MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TOWN OF LUSK
JULY 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 July 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
Attorney Dennis Meier
Chief of Police Bo Krein
Barbara Cushman, Pool Manager
Sean Duffy, Golf Course Supervisor
MAYOR LYTLE called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Dennis Green led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, to approve the agenda with the addition of, under Visitors Dennis Green a two stick, two-person tournament, second by COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN. MOTION CARRIED.
VOUCHERS FOR PAYMENT
AFLAC Payroll Deduction $738.50
Allbright’s True Value Supplies $132.53
ALSCO/American Linen Mat Rental $162.66
American Red Cross Life Guard Training Certification $1,368.00
AVI PC Engineering Infrastructure Engineering Fee $11,431.50
Baker & Associates Inc. Groundwater Monitoring $2,700.00
BankCard Center 0344 Supplies/Subscriptions/Equip./Postage/Misc. $1,918.69
BankCard Center 1937 Fuel/Supplies $295.97
BankCard Center 1960 Ambulance Barn Maintenance $52.99
BankCard Center 4359 Supplies/Training/Uniforms $1,673.15
Barco Products Co. Parks Supplies $196.14
Black Hills Energy Gas Service $271.29
Border State Industries Electric Line Upgrade $5,233.80
Buck Creek Freight Transfer Station Maintenance $349.80
Bush-Wells Recreation Uniforms $771.95
Caselle Inc. Office Support & Maintenance $1,100.00
CenturyLink Phones/Internet $1,421.19
Command Ballistics, Inc PD Equipment $1,350.00
Connecting Point Copier Lease $100.00
Cushman, Barbara Lifeguard Training/
Reimbursement Supplies $1,087.10
Decker’s Food Center Supplies $305.79
Delta Dental Plan Employee Paid Insurance $927.10
Doyle J. Davies Municipal Judge/Supplies $1,000.00
Emergency Medical Products Inc. Ambulance Supplies $583.96
Energy Lab. Inc. Landfill Monitoring $2,445.00
Ferguson Waterworks Pool Equipment Repair/
Sewer Parts & Repairs $581.36
Flip Turn Services Pool Training/Instruction $190.00
Franks Parts Company Equip. Repair/Parts/Supplies/New Equipment $1,268.83
Great American Financial Services Copier Lease $437.00
Great West Trust Co WRS 457 Plan Deferred $200.00
Hawkins, Inc. Pool/Water Chemicals $2,447.12
Hiway Brake & Alignment Vehicle Repair $105.00
HomeTown Country Office Misc. $23.70
Ideal Linen/Bluffs Parks Supplies $82.99
Jergenson, Doug Monthly Wage Animal Control $1,400.00
Jerry’s Electric Electric Line Upgrade $4,095.00
Kurtzer’s Parks/Cemetery Equipment Repair $564.62
Leisure in Montana Pool Repair $1,376.33
Local Govt. Liability Pool Insurance/Liability $12,701.00
Lumen Phone, Long Distance $31.74
Lusk Herald Legal Advertising/Directory/Calendar/Ad. $1,696.19
Lusk Lodging Tax Board Tax Distribution $2,435.87
Matheson Tri-Gas Inc. Ambulance Supplies $99.28
Meier Building Rent $800.00
Meier Law Office Monthly Retainer $3,000.00
Midland Implement Co. New Equipment/Equipment/Irrigation Repairs $12,015.54
National Pen Co. LLC PD office supplies $126.08
Nio. County Weed & Pest Streets Chemicals $48.90
Niobrara Chamber of Commerce Promotion $187.50
Niobrara Conservation District Trees/Building Maintenance $757.00
Niobrara County Library Internet Service $250.00
Niobrara County Treasurer Communications Contract/ESRI GIS Maint. $7,556.67
Niobrara Electric Assoc. Utilities/Electric Dept. Supplies $732.74
Northwest Pipe Fittings of Scottsbluff Water Maint. & Repairs $169.05
Pitney Bowes Inc. Office Supplies $104.96
Print Express Office Supplies $1,402.39
Pro Force Law Enforcement New Equipment $551.34
R&R Products, Inc. Parts & Supplies $1,054.83
Ranchers Feed & Supply Parts Supplies/Credit $114.86
Rawhide Drug Co. Supplies $17.48
Relentless LLC DBA Desert Snow PD Training $599.00
Richardson Construction Airport Improvement Project $42,154.49
Riley, Deborha Utility Deposit Refund $173.25
Simplot Partners Golf Course Seed/Chemicals/Fertilizer $5,925.50
Stotz Equipment Golf Course Equipment $1,917.38
TDS Trash Collection Tipping Fees Transfer Station $7,211.05
Torrington Office Supplies Office Supplies $139.32
Underground Enterprises Transfer Station Haul $1,800.00
Valley Motor Supply Cemetery Equipment Repair/Credit $(.02)
Visionary Communications Inc. Internet/Fire Dept./Ambulance $195.79
W.A.R.M. Property Ins. Property Insurance $31,120.63
W.E.B.T. Employee Life Insurance $69.75
W.M.P.A. Electrical Power Purchase $92,379.30
Western Medical Management, Inc. Ambulance Billing $539.68
Whitaker Oil, Inc. Fuel & Oil $4,329.34
