June 7, 2022
Town of Guernsey
Regular Meeting
Platte County, Wyoming
Present: Mayor Paustian, CM Harris, CM Kelley, CM Augustyn. Absent: CM Delgado.
Staff: Judge W. Conner, M. Fronapfel, L. Ballard, Chief Smith, D. Griffith, Chief Thomas, P. Hebbert.
Registered Guests: R. Martinez, P. Wells, L. Ibarra, B. Conner, S. Morales, S. Reichert.
Call to Order: Mayor Paustian called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. He welcomed and thanked the assembly for attending. All joined in the Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda: CM Harris moved to approve the agenda as written. CM Kelley seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
Minutes: CM Augustyn moved to approve the minutes for May 17, 2022. CM Kelley seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
Consideration of Claims: Mayor Paustian presented the vouchers for approval. CM Augustyn moved to approve the Considerations of Claims in the amount of $167,832.48 seconded by CM Kelley. The motion carried 4-0. Vouchers follow in their entirety: A&M Electric, $162.00; Able Equipment, $1,236.80; Black Hills Energy, $876.45; Bob Ruwart Motors, $71.00; Bomgaars, $61.48; Capital Business Systems, $311.46; Century Lumber, $138.21; CenturyLink, $1,176.54; Charlie’s Repair, $888.25; David Cole, $950.00; Ryan Collar, $650.96; Shawn Conner, $750.00; CPS Distributors, $696.75; Crystal Ice Company, $250.00; Laurie DeGroen, $700.00; Drube Supply, $99.98; Fat Boys Tire & Auto, $1,473.53; Flock’s Glass, $275.00; Michael Fronapfel, $160.63; Diana Griffith, $74.93; Guernsey Gazette, $1,237.00; Guernsey Super Foods, $552.43; Hawkins, Inc., $4,591.92; Pam Hebbert, $253.59; Douglas Horton, $122.80; Howshar Hardware, $773.06; KERM-FM, $175.00; Larson Park Petty Cash, $13.81; Local Government Liability Pool, $500.00; National Fire Fighter Wildland, $3,292.30; National Judges Association, $100.00; Nebraska Printworks, $189.95; Alan Olsen, $150.00; One-Call of Wyoming, $11.25; O’Reilly Automotive, $103.99; Pryor Creek Bait Company, $66.00; R&R Products, $15.16; Pitney Bowes Reserve Account, $150.00; Safeguard Business Systems, $384.77; Sarah Mosley, $690.00; Stotz Equipment, $55.00; TDS Collection Services, $15,737.45; Team Laboratory Chemical, $2,038.00; Torrington Beverage, $592.00; Tri-City Parks & Recreation, $20,026.68; United States Postal Service, $193.37; Van Diest Supply, $8,476.00; WS Darley, $895.57; WEX Bank, $4,296.69; Wheatland REA, $38.76; Wyoming Retirement System, $225.00; Wyoming Water Association, $350.00; Wyrulec, $553.44. Total Invoices, $77,854.96. Payroll, $36,300.94. Taxes/Benefits Payable, $53,676.58. TOTAL CLAIMS: $167,832.48.
Community/Organization Reports: S. Reichert reported on activities for the Chamber and the Lodging and Tax Board.
Department Reports: Judge W. Conner provided the May summary report for the Municipal Court. Prohibitive travel costs prevented him from attending the national conference. L. Ballard reported his department is busy preparing the course for tournament play. He thanked D. Berg for the volunteer assistance and advice he provides on a weekly basis. Police Chief Smith reported that Officer Mangan is doing well at academy. The department’s evidence computer crashed and will need to be replaced. A discussion followed about the considerations for hiring local mowing service providers to attend to yard and weed issues. A concern was raised about Canadian thistle growing on the north side of town. CM Augustyn will make contact with the property owner. J. Michaels reported WMPA rates are expected to remain steady compared to last year. Drought conditions continue for the Colorado River. M. Fronapfel reported that he and CM Augustyn attended the Platte County Commissioners’ meeting to discuss River Road. The county is willing to assist with grading activity until a long-term solution can be determined. David Cole was recently hired to grade the Town’s portion of the road. Fire Chief Thomas reported the June 3-5 fire school sponsored by the department went well. All of the food was donated by community vendors and organizations. L. Ibarra reported the pool is open. Rates are the same but hours have been adjusted some. She provided information to the council about recent graffiti activity. D. Griffith reported Visitor Center visitation and sales are good. She expressed concern for the stucco on the building. She thanked M. Fronapfel and the Public Works department for their attention to the Center needs.
