Public Notice No. 5361

Posted

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TOWN OF LUSK
DECEMBER 3, 2019
The Town Council of the Town of Lusk met in regular session at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall on Tuesday December 3, 2019.
Council Members Present:     Mayor Doug Lytle, Council Members Rebecca Blackburn, Calvin Carstensen, Tom Dooper, and Dean Nelson    
Also Present:            Linda Frye, Clerk/Treasurer
                Cassandra Matney, Deputy Clerk
                Todd Skrukrud, Director of Public Works
                Dennis Meier, Town Attorney
                Dr. Richard Jones, DDS
                Judy Jones
MAYOR LYTLE called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM.
Todd Skrukrud led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Member Blackburn moved, second by Council Member Carstensen to move into Executive Session for a possible property lease discussion at 4:03 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
The Council reconvened into regular session at 4:47 p.m. and recessed until 5:00 p.m.
Council Members Present:     Mayor Doug Lytle, Council Members Rebecca Blackburn, Calvin Carstensen, Tom Dooper, and Dean Nelson
Also Present:            Linda Frye, Clerk/Treasurer
                Cassandra Matney, Deputy Clerk
                Todd Skrukrud, Director of Public Works
                Dennis Meier, Town Attorney
                Bo Krein, Chief of Police
                Royce Thompson, Electric Supervisor/Airport Manager
                Cory Wilcox, Mechanic/EMS Director
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, to approve the agenda as printed, second by COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON. MOTION CARRIED.
VOUCHERS FOR PAYMENT
ALSCO/American Linen            Mat Rental                $150.84
AVI PC Engineering                Mapping Expense            $4,868.10
BankCard Center                Training/Office Support/Supplies/
                        Uniforms Repairs/New Equipment/
                        Dues & Fees/Misc.            $1,881.72
Bellwood Tree Service            Cemetery Tree Removal        $3,450.00
Blue Line Custom Vinyls            Police Dept. Radio Repairs        $700.00
Brott, Nolan                    Uniform Deposit Refund        $100.00
Business Solutions                Tax Forms                $135.94
Brown, Carla                    Streets Uniform Reimbursement    $111.09
Caselle Inc.                    Office Support Software        $1,100.00
Century Link                    Phone Bill; Long Distance        $25.95
Chadron Glass & Windows, Inc.        Club House Maintenance        $800.00
C & H Tire & Trailer Repair LLC        Sanitation Equipment Repair        $20.00
Coffman, Tug                    Uniform Deposit Refund        $50.00
D.C. Drilling                    Water Maintenance & Repairs    $53,513.91
Davis, Julia & Rick                Customer Deposit Refund        $26.13
Doyle J. Davies                Municipal Judge            $1,000.00
Decker’s Food Center                Supplies                $33.53
Delta Dental Plan                Employee Paid Insurance        $582.25
Energy Laboratories Inc.            Landfill Well Monitoring        $5,867.00
Floyd’s Truck Center                Equipment Repair            $1,245.45
Great American Financial            Copier Lease                $440.69

Great West Trust Co                 WRS 457 Plan Deferred        $200.00
H & H Electric                 Water Maintenance & Repairs    $5,994.13
Hamilton Assoc. Inc.                Electric Meters & Equipment        $206.25
Frank Parts Company                Parts/Repairs/Supplies/
                        Snow Removal            $1,338.03
Helpmate Crisis Center            Public Relations/Client Services    $2,500.00
Herren Bros. True Value            Parks New Equipment            $168.53
J.G. Construction LLC            Club House Maintenance        $309.97
Jergenson, Doug                Monthly Wage Animal Control    $900.00
John Deere Financial                Golf Course New Equipment        $619.37
Meier Building                Monthly P.D. Rent            $800.00
Black Hills Energy                Gas Service                $920.88
Kirkham Michael                Airport Improvement Project        $1,500.00
Border State Industries            Electric Line Upgrade            $1,368.05
Leimser, Shawn                Uniform Deposit Refund        $50.00
Luker, William                Uniform Deposit Refund        $50.00
Lusk Herald                    Advertising                $1,602.46
Lusk Lodging Tax                Tax Distribution            $6,262.59
