Buffalo Wyoming City Council Meeting Minutes 02/03/09
Feb 10, 2009
Recorder: Julie Silbernagel

CITY OF BUFFALO
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
February 3, 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. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve the January 19, 2009 Regular Council Meeting minutes with a second from Councilman Hancock. 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. City Planner, Colin Betzler, shared additional information from WWC Engineering regarding the request. Councilman Hepp made a motion to suspend the request to build a retaining wall on the City easement with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
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 was presented for second reading. Public Comments were heard from Bill Hawley, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator; Elizabeth Danielson, Take It Back President; and Johnson Manzella, School Resource Officer. Councilwoman Reid made a motion to approve Ordinance #1321 on second reading with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
A Public Hearing was held regarding the Myers Minor County Subdivision east of Buffalo. There being no public comment Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing.
The Myers Minor County Subdivision was presented for Council approval. Betzler explained the location of the subdivision which included a Water and Sewer Connectors Agreement between the developer and the City of Buffalo. Councilman Hepp questioned future development in the area. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve the Myers Minor County Subdivision provided the water and sewer connectors agreement is signed. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye.
Mike Bender, Buffalo Youth Baseball Association, requested Council approval to make repairs to the Prosinski Ballfield backstops. Bender clarified the project was funded by the Recreation District. Councilman Hepp made a motion to allow the repairs to a backstop in Prosinski Park. Councilwoman Reid seconded the motion with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye.
Police Chief, Michael Chapman, presented Council with bids for a new Animal Control Officer vehicle. Chapman recommended awarding the bid to Thunder Basin Ford in the amount of 19,923.00. Councilman Hepp questioned whether the current vehicle could remain in service until the arrival of the new vehicle. Hepp also questioned which budget the vehicle was being funded through. Councilman Hepp then made a motion to award the bid to Thunder Basin Ford with a second from Councilwoman Reid. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Mayor Johnson presented plaques to former Trail Board members Jerry Gladson and Bill Mentock. Johnson thanked the former members for their many years of service on the board as well as their insight in developing the trail system.
Mayor Johnson presented a letter of resignation from Bill Cooley of the Planning and Zoning Board for Council acceptance. Councilman Hepp made a motion to accept the resignation of Bill Cooley with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
A travel request from Judge Hupy for the Judge and Deann Meyer to attend a Judges’ Conference was presented for Council approval. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the request with a second from Councilwoman Reid. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
A letter from the Johnson County Commissioners regarding future developments with the Criminal Justice Center and the City/County relationship was presented for Council review.
In addition, Mayor Johnson shared additional information on the Lucas Street project and the Frankovic Trust Property. Councilman Hancock made a motion to table action on this new information until the February 17th meeting. Councilman Hepp seconded the motion with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye.
Colin Betzler, City Planner, presented three agreements regarding the Travel & Tourism Grant for Council approval. The agreements were for Wyoming Travel and Tourism’s signage and Turnout Grant Program, funding from the Lake DeSmet Conservation District, and funding from the Buffalo Charitable Foundation. Councilman Hepp questioned what the signs were constructed from and the City’s responsibility for the signs. Councilwoman Reid made a motion to allow the Mayor to sign all three agreements with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye. Betzler then announced an upcoming workshop for Subdivision Regulations on Tuesday, February 10th at 5 p.m. Betzler also announced the Wyoming Main Street Meeting at the County Planning Office on February 10th from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. In closing, Betzler answered questions from Councilman Hepp regarding maintaining the trail system and the priority of the trails system in relation to the total picture of Buffalo. Hepp also reminded the Planning Department that indebtedness can only be incurred by the Mayor and Council. Mayor Johnson announced these items would be discussed further during the upcoming budget sessions. Councilwoman Reid added that the City and County should work together to oversee the total park and recreation opportunities in the area.
Les Hook, Public Works Director, presented a map of the Public Works yard and fielded questions regarding storm water drainage. Hook also presented a proposal from Case Construction to video two sewer lines in Buffalo. Hook then updated Council on the Highway 16 East project and answered questions regarding a request from the Wyoming Department of Transportation for a hydrology study. Hook informed Council that the study would determine whether WYDOT would allow a larger storm drain on this project. Hook clarified the City would be responsible for all additional costs and the cost of the study. Councilman Johnson suggested Requests for Proposal be solicited. Councilman Hepp made a motion to Request for Proposal the Hydrology study on the Highway 16 East project with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Police Chief, Michael Chapman, updated Council on the problems with a backup generator at the Criminal Justice Center. Chapman stated the Criminal Justice Center Joint Powers Board would also be approached regarding the problem. Chief Chapman presented upcoming travel requests for Dispatch and Law Enforcement for Council approval. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the travel requests with a second from Councilwoman Reid. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye. Chapman answered Council questions regarding emergency notification processes. Councilman Hepp reminded Chief Chapman to update the Warning Coordination Support Annex for Marilyn Connolly, Emergency Management System Coordinator.
City Attorney Kirven answered questions from Council regarding the Frankovic Trust Property information.
Stephen Nephew requested permission to set up a photography area in Washington Park. Nephew also requested clarification on the necessary steps to be taken. Councilman Hepp made a motion to table the request until the February 17th meeting to allow legal counsel and the Police Department to research the request. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye.
Mayor Johnson announced City offices will be closed February 16th for Presidents’ Day. Johnson reminded Council of the City/County breakfast February 17th at 7 a.m. at the Crossroads and the NEWY Regional Meeting February 21st @ 8:30 a.m. at the Sheridan City Hall. In closing, Mayor Johnson announced the next Department Head Meeting is scheduled for February 24th at 9 a.m. at City Hall.
The following bills were audited and approved for payment: Arrowhead Forge, agreement – 18,270.00; APCO International, supply – 92.00; Linda Betz, service – 398.50; Blue Cross/Blue Shield, insurance – 43,582.91; Buffalo Bulletin, supply – 5,176.80; Buffalo Senior Center, agreement – 2,536.84; Energy Equipment, supply – 26.87; FBI Command College, supply – 745.00; Nancy Hall, service – 80.00; Hot Iron, Inc., contract – 15,896.60; Jo. Co. Solid Waste District, supply – 16,926.75; Joint Powers Fuel Facility, supply – 3,674.00; North Wyoming Insurance, insurance – 70,381.00; Tetra Tech RTW, contract – 17,315.25; St. Francis Animal Shelter, agreement – 1,300.00; Julie Silbernagel, reimbursement – 470.75; Spencer Internet Services, service – 400.00; Three Way, Inc., contract – 31,099.03; Town of Dayton, supply – 100.00; Visa, supply – 130.14; S.G. Welsh Co., Inc., contract – 40,956.00; WWC Engineering, supply – 1,128.76; WAMCAT, supply – 250.00; WY Educators’ Benefit Trust, insurance – 393.75; WY Retirement System, retirement – 26,335.25; Hillary Zimmerschied, service – 260.00.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

Mayor
ATTEST:

City Clerk