MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TOWN OF LUSK
SEPTEMBER 7, 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 September 7, 2021.
Council Members Present: Mayor Doug Lytle, Council Members Becky Blackburn, Calvin Carstensen, Tom Dooper, and Dean Nelson
Also Present: Linda Frye, Clerk/Treasurer
Desirae Matthews-LeLeux, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer
Kianna Blackburn, Billing Clerk
Todd Skrukrud, Director of Public Works
Attorney Dennis Meier
Chief of Police Bo Krein
Barbara Cushman, Pool Manager
Sean Duffy, Golf Course Supervisor
Stuart Coxhead, Police Officer
Jacob Gordon, Police Officer
Doug Jergenson, Animal Control Officer
MAYOR LYTLE called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Chief Bo Krein led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, to approve the agenda, second by COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON. MOTION CARRIED.
VOUCHERS FOR PAYMENT
AFLAC Payroll Deduction $738.50
Allbright’s True Value Supplies $2,325.73
ALSCO/American Linen Mat Rental $211.30
Apt US & C Membership Renewal Desirae Matthews-LeLeux $159.00
AquaFlow Int’l, Inc. Water Supplies and Lines $1,398.00
AVI PC Engineering Infrastructure Engineering Fee $41,155.74
Baker & Associates Inc. Renewal Fee $295.00
BankCard Center 0344 Supplies/Subscriptions/Equip./Postage/Misc. $2,775.99
BankCard Center 1960 Ambulance Supplies $482.29
BankCard Center 2477 Parts & Supplies $264.35
BankCard Center 4359 Supplies/Training/New Equipment/Postage $1,144.34
BankCard Center 4389 Golf Course Equipment Repair $1,530.00
Bauerkemper’s Inc. Equipment Repair $112.41
Benzel Pest Control, Inc. Spray Cabin in Washington Park $173.60
Black Hills Energy Gas Service $1,579.18
Bob Ruwart Motors Vehicle Repairs $5,168.26
Body Builders Body Shop Electric Dept. Vehicle Repairs $75.00
Caselle Inc. Office Support & Maintenance $1,100.00
CenturyLink Phones/Internet $1,380.59
CAN Surety Insurance Bond Desirae Matthews-LeLeux $350.00
Connecting Point Copier Lease $200.00
Cushman, Barbara K. Lifeguard Training $150.00
D.C. Drilling LLC Water Maintenance & Repairs $142.12
Decker’s Food Center Supplies $64.40
Delta Dental Plan Employee Paid Insurance $895.65
Doyle J. Davies Municipal Judge/Supplies $1,000.00
Dustin Cushman Refund for Utility Over Payment $5.68
Energy Laboratories Inc. Water Samples $428.00
Franks Parts Company Equip. Repair/Parts/Supplies/New Equipment $1,241.74
Gordon, Jacob Reimbursement WYDOT Renewal $12.25
GovOffice LLC Email office $50.00
Grainger Equipment Repair/Parts/Supplies $126.78
Great American Financial Services Copier Lease $100.00
Great West Trust Co WRS 457 Plan Deferred $200.00
Interstate Batteries PD Speed Sign $104.95
Jergenson, Doug Monthly Wage Animal Control $1,400.00
Jirdon Agri Chemicals Seed and Sod $573.94
KGOS-AM/KERM-FM Advertising $720.00
Lacal Equipment, Inc. Vehicle Maintenance $452.19
Lumen Phone, Long Distance $27.45
Lusk Herald Legal Advertising/Directory/Calendar/Ad. $346.60
Lusk Lodging Tax Board Tax Distribution $7,661.06
Matheson Tri-Gas Inc. Ambulance Supplies $412.72
Meier Building Rent $800.00
Meier Law Office Monthly Retainer $3,000.00
Midland Implement Co. Airport New Equipment $19,271.00
Newman Traffic Signs Streets Signs $109.17
Nio. County Weed & Pest Streets Chemicals $74.00
Niobrara Chamber of Commerce Promotion $187.50
Niobrara County Library Internet Service $250.00
Niobrara County Treasurer Communications Contract $6,301.50
Niobrara Electric Assoc. Utilities $40.71
Northwest Pipe Fittings of Scottsbluff Cemetery/Parks Irrigation $997.84
One-Call of WY One Call Tickets 5 months $156.75
Pitney Bowes Purchase Power Postage $520.99
Print Express PD Supplies $141.60
R&R Products, Inc. Golf Course Parts & Supplies $71.38
Ranchers Feed & Supply Parts & Supplies/Uniforms $292.78
Rawhide Drug Store Office Supplies $9.95
Sinclair, Pine Bluffs Airport Fuel $9,351.90
Spic & Span Cleaners Streets Cold Mix $4,480.17
Stella-Jones Corporation Electric Poles $15,540.00
Stotz Equipment Golf Course Fee $5.29
Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. Support & Maintenance Software $7,483.00
TDS Trash Collection Tipping Fees Transfer Station $5,257.49
Torrington Office Supplies Office Supplies $164.16
Underground Enterprises Transfer Station Haul $1,800.00
Valley Motor Supply Supplies $22.91
W.E.B.T. Employee Life Insurance $69.75
W.M.P.A. Electrical Power Purchase $123,334.07
Westco Fuel & Oil $1,654.93
Western Medical Management Ambulance Billing & Fee $728.88
Whitaker Oil, Inc. Fuel & Oil $5,826.41
WY Dept. of Revenue Uniform Assessment Tax $215.39
WY Dept. of Revenue WY Sales Tax $3,151.98
WY Dept. of Workforce Services Worker’s Compensation $2,361.38
WY First Aid and Safety Supply Supplies $1,544.99
WY Office State Lands & Investments Loan Origination Fee,
Water & Sewer $47,500.00
Wyoming Retirement Government Contribution $15,837.12
Total Vouchers $357,289.80
MANUAL CHECKS August 2021
Bo Krein Per Diem $95.00
Clerk of District Court Garnishment, Writ of Assignment $348.56
WY Child Support Garnishment, Writ of Assignment $230.77
Oftedal Construction Inc. Phase 1 Contractor Payment #1 $453,095.03
Postmaster Utility Billing $242.61
WAMCAT Membership Dues Matthews/Blackburn $130.00
Clerk of District Court Garnishment, Writ of Assignment $348.56
WY Child Support Garnishment, Writ of Assignment 230.77
Total $454,721.30
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN, 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 NELSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to approve the minutes of the regular Council meeting on August 3, 2021. MOTION CARRIED.
