The regular meeting of the Niobrara County Commissioners commenced on May 21, 2024, at 9:03 a.m. Present were Chairman Patrick H. Wade, Vice-Chairman John Midkiff, and Commissioner Elaine Griffith. Also present were County Clerk Becky L. Freeman and Sheriff Randy L. Starkey. Colby Thurston was in attendance.
Road & Bridge- Foreman Fred Thomas met with the Commissioners and discussed roof repairs needed at the shop. He said Jerry Miller inspected the roof and said the roof, ceiling and entryway would need repaired.
Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to hire Miller Construction to repair the roof and structural damage to the road and bridge shop with a limit of $15,000.00. If the work exceeds $15,000.00, approval from the Commissioners must be obtained before proceeding. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
County Attorney- Attorney Anne Wasserburger met with the Commissioners to discuss county business. She said the public health nurse contracts were in order and could be signed.
She is still waiting for updates on the contract with Rapid Fire Protection for the annual fire alarm inspection at the sheriff’s office.
2024 Road Rehabilitation Project- BenchMark of Torrington engineer Brian Wakefield met with the Commissioners and Foreman Thomas to discuss the 2024 Road Rehabilitation Project bid. He said the bid submitted by Whetsell Carpentry, LLC., is comparable to BenchMark’s original estimates. He said the contractor adjusted the bid, thereby lowering the bid to $155,789.88.
Based on BenchMark’s recommendation, Commissioner Griffith moved to award the 2024 Road Rehabilitation Project-Cattleguard and Headwall, to Whetsell Carpentry, LLC., for the adjusted bid price of $155,789.88. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried. The project is for portions of Cheyenne River and 20 Mile Roads.
Appointment of County Fire Warden – Rural Fire District Director Colby Thurston discussed the District’s selection for a county fire warden. They recommended appointing Justin Kremers.
Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to appoint Justin Kremers as the Niobrara County Fire Warden. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
Matt Jameson met with the Commissioners regarding his contract for fairgrounds maintenance.
Dru Palmer, President of DRU Consulting, LLC., met with the Commissioners via Zoom and updated them on the BLM Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement.
Melanie Pearce, Regional Public Health Nursing Supervisor, met with the Commissioners via Zoom to discuss the Public Health Response Coordinator and Prevention Grants. Also attending was Monica Wilcox, Public Health Response Coordinator, and via Zoom were representatives from the Wyoming Department of Health.
The discussion focused on increasing the hours for the position in each grant from 32 hours to 35 hours. Ms. Pearce said that the contracts state that the employees should be full time. Commissioner Griffith wanted to ensure there was adequate work to justify the increase and Ms. Pearce assured her there was. Ms. Pearce also stated that the increase in hours would not be an additional cost to the county as the grants cover the wages and all benefits.
Commissioner Griffith moved to increase the hours worked per week from 32 to 35 for the Prevention Grant position, effective immediately. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
Commissioner Griffith moved to increase the hours worked per week from 32 to 35 for the Public Health Response Coordinator Grant position, effective immediately. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
Sheriff Randy Starkey met with the Commissioners and discussed the credit card spending limit for the sheriff’s office. He asked if they would write a letter to First State Bank of Newcastle, authorizing a credit limit increase to $10,000.00. He said that they often approach or reach the current spending limit and need to have the card available in an emergency. Commissioner Griffith moved to increase the credit card limit for the sheriff’s office to $10,000.00. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
Leslie Stewart met with the Commissioners and the group discussed possible uses for the old jail. Everyone agreed that maintaining the historic aspect of the building is important, especially the cellblock on the first floor and the woodwork throughout the building. Once again, the importance of the building generating income to pay for itself, i.e. upkeep, utilities, etc. was addressed. Several ideas were brought forward for future use, but making the building ADA compliant is necessary. Ms. Stewart said assessments will be conducted to look for any additional environmental hazards.
She said that if the Commissioners agreed to move forward, Ayers Consulting out of Cheyenne will be handling the economic redevelopment and planning phase. They will start artistic renderings, economic information, and searching for grant funding immediately. The Commissioners authorized the project to move forward.
24-Hour Catering Permit- Commissioner Griffith moved to approve a 24-Hour Catering Permit for 3-Sister’s Truck Stop to sell alcoholic beverages at the Cagle/ Cross wedding reception being held June 15, 2024, at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
The Commissioners set a public hearing for June 18th at 9:00 a.m. to receive public comment on the planning and zoning application they received from Advanced Communications Technology, Inc. requesting a special use permit for the placement a 504 sq. ft. prefab telecommunications hut and generator.
Commissioner Griffith moved to sign the renewal order for the Center for Internet Security Services for endpoint protection. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
The Commissioners acknowledged receipt of the 2024 Assessment Roll from the County Assessor.
Petition to Cross County Roads- The Commissioners received a Petition to Cross a County Road from Hadley Jackson Energy, LLC., on a portion of Old Hwy 85 located in the SWSWNW of Section 19, T39N, R60W, to lay and construct a 12” pipe sleeve for a water line. Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to sign the Order authorizing the crossing. Commissioner Griffith 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 of the May 7, 2024, meeting, receipts for April from the Sheriff for $252.00, and a Petition of Affidavit for Reduction of Taxes for Finley Resources, Inc. from the 2021 Tax Rolls for $762.80.
There being no further business, Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:30 p.m. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick Wade, Chairman
Attest:
Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk
Public Notice No. 6107. Published in The Lusk Herald on June 26, 2024.
