The County Commissioners’ meeting was called to order on October 3, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Patrick H. Wade. Vice-Chairman John Midkiff, Commissioner Elaine Griffith, and Deputy County Clerk Janette Starck were present. Members of the audience included Heather Goddard with the Lusk Herald, Sheriff Randy Starkey & Kurt Gaukel.
Road & Bridge- Foreman Fred Thomas met with the Commissioners and updated them on road and bridge business. He said that engineers with BenchMark of Torrington are working on the proposal for the winter road project. They will meet with the Commissioners and Foreman Thomas to look at the auto gates and flare walls for culverts at a future date.
The company that gave the bid for the auto gates will honor their price of $4,200.
The new blade will not be delivered until late December and the V-plow sometime this month.
He said he has been out to Divide and North Mahnke Roads three times recently to check on road damage. Trucks have been hauling frac sand to the area and the road has been damaged. He is hoping that he will soon be able to repair the damage. He thought that it may require twenty loads of gravel.
The road and bridge crew has been blading out north to try and knock down weeds on the roadside. Commissioner Wade suggested that the County should encourage and would appreciate it if the landowners would mow roadsides by their property to help with drifting snow along County roads.
There was discussion on a request for placement of “No Winter Maintenance” signs on old Highway 85.
County Attorney- County Attorney Anne Wasserburger met with the Commissioners and discussed county business. She has amended the contract with Rapid Fire Protection Inc. for the alarm panel at the fairgrounds and is waiting for their response. She suggested that the Commissioners make a motion to approve the contract provided the changes she suggested are made.
Commissioner Griffith reported that Union Wireless sent an email letter to the Commissioners expressing interest in locating a tower on County property. Mrs. Wasserburger suggested that the company come to meet with the Commissioners and the Fair Board at a future meeting to explain what they want and where they would like to place the tower. Commissioner Griffith will reply to the letter to notify them that the County would need more information and request that they schedule a time at a future meeting.
Neil Holmes met with the Commissioners and discussed the bid proposals from Rapid Fire Protection Inc. and Wyatt Electric. He suggested that the County proceed with both and would like notice when the Commissioners approve the contract. There was discussion regarding his fee for coordinating this project, and he said that he would like 5% of the total cost of the project.
Neil Holmes said that the work on the Public Health building is progressing. The generator installation is complete and a meter test by Black Hills Energy is needed. The rock work for drainage is in place and seems to be doing its job. The inside of the building is going well, and Wyatt Electric has some items to finish. The flooring company bill will come in slightly over the proposal as it is necessary to remove wall tin to install the flooring. The handicap parking spot will be painted, and a sign would be beneficial when the ground is covered by snow.
Snow Removal at Courthouse, Library, Justice Center & Public Health - Mike Mayville met with the commissioners and is willing to do the snow removal work for $60 per hour. Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to hire Mike Mayville for the snow removal at the above-mentioned locations. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
Flagpole at Courthouse- Commissioner Griffith reported that the rope needs to be removed from the flagpole before it is painted. Vice-Chairman Midkiff volunteered to remove it.
Justice Center Roofing Bid- Commissioner Griffith moved to accept the agreement with Big Horn Roofing for $211,450.00 Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
BLM-RMP-DEIS Rock Springs RMP Revision Wyoming - Commissioner Griffith moved to send a letter to the Bureau of Land Management to show opposition to the plan. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried. DRU Consulting drafted the letter for Niobrara County.
Fair Board Vacancy- It was noted there was a vacancy on the fair board and interested parties should contact the County Clerk’s office or the Extension office before October 20th.
Prevention Specialist – Prevention Specialist Katie Krien has submitted her resignation effective October 31, 2023.
Fire Alarm Equipment at Fairgrounds - Commissioner Griffith moved to approve the agreement with Rapid Fire Protection Inc. in the amount of $50,591.00 for the fire alarm system at the Fairgrounds on the condition that the contract changes proposed by County Attorney Anne Wasserburger are accepted by Rapid Fire Protection Inc. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried. The annual maintenance contract with Rapid Fire was tabled.
Fire Alarm Electrical Installation at the Fairgrounds - Commissioner Griffith moved to accept the proposal with Wyatt Electric in the amount of $35,750.00. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
Consent Agenda- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to approve the consent agenda. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda were the minutes from the September 19, 2023, meeting, and receipts for September from the County Clerk for $3,248.00.
