The regular meeting of the Niobrara County Commissioners commenced on October 15, 2024, at 9:05 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 Starkey. Brandie Collins, with the Lusk Herald, was in attendance.
Road & Bridge- Foreman Fred Thomas updated the Commissioners on road and bridge matters. He said the 2024 Road Rehabilitation Project is not progressing as quickly as he would like.
Old Business- There was nothing new to report on the old jail, the Community Juvenile Services Board coordinator position, or the fairgrounds property.
County Attorney- Attorney Anne Wasserburger and the Commissioners discussed the IT contract with Converse County, and she noted that if her changes were made, the contract was ready to be signed.
24-Hour Catering Permit- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to approve a 24-Hour Catering Permit for 3 Sisters Truck Stop to sell alcoholic beverages at the Son of a Gun Banquet being held October 26, 2024, at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
Mike Mayville met with the Commissioners to discuss snow removal. He said he was interested in providing those services again with the caveat that EMS calls will take priority.
Dru Bower of DRU Consulting joined the meeting via telephone and provided an update on the Newcastle BLM Resource Management Plan Revisions, the Thunder Basin National Grasslands, Forest Service Old Growth plans as well as prairie dog control. Lisa Shaw of the Niobrara Conservation District was in attendance as well.
Emergency Management- Coordinator James Santistevan met with the Commissioners to discuss the Region 2 Hazard Mitigation Plan. He presented a resolution which needs to be approved and signed by all jurisdictions.
Commissioner Griffith moved to approve Resolution 24-09, adopting the Wyoming Region 2 Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024 Update. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
Public Health- Regional Public Health Nurse Supervisor Melanie Pearce called in to discuss the quote for the construction of a carport in the back of the public health nurse building. She said that since the building grant had been extended until the end of this year, there was funding available for this project.
The thought behind the carport would be that it would be placed over the handicap parking area and would provide coverage from snow and prevent ice buildup. It would cover the cement portion and would butt up against the building instead of an awning.
Chairman Wade explained that the Commissioners were concerned that snow removal would be more difficult with this addition. They also had concerns about drifting snow and increased hazardous ice situations. The Commissioners did not approve this request.
Next, Ms. Pearce asked about installing an awning over the back door to help alleviate snow buildup. The Commissioners noted that the person in charge of snow removal will take care of removing snow from buildings and did not approve of this either.
Consent Agenda- Commissioner Griffith moved to approve the consent agenda. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda were the minutes of the October 1, 2024 meeting, and receipts from September from the County Clerk for $3,272.00, from the Sheriff for $322.50, from the Public Health Nurse for $257.36 and from the Clerk of District Court for $1,934.00.
There being no further business, Commissioner Griffith moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:59 a.m. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick Wade, Chairman
Attest: Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk
Public Notice No. 6164 published in The Lusk Herald on November 20, 2024.
