Buffalo Wyoming City Council Meeting Minutes 08/07/07
Aug 10, 2007
Recorder: Julie Silbernagel

CITY OF BUFFALO
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
August 7, 2007
The Buffalo City Council met in Regular Session in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Present were Mayor Anderson, Councilwoman Holt, Councilman Humphrey, Councilman Hancock and Councilman Johnson. Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the July 17, 2007 Regular Council Meeting minutes. Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and all Council members voted aye.
A Public Hearing was held for the rezoning of the present Wesleyan Church property from R-1 to B-1. George Hanson, representative of the church, explained the reasoning behind the rezoning of this property. Gordon Christensen, 29 North DeSmet, expressed concern over residential zoning and supported business zoning. Earlene Husman, 55 North DeSmet, stated she would like to see the street returned to residential. Jennifer Husman, 55 North DeSmet, explained the difference between B-1, R-1 and R-3 zoning. Additional input was heard from Sara Brimm, Marshall Young, City Planner, Colin Betzler, and Craig Wetterlund. Betzler fielded questions from Councilman Johnson and Councilwoman Holt. Mayor Anderson then closed the Public Hearing.
Ordinance #1290 – An Ordinance Providing for the Annexation of the “Buffalo Ridge Estates Addition” to the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming was presented for second reading. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the Ordinance on second reading with a second from Councilwoman Holt. Councilman Humphrey questioned the proposed road width on Watkins Avenue. All Council members voted aye.
Ordinance #1291 – An Ordinance providing for the Subdivision of the “Buffalo Ridge Estates Addition” of the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming was presented for second reading. Justin Beckner, Buffalo Ridge, LLC., addressed questions on the Airport Road connection from the proposed subdivision. Councilman Johnson questioned the purpose for road width variance on Watkins Avenue. Councilwoman Holt made a motion to approve Ordinance #1291 on second reading with a second from Councilman Johnson. All Council members voted aye.
Mayor Anderson read a Proclamation urging citizens of this community and surrounding areas to contribute generously to the Veterans through the purchase of Forget-Me-Nots on August 11, 2007.
Chief Chapman presented his request for an increase in wages for each officer in the amount of $400.00/month as discussed in a workshop on July 31, 2007. Councilman Humphrey questioned what benefits were being paid in neighboring communities. Councilwoman Holt recapped what officers currently are paid and was adamantly opposed to this request being made outside of the regular budget season. Chief Chapman stressed the importance of making this decision at this time in an effort to retain current officers and recruit future officers. Councilman Johnson made a motion to grant the pay increase for all officers with the exception of the Police Chief and the Lieutenant. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion. Council members Johnson, Hancock and Humphrey voted aye with Councilwoman Holt voting nay.
A letter request from Tracey Jelly, Northridge Homeowners Association, was presented for approval. Jelly requested permission to close Woodman Drive on August 26, 2007 from 4:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. for an annual picnic. Council questioned Chief Chapman as to whether there were any anticipated problems with granting the street closure. Councilman Johnson made a motion to grant the street closure and Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion. All Council members voted aye.
Trish Ullery, Big Horn Mountain Country Coalition, requested a letter of support from the City of Buffalo to proceed with a County-wide economic assessment. Councilwoman Holt requested information from the City’s recently completed comprehensive plan be included in the assessment. Councilwoman Holt made a motion to allow the Mayor to sign a letter of support and Councilman Hancock seconded the motion. All Council members voted aye.
Ordinance #1292 – An Ordinance Amending that Chapter 26 of the Code of the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, that generally provides for tree cutters was presented for first reading. Building Inspector, Chris Spencer, explained the reason for the ordinance and Councilman Johnson made a motion to approve Ordinance #1292 on first reading. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion and all Council members voted aye.
Ordinance #1293 – An Ordinance Providing for the Subdivision of the “Sunset Business Park Addition” of the Town of the City of Buffalo was presented for first reading. Councilwoman Holt made a motion to approve the Ordinance on first reading with a second from Councilman Hancock. Councilman Johnson questioned if there were any variances on this subdivision. All Council members voted aye.
Betzler updated Council on the status of ongoing projects and addressed Councilwoman Holt’s concern over the sidewalk project.
Kenn Durfee, Public Works Foreman, presented a change order in the amount of $2,763.00 for additional labor and equipment at the Angus Street intersection on the Western Street Storm Sewer project. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the change order with a second from Councilwoman Holt. All council members voted aye. Durfee also presented a schedule of daily projects and scheduling conflicts for the street department.
Police Chief, Mike Chapman, updated Council on the additional duties of the Animal Control Officer and read a letter to Council which commended an individual officer for his extra efforts. Chapman addressed questions from Council regarding camping behind a local business and people employed in Buffalo but driving with out-of-state license plates.
Ben Kirven, City Attorney, addressed questions from Council regarding Section 318 funding for the Buffalo Ridge Development.
Chris Spencer, Project Coordinator/Building Inspector, presented a change order on the Old Landfill Monitoring Project in the amount of $17,000.00. Spencer explained that the drilling contract had left town and that the drilling costs would increase because of the change in drilling companies. Councilwoman Holt made a motion to approve the change order with a second from Councilman Humphrey. All Council members voted aye.
Spencer also updated Council on the Gatchell Street sidewalks and the Western Street Drainage and addressed additional questions from Council.
Councilwoman Holt publicly thanked the group that painted the Main Street Bridge over Clear Creek.
Mayor Anderson announced the Mayor and Council will be meeting on August 14th with the County Commissioners for a work session to discuss the land around the Justice Center.
The following bills were audited and approved for payment: Betz, Linda, service – 398.50; Blue Cross/Blue Shield, insurance – 34,910.02; Bresnan Communications, supply – 109.90; Buffalo Senior Center, agreement – 2,536.84; Buffalo Youth Baseball Assoc., supply – 1,300.73; CBM Associates, contract – 251.56; JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., contract – 50,027.91; Clean Sweeps, service – 260.00; DaimlerChrysler Financial, equipment – 26,993.94; Hall, Nancy, service – 180.00; Hydro Construction Co., Inc., contract – 450,251.11; JLM Engineering, contract – 9,679.84; Jo. Co. Solid Waste District, supply – 15,112.50; Johnson County Y.M.C.A., agreement – 58,637.50; Joint Powers Fuel Facility, supply – 3,693.44; NCPERS Group Life Ins., insurance – 172.00; Postage By Phone, supply – 400.00; Power River Heating & AC, supply – 265.32; Rothberg, Tamburini, Winsor, contract – 48,130.40; St. Francis Animal Shelter, agreement – 1,200.00; Visa, supply – 2,429.40; Walmart, supply – 304.04; WY Dept of Transportation, supply – 10.00; WY Educators’ Benefit Trust, insurance – 362.25; WY Retirement System, retirement – 19,681.91.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m.

Mayor
ATTEST:

City Clerk