Ordinance 2022-001 -- Fiscal Year 2023 Budget/1st Reading: CM Augustyn motioned to accept the first reading of Ordinance 2022-001, the Budget for Fiscal Year 2023. CM Kelley seconded. The motion carried 3-1 with CM Harris dissenting. The Council will be holding budget workshops soon. The public will be notified.
Vistabeam: Vistabeam would like to participate in a workshop with the Council to discuss the Memorandum of Understanding to provide broadband fiber for the community. Available dates will be determined and a workshop scheduled.
Website Host Options: S. Conner provided his findings to the Council concerning the Town’s current website host issues. He outlined cost options for a more streamlined approach. CM Augustyn motioned that the Town transfer its website host to GoDaddy and contract with S. Conner to build a new site. CM Harris seconded. The motion carried 4-0. S. Conner requested input from community attendees regarding website function options.
Fireworks Display/Liability Insurance: Only a few donations were received to support the increased insurance cost for a fireworks display. Mayor Paustian recommended foregoing the display this year. CM Augustyn motioned to cancel the fireworks display for this year. CM Kelley seconded. The motion carried 4-0. A notice will be posted informing the public that donations received by the fire department for fireworks purchase will be retained for purchases next year should a display be held.
Firework Sale/Detonation Dates: The Guernsey Masonic Lodge requested to sell fireworks for the July 4th, 2022 holiday. CM Augustyn motioned that the Council approve the sale of fireworks from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm on June 27-30; and 10:00 am to midnight, July 1-4. CM Kelley seconded. The motion carried 3-0, CM Harris abstained. CM Augustyn motioned that firework discharge dates be set from 10:00 am to midnight, July 1-4th. CM Kelley seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
Public Comment: F. Adams requested a barrier be established to allow set-up space for Hub City’s July 4th water slide this year. P. Wells inquired about the process to submit concerns about potholes. It was determined a complaint form at Town Hall would be best. B. Conner expressed his concern about the dump site for grass clippings. Options to allow for easier and safer access were discussed. The town will assess. He also thanked L. Ibarra for her work opening the pool and expressed appreciation for golf and swimming access available to seniors through the Agnes program. R. Martinez outlined the sign-up process at the Senior Center. T. Reichert thanked the community for supporting travel costs for the Skills USA students attending the national conference in Atlanta this summer. He also reported the funds were delayed for the golf course bridge project but it is still on track for the fall.
Mayor and Council Report: CM Harris complimented the Public Works department for how nice the parks and cemetery looked over the Memorial Day holiday. CM Kelley echoed the comment. CM Augustyn inquired if any fireworks bans were currently in place. Chief Thomas reported none. CM Augustyn also requested confirmation of fireworks discharge boundaries: south of Marble; north and east of the river; and west of Camp Guernsey. In addition, no fireworks can be discharged in parks or at the golf course. Mayor Paustian expressed appreciation to T. Reichert for the successful programs he has developed and for his work on the cemetery entrance. L. Ibarra reported that the summer movie/concert series started June 3rd and that the Food Pantry needs delivery help on Fridays.
Adjournment: With no further business, CM Augustyn motioned that the meeting be adjourned, seconded by CM Kelley. The motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:22 pm.
Attest:
Nicholas Paustian, Mayor
Pam Hebbert, Clerk/Treasurer
Public Notice No. 1983 published in the Guernsey Gazette on June 21, 2022.
