Buffalo Wyoming City Council Meeting Minutes 01/19/09
Jan 29, 2009
Recorder: Julie Silbernagel

CITY OF BUFFALO
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
January 19, 2009
The Buffalo City Council met in Regular Session in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Present were Mayor Johnson, Councilwoman Reid, Councilman Hancock, Councilman Humphrey and Councilman Hepp. Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilwoman Reid made a motion to approve the January 6, 2009 Regular Council Meeting minutes with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Councilman Hancock made a motion to introduce Ordinance #1319 – An Ordinance Amending that Chapter 13, Section 13-15 of the Code of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, Pertaining to Manner of Parking on third and final reading. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye. There being no public comment Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve Ordinance #1319 on third and final reading. Councilman Hepp seconded the motion and the Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Councilman Hancock made a motion to introduce Ordinance #1320 – An Ordinance Amending that Chapter 13, Section 13-16 of the Code of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, Pertaining to Parking over Forty-eight Hours on third and final reading. Councilman Hepp seconded the motion with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye. Councilman Hepp requested clarification on what the ordinance would change in the City Code. There being no further discussion Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve Ordinance #1320 on third and final reading with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
A request from Starotska Group Unlimited for a retaining wall to be placed on the City easement was presented for Council approval. Mayor Johnson informed Council that no design plan had been presented at this time. Councilman Hepp made a motion to table this decision until the February 3rd Council meeting. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye.
A letter request from the Willow Park Reservoir Company for assistance in restoring a cabin was presented. Mayor Johnson updated Council on the total number of shares held in this investment as well as the number of shares held by the City. A brief discussion followed regarding whether the project would actually be undertaken. Councilman Hepp made a motion to offer 2,000 from the Building Maintenance Fund to assist with the project with the understanding that no funds will be granted if the reservoir companies decide not to proceed with the rehabilitation project. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion and the Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Councilwoman Reid made a motion to introduce Ordinance #1321 – An Ordinance Creating Chapter 16, Section 16-42 of the Code of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, Pertaining to Regulations Concerning Social Hosts of Underage Alcohol Parties on first reading. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye. Public Comments from Megan Washut; Sydney Rowe, North Wyoming Mental Health; Jeanie Barent, Asst Superintendent Johnson County Schools; Josh Dube, BHS Student Council and S.P.E.A.R. (Students Providing Education about Alcohol Risks); and Kyle Childers, S.P.E.A.R., were heard regarding the mission and vision of the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition as well as the history and purpose of the proposed ordinance. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve Ordinance #1321 on first reading with a second from Councilwoman Reid. Councilman Hepp voiced concerns with the Ordinance regarding family members not being allowed to provide alcohol to underage drinkers and questioned the purpose of the Ordinance. Bill Hawley, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, clarified that State Statute already addresses family members providing alcohol to underage drinkers and stated the purpose of the Ordinance was to reduce underage binge drinking and the social problems it creates. Councilwoman Reid added that the Ordinance gives the municipality authority to ticket and prosecute “social hosting” in Municipal Court. Reid stressed the intent is to stop the group activity and clarified a separate violation would be issued to the adult for each underage drinker present. Additional comments were heard from the Police Chief and City Attorney as well as Doug Schultze regarding alcohol related incidents and rising underage drinking in the City of Buffalo. Mayor Johnson and all Council members voted aye.
A letter request from Marie Lowe, Sparrow Group proposed Big Horn Apartments for an updated letter of support for this project was presented for Council action. Councilman Hepp made a motion to have Mayor Johnson send an updated letter of City support with a second from Councilwoman Reid. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Sandy O’Dell, Child Development Center, presented a draft lease agreement for Council review. Mayor Johnson reminded Council that the City would retain ownership of the land on which the Child Development Center would place a building. Councilman Hepp questioned whether this project followed the Comprehensive Plan adopted by the City. Councilman Hancock made a motion to accept the proposed legal description of the building for inclusion in the lease agreement. Councilman Hepp seconded the motion and the Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Resolution #1273 – A Resolution by the City of Buffalo and Johnson County in Support of the Proposal by DeSmet Gasification, LLC, in Response to the Request for Proposals for Site Selection for the High Plains Gasification-Advanced Technology Center Issued by the University of Wyoming was presented for Council approval. Dick Bratton, DeSmet Gasification, LLC, answered Council questions about the proposal as well as future intentions of DeSmet Gasification, LLC. Bratton requested Council support for the proposal and Councilman Hepp made a motion to pass Resolution #1273 with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Councilman Hepp made a motion to designate the Buffalo Bulletin as the City’s official newspaper. The motion was seconded by Councilman Hancock with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye.
