Public Notice
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ SPECIAL MEETING
NIOBRARA COUNTY, WYOMING
March 5, 2019
The County Commissioners’ meeting was called to order on this date at 9:03 a.m. with Chairman Patrick H. Wade, Commissioners John Midkiff, Elaine Griffith, and County Clerk Becky L. Freeman, present.
Road and Bridge- Road and Bridge Foreman met with the Commissioners and updated them on road and bridge business. He discussed employees and noted that he might be short staffed due to illness and other medical matters. Commissioner Griffith asked if there was a “stand by” person to fill vacancies and Mr. Thomas said he had a part-time employee that could fill the void.
Vice-Chairman Midkiff discussed snow fence and presented information on Centennial Woods, LLC., a company that builds and maintains snow fence at no charge to landowners and counties, and then after a certain period of time, they replace the old snow fence, reclaim, recycle and mill the weathered boards and prepare them for sale for interior and exterior projects.
It appears that there are some landowners interested in the project and Chairman Wade suggested having all interested landowners and Centennial Woods, LLC., attend a meeting in May to discuss each entity’s responsibilities.
Hospital District- Hospital District Chairman Mark Groh met with the Commissioners and asked them to consider the Hospital District’s request of $500,000 from the Hospital O & M account to pay bills. Also in attendance was Treasurer Keri Thompson. Mr. Groh said some of the reasons for the request were that patient self pays (uninsured) were down or not coming in at all, and there was an unanticipated claim the hospital had to spend on employee health insurance. He thought that money should be coming in around May and they would be in better financial shape. He also said that the board would reimburse the O & M account over time.
Commissioner Griffith inquired about the balance of funds available and if there were restrictions on how to use the money. Treasurer Thompson and Clerk Freeman explained that when the original tax was voted on by the voters, the question contained language about an O & M account and that use of those funds was for the operations and maintenance of the hospital.
Based on these discussions, it was moved by Vice-Chairman Midkiff and seconded by Commissioner Griffith to authorize the Treasurer to transfer $500,000.00 from the Hospital O & M account to the hospital district today (3/5/19), with the understanding that a signed repayment contract will be executed by all parties no later than April 2, 2019. Motion carried.
County Attorney- Anne Wasserburger, County Attorney, met with the Commissioners and discussed county business. Also in attendance was Road & Bridge Foreman Fred Thomas.
The group held a phone conference with Megan Romano, Attorney with Holland and Hart who represents ONEOK, regarding the Kilmer change of zoning application and subdivision permit application. The Commissioners set the public hearing for April 2, 2019, at 11:00 a.m.
The group next discussed the snow fence program by Centennial Woods, LLC., planning and zoning board member terms and vacancies and advertising for the vacant positions.
The group discussed the health insurance quote received from WEBT. Both the Commissioners and Attorney Wasserburger felt it would be best to have a representative from WEBT come in and better explain the quote.
The Commissioners inquired about the Thunder Basin Resources (TRB) Division Order. TRB recently completed the Hanson Fee 1-12H well located in Niobrara County and received a Supplemental Drilling Title Opinion. As a result of this opinion, some owners’ interests changed, and new owners added. Attorney Wasserburger didn’t see any issues with signing this order.
Elected Officials and Dept. Heads- James Santistevan, Emergency Management Coordinator; Cary Gill, Sheriff; Teri Stephens, Assessor; Denise E. Smith, UW Extension Educator; and Dell Atkinson, Long Term Recovery Manager, met with the Commissioners and discussed county business.
Sheriff Gill discussed the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) program and said he would be sending Lieutenant Riter to a class in Boston in June to learn more as well as updating them on the new employees and stated they were doing well.
James Santistevan, Emergency Management Coordinator, discussed the Emergency Operation Plan (EOP) and Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. He said we have until 2020 to make any changes on the EOP and that the Hazardous Mitigation Resolutions need to be signed as soon as possible so that the Regional Hazardous Mitigation Plan can be completed.
He just received Tier II paperwork for 2018 and is reviewing and verifying the information provided. The purpose of this report is to provide State, local officials, and the public with specific information on potential hazards, which includes the locations, as well as the number of hazardous chemicals present at facilities in the county during the previous calendar year.
He scheduled a weather spotter’s class for April 18th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Town office.
Assessor Teri Stephens discussed her new hire and noted that her office has been busy entering personal property equipment and cleaning up data.
UW Extension Educator Denise E. Smith discussed the possibility of using a Community Enhancement Grant to assist in the payment of or completely pay for the proposed heating and cooling unit at the fairgrounds as well as any necessary electrical upgrades and most likely a new backup generator. The grant is for up to $500,000.00, and the application due dates are June 1, September 1 and November 1.
She distributed information about a physical activity program called FixX, an eight-week team-based physical activity program, the 2019 Fairgrounds Rental Rates, and flyers the 4-H kids developed for the 4-H Shooting Sports Challenge Shoot on March 17th, 2019 and stated that the fair board bylaws were approved.
Mrs. Smith provided an estimate from Body Builders to repaint and re-chrome the stall partitions in the bathrooms for $2,600.00. They discussed putting FRP floor tiles and panels in the bathroom stalls while the partitions are refurbished.
She discussed maintenance matters and voiced concerns about some of the maintenance items not being completed promptly.
