Buffalo Wyoming City Council Meeting Minutes 01/16/07
Jan 23, 2007
Author: Julie Silbernagel

CITY OF BUFFALO
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
January 16, 2007

The Buffalo City Council met in Regular Session in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Present were Mayor Anderson, Councilwoman Holt, Councilman Hancock and Councilman Humphrey. Councilman Johnson was absent. Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. and asked that gentlemen remove their hats and all cell phones be turned off. Mayor Anderson then led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Councilwoman Holt made a motion to approve the January 2, 2007 Council minutes. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion and all Council members present voted aye.

A Public Hearing was held for the re-zoning of Lots 8 and 9 of Block 24 of the Park Addition to the City of Buffalo. Councilwoman Holt questioned if the neighbors to this property had been notified and if any negative comment had been received.

A Public Hearing for the Wesleyan Church Annexation was held. Jeremy Grimm, Planning Director, explained the annexation and subdivision requirements. Grimm recommended the Council take Public Comment and require a dedicated easement of Mathers Street. Marshall Young, 34 North Carrington, asked that the proposed annexation not be granted. Barb Elmlinger, 989 North Adams, expressed concern with zoning this annexation as B-1. Elmlinger further requested this property be zoned residential because of concerns with future business development. Bruce Hepp, 700 Walters, questioned how the developer planned to access this property. Grimm explained that the Wyoming Department of Transportation would only grant one access to the adjoining state highway. Hepp also expressed that B-1 zoning would be a logical zoning choice for the East side of the property and suggested the Council require easements on the East and West sides of the property for water and sewer lines. Hepp also questioned where the water and sewer lines would be tied into the City water and sewer systems. Bradley Rogers, 990 North Adams expressed concern with the extension of Mathers Street causing high traffic volume through the area. Rogers stated he didn’t feel the area was conducive to B-1 zoning and that R-1 would still allow a church to be built on the property. Lois Peterson, 1197 North Burritt, requested R-1 zoning and not B-1 zoning. Clint Elmlinger 989 North Adams stated he would be in favor of R-1 zoning and not B-1 zoning and expressed his concern with drainage problems. Councilwoman Holt questioned if a representative from the Wesleyan Church was present. Gordon Christiansen stated he was not the spokesperson for the Wesleyan Church but did share his support of the annexation as he was a member of the Wesleyan Church.

A Public Hearing for the Sunset Business Park Annexation was held with Jeremy Grimm explaining where the proposed annexation is located. Grimm stated that the Planning Commission recommended an 8 foot easement on the East and West sides of the property. Bruce Hepp questioned the easement, access to Highway 16, and the water and sewer connections for this property.

Doyle Kincaid, Buffalo Tree Board, presented a plan for pruning trees on Main Street and addressed questions from Council.

Spencer Hepp, Johnson County YMCA, presented to the Council the heating and ventilation needs at the YMCA. Hepp asked for permission to proceed with the project since it had been budgeted in the current fiscal year. Councilwoman Holt requested a swimming pool expert be contacted since this air handling system has been replaced many times in the past. Holt also questioned future expansion of the YMCA. Councilman Hancock motioned that research be done and this matter be tabled. Councilwoman Holt seconded the motion and all Council members present voted aye.

Resolution #1241 – A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Business Committed Grant to the Wyoming Business Council by the Buffalo/Johnson County Commerce Park Joint Powers Board was presented. Councilman Humphrey questioned the intentions for this grant and the City’s involvement. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve Resolution #1241. Motion died for lack of a second.

A letter request from Scott Musselmen to be removed from the Buffalo/Johnson County Commerce Park Joint Powers Board was presented to Council. Councilman Hancock made a motion to accept the resignation with a second from Councilman Humphrey. All Council members voted aye.

Doug Thompson, Commerce Park Joint Powers Board, addressed Council regarding the lack of a second motion on Resolution #1241. Thompson urged the Council to reconsider this Resolution. Mayor Anderson asked if Johnson County had passed the Resolution and Thompson stated they had.

Ordinance #1270 – An Ordinance Providing for the Annexation of the “Sunset Business Park Addition” to the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming was presented for first reading. Keith Neustel, Representative for the Developer, stated that the easements proposed were acceptable. Councilman Hancock made a motion to pass the first reading. Councilwoman Holt seconded the motion and all Council members present voted aye.

