborate with youth challenge to pull weeds for elderly community.
J. Michaels said WMPA has completed the sale and is now a member of Basin Electric. They believe the rates will be stabilized for the next 8-10 yrs.
L. Bryant spoke about American Rescue Plan money. She spoke with Pat Russell and M. Allred about a generator for the food pantry and the entire town building. ARP money could be used for this because it is food safety, provides a service to the community, and keeps the town operating and filling service orders. Bryant asked that she be able to attend WAMCAT training in the fall, and that she and M. Allred would like to attend training to get certified in grant writing. The town will need someone with an LPA certification, which is required to draw down grants, so she would like to become certified in this as well.
Judge Conner included his report in the council books.
Mayor and Council Report: CM Harris thanked the town for getting the electricity back up this past week. CM Delgado also thanked the town crew for their work on the electricity, for taking care of weeds, and painting curbs.
CM Augustyn thanked the town crew for their work on electricity and other tasks.
Announcements: Guernsey Volunteer Fire Department – August 4 @ 6 pm, Mark Delap – Concert in the Park – Cancelled, Tom & Jerry – Movie in the Park – August 13 @ Dusk, Town Council Meeting – August 17 @ 6 pm
Adjournment: With no further business to come before the Council, Pro Tem Mayor Augustyn called for a motion to adjourn. CM Harris moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 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. 1945 published in the Guernsey Gazette on September 14, 2021.
