MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TOWN OF LUSK
MAY 6, 2020
The Town Council of the Town of Lusk met in regular session at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall on Wednesday May 6, 2020.
Council Members Present: Mayor Doug Lytle, Council Members Calvin Carstensen, Tom Dooper, and Dean Nelson
Absent: Council Members Rebecca Blackburn
Also Present: Linda Frye, Clerk/Treasurer
Cassandra Matney, Deputy Clerk
Todd Skrukrud, Director of Public Works
Dennis Meier, Town Attorney
Chief of Police Bo Krein
Royce Thompson, Electric Supervisor/Airport Manager
MAYOR LYTLE called the meeting to order.
Royce Thompson led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Town broadcast the meeting via Zoom and the Moderator is Cassandra Matney.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, to approve the agenda as printed, second by COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER. MOTION CARRIED.
VOUCHERS FOR PAYMENT
AFLAC Payroll Deduction $599.78
ALSCO/American Linen Mat Rental $156.58
AVI PC Engineering Engineering Fees $3,050.80
BankCard Center Postage/Supplies/Office Support/
Elections/ New Equipment $761.54
Bloomers General Misc. $50.95
Blue Line Custom Vinyls Police Dept. Vehicle Repair $300.00
CNA Surety Bond Fee $450.00
Cagle, Elliott Utility Deposit Refund $15.29
Caselle Inc. Office Support Software $1,100.00
Century Link Business Long Distance Phone $27.01
C&H Tire Vehicle Repairs/Misc. $829.96
Clark, Levi & Ashley Reimbursement Rec. Dept. $20.00
Doyle J. Davies Municipal Judge $1,000.00
Decker’s Food Center Supplies $64.30
Delta Dental Plan Employee Paid Insurance $673.20
Emergency Medical Products Inc. Ambulance Supplies $1,722.30
Energy Laboratories Inc. Water Samples $100.00
Fairbanks Scales, Inc. Sanitation Parts and Supplies $104.94
Fired Up Rescue Scuba Compressor Testing $440.00
Garrison, Amanda Utility Deposit Refund $23.43
Great American Financial Svcs Copier Lease $463.00
Great West Trust Co WRS 457 Plan Deferred $200.00
Heartland Embroidery Police Dept. Uniforms $354.00
Franks Parts Company Parts/Repairs/Misc./Supplies $1,941.74
Heth, Heather Reimbursement Rec. Dept. $40.00
Honnen Equipment Equipment Repair $1,788.45
International Institute Dues and Fees $330.00
Ideal Linen/Bluffs Supplies $237.97
Interstate Batteries Equipment/Vehicle Repairs $949.60
Jergenson, Doug Monthly Wage Animal Control $900.00
Jirdon Agri Chemicals Fertilizer $2,119.69
John Deere Financial Golf Course New Equipment $619.37
Meier Building Monthly P.D. Rent $800.00
Black Hills Energy Gas Service $781.77
Lowe, Bernice Election Judge $36.00
Lusk Herald Advertising $5,557.09
Matheson Tri-Gas Inc. Ambulance Supplies $353.57
Meier Law Office Monthly Retainer $3,000.00
Midland Implement Equipment Repair $855.46
Miller, Katelynn Ambulance Reimbursement $34.78
Niobrara County Weed & Pest Fertilizer $209.00
Niobrara Chamber of Commerce Promotion $187.50
Niobrara Hospital District Pre-employment Physical $100.00
Niobrara County Library Internet Service $250.00
Niobrara County Treasurer Communications Contract $6,301.50
Nio. Electric Assoc. Landfill Utilities $41.98
Northwest Pipe Fittings Parts & Supplies $547.49
Whitaker Oil, Inc. Fuel and Oil $3,998.84
Pitney Bowes Purchase Power Postage $1,041.98
Post, Jerry Pre-employment Examination $400.00
QTPod Airport New Equipment $12,795.00
Century Link Phones/Internet $1,382.95
R&R Products, Inc. Golf Course Misc. $328.22
Ranchers Feed & Supply Supplies/Supplies/K-9 Food $680.22
Rawhide Drug Co. Supplies $42.24
Scott, Vickie Election Judge $36.00
Squaw Mountain Consulting LLC Economic Development $650.00
TDS Trash Collection Transfer Station Tipping $4,246.11
Thomas, Nikita Reimbursement Rec. Dept. $20.00
Torrington Office Supplies $352.25
Underground Enterprises Transfer Station Hauling Fee $1,500.00
USA Blue Book New Equipment $113.99
Valley Motor Supply Equipment Repair/New Equipment $28.95
Visionary Communications Fire Dept. Misc. Internet $92.74
Verizon Wireless PD, Ambulance & Mayor Cell Phone $411.90
WY Office State Lands & Investment Sanitation Loan Payment $21,885.75
W.E.B.T. Employee Life Insurance $72.25