Aaron Waller, Northeastern Wyoming Resource Conservation and Development Area, asked the City to join a task force to make recommendations on the old Clear Creek School campus. Councilwoman Holt asked Waller to clarify the purpose of his organization. Councilman Hancock made a motion to join the task force and provide City representation. Councilwoman Holt seconded the motion and all Council members present voted aye.

Councilman Hancock made a motion to table the first reading of Ordinance #1271 – An Ordinance Providing for the Annexation of the “Wesleyan Church Addition” to the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming. Councilwoman Holt seconded the motion and all Council members present voted aye.

Ordinance #1272 – An Ordinance Providing for the Re-zoning of Certain Lands within the Park Addition to the City of Buffalo, Wyoming was presented for first reading. Councilman Hancock made a motion to accept the first reading and Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion. All Council members present voted aye.

Resolution #1242 – A Resolution to Amend the Personnel Policy of the City of Buffalo which removes Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid Holiday and adds Columbus Day as a paid Holiday was presented. Councilwoman Holt made a motion to amend Resolution #1242 to have both Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Columbus Day as paid Holidays in an effort to match Holidays paid by the other government and banking entities in the area. Motion died for lack of a second. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the original Resolution #1242. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion and all Council members present voted aye.

Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance #1273 – An Ordinance Providing for the Subdivision of Phase 2 of the “Shiloh Addition” of the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion. Councilwoman Holt questioned how many lots were in each phase and the timing of this addition. All Council members voted aye.

Michael Markovsky, Landsmark Partners, presented a request to extend the sewer line at the Fairgrounds to the corner of Cowboy Trail and Main Street via Section 319 Impact Funds. Councilman Hancock motioned to proceed with this project and Councilwoman Holt seconded. All Council members present voted aye.

Ben Kirven, City Attorney, addressed questions from Council regarding the Criminal Justice Building and the Johnson County YMCA.

Chris Spencer, Building Inspector, presented his monthly report and addressed questions from Council.

Les Hook, Public Works Director, addressed questions from Council regarding Parking Signs on Main Street and a water leak at West Brock and Main Street.

Mike Dahmer, Police Chief, presented a training program in which a High School Student could train as a dispatcher with all associated costs paid by the training program. Councilman Hancock made a motion to pursue the program with a second from Councilman Humphrey. All Council members present voted aye. Chief Dahmer also addressed questions from Council.

Planning Director, Jeremy Grimm, reported on recent damage to the House and Lab at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Councilman Hancock made a motion that bids be gathered to find modular housing. Councilwoman Holt seconded the motion and all Council members present voted aye.

Grimm then presented a request for the Mayor to sign the substantial completion papers for the Tank/Pipeline project. Councilman Hancock made a motion to authorize signature by the Mayor and Councilwoman Holt seconded. All Council members present voted aye.

Grimm explained to Council that little interest was shown in the construction on the Northridge Subdivision Drainage. Grimm also stated that Public Works Director, Les Hook, felt comfortable using the Engineer’s Design and having City crews do the work. Councilman Hancock made a motion to have the City do the construction according to the Engineer’s design. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion and all Council members present voted aye.

Planning Director, Grimm, then presented a list of projects to be submitted to the 1% Sales Tax Task Force for Sales Tax Period 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 by January 19, 2007. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve submission of the list of projects and Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion.

Grimm then announced the Clear Creek Trails Commission Open House on February 1, 2007 from 5:00-6:30p.m. for the purpose of gathering input into the master trails system. Grimm also asked to be replaced on the Commerce Park Joint Powers Board and asked Council to reconsider Resolution #1241. Gary Anderson expressed his disappointment in Council for not supporting this Resolution and Councilman Hancock questioned why the other Council members would not second the motion. A lengthy discussion followed.

Marilyn Connolly addressed Council with her observation that some Council Members appeared to be more educated on the proposed Resolution #1241 and felt the Council Members less informed on the project were improperly being chastised. Marshall Young supported Marilyn Connolly’s statements and added that the grant money being sought belonged to all Wyoming taxpayers not just the Commerce Park Joint Powers Board.

Jerry Landrey, Landrey/Reid Construction, requested a variance from the City Code to allow drainage at the Idlewild Building into the City sanitary sewer system. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the variance with a second from Councilman Humphrey. All Council members present voted aye.

Mayor Anderson announced that the WAM Winter Workshop is being held in Cheyenne January 17-19, 2007 and the 6 month Budget Report is available.