Manning, Rachel                Uniform Deposit Refund        $50.00
McCully, Kendra                Uniform Deposit Refund        $50.00
Meier Law Office                Monthly Retainer            $3,000.00
Niobrara Chamber of Commerce        Promotion                $187.50
Niobrara County Library            Internet Service            $250.00
Niobrara County Treasurer             Communications Contract        $6,301.50
Nio. Electric Assoc.                Landfill Utilities            $42.30
Northwest Pipe Fittings            Water Parts & Supplies        $1,732.62
O’Neill, Karen                    Customer Deposit Refund        $23.10
One-Call of WY                Membership Dues            $21.75
Whitaker Oil, Inc.                Fuel and Oil                $5,080.60
Pizza Place                    Public Relations Misc.        $125.00
Century Link                    Phones/Internet            $1,363.10
Ranchers Feed                    Supplies/Uniforms            $107.43
Rawhide Drug Co.                Supplies                $4.23
Sidwell, Erin                    Uniform Deposit Refund        $50.00
Silver Cliff Vet Clinic                Police Dept. K-9            $123.55
Stewart, Erica                    Uniform Deposit Refund        $50.00
Swank Motion Pictures            Movie License                $285.00
Christlieb, Amber                Uniform Deposit Refund        $50.00
Youngquist, Sheila                Uniform Deposit Refund        $50.00
Timber Line Electric & Control        Water Parts & Supplies        $1,912.00
Underground Enterprises            Transfer Station Hauling Fee        $1,875.00
Visionary Communications            Fire Dept. Misc. Internet        $92.74
Verizon Wireless                PD & Ambulance Cell Phone        $354.29
W.M.P.A.                    Electrical Power Purchase        $108,336.46
Walt’s Lathe & Machine            Shop Tools                $291.41
Ward Electric Company            Electrical Line Upgrade        $35,000.00
Western Medical Management        Ambulance Billing/Access Fee    $487.93
Wex Bank                    Fuel                    $60.23
WYO. Assoc. of Rural Water Systems    Voting Membership            $450.00
Wyoming Dept. of Revenue            Wyoming Sales Tax            $6,195.23
Wyoming Machinery                Equipment Repair            $375.11
Wyoming Retirement                Government Contribution        $14,448.17
Wyoming Dept. of Workforce Services    Employee Worker’s Compensation    $2,055.15
Total Vouchers $291,774.26        
MANUAL CHECKS     November 2019
Tyler Stream                    Mileage/Per Diem             $110.00
Doug Jergenson                Animal Control Wage            $900.00
D.C. Drilling                    Lusk Water Well No. 1        $127,281.29
Pete Kruse                    Per Diem                $19.00
Lusk Post Office                Utility Billing                $241.92
Total    $128,552.21
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, to approve the list of vouchers as presented, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN SECOND, to approve the Treasurer’s report that includes the financial condition and manual checks. MOTION CARRIED. The Treasurer’s report will be filed for audit.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON SECOND, to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held November 5, 2019 and Special Meeting held November 19, 2019. MOTION CARRIED.
Visitors:
Kody Nelson, Niobrara Community Hospital Chief Operating Officer, stated that the Council had met with Dr. Richard Jones and Judy Jones and wanted to know if there were any questions for him. Mayor Lytle stated that Dr. Jones has a plan and will come back to the Council in the future.
Hannah Swambom stated that the Farmers Market is getting ready to send out the vendor packets and is requesting the Council give permission for out of Town vendors a onetime $25.00 transient merchant fee. There will be three markets, July, August, and September. COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN, to approve a onetime fee of $25.00 for the three weekends for the Vendor License for the Farmers Market. MOTION CARRIED.
John Graham introduced himself to the Council and commented on Ordinance No. 5-20-160, An Ordinance Prohibiting Offensive Odors. Mr. Graham gave history on his family coming to Lusk and his business, Fur Country Lures. He is aware of times there are odors that come from his business. Mr. Graham stated that he would try his best to conform more and be more aware. He would like more consideration and if someone has a problem, he would appreciate them coming to him and talking to him about it.
