Buffalo Wyoming City Council Meeting Minutes 04/07/09
Apr 17, 2009
Recorder: Julie Silbernagel

CITY OF BUFFALO
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
April 7, 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 Hepp. Councilman Humphrey arrived late. 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 March 17, 2009 Regular Council Meeting minutes with a second from Councilwoman Reid. The Mayor and Council members Reid, Hancock and Hepp voted aye. Councilman Humphrey did not vote.

Councilman Hancock announced the Public Hearing for the HIB Annexation would be postponed until a later date as a letter had been received withdrawing the consideration of the annexation at this time.

A Public Hearing for the signage ordinance was held. There being no public comment Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing.

Ordinance #1322 – An Ordinance Amending that Section 10-1.7, Paragraph 1 of the Code of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, Pertaining to Precollection Practices – Residential was presented for approval on third and final reading. There being no public comment Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve Ordinance #1322 on third and final reading with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.

Ordinance #1323 – An Ordinance Amending that Section 10-1.7 Subparagraph 2.B of the Code of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, Pertaining to Commercial Refuse Containers was presented for Council approval on third and final reading. There being no public comment Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve Ordinance #1323 on third and final reading with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.

Ordinance #1324 – An Ordinance Amending Section 10-1.8 Sub-paragraph 4, Section A and B, sub-paragraph 5, Sub-paragraphs 11, 12 and 13 of the Code of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, Pertaining to Collection Practices was presented for Council approval on third and final reading. There being no public comment Councilman Humphrey made a motion to approve Ordinance #1324 on third and final reading with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.

Ordinance #1325 – An Ordinance Amending Those Section 10-1.7, Subparagraph 2, Section A, of the Code of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, Pertaining to Precollection Practices – Residential was presented for Council approval on third and final reading. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve Ordinance #1325 on third and final reading with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.

Ordinance #1326 – An Ordinance Amending that Section 10-1 of Chapter 10 of the Code of the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, that Generally Provides for Waste Disposal was presented on third and final reading. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve Ordinance #1326 on third and final reading with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.

Ordinance #1327 – An Ordinance Amending that Section 10-1.1 of Chapter 10 of the Code of the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, that Generally Provides for Waste Disposal was presented on second reading. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve Ordinance #1327 on second reading with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.

Ordinance #1328 – An Ordinance Amending that Section 10-1.2 of Chapter 10 of the Code of the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, that Generally Provides for Waste Disposal was presented for Council approval on third and final reading. There being no public comment Councilman Humphrey made a motion to approve Ordinance #1328 on third and final reading with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.

Ordinance #1329 – An Ordinance Amending that Section 10-1.3 of Chapter 10 of the Code of the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, that Generally Provides for Waste Disposal was presented for Council approval on third and final reading. There being no public comment Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve Ordinance #1329 on third and final reading. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion with Mayor Johnson and all Council members voting aye.

Ordinance #1330 – An Ordinance Amending that Section 10-1.11 of Chapter 10 of the Code of the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, that Generally Provides for Waste Disposal was presented for Council approval on second reading. Councilman Humphrey made a motion to approve Ordinance #1330 on second reading with a second from Councilwoman Reid. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.

Ordinance #1331 – An Ordinance Revising those Sections of the Code of the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, that Generally Provide for Subdivisions and Development Code was presented for Council approval on third and final reading. City Planner, Colin Betzler, advised Council that changes to this ordinance were needed. Betzler cited several areas and requested additional time to address recent questions. Mayor Johnson recommended tabling the third and final reading until the April 21st Council meeting. Councilwoman Reid agreed the ordinance needed to be a working document that is not ambiguous and could stand on its own when challenged. Councilman Hepp made a motion to table the third and final reading to the April 21st Council meeting. Councilwoman Reid seconded the motion and the Mayor and all Council members voted aye.

The Buffalo High School FFA Ag Issues team presented a skit to Council regarding Factory Farming. Mayor Johnson thanked the students for their presentation and commended them on their public speaking skills.

John and Laura Dematteis presented a request for the initial fee for the Bar and Grill liquor license to be set at 1,500. Dematteis explained the plan to open a barbecue restaurant on Main Street and reminded Council that a Bar and Grill liquor license was different from a Retail liquor license in that it could not be sold. Councilman Hepp made a motion to set the initial fee for the Bar and Grill liquor license at 2,500 with the yearly renewal at 1,500. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion. Councilwoman Reid stated she felt the fee was 1,000 too high. Councilman Hepp clarified this fee was for this applicant only and would need to be negotiated with each new applicant. The Mayor and Council members Hancock, Humphrey, and Hepp voted aye with Councilwoman Reid voting nay.

A letter request from the Town and Country Garden Club was presented to Council to block off parking in front of 312 N Main for the spring plant sale on May 9th from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve the request with a second from Councilwoman Reid. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.