Vice-Chair Midkiff asked Mr. Santistevan if there were any plans for the old generator at the fairgrounds if a new one is purchased. Mrs. Smith suggested using it at the Shooting Sports Building in case there is an overflow of the individuals from the auditorium in the event of an emergency. 50*50
Treasurer Keri Thompson joined the meeting.
Vice-Chair Midkiff discussed the snow fence program with Centennial Woods, LLC., and Chairman Wade talked about the work being done to update the land use plan.
Commissioner Griffith suggested that when painting the fairground bathroom stalls, completion of the entire project should occur at once, (i.e. FRP floor tiles and panels installed before the painted stalls are reinstalled).
RESOLUTION 19-04- It was moved by Vice-Chair Midkiff and seconded by Commissioner Griffith to approve RESOLUTION 19-04 - A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF AN INDUSTRIAL ROAD PROGRAM (IRP) APPLICATION TO THE WYOMING DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY FOR NIOBRARA COUNTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF REHABILITATION ON CHEYENNE RIVER ROAD, NIOBRARA COUNTY, WY, COUNTY ROAD NO. 14-6. Motion Carried. A complete copy of the resolution is on file in the County Clerk’s office.
RESOLUTION 19-05- It was moved by Vice-Chair Midkiff and seconded by Commissioner Griffith to approve RESOLUTION 19-05- A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE WYOMING REGION 2 CONVERSE COUNTY, NATRONA COUNTY, NIOBRARA COUNTY REGIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN, SEPTEMBER 2018. Motion carried.
Catering Permit- It was moved by Commissioner Griffith and seconded by Vice-Chair Midkiff, to approve a 24-Hour Catering Permit for Spirits to sell alcoholic beverages at the Becky Clark Medical Benefit being held March 16, 2019, at the fairgrounds.
Delta Dental Contract Addendum- It was moved by Commissioner Griffith and seconded by Vice-Chair Midkiff to sign the addendum to the Delta Dental Contract between Niobrara County and Delta Dental, renewing the contract for a period of one year from March 1, 2019, to February 29, 2020. Motion carried.
Thunder Basin Division Order- It was moved by Vice-Chair Midkiff and seconded by Commissioner Griffith to sign the Thunder Basin Division Order. Motion carried.
The group discussed the proposed land use plan updates and Chairman Wade said he would follow up with Budd-Falen Law Offices and ask them to review the draft of the Niobrara County Land and Resource Use Policies.
The letter to the treasurer regarding the transfer of grant funds from FEMA 4227 DR WY was laid back for further clarification on the exact amount to be transferred.
Consent Agenda- It was moved by Commissioner Griffith and seconded by Vice-Chair Midkiff to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried. Items on the consent agenda were the minutes of the February 19, 2019 meeting and February receipts from the County Clerk for $3,420.22 and the County Sheriff for $1,522.18. Also included was a Petition of Affidavit for Rebate of Taxes for Cheyenne River, LLC. for the 2015 & 2016 Tax years for $81.53, and a Notice of Valuation Change for Cheyenne River, LLC. for the 2017 Tax Year for ($0.41).
Payroll and the following vouchers were approved for payment:
Remit
Name Amount Description
3 Sister's Truck Stop $ 16.16 GAS & OIL
Absolute Solutions $ 1,007.26 NEW EQUIPMENT
Allbright's True Value Hardware $ 5.99 SUPPLIES
Allbright's True Value Hardware $ 63.98 LIBRARY MAINTENANCE
Allbright's True Value Hardware $ 777.01 FAIRGROUND MAINTENANCE
Allbright's True Value Hardware $ 53.94 JUSTICE CENTER MAINTENANCE
Allbright's True Value Hardware $ (40.43) FAIRGROUND SUPPLIES
Allbright's True Value Hardware $ 80.97 BLDG/EQUIP MAINTENANCE
Allbright's True Value Hardware $ 5.49 SUPPLIES
Allbright's True Value Hardware $ 49.74 PARTS
Allbright's True Value Hardware $ 5.98 SUPPLIES
Allbright's True Value Hardware $ 31.99 NEW EQUIPMENT
Alsco $ 245.61 PARTS
Anna Foreman $ 275.50 TRAVEL EXPENSE
Anne Wasserburger $ 75.00 SUPPLIES
BAM Document Destruction &
Recycling LLC $ 371.90 BLDG/EQUIP MAINTENANCE
BenchMark of Torrington P.C. $ 1,074.50 ENGINEERING
Birch Communications $ 134.82 TELEPHONE
Birch Communications $ 141.42 TELEPHONE
Birch Communications $ 66.60 TELEPHONE
Birch Communications $ 268.91 TELEPHONE
Birch Communications $ 66.60 TELEPHONE
Birch Communications $ 182.89 TELEPHONE
Black Hills Chemical & Janitorial $ 401.59 FAIRGROUND SUPPLIES
Black Hills Chemical & Janitorial $ 694.84 SUPPLIES
Black Hills Energy $ 1,145.30 COURTHOUSE UTILITIES
Black Hills Energy $ 725.44 JUSTICE CENTER UTILITIES
Black Hills Energy $ 236.37 SHOP UTILITIES
Brown Family Property Trust $ 45.00 DUES
C & H Tire & Trailer Repair, LLC. $ 64.23 PARTS