Visitors:
Crystal Kuehler, Agent Development Manager for Colonial Life and GinaMarie Wilson District Manager in Wyoming via zoom gave information on their insurance policies. Ms. Wilson explained that they work more similarly to a broker and what they can offer to employees. Council Member Dooper stated that Colonial Life would need to deal with the employees. Ms. Wilson stated that she was asking the Council if they could present to the employees. Mayor Lytle suggested that they give a presentation to the employees and coordinate that with Todd and Linda. Ms. Kuehler will contact the office to setup a date for the presentation.
Department Updates:
Barbara Cushman Pool Manager, reported that the pool’s last day was Friday. Ms. Cushman and staff are in the process of cleaning.
Sean Duffy updated the Council on the golf course. He is having some equipment issues and low volume on the irrigation system. This will be addressed when the tournaments for the season are over.
Chief Krein gave the numbers for August which are consistent with last year’s numbers and there were no accident reports filed. The officers are continuing to have training and will be attending one in Newcastle this week.
Linda Frye informed the Council that Desirae Matthews-LeLeux completed the Association of Public Treasurers of the United States and Canada certification for Public Funds Investment Manager and received a beautiful plaque.
Todd Skrukrud Director of Public Works, reported that the water department has been busy fixing leaks, parks department has one seasonal employee still working, and the streets department is about done putting down oil and patching. The infrastructure project will start water testing on Linn Street and will begin working on the water lines on Pine Street from 5th Street to 8th Street.
Old Business:
The Council reviewed the livestock permit submitted by Carrie Olson and Luke McConnell for chickens – Bantams, hens, and ducks. COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED,
SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve the livestock permit for Carrie Olson and Luke McConnell. MOTION CARRIED.
New Business:
Chief Krein presented Officer Stuart Coxhead with a lifesaving award for his actions on June 23, 2021. Officer Coxhead helped to save an individual’s life by performing CPR. The Town of Lusk appreciates the efforts of Officer Coxhead.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve the Livestock Permit Renewal for Dean Nelson. MOTION CARRIED. Council Member Nelson abstained.
AVI Engineer Bruce Perryman was present to answer any questions on the agreement for Phase II of the infrastructure project. Mr. Perryman gave an update on the funding received for Phase II of the project. The Town received a DWSRF, CWSRF and CCL loans with 75 % forgiveness on the DWSRF and CWSRF loans. COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN, to approve the agreement between the Town of Lusk and AVI Engineer for Professional Services for Phase II of the Streets & Utilities Improvement Project. MOTION CARRIED.
There was a discussion on the Wyoming Community Gas Distribution Money in the amount of $5,698.81. A suggestion was to pour a sidewalk to the new shelter in Washington Park. Todd will get a cost estimate. There was also a suggestion to have electric at the shelter. This item was tabled until the next meeting so the Council could have more information.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to accept the lone bid from Titan Machinery for the Hydraulic Sewer/Drain Cleaner Ramjet 3036-750 Unit in the amount of $75,051.00. MOTION CARRIED.
Chief Krein presented information to the Council on Social Media Archiving. The Council received a handout from Archive Social describing the legal basis for archiving, and the benefits and features. Chief Krein stated that if they needed information for an investigation or court, this information would be stored and available from archives. Chief Krein also checked a reference for Archive Social and received a favorable review. COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve to try Archive Social for one-year and re-evaluate at the next budget session. MAYOR LYTLE, COUNCIL MEMBERS NELSON, BLACKBURN AND DOOPER VOTED AYE, COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN VOTED NAY. MOTION CARRIED.
Desirae gave information on Invoice Cloud and Xpress Bill Pay for online bill pay. This would be a link on our website. After a brief conversation, the Council decided that it would be in the best interest for Desirae to make the decision since it would be the office working with this.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN, to approve Resolution Number 21-09, A Resolution Authorizing Submission of a Federal Mineral Royalty Capital Construction Account Grant Application to the State Loan and Investment Board on Behalf of the Town of Lusk for the Purpose of Purchasing a Vactor Impact Sewer Cleaner Vac Truck. MOTION CARRIED.
The next regular Council meeting will be Tuesday October 5, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON SECOND, to convene into executive session at 6:00 p.m. Council Member Carstensen opposed. MOTION CARRIED.
The Council reconvened into regular session at 6:30 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned
at 6:30 p.m.
Douglas E. Lytle, Mayor
ATTEST:
Linda M. Frye, Clerk/Treasurer
Public Notice No. 5669. Published in The Lusk Herald on September 15, 2021.
