Buffalo Wyoming City Council Meeting Minutes 09/02/08
Sep 14, 2008
Recorder: Julie Silbernagel
CITY OF BUFFALO
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
September 2, 2008
The Buffalo City Council met in Regular Session in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Present were Mayor Johnson, Councilman Dyess, Councilman Hancock, and Councilman Humphrey. Councilman Vogl was absent. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman Dyess made a motion to approve the August 5, 2008 Regular Council Meeting minutes. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion and the Mayor and all Council Members present voted aye.
A Public Hearing was held for a proposed Deer Management Action Policy. There being no Public Comment Mayor Johnson moved onto the next order of business. A Public Hearing was held for the certification and adoption of the 2008 Buffalo Master Trails plan. There being no Public Comment the Mayor closed the Public Hearing.
Resolution #1264 A Resolution Adopting a Deer Management Policy for the City of Buffalo, Wyoming was presented for Council approval. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve Resolution #1264. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion and the Mayor and all Council members present voted aye.
Councilman Hancock made a motion to introduce Ordinance #1307 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 16, Section 12 of the Code of the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming on second reading. Councilman Dyess seconded the motion and the Mayor and all Council members present voted aye. Mayor Johnson explained the Ordinance pertained to regulating fireworks, firearms, shooting, and hunting on lands owned by the City of Buffalo or within City limits. There being no public comment Councilman Dyess made a motion to approve Ordinance #1307 on second reading with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members present voted aye.
Marilyn Connolly, Emergency Management Coordinator, updated Council on the early warning siren system that is scheduled to be tested on September 5th at noon as well as future maintenance costs. Connolly also requested permission from the Council to house the mobile command trailer at the City Yard.
Mayor Johnson presented the following board appointments for Council approval:
Doyle Kincaid Tree Board 2 year term
Bill Webber Tree Board 2 year term
Steve Nuckolls Tree Board 2 year term
Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the Mayors appointments with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members present voted aye. Mayor Johnson also presented the following board appointments for Council approval:
Lois Petersen Buffalo Trails Board unexpired term
Dave Palmerlee Buffalo Trails Board unexpired term
Councilman Dyess made a motion to approve the Mayors appointments with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members present voted aye.
Mayor Johnson then explained joint efforts on repairs that were being done to the Spray Park. Public Works Director, Les Hook, suggested a future contract with Watco, Inc. for winterization of the spray park. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve payment of 50% of the repairs with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members present voted aye.
Resolution #1266 A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Community Readiness Grant to the Wyoming Business Council by the Buffalo/Johnson County Commerce Park Joint Powers Board was presented for Council approval. City Planner, Colin Betzler, explained the grant was for the sewer portion of the initial Business Ready Grant for the Commerce Park Joint Powers Board. Betzler stated the original grant does not cover the costs of the scope of the project. Betzler answered questions from Council regarding matching funds and the capacity of the lift station. Councilman Dyess made a motion to approve the Resolution with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members present voted aye.
Resolution #1267 A Resolution Certifying, Adopting and Approving a Master Trails Plan 2008 for the City of Buffalo, Wyoming was presented for approval. Councilman Johnson recommended tabling the resolution until after the September 8th workshop. Councilman Hancock made a motion to table Resolution #1267 until the September 16th Council meeting with a second from Councilman Dyess. The Mayor and all Council members present voted aye.
Mayor Johnson announced that Change Order #4 on the Fort Street Waterline Project for Hot Iron, Inc. discussed at the last Council meeting needed Council action. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the Hot Iron Change Order #4 in the amount of 27,508.64 with a second from Councilman Dyess. The Mayor and all Council members present voted aye.
Mayor Johnson also explained a letter that had been sent to the Johnson County School District regarding the Gatchell Street potholes in front of the school. Johnson also discussed a letter received from the Wyoming Supreme Court as a result of the rescission of Resolution #1185 regarding participation in the State Court System. Johnson stated representatives were planning on attending a City Council meeting to discuss this topic further.
Mayor Johnson presented a letter from the Buffalo-Johnson County Recycling Board requesting that the recycling operations be transferred to the landfill. Johnson stressed that the equipment and assets would be transferred with the building remaining with the City. Councilman Hancock made a motion to accept the letter from the Buffalo-Johnson Recycling Board and transfer operations and assets of the recycling center to the landfill. Councilman Dyess seconded the motion and the Mayor and all Council members present voted aye.