W.M.P.A. Electrical Power Purchase $113,545.77
WAM/WCCA Lease Payment $1,611.55
Warne Chemical Equipment Repair $2,352.45
WestCo Fuel & Oil $1,091.43
West, Vicky Election Judge $36.00
Western Medical Management Ambulance Billing/Access Fee $301.07
Western United Electric Electric Safety Equipment $56.70
WYO. Assn. of Sheriffs and Chiefs Dues and Fees $150.00
WYO. Assoc. of Rural Water System Training $1,208.00
Wyoming Dept. of Agriculture License Renewal $50.00
Wyoming Dept. of Revenue Wyoming Sales Tax $5,932.59
Wyoming Public Health Lab. Water Samples $48.00
Wyoming Retirement Government Contribution $13,930.21
Wyoming Dept. of Workforce Services Employee Worker’s Compensation $1,993.62
Wolfe Communications New Equipment $593.50
Blair, Sahvanna Utility Deposit Refund $76.82
Total Vouchers $233,547.14
MANUAL CHECKS April 2020
Lusk Post Office Utility Billing $226.29
Clerk of Circuit Court Garnishment, Writ of Wages $288.53
Total $514.82
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, to approve the list of vouchers as presented, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN SECOND, to approve the Treasurer’s report that includes the financial condition as amended 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 Council Business Meeting held April 21, 2020. MOTION CARRIED.
Department Updates:
Linda report on the Election held May 5th. There were 315 votes cast. Council Members Nelson and Dooper have retained there Council Seats and the 3% lodging tax past. The office is working on next year’s budget. Mayor Lytle and Linda have been talking about using Capital Improvement money for revenue in the budget and how to pay off the USDA loan.
Todd gave an update on the easement with the State on the WYOLINK Tower. The Town is waiting on survey information. Attorney Meier is working on the easements in Frontier Village for the electric underground the Town wants to do this summer. The pool start up is moving ahead as planned for Memorial Day weekend until further notice. Departments are working on the parks with gravel being put around the concession stand, working on playground equipment and a water heater in the bathroom at Washington Park. The building at the Airport is being removed to make way for a new Terminal/Hanger building. Weather permitting the Town will be cleaning the sidewalks downtown. A “Clean-Up” week will be the first week in June starting on Monday June 1st.
Old Business:
The Council was presented with the Pasture Lease contract between the Town and C & W Land and Livestock, L.L.C. The lease was approved at the last meeting and just needed the Mayor’s signature.
Mayor Lytle read the revenues of $6,150,000 and expenditures of $6,225,090.50 on the second reading of the 2020-2021 fiscal year budget. COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve the 2020-2021 fiscal year budget on second reading. MOTION CARRIED.
There was a discussion on the swimming pool rates that the Town discussed at the last meeting when they decided to go with Lingle rates. Mayor Lytle stated that to go with Lingle’s rates is a large increase. Heather Goddard and Barbara Cushman gave input on the rates. It was reiterated that 6 years and under are free. The final rates decided on are, annual family pass for four (4) living in the same house $150.00 and each additional child over the age of six (6) $25.00, annual single pass $75.00, daily rate K-12 $2.50, Adult $3.50. Todd will talk to Pool Manager Barbara Cushman on the swimming lessons.
A clarification was requested on the Golf Course Memberships. Mayor Lytle stated that couple means “married”. There was a discussion on the Senior 62+ and if one spouse was 62+ and the other spouse was under 62, should the rate be $50.00 less. It was decided that the couple rate was already getting a discount, so no other discount would be given. The rates are as follows, Single $400.00, Couples $600.00, Senior 62+ $350.00, Student over 6 years K-12 $50.00, College Student $125.00, 9 hole 10 punch card $135.00, children under 6 years of age are free, and Trail Fees $125.00. If payments are not received by May 1st golfers will need to pay green fees to golf.
