MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TOWN OF LUSK
APRIL 6, 2021 5:00 P.M.
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 Tuesday April 6, 2021.
Council Members Present: Mayor Doug Lytle, Council Members Becky Blackburn, Calvin Carstensen, Tom Dooper, and Dean Nelson
Also Present: Linda Frye, Clerk/Treasurer
Todd Skrukrud, Director of Public Works
Kimberly Harris, Deputy Clerk
Desirae Matthews-LeLeux, Utility Billing Clerk
Attorney Dennis Meier
Chief of Police Bo Krein
Sean Duffy, Golf Course Supervisor
MAYOR LYTLE called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
Cassandra Matney led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, to approve the agenda, second by COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON. MOTION CARRIED.
VOUCHERS FOR PAYMENT
Allbright’s True Value Supplies $2,361.02
ALSCO/American Linen Mat Rental $162.66
AVI PC Engineering Infrastructure Engineering Fee $61,047.68
BankCard Center 0344 Supplies/Subscriptions/Equip./Postage/Misc. $4,466.68
BankCard Center 1937 Snow Removal Fuel $41.80
BankCard Center 1960 Supplies $87.17
BankCard Center 4359 Subscription/Dues & Fees $173.70
Larry Bartlett Ambulance Payment Refund $520.00
Bauerkemper’s Inc. Water Dept. Parts $104.62
Black Hills Energy Gas Service $1,326.17
Bloomers, LLC Public Relations Misc. $75.95
Border State Industries Electric Line Parts/Supplies $644.04
Wanda Brewster Ambulance Payment Refund $55.64
Caselle Inc. Office Support & Maintenance $1,100.00
Casper College Training $345.00
Hilary Castine Utility Deposit Refund $42.19
CenturyLink Phones/Internet $1,317.90
CNA Surety Bond Insurance $500.00
Communication Tech. Radio Repairs $582.00
Connecting Point Copier Lease plus overages $906.45
Decker’s Food Center Supplies $87.75
Delta Dental Plan Employee Paid Insurance $822.95
Doyle J. Davies Municipal Judge/Supplies $1,000.00
Emergency Medical Products, Inc. Ambulance Supplies $306.95
Ferguson Waterworks Meter System/ Water Parts & Supplies $7,991.30
Franks Parts Company Equip. Repair/Parts/Supplies/Misc. $2,524.19
Jacob Gordon Supplies $119.99
Grainger Shop Parts & Supplies $77.41
Great West Trust Co WRS 457 Plan Deferred $200.00
Great American Financial Services Copier Lease $211.00
Honnen Equipment Street Sweeper Parts $35.11
Inland Truck Parts Streets Dept. Parts $782.51
Interstate Batteries Vehicle Repairs $650.70
Jergenson, Doug Monthly Wage Animal Control $1,400.00
John Deere Financial Golf Course New Equipment $619.37
KGOS-AM/KERM-FM Public Relations Advertising $440.00
Lumen Phone, Long Distance $27.63
Lusk Herald Legal Advertising/Directory/Calendar $2,797.30
Lusk Lodging Tax Board Tax Distribution $1,124.87
Matheson Tri-Gas Inc. Ambulance Supplies $99.28
Meier Building Rent $800.00
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
Northwest Pipe Fittings of Rapid City Repairs $85.92
Northwest Pipe Fittings, Inc Scottsbluff Repairs $879.60
Office of State Lands & Investments Origination Fee CCL $13,100.00
Pitney Bowes Global Financial Equipment Lease $219.90
Pitney Bowes Purchase Power Postage $8.54
Rawhide Drug Store Office Supplies $52.97
Duane Ricketts Utility Deposit Refund $41.32
Mary Rohn Utility Deposit Refund $100.00
Same As It Once Was Public Relations Misc. $60.00
Erin Seaman Utility Deposit Refund $76.86
Silver Cliff Vet Clinic Animal Control Expense $80.00
Spic & Span Cleaners Streets Supplies $1,567.50
Stop Stick, Ltd. Police Dept. Supplies $967.00
TDS Trash Collection Tipping Fees Transfer Station $3,272.32
Torrington Office Supplies Office Supplies $108.22
Uline Recycling Supplies $519.18
Underground Enterprises Transfer Station Haul $1,800.00
Valley Motor Supply Parts/Supplies $286.06
Visionary Communications Fire Dept. Internet/Ambulance Internet $195.79
W.E.B.T. Employee Life Insurance $65.25
W.M.P.A. Electrical Power Purchase $121,677.69
WAM/WCCA Lease Payments $1,611.55
Western Medical Management, Inc. Ambulance Billing $254.15
Western United Electric Parts/Supplies/Line Upgrade $2,090.94
Whitaker Oil, Inc. Fuel & Oil $3,613.08
WY Dept. of Workforce Services Worker’s Compensation $1,829.32
WY Dept. of Revenue Sales Tax $4,286.82
Wyoming Retirement Government Contribution $14,420.68
Total Vouchers $280,988.64
MANUAL CHECKS March 2021
Energy Laboratories Inc. Water Samples $585.00
Great American Financial Police Dept. Copier $100.00
WY Child Support Garnishment, Writ of Assignment $184.61
Pete Kruse Per Diem $19.00
Royce Thompson Per Diem $19.00
Best Tugs, LLC Deposit for Airport Equipment $500.00
Niobrara County Assessor County Maps $120.00
Postmaster Utility Billing $230.60
WY Child Support Garnishment, Writ of Assignment $184.61
Total $1,942.82
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve the list of vouchers as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve the Treasurers Report, Financial Condition and Manual Checks. The report will be filed for audit. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on March 2, 2021 and the March 29, 20221 Public Meeting Phase II. MOTION CARRIED.
Visitors:
Martha Bridge Coordinator/Teacher from Lusk Wyoming Child and Family Development Center presented to the Council a thank you for their support of their programs. The Center works on local matches for their developmental disabilities program. She gave an overview of the children served and the screenings performed. Each Council member received a packet for their review.
Cassandra Matney gave information on the upcoming Farmers Market and requested the Merchant Permits for the four markets price be $25.00. COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to approve $25.00 for four uses on the Merchant Permits for the Farmers Market. MOTION CARRIED.
Department Updates:
Department heads gave information on their respective departments.
Chief Krein stated that the K-9 trials will be held in Lusk May 14th, 15th & 16th.
Todd reported that the bid opening for Phase I of the Infrastructure Project will be April 27th. The Town scheduled free dump week for town customers from May 28th until June 5th and we have reserved extra dumpsters for that week. The new hangar/terminal at the airport is complete. Todd updated the Council on the bids for the pre-construction materials. Two of the three bids did not meet the criteria. Mayor Lytle stated that he had talked to Beth Blackwell from Office of State Lands and Investment to clear up some issues that have come to the fore front. A conference call will be setup.
Old Business:
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve Ordinance No. 11-20-800, An Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance No. 11-20-800 Providing for Delinquent Account Procedures and Repealing Ordinance 11-20-810, on Third Reading. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to approve Ordinance No. 11-25-130, An Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance No. 11-25-130, Which Establishes the Payment Date; Penalty; Disconnect Procedure and Owner Responsibility for Payment of Tenant Utilities, on Third Reading. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve Ordinance No. 11-25-140, An Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance No. 11-25-140 Providing for Electric Account Deposits, Reconnect and Temporary Service Connect Fees, and Payment of Arrearages, on Third Reading. MOTION CARRIED.
The Council revisited the request for a Variance by Jay and Leslie Hammond. Council Member Blackburn asked if it qualifies for a variance. The request died for lack of a motion.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN, to approve Resolution No. 21-2, A Resolution Authorizing Loan Transaction CCL 19005 NI Through the Wyoming Loan and Investment Board, Capital Construction Loan $2,620,000 for 25 Years at 2.5% interest for the purpose of the Town of Lusk Street Replacement. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve the bid from Forterra in the amount of $25,552.72 for the CWSRF Sewer Pre-Cast Materials. MOTION CARRIED.
New Business:
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to approve the first reading of the 2021-2022 fiscal year budget with revenues of $13,732,541.00, and expenditures of $13,832,816.50. MOTION CARRIED.
The Council will hold their budget workshop on Friday April 23rd starting at 9:00 a.m.
Mayor Lytle asked if there was any public comment on the renewal of liquor licenses as listed. There was no public comment.
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to do a consent agenda on item c. under new business numbers 1 through 7 and to approve the renewal of liquor licenses as listed. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to do a consent agenda on item d. under new business numbers 1 through 6 and to approve the renewal of livestock permits as listed. COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN abstained from voting on her livestock permit (number 5) renewal. MOTION CARRIED.
Tanner Halligan requested a livestock permit for Bee Hives at 116 S. Iron Ave. There was a discussion on who owns the property and if all the signatures were listed. COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve the Livestock Permit for Tanner Halligan on the condition that the last two people in the area sign off on the permit. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve the renewal of the pasture lease with C & W Land and Livestock L.L.C. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON to approve the BlueCross BlueShield Employer Selection, Employer/Employee Contribution, and Business Associate Agreement. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN, to approve Resolution No. 21-3, A Resolution Authorizing Transfers in the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year Budget to Comply with Wyoming State Statute 16-4-108, Limitation on Expenditures or Encumbrances, Documentation of Expenditures; and Revenues Collected not Foreseen. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Lytle read the Proclamation proclaiming April “Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month”. Mayor Lytle signed the Proclamation.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve the Wyoming Community Gas Supplier Delegation Agreement and Index Price with Option to Fix. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve the lease for the new airport hangar with Tschacher Farms. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve the lease for the new airport hangar with Rick Bridge Inc. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to remove Kimberly Harris from the Lusk State Bank accounts, Bank of the West accounts and the Wyoming Government Investment Fund, and add Desirae Matthews-LeLeux. MOTION CARRIED.
Monica Wilcox approached the Council about a Needs Assessment for the Ambulance Service. This is the assessment she presented to the Council last year and because of COVID it did not happen. The State provides a grant in the amount of $55,000, and $5,000 from a local match. SafeTech Solutions would conduct a survey and ask questions of the government entities. After this is complete, they would provide suggestions to make the Ambulance Service sustainable. Ms. Wilcox explained the procedure to move forward with the assessment. COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON to approve for Monica Wilcox to move forward with the needs assessment for the Lusk Ambulance Service. COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER abstained. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Lytle signed the documentation for the need’s assessment.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN to convene into Executive Session for personnel matters at 6:10 p.m.
The Council reconvened into regular session at 6:37 p.m.
The next regular Council meeting will be Tuesday May 4, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned
at 6:40 p.m.
Douglas E. Lytle, Mayor
ATTEST:
Linda M. Frye, Clerk/Treasurer
Public Notice No. 5613. Published in The Lusk Herald on April 14, 2021.
