MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TOWN OF LUSK
MARCH 1, 2022 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 March 1, 2022.
Council Members Present: Mayor Doug Lytle, Council Members Dean Nelson, Becky Blackburn, Chantry Filener, and Tom Dooper
Also Present: Linda Frye, Clerk/Treasurer
Desirae Matthews-LeLeux, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer
Todd Skrukrud, Director of Public Works
Royce Thompson, Electric Supervisor/Airport Manager
Sean Duffy, Golf Course Superintendent
Attorney Dennis Meier
Chief Bo Krein
MAYOR LYTLE called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Chief Krein led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, to approve the agenda, second by COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN. MOTION CARRIED.
VOUCHERS FOR PAYMENT
AFLAC Payroll Deduction $764.72
Allbright’s True Value Supplies $532.81
ALSCO/American Linen Mat Rental $179.34
AVI PC Engineering Inc. Engineering Fees $132,130.30
BankCard Center 0344 Supplies/Subscriptions/Postage $332.16
BankCard Center 1960 Parts/Supplies $472.90
BankCard Center 2477 New Equipment $594.27
BankCard Center 4359 Supplies $120.00
Black Hills Energy Gas Service $1,927.53
Boldon Diesel Services Parts and Supplies $94.80
Boldon Welding & Repair Services Vehicle Repair $29.80
Border State Industries Electric Line Upgrade $4,552.22
Caselle Inc. Office Support & Maintenance $1,100.00
CenturyLink Phones/Internet $1,061.96
Clark’s Tires Equipment Repair $20.00
CNM Plumbing Sewer Line Infrastructure Project $450.00
Connecting Point Copier Lease $100.00
D.C. Drilling LLC Water Maintenance and Repairs $21,404.92
Doyle J. Davies Municipal Judge $1,000.00
Decker’s Food Center Supplies $26.73
Delta Dental Plan Employee Paid Insurance $895.65
Franks Parks Company Parts/Supplies/Repairs $1,284.96
Global Propane Fuel and Oil $788.42
GovOffice LLC Email Service/Domain Name $625.00
Great American Financial Services Copier Lease $311.00
Great West Trust Co WRS 457 Plan Deferred $200.00
Gronewold, Rex PD K-9/Carpet Repair $55.00
Interstate Batteries Vehicle Repair $263.90
Jergenson, Doug Monthly Wage Animal Control $1,400.00
Krein, Bo PD Post Office Box Rental $10.00
Kurtzer’s Equipment Repair $528.74
Lovitt, Hope Utility Deposit Refund $125.85
Lumen Phone, Long Distance $22.00
Lusk Herald Legal Advertising $1,785.38
Lusk Lodging Tax Board Tax Distribution $1,879.83
Matheson Tri-Gas Inc. Ambulance Supplies $191.27
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
Niobrara Electric Assoc. Utilities/Parts & Supplies $42.83
Northwest Pipe Fittings of Rapid City Parts and Supplies $67.66
Northwest Pipe Fittings, Inc. Scottsbluff
Maintenance and Repairs $1,318.19
Oftedal Construction Inc. Phase I Payment #7 $132,876.00
One-Call of Wyoming Tickets/Membership $41.50
Pitney Bowes Inc. Office Supplies $24.22
Pitney Bowes Purchase Power Postage $520.99
R&R Products Inc. Irrigation Repairs $477.30
Radar Shop Recertified Radars $420.00
Ranchers Feed & Supply Parts and Supplies $60.80
Sinclair, Pine Bluffs Airport Fuel $5,060.00
Spic and Span Cleaners Snow Removal/Salt & Sand Mix $2,490.18
TDS Trash Collection Tipping Fees Transfer Station $4,178.09
Titan Machinery-Rapid City Back Hoe Parts & Supplies
$120.54
Torrington Office Supplies Supplies $62.79
Underground Enterprises Transfer Station Haul $1,800.00
Valley Motor Supply Supplies/Vehicle Repairs $373.31
Visionary Communications Inc. Internet Service $245.16
W.E.B.T. Employee Life Insurance $69.75
W.M.P.A. Electrical Power Purchase $115,719.65
WestCo Fuel & Oil $1,616.50
Western Medical Management, Inc. Ambulance Billing Service
$781.07
Whitaker Oil, Inc. Fuel & Oil $5,393.02
WY Dept. of Workforce Services Worker’s Compensation $1,996.21
Wyoming Machinery Equipment Repair $33.39
WY Public Health Lab. Quarterly Water Samples $112.00
Wyoming Retirement Government Contribution $15,853.57
Total Vouchers $479,555.18
MANUAL CHECKS February 2022
WY Dept. of Revenue WY Sales Tax $6,805.42
Chantry Filener Reimbursement for Training $107.23
Clerk of District Court, Second Judicial
Garnishment, Writ of Assignment $348.56
WY Child Support Garnishment, Writ of Assignment $184.61
Visionary Communications Inc. Police Dept. Internet $323.22
PostMaster Utility Billing Postage $268.67
Century Link Pool Phone Payment $20.31
Clerk of District Court Garnishment, Writ of Assignment $348.56
WY Child Support Garnishment, Writ of Assignment $184.61
Total $8,591.19
COUNCIL MEMBER FILENER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve the list of vouchers as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON 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 DOOPER, to approve the minutes of the regular Council meeting on February 1, 2022 and the Special Meeting on February 7, 2022. MOTION CARRIED.