Wyoming Child & Family Services Rendered $1,000.00
WY Dept. of Revenue Wyoming Sales Tax Payable $5,047.48
WY Dept. of Workforce Services Worker’s Compensation $1,098.24
Wyoming Retirement Government Contribution $15,431.22
Total Vouchers $307,373.88
MANUAL CHECKS June 2021
WY Child Support Garnishment, Writ of Assignment $184.61
HomeTown Country Shop Uniforms $400.00
Cash Swimming Pool Startup Money $100.00
WY Dept. of Agriculture Food License $50.00
WY Dept. of Transportation Airport Fuel License Renewal $25.00
Tyler Stream Per Diem $206.25
Herren Bros. True Value P.D. Training Equipment $56.16
Post Master Utility Billing Postage $238.21
Clerk of District Court Garnishment, Writ of Assignment $348.56
WY Child Support Garnishment, Writ of Assignment 230.77
Brendan Hopkins Football Camp Reimbursement $250.00
Gabe Perkins Football Camp Reimbursement $250.00
Javian Byrd Football Camp Reimbursement $250.00
Ju’Wan Murphy Football Camp Reimbursement $250.00
Noah Kerchal Football Camp Reimbursement $250.00
K-Dogs & Catering Football Camp Meal $360.00
WY Dept. of Transportation PD New License Plate $5.00
Jeremiah Fink Per Diem $55.00
Jacob Gordon Per Diem $55.00
Total $3,564.56
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 BLACKBURN, 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 NELSON, to approve the minutes of the regular Council meeting on June 1, 2021. MOTION CARRIED.
Visitors:
Kirk Bemis approached the Council on his building permit request to tie in a fence to the existing fence. The address is 635 Lincoln Way. Mr. Bemis asked if he needs an easement or variance to complete his fence? The existing fence is on city property. The Council stated that neither is needed. They would address this under new business.
Connie Halligan representing The Pub spoke against the increase in the Liquor License Permits. She stated that the new ordinance increases the cost to 3 times what it is currently and suggested a gradual increase.
Loren Heth was present to talk to the Council on the Elks Liquor License increase. He gave the Council the financials for the Elks and stated that they are a 501-3-C. The Elks has experienced a loss of revenue in the last couple of years and their money is donated for scholarships and various other causes. The Elks would rather see the permit be $300.00 or $500.00.
Dennis Green requested a reduced green fee for the Elks golf tournament scheduled for August 7th. The Council stated they would reduce the cost to $15.00 per golfer for 18 holes. COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve the green fees for the Elks Golf Tournament to $15.00 for 18 holes. MAYOR LYTLE, COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, BLACKBURN AND DOOPER VOTED AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN VOTED NAY. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Green requested to allow Green’s Golf Shop to hold a 9-hole 2 stick, 2-person tournament on September 11, and stated the date can be flexible if there are other tournaments on the same date. COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER to approve Green’s Pro Shop tournament for September 11, 2021 with one or two weekend alternate dates. MOTION CARRIED.
Department Updates:
Barbara Cushman, Pool Manager stated that the pool will be open on Sundays starting July 18th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. There are 10 staff members and 5 staff are new.
Police Chief Krein gave the incident report for June to the Council. Officers are continuing to go to trainings.
Linda Frye reported that Kianna Blackburn has been hired as the part-time Utility Billing Clerk. She will be starting July 19th. A letter has been sent to the Flood Management Services Program via Kim Johnson of Wyoming Homeland Security. He will forward the information to Tony Krause, Flood Risk Management Program Coordinator. The Town received ARPA, Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in the amount of $132,333.44 and Linda requested that this money be transferred to WGIF Capital Improvement/Depreciation Account. COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to approve Ms. Frye to transfer the ARPA money in the amount of $132,333.44 to the WGIF Capital Improvement/Depreciation Account. MOTION CARRIED. The Town also received the first payment of the 1% Specific Purpose Tax in the amount of $25,798.87. This will be put in a separate account so it can be tracked for repayment of loans for the infrastructure project.
