Buffalo Wyoming City Council Meeting Minutes 06/03/08
Jun 5, 2008
Recorder: Julie Silbernagel

CITY OF BUFFALO
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
June 3, 2008
The Buffalo City Council met in Regular Session in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Present were Mayor Johnson, Councilman Dyess, Councilman Hancock, Councilman Humphrey and Councilman Vogl. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the May 20, 2008 Regular Council Meeting minutes. Councilman Dyess seconded the motion and the Mayor and all Councilmen voted aye.
Ordinance #1303 – An Ordinance Amending that Chapter 14, Article II, Section 14-3 of the Code of the Town of the City of Buffalo was introduced by a motion from Councilman Hancock on third and final reading. Councilman Dyess seconded the motion and the Mayor and all Council members voted aye. There being no public comment Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve Ordinance #1303 on third and final reading. Councilman Vogl seconded the motion and the Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Mayor Johnson clarified the action taken at the May 20, 2008 Council meeting regarding the request from City Liquor for a catering permit October 3, 2008 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for the Gatchell Museum Association “Fall Gathering & Wine Tasting” fundraiser at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. Johnson stated a catering permit was granted by Mayor and Council rather than a liquor license variance.
Colin Betzler, City Planner, introduced the new Building Inspector, Tom Hulick, to the City Council. Mayor Johnson and Council welcomed Hulick to the City of Buffalo.
Councilman Hancock made a motion to introduce Ordinance #1304 – An Ordinance Providing an Annual Appropriation Bill for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2009 on second reading. Councilman Dyess seconded the motion and the Mayor and all Council members voted aye. Councilman Humphrey questioned Council members on the cost of living increase and stated he was not in favor of the proposed amount. Mayor Johnson explained changes to the Ordinance from the first reading which now includes additional capital improvement projects and brings the total appropriation for Fiscal Year 2009 to 22,008,538. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve Ordinance #1304 on second reading with a second from Councilman Vogl. The Mayor and Council members Dyess, Hancock, and Vogl voted aye with Councilman Humphrey voting nay.
Kim Walgren, Mountain View Motel, addressed Council with various concerns regarding the Fort Street waterline project. Walgren cited several issues with the project which were adversely affecting her business and requested clarification on what to expect throughout the rest of the project. Walgren also raised questions regarding the water rate structure and the projected completion date of the project. Mayor Johnson explained the water rate structure for the City and addressed the project scope and schedule. Public Works Director, Les Hook, added that the project is set to be completed within 45 days of starting the project. Walgren then asked Mayor and Council to bring her specific issues to the construction company as well as the Engineer for the project.
Resolution #1257 – A Resolution Adopting the 2007 Johnson County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan was presented for approval. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the Resolution with a second from Councilman Dyess. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Phil Gonzales, Natural Resources Conservation Services, addressed Council with the need for flood mitigation in the upper Clear Creek area. Gonzales stressed the urgency of this project and requested the City to join with private landowners, Johnson County and the NRCS to clean up debris in the water in an attempt to prevent future flooding. Gonzales specifically requested the City of Buffalo provide rock from above the Water Treatment Plant. Gonzales estimated this project to be around 100,000 with NRCS to fund 75% of the project. Councilman Hancock stated he felt this project needed to be done as did Councilman Vogl. Councilman Dyess added the City’s biggest benefit from the project would be to get the trees out of the stream. Mayor Johnson suggested setting a maximum contribution amount by the City with Gonzales to get back to the City with a firm cost for the project. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve 8,000 for this project which would combine in-kind contributions as well as cash. Councilman Dyess seconded the motion with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye. In closing, Gonzales suggested a future workshop to address the process regarding “emergency” issues.