Councilman Hancock made a motion to designate the Bank of Buffalo, 1st National Bank of Buffalo, 1st Interstate Bank of Commerce and American National Bank as the official depositories for the City of Buffalo. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hepp with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye.
Mayor Johnson reminded all Council members to completed and return the Financial Disclosure letters.
Mayor Johnson presented the following board appointments for Council approval:
Mountain Plains Heritage Park JPB – Rick Durfee, two year term
Housing Authority – Bobbie Walseth, unexpired term
Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the board appointments with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Mayor Johnson presented a travel request for Clerk Silbernagel and staff to attend the WAMCAT Winter Workshop in Cody, February 4 – 6. A travel request for Safety Director, Harvey Saxbury, and Clerk Silbernagel to attend a one day Workers’ Compensation Seminar in Casper on March 31st was also presented. Councilman Hancock made a motion to grant the travel requests with a second from Councilwoman Reid. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
An Agreement for Construction Management Services for the Buffalo Wastewater Treatment Plant with States West Water Resources Corporation was presented for Council approval. Councilman Hepp made a motion to have the Mayor sign the Agreement for Construction Management Services on the Waste Water Treatment Plant in the amount of 725,000 with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Colin Betzler, City Planner, presented an agreement for the Mayor’s signature for Habitat for Humanity to purchase multiple lots under Resolution #1251. Betzler explained the purpose for the agreement was to document Habitat's permission to purchase 3 lots according to the City's policy on the 318 funding. Councilman Hepp questioned whether the City would be setting a precedent if building permit fees were waived. Betzler clarified that the agreement to be signed was in regard to the purchase price of the lots only. Councilwoman Reid made a motion to have the Mayor sign the agreement with a second from Councilman Hepp. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye. In closing, Betzler advised Council of the upcoming subdivision regulations workshop and the signage ordinance workshop and gave a brief update on the Greenleaf III water issues.
Les Hook, Public Works Director, presented a request from the Cemetery District to waive water tap fees. A brief discussion followed with Councilman Hepp making a motion to deny the request. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye. Hook then informed Council of the March 31st bid date for the Waste Water Treatment Plant to be awarded mid-April and spanning over sixteen months. Councilman Hepp thanked Hook and Scott Vassen, Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator, for their patience and thoroughness in bringing Council members up to speed throughout the design process.
Kenn Durfee, Public Works Foreman, presented a monthly report to Council and answered Council questions regarding budgeted items. Council directed Public Works to go forward with the pipe storage shed, a new roof on the lower shop and to proceed with the new building. In closing, Durfee answered questions regarding snow removal routes and City yard cleanup.
Bill Hawley, Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition Coordinator, thanked Mayor and Council and commended students in support of the Social Host Ordinance for being good leaders.
Police Chief, Michael Chapman, advised Council of the efforts being made to revise the Police Department Rules and Regulations.
City Attorney Kirven answered questions from Council.
Councilman Humphrey advised Council of recent damage to the Buffalo Senior Center and questioned whether this building was covered by the City insurance policy.
Mayor Johnson announced Mayor and Council will be traveling to the Wyoming Association of Municipalities Winter Workshop January 20th through January 23rd. Johnson reminded everyone the Council Agenda will be closing on Thursdays at 5 p.m. and announced the next Department Head Meeting is scheduled for January 27th at 9 a.m. at City Hall.