The following bills were audited and approved for payment: Ace Hardware, supply – 199.45; Adv. Digital Tech., supply – 144.67; Alexander Hamilton Institute, supply – 38.25; Alltel, service – 1,141.66; American Linen, supply – 491.51; ATD-American Co., supply – 838.89; Baggit Inc., supply – 165.90; Big Horn Travel Plaza, supply – 4.96; Big Horn Welding, Inc., supply – 106.08; Big Horn Mtn. Radio Network, supply – 100.00; Blakeman Propane, Inc., supply – 675.00; Bozeman Trail Steakhouse, supply – 2,181.58; Buffalo Bulletin, supply – 468.60; Buffalo Chamber/Commerce, agreement – 25,000.00; Buffalo Glass, supply – 62.50; Bloedorn Lumber, supply – 323.09; Certified Laboratories, supply – 139.96; Cooley Images Studio, supply – 9.24; Clear Creek Printers, supply – 60.00; Collins Communication, agreement – 180.00; Cox Fencing & Supply, supply – 487.54; Collections, Inc., supply – 42.47; Culligan of Sheridan, supply – 66.00; DJ’s Thriftway, supply – 96.23; DPC Industries, supply – 593.85; Decatur Electronics, Inc., supply – 3,890.00; Ed’s Body Shop, supply – 185.00; FSH Communications, LLC, service – 65.00; Gall’s Inc., supply – 86.20; Gases Plus, supply – 19.82; Graffix Shoppe, supply – 213.96; Grainger, supply – 963.98; Grimm, Jeremy, supply – 95.35; ICC, supply – 1,071.20; Industrial Engine Service, supply – 56.50; Inter-Mountain Labs, supply – 100.00; Inventory Trading Co., supply – 892.00; JLM Engineering, supply – 8,085.80; Johnson County, agreement – 4,799.00; Johnson County Commissioners, supply – 1,095.00; Johnson County Co-Op, supply – 34.00; Johnson County Fire District, supply – 113.47; Joint Powers Fuel, supply – 2,868.59; Joy Appliance, supply – 14.99; Keeler, Adrian, supply – 57.35; Kirven & Kirven, supply – 110.00; Kois Bros. Equipment, supply – 61.20; Lynnrich, Inc., supply – 27.50; Michelena Automotive, supply – 2,044.19; Mike’s Locksmithing, supply – 103.25; Montana Dakota Utilities, supply – 3,242.76; Mountain Auto, supply – 8,325.93; NCPERS, Insurance – 172.00; National Police Canine Assoc, supply – 35.00; Northwest Pipe Fittings, supply – 297.44; Northern Safety Co., supply – 124.51; Northern WY Mental Health, agreement – 875.00; The Office, supply – 1,130.20; The Oil Barn, supply – 141.25; One-Call of WY, supply – 142.00; Pacific Power, supply – 13,856.18; Page One, service – 110.94; Pitney Bowes, supply – 402.00; Postage By Phone, supply – 400.00; Public Agency Training Council, supply – 295.00; Public Safety Warehouse, supply – 336.95; Qwest Communications, supply – 5,244.65; Reiman Corp, contract – 12,630.00; Reimann Oil Company, supply – 226.34; Ron’s Plumbing, supply – 629.23; Rothberg, Tamburini, Winsor, contract – 173,173.63; Servall Uniform & Linen, supply – 118.43; Special Markets Ins., insurance – 525.00; Sports Lure, supply – 825.15; States West Water Resources Co, contract – 11,969.85; Supercircuits, Inc., supply – 729.84; Team Chemical, supply – 90.00; Thompson-Master Masons, supply – 27.50; Timberline Electric, supply – 799.00; Total Comfort Htg & AC, supply – 40.98; Visionary Communications, supply – 267.75; WasteCo Supply, supply – 13,680.00; WCS Telecom, supply – 171.60; Western Municipal Const-WY, contract - 24,951.01; Wild West Cellular, supply – 142.00; Wingfoot, supply – 1,400.55; WAMCAT, supply – 105.00; WY Child Support Enforcement, agreement – 385.00; WY Dept of Revenue, sales tax – 409.76; WY Dept of Trans, supply – 5.00; WY Workers’ Compensation, insurance – 3,554.68; Xerox Corporation, supply – 195.50.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.





Mayor
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City Clerk