June 2, 2020
Town of Guernsey
Regular Meeting Minutes
Platte County, Wyoming
Present: Mayor Paustian, CM Kelley, CM Whitworth, CM Harris, CM Augustyn
Staff: L Bryant, M Allred, M Montgomery, D Griffith, W Conner, Chief D McGuire, J Thomas
Guests: Shawna Reichart, Kate Farmer, Joe Michaels, Christa Bartel, Christopher Martinez, Lori Ibarra, Russ Dahlgren
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 Kelley moved to approve the agenda as written, seconded by CM Augustyn. A vote was taken with 4 ayes, CM Harris opposed.
Minutes: CM Harris moved to approve the regular minutes for May 19, 2020, seconded by CM Kelley. A vote was taken, and the motion carried with 5 ayes.
Consideration of Claims: Mayor Paustian presented the vouchers for approval. A motion was made by CM Augustyn to approve the Consideration of Claims. This was seconded by CM Kelley. Vote taken and motion carried with 5 ayes. A & M Electric - $297.28. All-American Sports Material - $1088.54. Allred, Matt - $63.59. Baker & Assocs, Inc – $1232.50. Bluffs Facility Solutions, Inc - $71.96. CenturyLink - $1138.49. CNA Surety - $875.00. Crystal Ice Company - $300.00. Dahlgren Consulting, Inc - $732.20. Dana J Lent Law Office - $1177.75. Disruptive MedTech, LLC - $ 172.50. Energy Laboratories, Inc - $100.00. First State Bank - $23.88. Fisher Roofing & Restoration - $23,319.00. Gene Davis Distributing - $225.00. Guernsey Super Foods - $37.26. Howshar Hardware & Appliance - $378.44. Jirdon-Agri Chemicals - $908.80. L L Johnson Distributing - $340.54. Mobius Communications - $40.00. Municipal Emergency Services - $85.20. Northern Tool & Equip - $233.99. Northwest Pipe Fittings, Inc - $270.20. O’Reilly Automotive, Inc - $38.64. Rocky Mountain Sand & Gravel, LLC - $20,284.00. Rose Brothers - $81.43. TDS - $16,085.36. Torrington Beverage, Inc - $172.30. United States Postal Service - $418.41. Van Diest Supply, Co - $5708.00. W S Darley & Co - $3237.90. Wheatland Automotive - $278.69. Windbreak Cable - $54.94. Woods, John - $112.74.
Reappointment of Kate Farmer as Clerk Treasurer for Town of Guernsey: Mayor Paustian discussed that interviews for Town of Guernsey Clerk/Treasurer had been conducted by Steve Shockley, Sandy Kontour, and Malcolm Ervin, all officials of Platte County. He stated he had asked questions of the candidates but left the voting decision entirely to the above-mentioned county officials and that their vote was unanimous for Kate Farmer as the best person for the job. Kate Farmer was asked to give a statement regarding her absence and subsequent return. She reiterated her commitment to the Town of Guernsey and its residents as well as her desire to continue to improve the community. The mayor asked for a motion to reappointment Ms. Farmer, which was made by CM Augustyn and seconded by CM Kelley. The motion carried with 4 ayes; CM Harris opposed.
Fiscal Year 2021 Budget – First Reading: Ordinance 2020-004 was presented for a first reading. CM Augustyn made a motion to approve the budget at first reading and this was seconded by CM Kelley. Next reading will be June 16 with a final reading June 30 at a special meeting to close out fiscal year 2020 and final approval of the fiscal year 2021 budget.
Completion, Final Payout, and Release of Retainage for Trail Ruts Golf Course Well Project: Consulting engineer, Russ Dahlgren, was on hand to confirm satisfactory completion of the project and final payout to Rocky Mountain Sand & Gravel as the contract had been satisfied.
Friends of Guernsey Lodge Fireworks Concession: Christopher Martinez from the Guernsey Lodge was present and stated that they will be operating between June 20 and July 4, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fire Chief Jeff Thomas said that he had signed off this concession. On June 16, the council will decide on what dates/hours fireworks will be allowed over 4th of July.
Rest Area Closure: Mayor Paustian spoke about the possible closure of the rest area east of Guernsey. He said he had received a call from Casper that this area would be closed in the coming months and for reasons other than COVID. He went on to state that he had spoken to another WYDOT official who said he did not know anything about a possible closure. The mayor did state that this could help our local businesses, though it would increase the burden of ongoing sanitation secondary to COVID.
Financial Audit Proposal: Anton, Collins & Mitchell has submitted a proposal for both an audit and an Agreed Upon Procedure (AUP) to examine the police financial records. The cost of the audit would be $13,900.00 and the AUP would cost $4125.00. Kate Farmer suggested to the council that a budget amendment could be made with cuts to the budget elsewhere to cover this cost. A motion was made to approve by CM Harris and seconded by CM Whitworth. This was carried with 5 ayes.
