Public Notice No. 5814

Posted

Public Notice

The County Commissioners’ meeting was called to order on July 19, 2022, at 9:02 a.m. with Chairman Patrick H. Wade, Vice-Chairman John Midkiff, Commissioner Elaine Griffith, and County Clerk Becky L. Freeman present.
Road & Bridge- Foreman Fred Thomas reported on road and bridge business.  He discussed an email he received from Knife River regarding millings they will be removing from the Highway 85 project. Foreman Thomas said he contacted the county attorney to draft a stockpile agreement between Dan B. Hanson and Donna M. Hanson and the County to store reclaimed asphalt on a portion of the owner’s property.
He said they are hauling asphalt chunks from behind the shop to a washout spot on Silver Springs Road.  
Chairman Wade discussed earmarking $100,000 in the County Road Fund for the next few years to help fund the purchase of a motor grader.  
Greg Starck, Dan Cushman and Barbara Cushman and Thomas Mitchell met with the Commissioners to discuss the old jail.  Mr. Starck inquired as to what the next steps were for the jail and if there was any way they could assist the county in keeping the jail.  Chairman Wade explained that the main concern for them as Commissioners was does it have a purpose and how will it be maintained financially. The group discussed several options and Mr. Starck asked if the Commissioners would authorize him to find someone to come here and do an investigation to determine if the old jail contains asbestos and/or lead.  The Commissioners authorized him to do so and extended their appreciation for their attendance and expressing their concerns about tearing down the old jail.
Debbie Sturman, Library Director, met with the Commissioners to revisit the library budget and discuss the library’s cash reserve.  
Thomas Mitchell remained after and visited with the Commissioners about obtaining funding from the County for gas cards and other expenses to aid in his endeavors to continue to provide services to the community, such as transportation to and from medical appointments, etc.  The Commissioners commended his efforts to assist people, but stated they were unable to fund a private individual in this fashion.  Commissioner Griffith suggested reaching out to different entities such as Dept. of Family Services.
Old Business- Commissioner Griffith said she had bid documents ready for the partial removal, restructure, and repairs of the fairgrounds roof.  The group discussed timelines for submission of bids.  She said she hasn’t heard anything new on ARPA funding
County Attorney- Attorney Anne Wasserburger met with the Commissioners and presented a stockpile agreement for millings to be housed on landowners’ property.  
Stockpile Agreement- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to approve the stockpile agreement between Dan B. Hanson and Donna M. Hanson and Niobrara County.  Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.  

Attorney Wasserburger said that the Lime Rock agreement for the new public health office is still being negotiated.  
Memorandum of Understanding- Commissioner Griffith moved to approve the MOU between the Wyoming Department of Health, Public Health Division and Niobrara County.  Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.  This MOU concerns the Public Health Nursing Unit and the Maternal Child Health Unit.  The term of the contract is from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024 and the federal funds awarded shall not exceed $2,500 and the total state general funds shall not exceed $1,500.
Letter of Engagement- Commissioner Griffith moved to sign the letter of engagement with Porter, Muirhead, Cornia, and Howard for audit services for FYE 2022. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
Resolution 22-10- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to sign Resolution 22-10, authorizing the Commissioners to execute the Communications/911/Dispatch Services Operations Agreement. A complete copy of the resolution is on file in clerk’s office and is available on the County’s website: niobraracounty.org/_departments/_commissioners/Resolutions.asp.
Contract for Services- Commissioner Griffith moved to sign a Contract for Services between the Town of Lusk and Niobrara County for Communications/911/Dispatch. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
Resolution 22-11- Fire Ban- Commissioner Griffith moved to adopt Resolution 22-11 A Resolution imposing a partial fire ban in the unincorporated areas of Niobrara County. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried. A complete copy of the resolution is on file in clerk’s office and is available on the County’s website: niobraracounty.org/_departments/_commissioners/Resolutions.asp.
Chairman Wade recessed the meeting at 2:00 p.m. for a Local Emergency Management Committee meeting.
The regular meeting reconvened at 2:45 p.m.
Undersheriff Kelly Dean met with the Commissioners to review the sheriff budget and new equipment. They also reviewed the results of a vulnerability test conducted by the State on the networks for the County and SO.  They asked him to review and update as necessary.
Resolution 22-12- Commissioner Griffith moved to adopt Resolution 22-12 Appropriations Resolution for the FY 22-23 Budget.  Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
A complete copy of the resolution is on file in clerk’s office and is available on the County’s website: niobraracounty.org/_departments/_commissioners/Resolutions.asp.
Resolution 22-13 Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to adopt Resolution 22-13 Income Resolution Necessary to Finance the Budget. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried. A complete copy of the resolution is on file in clerk’s office and is available on the County’s website: niobraracounty.org/_departments/_commissioners/Resolutions.asp.
County Road Fund- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to earmark $100,000 from the County Road Fund for the future purchase of a motor grader pursuant to WSS 24-2-110 (j).  Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
Consent Agenda- Commissioner Griffith moved to approve the consent agenda.  Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.  Items on the consent agenda were minutes of the July 5, 2022 Regular Meeting and the July 8, 2022 Special Meeting.
    
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.

                            NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                            Patrick Wade, Chairman

Attest:
Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk
Public Notice No. 5814. Published in The Lusk Herald on August 10, 2022.