Visitors:
There were no visitors listed on the agenda but a group of citizens were present to give input on Ordinance No. 8-15-150, An Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance No. 8-15-150 at Paragraph (F) to Allow Food Services for Minors in Retail Liquor Establishments by Permit, on Third Reading. Katie Krein Niobrara County Prevention Coalition Specialist talked against the Ordinance change sighting data and several reasons why this ordinance should not be changed. Her main concern is what kids would be witnessing in the bars and that we are going to desensitize them towards how they view alcohol. She is more concerned about irresponsible parents and the ease of access of alcohol for minors. Others that spoke against the Ordinance amendment were Joseph Martinez, Joel Richardson, Ty Desenfants, Dwight and Shelly Krein, and several other visitors were in attendance.
Department Updates:
Royce Thompson gave an update on the airport which will have one year inspection on Wednesday, and the Electric Department working on power line issues and materials inventory.
Sean Duffy informed the Council that he is working on equipment repair and inventory in preparation for the summer season.
Chief Krein shared police department statics for February. He and another officer attended the legislative session in Cheyenne this past week, which was the first time for a law enforcement officer from Lusk. The Police Department has been doing networking with Natrona County. The preliminary dog trials will be in Cheyenne. Homeland Security is cautioning on scam emails, phishing and phone calls. On February 17th there was a guest speaker at the high school with information on marijuana and data on what is going on in the State of Colorado.
Linda reported that the departments will receive budget worksheets for the next fiscal year. Applications for Mayor and two Council Persons will be open March 4th through March 18th for the election to be held in May.
Desirae stated that she will be attending the Wyoming Community Gas Forum March 17th and 18th in Casper. Mayor Lytle and Desirae attended the WAM Winter Workshop in Cheyenne. They received information on grants for ADA ramps and sidewalks for the infrastructure project. Desirae will be putting in a letter of intent to TAP for funding through WYDOT. The Legislation is doing away with the Mineral Royalty Grant. WYDOT is getting a lot of ARPA money and it is not determined yet what this money will go for and when it will be available. WAM’s website has information on the legislation bills.
Todd reported that he met with Game and Fish, along with Royce and John on the Urban Fishing Pond proposal. The best site would be the southwest corner of the business park. Game and Fish are going to review funding. Well #10 has a new pump and is running. The billboard out north needs to be repaired which could be subleased out if the Town does not want to use it. The infrastructure crew is working in the alley north of 5th street, putting in a manhole on 4th street, and replacing sewer lines on 4th and Pine Street. They continue work on Barrett and 5th with sidewalk work, next week will be putting in water line on Diamond, and there could be some issues with Cipp Lining. EPA is handing down new lead and copper rules, and there is a lot of issues with this and there may be funding available.
Old Business:
Amendment of Ordinance No. 8-15-150 was read in its entirety by Mayor Lytle. There was a discussion on item number 2. The wording was changed to “shall be issued”.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER to approve Ordinance No. 8-15-150, An Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance No. 8-15-150 at Paragraph (F) to Allow Food Services for Minors in Retail Liquor Establishments by Permit, on third reading. After a lengthy discussion on the ordinance change, Council Member Nelson and Dooper called for the vote. MOTION CARRIED.
New Business:
The Elks requested permission to hold a Golf Tournament on May 20th, 2022 for the Elks State Convention and on August 7th, 2022 for the Annual Golf Tournament. COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve the request from the Elks for the above-mentioned tournaments. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER FILENER, to approve to pay off the USDA Water Loan in the amount that is needed to do so. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, SECOND BY BLACKBURN, to approve to consolidate the Office of State Lands and Investments DW219 Loan and Wyoming Water Development Loan with the refinancing of Phase II infrastructure project with USDA. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve Ordinance No. 11-15-170, An Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance No 11-15-170, to Require all Properties within the Town to Connect to the Public Sewer, Prohibiting Septic Tanks, Privy Tanks, Cesspools and Leach Fields, and Providing an Exception Thereto, on first reading. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve Ordinance No. 11-20-110, an Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance No. 11-20-110, to Include the Requirement that all Users of Water within the Town of Lusk Purchase the Same from the Town of Lusk; and Prohibiting the Obtaining of Water from Other Sources, on first reading. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve the Hangar Lease Renewal with Dan Hanson. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to move into executive session for personnel matters at 6:10 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
The Council reconvened into regular session at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor Lytle instructed Town Attorney Meier to construct a retire/rehire policy.
The next regular Council meeting will be Tuesday April 5, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned
at 6:32 p.m.
Douglas E. Lytle, Mayor
ATTEST:
Linda M. Frye, Clerk/Treasurer
Public Notice No. 5735. Published in The Lusk Herald on March 9, 2022.