Councilman Hancock made a motion to introduce Ordinance #1305 – An Ordinance Providing for the Resubdivision of Lots 19-26, Block 4 and Lots 5-7, Block 5 of the Eagle Summit Addition to the Town of the City of Buffalo on first reading. Councilman Dyess cited this subdivision as his development and recused himself from the Council for this Ordinance and discussion. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion and Mayor Johnson, Councilman Hancock, Councilman Humphrey, and Councilman Vogl voted aye. Councilman Dyess did not vote. City Planner, Betzler, explained the history of this subdivision and how it had been affected by the adjacent Buffalo Ridge Subdivision. Betzler also called Council’s attention to the City Code variances included in the Ordinance. After a brief discussion Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve Ordinance #1305 on first reading. Councilman Vogl seconded the motion with the Mayor, Councilman Hancock, Councilman Humphrey and Councilman Vogl voting aye. Councilman Dyess did not vote.
City Planner, Colin Betzler, presented updates on various projects including the Waste Water Treatment Plant, the GIS parcels project, the Planning Commission, the Downtown Master Business Plan Open House, the Historic Bridge Placement, Section 318 projects, the Pamida site plan and the Fort Street project. Betzler encouraged Council to schedule a future workshop with the WY Conservation Improvement Project Program and Johnson County. Betzler then presented a request on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce regarding the Gateway project. The request was for sidewalks on two sides of the park site. Councilman Hancock expressed he was in favor of the sidewalks but did not feel the City should have to maintain the park. Councilman Hancock made a motion to partially fund the sidewalks up to 4,000. Councilman Vogl seconded the motion and the Mayor and all Council members voted aye. In closing, Betzler invited Mayor and Council to a Commerce Joint Powers Board site visit on June 25th at 8:30 a.m. and addressed Council questions regarding Planning Commission applicants.
Les Hook, Public Works Director, advised Council that the Water Treatment Plant Expansion is predicted to be at substantial completion by June 18th and answered questions from Council regarding the Fort Street Waterline Project. Hook also accepted praise from Council for work performed by City crews during the recent thunderstorms and flooding.
Lieutenant Mike Dahmer presented a monthly report from the Police Department and informed Council of recent vandalism in the City. Dahmer also announced a new dispatcher had been hired and addressed questions from Council.
City Attorney, Ben Kirven, advised Council that the Johnson County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Resolution would also need to be signed by the Mayor.
Bill Hawley, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, explained the “Where Do You Draw the Line?” campaign to Council and requested permission to display the barricade tape containing the campaign slogan in various places within the City. Councilman Hancock made a motion to allow the campaign to display barricade tape as coordinated with the Parks Department with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Mayor Johnson reminded Council of the City/County Breakfast June 10th, 7 a.m. at the Best Western. Johnson also announced the next Department Head meeting June 24th at 9 a.m. at the City Fire Hall. In closing, Mayor and Council brainstormed several options for the WY Conservation Improvement Project workshop to be coordinated with Johnson County representatives.
The following bills were audited and approved for payment: Linda Betz, service – 398.50; Blue Cross/Blue Shield, insurance – 40,188.48; Buffalo Chamber/Commerce, agreement – 26,750.00; Buffalo Golf Club, agreement – 3,325.00; Buffalo Senior Center, agreement – 11,864.04; Buffalo Sunset, LLC, agreement – 34,688.87; CBM Associates, contract – 1,521.74; Clean Sweeps, service – 260.00; Nancy Hall, service – 180.00; Horizon Management, agreement – 18,958.32; Jo. Co. Solid Waste District, supply – 17,694.50; Joint Powers Fuel Facility, supply – 4,172.36; NCPERS Group Life Ins., insurance – 176.00; Northern WY Mental Health, agreement – 1,250.00; Qwik Pack & Ship, supply – 3.81; RDG Planning & Design, contract – 3,300.00; St Francis Animal Shelter, agreement – 1,200.00; Spencer Internet Services, services – 750.00; Visa, supply – 5,802.11; Willow Park Reservoir, agreement – 825.00; WLC, contract – 24,484.36; WWC Engineering, contract – 662.68; WY Educators’ Benefit Trust, insurance – 370.13; WY Retirement System, retirement – 22,035.23.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:44 p.m.

Mayor
ATTEST:

City Clerk