Payroll and the following vouchers were approved for payment:
Bills are listed in the following format: Vendor- Department- Description- Amount- September Payroll- $122085.21, Aflac- Various- Supplemental insurance- $8726.12, 14 County Tire- Sheriff- Vehicle repairs- $145.00, Allbright’s True Value- Road & Bridge- Parts- $11.28, Alsco- Road & Bridge- Shop towels & coveralls- $311.80, Anne Wasserburger- County Attorney- Schools, supplies- $351.65, Barbara Cushman- Sheriff- Schools- $585.00, Becky L. Freeman- County Clerk- Travel expense- $136.24, Benzel Pest Control- Justice Center- Pest control- $97.92, Black Hills Chemical & Janitorial- Various- Supplies- $226.23, Black Hills Energy- Various- Utilities- $256.34, Boldon Welding & Repair, LLC.- Road & Bridge- Parts- $225.00, Budd-Falen Law Offices- Commissioners- Legal review of the draft planning & zoning manual- $6741.13, Canon Financial Services- Various- Copier service agreements- $330.00, CenturyLink- Various- Telephones- $2145.26, CenturyLink Business- Various- Telephones- $65.56, Civil Air Patrol Magazine- Sheriff- Publications- $205.00, Connecting Point Computer Centers- Various- Copier service agreements- $313.81, Cory Wilcox- Coroner- Deputy coroner stipend- $575.00, Coulson Law, LLC.- Clerk of Court- Court appointed attorney- $120.00, CS Consulting- Assessor- Equipment repair- $45.05, Decker’s Market- Road & Bridge- Supplies- $64.57, Delta Dental of WY- Various- Dental insurance- $1004.70, Dennis C. Meier- Circuit Court Magistrate- Office rent- $1000.00, Double A Properties, LLC.- Co. Attorney- Office rent- $1000.00, Elite Level Construction- General Co.- Equipment repairs- $130.00, Frank Parts Co.- Road & Bridge- Parts- $85.50, Fusion Cloud Services, LLC.- Various, Telephone- $1135.82, Geographic Innovations- Various- Professional mapping- $1500.00, Goshen County Detention Center- Detention- Inmate housing & meds- $6778.59, Great-West Trust Co., LLC.- Various- Deferred compensation contributions- $19705.00, Great Western Tire Co.- Various- Tires- $1408.00, GreatAmerica Financial Services- Various- Copier service agreements- $117.81, GSG Architecture Design- Facilities- Justice Center Roof Replacement Project- $7854.40, Holmes Ranch Excavation- Public Health Nurse Building- Improvements- $4500.00 Jameson Cleaning & Maintenance- Facilities- Fairgrounds cleaning contract - $7500.00, Jub Jub, Inc.- General county- IT expense- $90.00, Katie Krein- Prevention Grant- Phone, IT expense, operational supports, svc. implementation- $113.14, Ken Brown- Clerk of Court- Court appointed attorney- $420.00, Keri Thompson- Treasurer- Travel expense- $136.24, Lusk Herald- General County- Publications- $3032.77, Lusk State Bank- Various- Payroll taxes- $35690.91, Michael Coon- Public Health Nurse Building- Remodel expenses- $12265.00, Michael Harberts- General County- IT expense- $3655.00, Michelle Kremers- Various Public Health- Supplies, travel expense- $81.88, Miller Construction- Justice Center Building- Kitchen & dispatch remodel- $15300.00, Niobrara County Circuit Court- Garnishment- $176.59, Niobrara County Hospital District- 1% Option Tax- $36233.20, Niobrara County Library- General Co.- Deferred compensation- $1875.00, Niobrara County Public Health- Prevention grant- Indirect costs- $111.05, Niobrara Electric Association- Various- Radio tower electricity- $62.70, Paul’s Welding- Facilities- Flag pole repairs- $292.50, Rancher’s Feed & Supply, Inc.- Road & Bridge- Redicrete- $100.81, Regional West Medical Center- Coroner- Autopsy- $320.05, Sand Rock Vision Clinic- Facilities- Rent & utilities for temporary sheriff’s office- $735.33, Stinker Stores, Inc.- Road & Bridge- Fuel- $1472.02, Team Laboratory Chemical, LLC.- Facilities- Supplies- $286.50, Teri Stephens- Assessor- Travel expense- $45.32, The Master’s Touch- Treasurer- Mailing service- $ 132.26, Thomson Reuters-West- County Attorney- Law library- $168.83, Torrington Office Supply- Various- Supplies- $42.45, Town of Lusk- Various- Utilities- $2860.40, Traci Bruegger- Facilities- Cleaning contract- $4300.00, Tricia L. Mutchler- Clerk of Court- Court appeal transcription- $97.50, Tyler Technologies- Treasurer- Computer expense- $82.69, Verizon Wireless- Various- Phones, base charge $443.58, Visa- Various- Supplies, travel, postage, transports, medical supplies, new equipment, uniforms, vehicle repairs, computer expense- $1543.36, Vision Service Plan- Various- Vision Insurance $406.55, Visionary Broadband- Various- IT expense- $598.16, Westco- Road & Bridge- Fuel- $4436.05, WY Enterprise Technology Services- Various- Computer expense- $29.58, Wyoming Department of Workforce Services- General Co.- Qtrly workers’ comp.- $6192.78, Wyoming Educators’ Benefit Trust- Co Admin- Health & life insurance- $23569.56, Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy- Sheriff- Schools- $1124.50, Wyoming Machinery Co.- Road & Bridge- Equipment repairs- $1976.17, Wyoming Network, Inc.- General County- IT expense- $200.00, Wyoming Signs, LLC.- County Road Fund- Signs and traffic cones- $1459.67, Xerox Corp.- Co admin- Copier service agreement- $128.05,
Payroll Deductions & Accounts payable total- $237685.93
Grand total for July $359771.14
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:45 P.M.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick Wade, Chairman
Attest:
Janette Starck, Deputy County Clerk
Public Notice No. 5996. Published in The Lusk Herald on October 25, 2023
