August 23, 2022
Town of Guernsey
Regular Meeting
Platte County, Wyoming
PRESENT: Mayor Paustian, CM Augustyn, CM Delgado, CM Harris, CM Kelley.
STAFF: Chief David Smith, Chuck Porter, Lester Ballard, Mike Fronapfel, Pam Hebbert. REGISTERING GUESTS: Shawna Reichert, Penny wells, Rose Martinez, Vicki Hood, Joe Michaels, Andy Fletcher, Sean DeLaurentis, Troy Reichert.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Paustian called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
AGENDA: CM Augustyn moved to approve the agenda after deleting the agenda item approving the special liquor permit for Double D Liquor, as it was noted that a permit was not needed. CM Delgado seconded. The motion carried.
MINUTES: CM Harris moved to approve the minutes for the Regular Meeting on August 2,
2022, and the Special Meeting on August 10, 2022. CM Kelley seconded. The motion carried.
CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS: Mayor Paustian presented the vouchers for approval. CM Augustyn moved to approve the Considerations of Claims in the amount of $272,872.65, seconded by CM Harris. The motion carried. Vouchers follow in their entirety: Absolute Solutions, $15.60; Biolynceus, LLC, $4,356.83; Bomgaars, $409.93; Border States, $4,543.11 ;
Brad Cook Construction, $5,000.00; Bullock, Stephanie, $100.27; Capital Business Systems, $150.58; Caselle, $618.00; Charlie's Repair, $255.94; Contractors Materials, $12.00; cps
Distributors, $762.57; Crystal Ice Company, $406.25; Guernsey Gazette, $1,274.00; Hawkins, $3, 130.46; High Altitude Plumbing, $1,500.00; Howshar Hardware, $572.62; Jaramillo, Aneda,
$72.41; Northwest Pipe Fittings, $1,699.41; One-Call of Wyoming, $9.00; Pitney Bowes, $231.12; Poland, Amber, $121.61 ; Pryor Creek Bait, $66.00; R & R Products, $ 153.60; Reserve
Account/Pitney Bowes, $300.00; Rush, Estate of Richard & Edith, $32.75; Sam's Club
MC/SYNCB, $1,339.94; Staples Credit Plan, $158.34; stotz Equipment, $138.46;
SYNCB/AMAZON, $146.43; TDS Collection Services, $21,492.99; T01Tington Beverage,
$713.40; Verizon Wireless, $240.88; Vistabeam, $491.50; Westco, $2,692.78; Wheatland REA, $38.89; Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy, $1 ,496.00; Wyoming Municipal Power Agency, $124,376.38; Wyoming Retirement System, $262.50; WYOPOTS, $434.52; Wyrulec, $540.67. Total Invoices, $180,357.74. Payroll, $42,726.51. Taxes/Benefits Payable, $49,788.40. TOTAL CLAIMS: $272,872.65.
COMMUNITY/ORGANIZATION REPORTS: Christa Bartel informed the council of camp Guernsey's Native American Lifeways event on September 13 from 1-3 pm. Shawna Reichert reported that the Memorandum of Understanding between the Chamber of Commerce and Lodging Tax Board has been passed. She also reported that the Octoberfest has been turned over to Platte County Main Street and that the Chamber is looking for training opportunities to provide for businesses. In addition, the Chamber is looking for a part-time visitor specialist DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Lester Ballard reported his team has been pushing hard all season and may be able to back off some going into the fall. Mike Fronapfel reported that most of the new Itron system has been received and he is hoping to use it next month for utility readings. Chuck Porter outlined his activity since the last council meeting. Joe Michaels reported that he expects wholesale prices will increase in a year due to the Inflation Reduction Act tax on strip-mine coal. Pam Hebbert reported the fiscal year 2021 financial review is nearing completion with a September 20 target date for presentation to the council by the accountant.
DOG PARK FENCE BID APPROVAL: CM Delgado motioned to award the contract for the Dog Park Fence construction to Brad Cook for the amount of $8,430.00. CM Harris seconded.
The motion carried.
JOHN BUNNING TRANSFER LEASE RENEWAL: Andy Fletcher spoke on behalf of John Bunning Transfer's interests. CM Kelley motioned to renew the lease with terms as discussed. CM Augustyn seconded. CM Delgado requested the vote wait until a copy of the revised lease is available for the council to review. The motion was withdrawn. CM Harris motioned that the lease renewal be tabled until the new contract is drawn up and can be reviewed. CM Augustyn sesconded. The motion carried.
RAIL SPUR EXTENSION DISCUSSION: The council scheduled a workshop to discuss the Rail Spur Extension on August 30, 2022, at 6:00 pm.
SANITATION RATES/FUEL SURCHARGE: The council engaged in a discussion about the significant increase in fuel surcharge paid monthly to TDS, the Town's sanitation service provider, due to high gas prices. Section 3 of Ordinance 2021-002 allows for a fuel surcharge to be added to resident's monthly statement as a percentage of the base. CM Augustyn motioned to enact a 12.6% fuel surcharge effective with the next billing, and that the council will review the fuel surcharge every three months. CM Delgado seconded. The motion carried.
HOUSING PROJECT PROPOSAL: Chuck Porter presented a housing shortage alleviation project in which the Town could apply for funds to purchase abandoned houses for the purpose of rehabilitation and resale. CM Augustyn motioned that Chuck Porter look further into the funding for the project. CM Harris seconded. The motion carried.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORT: CM Augustyn thanked Brad Cook for his work to move the cemetery entrance project forward. Mayor Paustian stated he has let public comments get out of hand. He requested public comments be limited to two minutes and that questions for the council be submitted in writing the Thursday prior to the meeting. CM Augustyn motioned that the two points of order be passed starting with the current meeting. CM Delgado seconded. The motion carried 4-1 with CM Harris dissenting.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Rose Martinez questioned Town action regarding golf car use on public streets. Mayor Paustian indicated the matter would be addressed at the next council meeting. Penny Wells inquired about action in relation to nuisance properties. Mike Beard reported the start of the school year and provided dates and calendar resources for upcoming activity. Troy Reichert informed the council that funding has been received for the bridge project and his students will be starting work on it. Craig Frederick reminded the council of upcoming Duck Daze activity. He also thanked the golf course and pro shop crews for their work leading up to and during this year's Frederick Tournament.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, CM Augustyn motioned that the meeting be adjourned, seconded by CM Harris. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.
Attest:
Nicholas Paustian, Mayor
Pam Hebbert, Clerk/Treasurer
Public Notice No. 1999 published in the Guernsey Gazette on September 13, 2022.