Councilman Humphrey made a motion to introduce a proposed Ordinance An Ordinance providing for Residence Requirements for Full-Time Employees of the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming on first reading. Councilman Dyess seconded the motion. Councilman Humphrey voted aye with Mayor Johnson, Councilman Dyess and Councilman Hancock voting nay.
Colin Betzler, City Planner, updated Council on the historic bridge project and the State Land Investment Board Section 318 funding. Betzler announced the Planning Commission meeting is September 24th @ 5 p.m. and the CWSRF loan application had been submitted. Betzler briefed Council on the Public Hearing for the Waste Water Treatment Plant and the Level 1 Water Study. Betzler reminded Council of the upcoming luncheon with Rocky Mountain Power on October 1st at the Casper Events Center. In closing, Betzler asked Council to consider allowing the Assistant Planner to work as a regular full-time employee without the current contract. Councilman Dyess made a motion to rescind the contract with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members present voted aye.
Tom Hulick, Building Inspector, presented a monthly update on building activity and valuation to Council and addressed questions regarding low building activity in the City of Buffalo.
Police Chief, Michael Chapman, requested a wage increase of 200/mo. for the new School Resource Officer for a total of 3600.00/mo. Chapman cited prior experience and certification in law enforcement as well as the asset she is to the City as his reasoning for the request. Chapman added that the proposed increase brings the new SRO closer to the current wage scale of other two year officers. Councilman Humphrey questioned the Chief as to whether the Officer knew the starting wage was 40,800/yr when she accepted the job. Councilman Dyess stated he appreciated the experience Officer Lloyd brought to the police force and made a motion to grant the request for the wage increase. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion. Mayor Johnson, Councilman Dyess and Councilman Hancock voted aye with Councilman Humphrey voting nay. Chief Chapman then presented additional bills to be paid. Chief Chapman requested a check for the two used Police Vehicles that had been budgeted and asked that an officer be reimbursed for travel expenses he paid while the City credit cards were not working. Councilman Dyess made a motion to approve the additional bills with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members present voted aye.
Les Hook, Public Works Director, updated Council on the Lucas/Euskaldun Kalea project as well as the Water Treatment Plant filter problems. In closing, Hook addressed Council questions regarding the winter work schedule and announced a water main break at Carrington and Hart streets.
City Attorney Kirven informed Council that the attorney for the Local Government Liability Pool would be filing a response in a pending employee litigation claim.
Resolution #1268 - A Resolution Amending the Annual Appropriation Bill for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2009 was presented for Council approval. Mayor Johnson clarified the items being amended to be the City Planner and Law Enforcement budgets for wage increases and the Equipment fund for equipment needs for a total increase to the budget of 82,500. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve Resolution #1268 with a second from Councilman Dyess. Councilman Humphrey clarified that he was opposed to the wage increases but in favor of the equipment increase. The Mayor and Councilmen Hancock and Dyess voted aye with Councilman Humphrey voting nay.
Connie Sellers, 97 North Lobban, addressed Council with her concern for the Deer Management Action Policy. Sellers stated she walked the Buffalo trails and enjoyed seeing the deer. Sellers did admit that deer had eaten her green tomatoes but pleaded with Council to reconsider allowing archery hunting in the City limits. Mayor Johnson clarified that safety and an increased deer and antelope population in City limits were fueling the need for the policy. Sellers then questioned the skill level of those allowed to archery hunt in the City limits.
Councilman Dyess requested the Department Head meeting be moved to September 23rd at 9 a.m. at the City Fire Hall. Mayor Johnson announced the Workshop for the Master Trails Plan and the Greenleaf Park on September 8th at 7 a.m. at City Hall. In closing, Mayor Johnson and Councilman Humphrey announced they would be absent at the September 16th Council meeting.
The following bills were audited and approved for payment: Berts Computer Services, service 67.88; Linda Betz, service 398.50; Blue Cross/Blue Shield, insurance 40,491.15; Buffalo Senior Center, agreement 2,536.84; Clean Sweeps, service 260.00; Nancy Hall, service 225.00; Carol Herman, reimbursement 135.20; Johnson County Commissioners, agreement 547.50; Jo. Co. Solid Waste District, supply 21,238.50; JS Machine & Welding, supply 60.00; NCPERS Group Life Ins., insurance 176.00; ST. Francis Animal Shelter, agreement 1,300.00; Visa, supply 1,650.61; Volunteers of America, supply 105.00; WY Educators Benefit Trust, insurance 393.74; WY Retirement System, retirement 24,344.31.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:11 p.m.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk