Public Notice No. 5501

The  County Commissioners’ meeting was called to order on August 17, 2020 at 9:01 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 informed the Commissioners that the new blade has arrived.  He also mentioned a minor mishap with a county vehicle in which someone ran a yield sign and hit the road and bridge truck.  He said there was minimal damage to the truck, and he is waiting to receive an accident report.  
He said that work on 20 Mile Road should be completed by today or tomorrow.  The crew will then move on to Hat Creek Road to finish the last 1/10th mile of road work.  He said JW Services, LLC. is working on Cheyenne River Road.  
He noted that the stockpile is dwindling, and there is still quite a bit of road work left to do.   
Chairman Wade asked him to estimate the remaining quantity of rock after the work is completed, and Foreman Thomas thought there would be approximately 25,000 tons remaining after completing Hat Creek, Boner, and Cheyenne River Roads.
He had nothing new to report on the status of the Ruffing Pit.
WYDOT- Wyoming Department of Transportation representatives Jeff Goetz, Mark Williams, Mark Nelson, Chad Agar, and Calvin Goddard met with the Commissioners and discussed the State Transportation Improvement Program for 2021-2026.
County Attorney- County Attorney Anne Wasserburger met with the Commissioners via telephone and discussed county business.   The group discussed the Guardian Ad Litem contract, and Attorney Wasserburger said all county attorneys have concerns with the wording in this MOU and recommended laying it back until more information becomes available.  
Chairman Wade inquired about the status of the pending prosecution, and Attorney Wasserburger said she has a conference call with the special prosecutor appointed to the case to see how it is progressing.
ESRI Regional Government Enterprise License Agreement- Commissioner Griffith moved to sign the 2020 Joint Agreement to Take Advantage of an ESRI Regional Government Enterprise License Agreement between Crook, Weston, and Niobrara Counties.  Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, motion carried.
Financial Agreement with the Town of Lusk for ESRI Agreement- Commissioner Griffith moved to sign the financial agreement between Niobrara County and the Town of Lusk for the ESRI Regional Government Enterprise License Agreement for 2020 to 2023. The Town of Lusk will pay the County $1,175.00 for FY 2020-2021, and the remaining years’ fees will be based on 2020 Census numbers. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, motion carried.
Revised MOU between the Niobrara Rural Fire District and Niobrara County- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to sign the revised Memorandum of Understanding between the Niobrara County Rural Fire District and Niobrara County.  Commissioner Griffith seconded, motion carried.   This revised MOU replaces the MOU signed at the August 4, 2020 meeting and includes language stating that in the event of fires within the County, the County will furnish equipment for fire control through the construction of fire lines.  
Resolution 20-15- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to sign RESOLUTION 20-15

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF NIOBRARA COUNTY TO EXECUTE, ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY, THAT CERTAIN “COMMUNICATIONS/911/DISPATCH SERVICES OPERATIONS AGREEMENT”.
    WHEREAS, the Town of Lusk has, in the past, contracted with the County of Niobrara and the Niobrara County Sheriff for “dispatching services” to the Lusk Police Department, Lusk Ambulance and Fire Departments, Emergency Management and Civil Defense requirements, 911 citizen calls, Public Works standby calls, animal control, and other security and emergency calls; and,
    WHEREAS, the Town of Lusk and County of Niobrara have negotiated the terms of said contract for the fiscal year 2020-2021;
    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT:
    1.     The Board of Commissioners of Niobrara County are hereby authorized and directed to execute the “Contract for Services” in the form and on the terms and conditions as are set forth in the contract attached hereto entitled CONTRACT FOR SERVICES – COMMUNICATION/911/DISPATCH SERVICES “OPERATIONS” AGREEMENT which is by this reference incorporated fully herein.
    THIS RESOLUTION PASSED AND APPROVED by the Niobrara County Commissioners, this 17th day of August 2020.
/s/ Patrick H. Wade, Chairman
                 /s/ John Midkiff, Vice-Chairman
         /s/ Elaine Griffith, Commissioner
Attest:
/s/Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk
Commissioner Griffith seconded, motion carried.
Communications/911/Dispatch Contract- 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, motion carried.
Construction Contracts- Commissioner Griffith moved to sign construction contracts with JG Construction for $38,275.00, Casper Tin Shop for $192,560.00, and Body Builders Body Shop for $2,600.00 for upgrades and repair work to be done to the fairgrounds auditorium.  Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, motion carried.
Owner’s Representative Contract- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to sign the Agreement for Owner’s Representative Construction Services between Holmes Ranch Excavating, LLC.  and Niobrara County.  Commissioner Griffith seconded, motion carried.
The Commissioners reviewed a quote from Anderson Carpet to install new flooring in dispatch for $3,520.00.  They authorized Sheriff Gill to proceed with the project.
Consent Agenda- Commissioner Griffith moved to approve the consent agenda.  Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, motion carried.  Items on the consent agenda were the minutes of the August 4, 2020 meeting and receipts for July from the Clerk of District Court for $886.00.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.        

                     NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick H. Wade, Chairman
Attest:
Becky L. Freeman, Clerk
Public Notice No. 5501. Published in The Lusk Herald on September 9, 2020.