The following bills were audited and approved for payment: Ace Hardware, supply – 1,703.85; Advanced Hydraulic, supply – 107.30; Alltel, supply – 1,172.36; American Linen, supply – 770.11; Anderson Highway Signs, supply – 1,466.87; B & W Saws, supply – 28.33; Blakeman Propane, supply – 483.10; Bresnan Communications, supply – 112.85; Buffalo Bulletin, supply – 72.00; Buffalo Chamber/Commerce, agreement – 26,750.00; Buffalo Children’s Center, agreement – 1,050.35; Buffalo Golf Club, agreement – 11,231.00; Buffalo Precision Sharpening, supply – 63.00; Bloedorn Lumber, supply – 23.55; CPS Distributors, Inc., supply – 88.60; City Electric Inc., supply – 1,707.29; Chesbro Electric Inc., supply – 110.45; Clear Creek Printers, supply – 189.33; Collins Communication, agreement – 180.00; Culligan of Sheridan, supply – 121.00; DJ’s Thriftway, supply – 186.00; Desert Mountain Corporation, supply – 4,177.45; Dwyer Instruments, Inc., supply – 629.02; Ed’s Body Shop, supply – 197.93; The Embroidery Barn, supply – 195.30; Energy Equipment & Supply, supply – 1,471.45; Energy Laboratories, Inc., supply – 310.00; Farm Plan, supply – 123.73; FSH Communications, LLC, agreement – 70.00; GPM Building Maint., supply – 34.00; Gall’s Inc., supply – 13.98; Gases Plus, supply – 90.93; Grainger, supply – 247.42; Hach Company, supply – 1,331.23; Hawkins, Inc., supply – 5,325.50; High Performance Laser Works, supply – 2,451.00; Homax Oil, supply – 565.10; Mary Hupy, reimbursement – 49.69; Hydro Construction Co., Inc., contract – 112,237.78; Industrial Engine Service, supply – 1,287.87; Industrial Systems, Inc., supply – 1,973.96; Inter-Mountain Labs, supply – 2,200.00; JLM Engineering, contract – 2,445.00; Johnson County Y.M.C.A., agreement – 1,500.00; Joint Powers Fuel Facility, supply – 3,280.30; Joy Appliance & Video, supply – 107.96; Kenco Enterprises, Inc., supply – 150.00; Kirven & Kirven, supply – (45.00); Lab Safety Supply, Inc., supply – (8.88); Lawson Products, Inc., supply – 125.72; Metron-Farnier, LLC, supply – 760.00; Michelena Automotive, supply – 2,444.02; Mike’s Locksmithing, supply – 102.50; The Mini, supply – 35.00; Montana Dakota Utilities, supply – 13,268.24; Mountain Auto, supply – 1,097.05; NCPERS Group Life Ins., insurance – 192.00; Nebraska Child Support, agreement – 204.00; Northwest Pipe Fittings, supply – 8,338.28; Northern Safety Co., Inc., supply – 85.47; North Wyoming Insurance, supply – 100.00; The Office, supply – 1,694.76; The Oil Barn, supply – 139.90; Rocky Mountain Power, supply – 18,633.21; Page One, supply – 122.21; Peak Drywall, supply – 400.00; Pitney Bowes, agreement – 402.00; Postage By Phone, supply – 800.00; Public Safety Warehouse, supply – 509.20; Q Business Source, supply – 723.89; Qwest Communications, supply – 2,072.22; RDG Planning, supply – 2,200.00; Reimann Oil Company, supply – 114.09; Rocky Mountain Fresh Food Ctr, supply – 109.04; Rocky Mountain Oilfield Warehouse, supply – 722.47; Ron’s Plumbing, supply – 137.54; St Francis Animal Shelter, agreement – 3,684.00; Safety-West, Inc., supply – 200.50; Servall Uniform & Linen, supply – 130.27; Silvertip Electric, supply – 422.67; Sports Lure, supply – 87.79; Squeeky Kleen Car Wash, supply – 105.25; State Risk Mgmt Programs, supply – 571.75; Team Chemical, Inc., supply – 1,723.00; Timberline Electric, supply – 1,805.55; Transparent Technologies, supply – 104.67; Two Way Radio Service, supply – 20.00; USA BlueBook, supply – 730.31; University Enterprises, Inc., supply – 99.00; Visionary Communications, Inc., supply – 267.75; Volunteers of America, supply – 80.00; Watco, Inc., supply – (635.00); WCS Telecom, supply – 210.95; Wear Parts, Inc., supply – 19.00; Western Plains Machinery, supply – 331.94; Wingfoot, supply – 2,009.04; WY Assn Municipalities, supply – 1,050.00; WY Child Support Enforcement, agreement – 625.00; WY Dept of Revenue, agreement – 143.28; WY Dept of Transportation, contract – 258.11; WY Machinery Co., supply – 64.34; WY Workers’ Compensation, insurance – 4,456.65; Xerox, agreement – 273.69.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m.

Mayor
ATTEST:

City Clerk