Todd Skrukrud, Director of Public Works stated that the boiler at the pool is fixed and is working. The Streets department will be doing some dura-patching next week. The infrastructure street project is moving along and they are working on 5th Street and Linn Street.
Old Business:
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN, to approve Ordinance No. 8-10-100, An Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance No. 8-10-100 of the Lusk Municipal Code to Include Bar and Grill Liquor Licenses to the List of Annual Licenses Which the Town of Lusk is Authorized to Issue, on third reading.
MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve Ordinance No. 8-10-110, An Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance No. 8-10-110 of the Lusk Municipal Code to Set Liquor License Fees, on third reading. There was a discussion on the price increases. Connie Starkey questioned the amount of the increase and the fact that the increase was the maximum that can be charged and a Bar and Grill license is the minimum that can be charged. Mayor Lytle stated that a full Retail Liquor License has the potential to sell package liquor and the Bar and Grill does not, plus needs to sell more food than liquor. COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER CALLED FOR THE VOTE. COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN RESCINDED HER MOTION AND COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER RESCINDED HIS SECOND. COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN, to approve Ordinance No. 8-10-110, An Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance No. 8-10-110 of the Lusk Municipal Code to Set Liquor License Fees, with the change of Retail Liquor License to $1,000.00 for 2022, and $1,500.00 for 2023 and thereafter, and the Limited Retail Liquor (Special Club) to $500.00, and keep all the other increases the same, on third reading. MOTION CARRIED.
The Letter for the bond revenue for the water and sewer project was tabled until another bond council can be contacted.
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to approve Resolution No. 21-7, A Resolution Authorizing Submission of an Application to the State Loan and Investment Board for a Loan through the State Revolving Fund on Behalf of the Governing Body for the Town of Lusk. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to approve Resolution No. 21-8, A Resolution Authorizing Submission of the Capital Construction Loan Application to the State Loan and Investment Board on Behalf of the Governing Body for the Town of Lusk for the Purpose of Lusk Phase II Street & Utility Improvements. MOTION CARRIED.
New Business:
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve the Building Permit for Kirk Bemis at 635 Lincoln Way to build an adjoining fence with the risk of removal due to the fact that it is in the Town right away. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN, to approve Charter Ordinance 1-1004, An Ordinance Providing for the Appropriations of Money to Defray all the Necessary Expenses and Liabilities of the Town of Lusk, Wyoming, Specifying the Objects, Purposes and Amounts of Such Appropriations and Fixing the Same as the Appropriations for the Year Ending June 30, 2022. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to approve Resolution No. 21-6, A Resolution Authorizing and Directing the Mayor and the Town Clerk of the Town of Lusk to Execute, on Behalf of the Town, That Certain “Communication/911/Dispatch Services Operations Agreement”. MOTION CARRIED.
Blane Starkey approached the Council requesting that during Sturgis, the Council allow The Silver Dollar Bar to fence off the sidewalk between the drive-up and the front door. The Council stated that this would require an open container permit. The dates and times would be August 6th through August 14th, 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. This would be the 100-block sidewalk adjacent to the building. The Council will review the Temporary Open Container Permit at there August meeting.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve the Temporary Open Container Permit for the Legend of Rawhide Parade. Katie Krein, Prevention Coalition Coordinator spoke against the Town giving an open container permit. She stated that she would like to see the Town of Lusk persona to change as a drinking town and make it a safe place for minors. COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN AMENDED HER MOTION to state that the times be from the start of the parade to end of the parade at 100 block of Main Street. COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER SECOND. MAYOR LYTLE, COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN, COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER VOTED AYE, COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON ABSTAINED, AND COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN VOTED NAY. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN SECOND, to approve the Town to change their domain name to TownofLuskWY.gov for their email and website. MOTION CARRIED.
The next regular Council meeting will be Tuesday August 3, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned
at 6:10 p.m.
Douglas E. Lytle, Mayor
ATTEST:
Linda M. Frye, Clerk/Treasurer
Public Notice No. 5654. Published in The Lusk Herald on July 14, 2021.