Stuart Larson voiced that he is not in favor of the Ordinance for Prohibiting Offensive Odors and gave creditability for John Graham and his business. Mr. Larson asked how you determine an offensive odor and what is a reasonable person? He stated that he thought this is a bad ordinance and should be voted down immediately.
The department heads gave updates on their respective departments:

Royce Thompson reported that the pole contractors were in town and did pole change outs. At the airport, he met with the engineers and they are getting ready to build a larger hanger. They will also be doing a seal coat and painting of the runway.
Cory Wilcox stated that there is a new Medical Director, Dr. Falkenburg, for EMS. He will not be able to attend the State Lands and Investment Board meeting for the request for Monitors for the Ambulances. Mayor Lytle stated that there should be someone from the Ambulance service there to talk on the grant request. Mr. Wilcox will talk to a person on the Ambulance service that lives in Cheyenne and see if she can attend. Mr. Wilcox reported that the snow blower electric motor is worn out and we are waiting for a part to replace it.
Chief Krein reported that they are working on updating an emergency plan with the schools. Officer Stream is working on a diversion plan within the community and working with Campbell County diversion program to get some ideas. Office Fink will be attending the Law Enforcement Academy next month.
Todd Skrukrud stated that Kerry Powers will be doing a market analysis for the property on the hill but can’t do anything without a survey which is for the easement for the WYOLINK Tower. FEMA properties have been demolished and need some fill dirt, the project should be finished soon. Two vehicles sold on Big Iron Auction, the pickup brought just over $4,900 and the car brought $1,200. Mayor Lytle had someone from the community ask about the pillars from the old bridge and would like to see them put back. Todd said they would have to look at them to see what could be done. Council Member Nelson thanked the Town Crew for their work on the clearing away of snow on the streets.
Old Business:
Mayor Lytle explained that Ordinances No. 13-5-110, 13-5-120, 13-5-130, 13-5-140 and 13-5-150 have been changed to read the most recent version of the international codes.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve Ordinance No. 13-5-110, Ordinance No. 13-5-120, Ordinance No. 13-5-130, Ordinance No. 13-5-140, Ordinance No. 13-5-150, by adding “the Most Recent Version of Said Code”, on third reading. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Lytle presented Ordinance No. 5-20-160, An Ordinance prohibiting offensive odors, second reading. Mayor Lytle asked for a motion. The Ordinance dies for lack of a motion.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve Ordinance No. 6-5-370, An Ordinance Prohibiting Urination and/or Defecation in Public on second reading. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to approve amended Ordinance No. 6-5-380, An Ordinance Prohibiting Possession of Tobacco and Vapor Products by Minors on second reading. Mayor Lytle explained that the Town was less stringent than State Statute, so the Ordinance needed to be changed from the first reading. Attorney Meier stated that the Police Department is working on a diversion program for minors to do community service instead of going to court and it would be handled through Municipal Court instead of State Court. MOTION CARRIED.
New Business:
Mayor Lytle explained the Preliminary Engineering Report that Bruce Perryman from AVI Engineers is working on for the USDA RUS Loan Program. The Master Plan without O&M is $54 million. If the Town goes with a total project it would be $72 million. The Council needs to make a decision on the dollar amount to put in the PER. The Town will be asking the citizens to vote on the 1% Specific Purpose Excise Tax to help fund the Water/Sewer/Streets/Curb/ Gutter/Sidewalk/Storm Drains/Conduit for Fiber Optics Project. The Town will not replace anything that does not need replaced. The amount of the 1% Specific Purpose Tax would be approximately $18 million and Tourism pays about 70% of that tax. The Council agreed that the total amount of $72 million would be the best option to put in the PER.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to table the Business Park Building at 1003 W. 11th Street until further information is received on an agreement. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve the Hanger Lease Renewal between the Town of Lusk and Travis Bruegger. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Lytle stated that we are looking at renewal of the 1% Specific Purpose Tax and the Town will be giving more information soon to the public. If anyone has any questions, the Council, Todd, Linda, and Cass will answer the questions or find the answer to the community’s questions.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday January 7, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
Douglas E. Lytle, Mayor
ATTEST:
Linda M. Frye, Clerk/Treasurer
Public Notice No. 5361. Published in The Lusk Herald on December 11, 2019