Barbara Cushman requested clarification on employees and families of swimming pool staff if they should be charged to swim. Town Attorney Meier stated that it is considered compensation and they would need to be taxed on that amount. Linda stated it would show on their W-2 form and be reported to the IRS.
New Business:
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN to approve the Livestock Permit for Bernard and Connie Volk. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Lytle gave information on the Airport Bids for the new Hangar/Terminal Building. The low bid was received from Richardson Construction of Cheyenne, Wyoming in the amount of $735,682.50. COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve Resolution No. 20-9, A Resolution of the Governing Body of the Town of Lusk, Wyoming Approving the Recommendation of M.C. Schaff & Associates, Inc. to Accept the Bid of Richardson Construction, Cheyenne, Wyoming FAA AIP Project No. 3-56-0018-015-2020/WYDOT Project ALS002A, New Hangar/Terminal Building at the Lusk Municipal Airport. MOTION CARRIED.
The Town received Market Evaluation on the buildings that they own in the Business Park. The duplex building at 1003 W. Eleventh Street which Sandrock Vision occupies has an evaluation of $301,000.00 and the building at 1001 W. Eleventh Street which Fur Country Lures occupies has an evaluation of $150,000.00. The Town will put these buildings up for bid and advertise for three (3) weeks. The sealed bids will be open on May 29th, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. The Town reserves the right to reject any and all bids and request that the purchaser honor the lease of the current occupants. Letters will be sent to the current lessors of the buildings.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON SECOND, to approve the Grant of Utility Easement for Kelly Christianson. MOTION CARRIED.
The Council reviewed the ordinances for rate increases. Water and Sanitation rates will be raised 2% plus $2.50, and recycling will go from $2.50 to $5.00 on the base rate, effective after the third reading at the July meeting. Sewer will be raised 1.5% plus $2.50 on the base rate after the third reading at the July meeting.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON SECOND, to approve Ordinance No. 11-20-740, an Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance No. 11-20-740, as Amended, Establishing Water Usage Rates on first reading. Council Member Carstensen asked if the usage minimum was lowered would it have much of an effect on the cost. Todd stated that he thought it would not make that much of a difference. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER SECOND, to approve Ordinance No. 11-15-410, an Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance No. 11-15-410, Which Establishes Amended Sewer Rates to Consumers Utilizing the Sewer System of the Town of Lusk on first reading. There was a discussion on the sewer rates during the summer months when you water your lawn. The summer months on sewer rates is an average of the three winter months, so residents are not charged extra for watering their lawn. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL NELSON MEMBER, to approve Ordinance No. 11-5-200, an Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance No. 11-5-200, as Amended, Establishing Garbage and Refuse Collection Rates and Creating a New and Separate Category for Recycling Rates on first reading. Recycling fees go into the sanitation budget but the expenditures are in the general fund. Mayor Lytle has talked about moving the expenditures into the sanitation budget. Todd stated that if recycling expenditures are moved it would put an extra burden on the sanitation budget. Council Member Nelson asked about the rate that was the residential outside Town limits dumpster. Linda stated that the numbers are incorrect. The Residential, outside Town limits dumpsters should be $33.71, Commercial, in Town limits should be $28.51, Commercial, in Town limits dumpster should be $33.71, and Royal Apartments should be $134.63. MOTION CARRIED with the changes mention.
Mayor Lytle stated that he forgot to have Chief Krein report. Chief Krein gave an update on total calls and arrests. Jason Gill was hired as a new officer. Chief Krein stated that K-9 Loki’s training is going good.
Pool Manager Barbara Cushman had a question on the rent of the pool for parties. The Council inquired about the numbers and cost of parties from the previous year. Mayor Lytle asked the staff it takes for the rentals. The Council decided that the cost for parties would be $100.00 across the board for all parties to be held outside of regular business hours.
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to convene into Executive Session at 6:10 p.m. for personnel and property matters. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to reconvene into regular session at 6:20 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
The next regular Council meeting will be Tuesday June 2, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:22 p.m.
Douglas E. Lytle, Mayor
ATTEST:
Linda M. Frye, Clerk/Treasurer
Public Notice No. 5438. Published in The Lusk Herald on May 13, 2020.