Late Fees Waiver for June 2020: Mayor discussed that much of our community is still displaced from work and suffering financially. He called for a motion to approve waiver of late fees for June 2020. The motion was made by CM Augustyn and seconded by CM Whitworth. Motion carried with 5 ayes.
TAP Site Notice to Proceed: Matt Allred told those present that we have received an approval notice to proceed from WYDOT for the connector path. Baker & Assocs will publish in the paper preconstruction on June 23 and bids will be opened on July 1.
Public Comments: Joe Michaels addressed the assembly regarding dogs at large in town parks and what should be done. Chief McGuire asked Mr. Michaels to call dispatch if dogs are loose and/or menacing people, and Chief McGuire would be happy to pick up the dog in question and write a citation.
Movies in the Park was discussed by Lori Ibarra from Tri-City Parks & Rec. Due to COVID, social distancing will be required. Ms. Farmer suggested a pop-up drive in could be set up at the old rodeo grounds with short-distance FM broadcasting.
Opening of the pool was discussed. Tentative opening had been set for June 10th, but that has been moved back to June 17th, if possible.
Mike Montgomery gave the Public Works report. He stated that high winds had caused some electric cutouts and blown out the hot leg of a streetlight that caused issues. He stated water samples have been good. There is still not routine jetting of the sewers yet. Streets are a work-in-progress as potholes are being addressed. The mayor of Hartville had complained about mosquitos. Mike said that monitoring has not revealed larvae and so we have not begun spraying. Curb painting will begin soon. CM Augustyn inquired about more seasonal help and Mike stated he would like to hire two more people. Mike stated that the brush pile and grass roll off are hit and miss, but the roll off is being compacted daily. The mayor mentioned that having a camera watching the roll off has helped prevent dumping of other materials. Possible solutions to make using the roll off easier to access were discussed. Mike said that bids are going out for tank rehab shortly for future water storage.
Jeff Thomas gave the fire department report. He stated that the new firetruck emblems were complete. He is working on a tank for wildfire season. The mayor asked him to check the oil area at the hall as it is a mess and Jeff stated he would check on it.
Matt Allred gave the building inspector report. Bill Brewer has been working with Matt on a water pipeline project. Bill has been very helpful. Application for Cimarron Heights west of town will be going out in July. Airport gate is new and cards for hanger renters.
Judge Conner gave the court report. There have been 44 cases current, 14 carry overs, 30 new, and 32 pending at the end of May. There was $1251.00 in fines & forfeitures. He has two cases that are more than 120 days out due to COVID. He has sourced free PPE for use in municipal courts. They are out but will ship for free when available and he hopes to begin trials again soon.
Diana Griffith reported that the visitor center is now open and running. She reviewed their COVID measures and cleaning procedures. She said that Troy Reichert had built a plexiglass barrier for the center. She said there have been more visitors than anticipated. She thanked Public Works for removal of a tree. She has planted her annual flowers.
Kate Farmer discussed movies in the park and that attendees would need the bathrooms in the park, which are currently not open due to sanitization issues. Diana suggested that they only be open for an event and to let people use the bathroom at the visitor center instead as they are already sanitizing appropriately.
Chief Dwight McGuire gave the police department report. He said 99 citations had been written for the month, more than 60 in the last week due to summer traffic. He spoke about the protest in Casper scheduled for June 3 and expected to move south through Douglas and Wheatland. Former mayor Ed Delgado stated there is a helmet law for people under 16 and he is seeing violations. Chief McGuire will address and cite.
Mayor and Council Reports: CM Augustyn discussed Bruce’s Beach project and the Martin Marietta donation of rock to build a retaining wall. He would like Fast Stop to be contacted about the weed patch out front that needs to be cleaned up. CM Whitworth had nothing to report, but took Lynne Bryant, Deputy Clerk, to task about not contacting him about filing his paperwork for reelection. Ed Delgado took the floor to inform CM Whitworth that this is his responsibility, not that of the deputy clerk, and that when he has run for office in Guernsey, it has been incumbent upon him to know when to file and to complete the necessary paperwork. CM Whitworth stated that he was not impressed by Ms. Bryant’s job performance and CM Harris seconded this opinion. Town attorney, Dana Lent, interrupted this discussion to remind council that matters of personnel are not for public hearings and to curtail any further discussion unless it was in executive session.
Public Discussion: There was discussion about the possible opening of the pool and Movies in the Park. Both activities are pending further variance regarding COVID precautions, e.g. social distancing, restroom disinfection, etc.
Announcements: There were none.
Adjournment: With no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Paustian called for a motion to adjourn at 7:35. The motion was made by CM Augustyn and seconded by CM Kelley. Vote taken and motion carried with 5 ayes.
Attest:
Nicholas Paustian, Mayor
Lynne Bryant, Clerk/Treasurer(pro-tem)
Public Notice No. 1863 published in the Guernsey Gazette, June 17, 2020.
