Buffalo Wyoming City Council Meeting Minutes 9/04/07
Sep 7, 2007
Recorder: Julie Silbernagel

CITY OF BUFFALO
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
September 4, 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.
Councilwoman Holt made a motion to approve the August 21, 2007 Regular Council Meeting minutes. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion and 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 third and final reading. Mayor Anderson explained the reason for the ordinance and Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve Ordinance #1292 on third and final reading. Councilman Johnson 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 third and final reading. Councilwoman Holt made a motion to approve the Ordinance on third and final reading with a second from Councilman Humphrey. All Council members voted aye.
Mayor Anderson read a Proclamation declaring September 15, 2007 as “Living Legend Day” honoring senior citizens. Anderson then presented the Proclamation to Bobbie Walseth, Buffalo Senior Center Director.
John Orwig, Habitat for Humanity President, requested Council reduce the price of water and sewer taps by one-half on the three Brock Street houses to be built by Habitat for Humanity. Chris Spencer, Building Inspector, requested the Council address the building permit fees as well. Councilman Johnson made a motion to waive the building permit fees on the three houses to be built and to reduce the water and sewer tap fees from $2500.00 per tap to $1250.00 per tap. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion and all Council members voted aye. Orwig thanked the Mayor and Council for supporting affordable housing in Buffalo.
Ordinance #1294 – An Ordinance Providing for the Subdivision of the “Hatch Addition (Bison Meadows Subdivision Phase I)” of the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming was presented for first reading. Jacob Hatch, developer, explained to Council that this would be the commercial portion of the subdivision and that all of the Planning Commission requirements had been met. Colin Betzler, City Planner, confirmed that the Planning Commission had reviewed this phase extensively. Betzler mentioned a minor issue regarding an irrigation ditch that will be settled by the third and final reading. Hatch addressed questions from Council regarding approaches to the subdivision, the types of commercial businesses allowed in the subdivision and any other variances to the subdivision. Councilwoman Holt made a motion to approve Ordinance #1294 on first reading with a second from Councilman Hancock. All Council members voted aye.
Bobbie Walseth, Buffalo Senior Center, presented Council with a revised estimate on the new entryway to the Senior Center. Walseth stated that the only possible change to the plan would be the addition of bricks on the outside of the building. Councilwoman Holt expressed concern over starting the project so late in the construction season and the inconvenience to the Senior Citizens. Walseth addressed questions from Council regarding concrete demolition and the high building cost. Councilman Hancock made a motion to accept the proposal for the addition not to exceed costs to the City in the amount of $80,000 with a completion date by June 30, 2008. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion and all Council members voted aye. Councilwoman Holt again stressed the importance of getting the project done in a timely manner.
Colin Betzler, City Planner, requested a motion to accept the bid from Myers Construction in the amount of $166,272.00 for the Safe Routes to School sidewalks. Betzler reminded Council this project would be funded by a 100% grant from the Wyoming Transportation Department. Councilwoman Holt made a motion to accept the bid from Myers Construction in the amount of $166,272.00 and Councilman Hancock seconded the motion. All Council members voted aye.
Betzler then questioned Council about purchasing signs and removing a tree on the Gatchell Street sidewalk project. Council expressed concern about setting a precedent for trimming or removing trees on future sidewalk projects. Betzler also discussed with Council the Wesleyan Church Special Use Permit, the Shiloh Phase I subdivision, the upcoming interviews for Assistant Planner, and the tank/pipeline project. A brief discussion followed regarding correcting the recorded easement.
Les Hook, Public Works Director, discussed the Western Street Storm Sewer and the Northridge Storm Drain projects with Council. Hook also addressed questions from Council regarding chip and sealing and the intersection of Hogerson and Main Street.
Police Chief, Mike Chapman, addressed a letter regarding speed limit signs and more enforcement. Chief Chapman also updated Council on new officer applicant testing and new police vehicles. Chapman addressed questions from Council regarding stop signs on Gatchell and High Street, traffic flow as school is back in session and parking issues.
Ben Kirven, City Attorney, presented an invoice for a Public Hearings Examiner for Council approval. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the invoice with a second from Councilman Johnson. All Council members voted aye. Kirven also addressed questions from Council regarding new Ordinance requirements for Animal Control Officer duties.
Chris Spencer, Project Coordinator/Building Inspector, presented his monthly report and cautioned Council about approving projects without considering additional engineering costs. A brief discussion followed outlining requirements for contracts with engineering firms to include design bidding and construction management. Spencer then presented a change order for approval on the Water Treatment Plant Expansion project which raised the contract price by $14,000.00. Councilman Johnson made a motion to approve the change order and Councilman Hancock seconded the motion. All Council members voted aye. In closing, Spencer gave updates on the tank/pipeline project and the McKinney Street waterline project.
The following bills were audited and approved for payment: Betz, Linda, service – 398.50; Blue Cross/Blue Shield, insurance – 37,619.74; Blue Spur Law Office, service – 825.00; Buffalo Senior Center, agreement – 2,536.84; CBM Associates, Inc., contract – 1,316.48; Carwile & Lobban Ditch Co., Inc., agreement – 372.40; Clean Sweeps, service – 260.00; Hall, Nancy, service – 180.00; Hot Iron, Inc., contract – 183,680.58; Johnson County Library, agreement – 14,000.00; Jo. Co. Solid Waste District, supply – 15,692.00; Johnson County Treasurer, agreement – 1,583.06; Joint Powers Fuel Facility, supply – 4,739.88; Lundvall, Don, supply – 5,000.00; NCPERS Group Life Ins., insurance – 172.00; Orkin, supply – 21.27; St Francis Animal Shelter, agreement – 1,200.00; Snow Services, supply – 100.00; Visa, supply – 690.26; Walmart Community, supply – 21.85; Watco, Inc., supply – 426.63; WWC Engineering, contract – 7,220.99; WY Dept of Transportation, supply – 7.00; WY Educators’ Benefit Trust, insurance – 362.25; WY Retirement System, retirement – 21,929.74; WY State Treasurer, agreement – 80.00.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

Mayor
ATTEST:

City Clerk