A letter request from the Johnson County Healthcare Center to waive the building permit fees on a 12 Million building project by the Hospital District was presented for Council consideration. Councilman Hepp made a motion to waive the building permit fee with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.

Bobby Legerski addressed Council with a request for a community garden in the area south of the labyrinth. Mayor Johnson clarified that a building was scheduled to be constructed at that location but encouraged Legerski to seek an alternate location.

A request for a catering license was presented by Ray’s Liquor for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation at the Johnson County Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 2nd from 5 p.m. to midnight. Councilwoman Reid made a motion to approve the request with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.

Mayor Johnson informed Council of a meeting with the Frankovics and legal counsels regarding the Euskaldun Kalea project. Johnson suggested the City of Buffalo get an independent appraisal on the property. Councilman Hepp made a motion to Request for Proposal the appraisal with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.

Patsy Jenkins, Child Advocacy Services of the Bighorns, called Council attention to the signs on the Courthouse lawn. Jenkins stated the signs were to raise awareness to Child Abuse and represented 44 children helped in Johnson County in 2008.

Mayor Johnson presented the Wildland Fire Management Annual Operating Plan for Council approval. Johnson explained the plan was an interagency fire management agreement with the State Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, various fire districts, City of Buffalo and Johnson County. Councilman Hancock made a motion to allow the Mayor’s signature with a second from Councilwoman Reid. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.

Colin Betzler, City Planner, presented an updated design on the Pamida Detention cell and recommended Council approve the modified design. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve the detention cell design with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye. Betzler then updated Council on recent Planning Board activities. In closing, Betzler requested Council approval to submit applications to the Recreation Board and State Forestry for grant funding for the Pool Board and the Trails Board. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve the request with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye. Betzler then answered Council question regarding the Safe Routes to School sidewalks.

Kenn Durfee, Public Works Foreman, answered Council questions regarding street lights and street repairs. Durfee accepted Council praise for the street crew snow removal.

Police Chief, Michael Chapman, advised Council the new Animal Control Officer vehicle had arrived and thanked the City shop crew for their assistance getting the vehicle ready for use. Chief Chapman presented travel requests 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. Chapman also presented a request to submit for grant funding for DUI and Speed Enforcement. Councilwoman Reid made a motion to grant the request with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye. The Chief then answered Council questions regarding the Code Red contract.

City Attorney Kirven answered Council questions.

Bill Cooley, Buffalo Trails Board, requested Council approval to submit for additional Recreation Board grant funding. After a brief discussion Councilman Hepp made a motion to allow the Trails Board to submit for the grants. Councilwoman Reid seconded the motion and the Mayor and all Council members voted aye. Cooley also advised Council of the Hockey Club intentions regarding the hockey boards in the park.

Brook Stromer, States West Water Resources, updated Council on the pre-bid meeting on the Waste Water Treatment Plant project.

Mayor Johnson announced a work session with the Commissioners and GSC and Reilly Johnson Architecture on Wed. Apr 8th @ 10:30 a.m. Johnson reminded Council of the NEWY Regional Meeting April 25th in Gillette. Mayor Johnson announced the next Department Head Meeting is scheduled for April 28th at 9 a.m. at City Hall. In closing, Mayor Johnson announced the upcoming Budget meetings @ 5:00 p.m. at City Hall on Apr. 9,16,23,and 30. The Mexican Consulate in Denver will meet with the Commissioners and the Council Apr 22nd at 3 p.m. in the Commissioners Office and the next Criminal Justice Center Joint Powers Board meeting will be at 2:30 p.m. on Apr 21st in the Commissioners’ office.

The following bills were audited and approved for payment: American National Bank, supply – 20.00; Linda Betz, service – 398.50; Blue Cross/Blue Shield, insurance – 45,309.60; Buffalo Senior Center, agreement – 27,536.84; Ella’s Garden, supply – 114.45; Nancy Hall, service – 225.00; JLM Engineering, contract – 4,470.00; Johnson County Circuit Court, agreement – 312.20; Johnson County Fire District, supply – 190.00; Johnson County Gatchell Museum, agreement – 26,000.00; Jo. Co. Solid Waste District, supply – 16,335.75; Joint Powers Fuel Facility, supply – 2,611.29; Nelson Engineering, agreement – 585.00; Nebraska Child Support, agreement – 435.00; Pitney Bowes, supply – 699.09; Postage By Phone, supply – 400.00; St Francis Animal Shelter, agreement – 1,300.00; Spencer Internet Services, agreement – 400.00; Thunder Basin Ford, equipment – 19,923.30; Visa, supply – 777.25; WY Child Support Enforcement, agreement – 625.00; WY Dept of Revenue, agreement – 80.39; WY Educators’ Benefit Trust, insurance – 393.75; WY Planning Ass’n, supply – 108.00; WY Retirement System, retirement – 23,593.23; Hillary Zimmerschied, service – 260.00.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.





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