Buffalo Wyoming City Council Meeting Minutes 10/02/07
Nov 29, 2007
Recorder: Julie Silbernagel
CITY OF BUFFALO
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
October 2, 2007
The Buffalo City Council met in Regular Session in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Present were Mayor Anderson, Councilman Humphrey, Councilman Hancock and Councilman Johnson. Councilwoman Holt was absent. 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 September 18, 2007 Regular Council Meeting minutes. Councilman Johnson seconded the motion and all Council members present voted aye.
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 third and final reading. Colin Betzler, City Planner, explained that two Memorandums of Understanding had been executed. Betzler also encouraged Council members to include a template soils disclaimer on the plat and explained his reasons for the suggestion. Councilman Johnson made a motion to approve Ordinance #1294 on third and final reading with a template soils disclaimer on the plat. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion and all Council members present voted aye.
Mayor Anderson presented the following Board appointment for review and approval: Commerce Park Joint Powers Board one three year term Colin Betzler. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the reappointment and Councilman Johnson seconded the motion. All Council members present voted aye.
Mayor Anderson also presented the following Board appointment for review and approval: Lodging Tax Board one 3 year term Valerie Simondi. Councilman Johnson made a motion to approve the appointment with a second from Councilman Humphrey. All Council members present voted aye.
Penny Bangs, Gear Up, requested the use of City property for paintball games for middle school and high school students. A brief discussion followed concerning available areas and the hunting season. Mayor Anderson suggested Bangs visit with Johnson County representatives for additional sites.
Ordinance #1295 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 29-1.18 and 29-1.19 of the Code of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, pertaining to the procedure for rezoning and the changes and amendments to the procedure for rezoning was presented for first reading. City Planner, Colin Betzler, stated the purpose of the ordinance was to create simplified rezoning requests. Councilman Johnson made a motion to approve Ordinance #1295 on first reading. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion and all Council members present voted aye.
Clark Chesbro, Habitat for Humanity, addressed Council about extending sewer services to the current Habitat for Humanity building location on Brock Street. Chesbro explained that three low-income homes will be built at this location. Public Works Director, Les Hook, suggested extending the sewer line to this location and perhaps building up the area to alleviate the need for a lift station. A brief discussion followed outlining the costs of the project, the need for affordable housing and the difference between this housing and other areas being developed. Betzler advised that Section 318 monies would probably not be available for this project. Councilman Hancock clarified that if a lift station is needed it would be the responsibility of Habitat for Humanity. Mayor Anderson suggested this project be added to the list of projects for the Public Works Department. Councilman Johnson made a motion to put this item on the projects list with a contribution of $5,000 by a non-profit organization working on affordable housing. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion and all Council members present voted aye.
Councilman Johnson suggested finalizing the lease agreement for the Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator. Johnson suggested boosting the salary to reflect the rent amount and charging a monthly rent. Councilman Humphrey questioned what other Waste Water Treatment Plant Operators in the state were making. Betzler presented a survey showing the salary range for this position. Councilman Hancock reminded Council members that this agreement had been talked about for three or four months and it was time to make a decision. Councilman Hancock made a motion to boost the Operators salary to $55,000/year and charge $700.00/mo rent. Councilman Johnson seconded the motion with Councilman Johnson and Councilman Hancock voted aye. Councilman Humphrey voted nay. Councilman Johnson requested the lease agreement be for a one-year term with the rent valued at $700.00/mo and defined as a single-family residence. Johnson also clarified the security deposit as $1000.00 and Councilman Humphrey questioned the hold-over lease clause. Councilman Johnson made a motion to accept the lease agreement with changes to the term, rent amount, single-family dwelling, security deposit and hold-over clause. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion and Councilman Johnson and Councilman Hancock voted aye. Councilman Humphrey voted nay.
Colin Betzler, City Planner, informed Council that Alicia Bankston, Assistant Planner, would be starting on Tuesday, October 9, 2007. Betzler also invited Council to a Level 1 Water Study information session by HKM on October 9, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.
Public Works Director, Les Hook, reported that the Hydro plant was down with a major bearing failure. Hook requested installing the traveling water screen while the hydro plant is down for repairs. Council encouraged the screen to be installed at this time. Hook updated Council on the Western Street Storm Sewer project and the golf course sewer line collapse. Hook also gave updated status reports on the Water Treatment Plant Expansion project, the Fort Street Waterline project, the McKinney Street waterline extension and the Cummings sewer line project. In closing, Hook informed Council of the bid letting for a new loader mounted snow blower on Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 1:00 p.m.
Police Chief, Mike Chapman, reported to Council that two new officers, Alan Kiefer and Matthew Misslin, had started and would be training for the next three months. Chapman hoped the two officers would be attending the Police Academy in January. Chief Chapman also stated that Rex Maxwell, the new dispatcher would be starting work on October 15, 2007.
Ben Kirven, City Attorney, addressed questions from Council regarding the Waste Water Treatment Plant Lease Agreement.
Chris Spencer, Project Coordinator/Building Inspector, called attention to safety awareness by all departments in the City of Buffalo. Spencer also announced that the fence at the Rodeway Inn had been removed and the road needed to be fixed.
Mayor Anderson expressed concern for Councilwoman Kate Holt who would be undergoing heart surgery on October 3, 2007. Anderson reminded Council of the bid letting on Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. In closing, Mayor Anderson announced that City Hall would be closed Monday, October 8, 2007 in observance of Columbus Day.
The following bills were audited and approved for payment: Betz, Linda, service 398.50; Blue Cross/Blue Shield, insurance 39,276.82; Bresnan Communications, supply 109.90; Buffalo Childrens Center, agreement 24,708.40; Buffalo Senior Center, agreement 2,536.84; Hilary Boone, service 260.00; Hall, Nancy, service 225.00; Hot Iron, Inc., contract 67,167.37; JLM Engineering, contract 1,522.50; Jo. Co. Solid Waste District, supply 14,891.50; Johnson County YMCA, agreement 16,564.48; Joint Powers Fuel Facility, supply 7,978.89; Northern WY Mental Health, agreement 1,250.00; Pitney Bowes, agreement 402.00; Plan Tag, supply 39.00; St. Francis Animal Shelter, agreement 1,200.00; Silbernagel, Julie, supply 167.61; States West Water Resources Co., contract 3,977.16; Visa, supply 821.55; Walker, Elaine, supply 200.00; WWC Engineering, service 919.50; WY Dept of Transportation, supply 5.00; WY Educators Benefit Trust, insurance 370.13; WY Retirement System, retirement 22,631.46.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk