Buffalo Wyoming City Council Meeting Minutes 05/05/09
May 11, 2009
Recorder: Julie Silbernagel

CITY OF BUFFALO
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
May 5, 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 April 21, 2009 Regular Council Meeting minutes with a second from Councilman Humphrey. 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. Councilman Hancock praised the Planning Department for the workshop that was held regarding the ordinance. Councilman Hepp questioned the Public Works Department about construction standards. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve Ordinance #1331 on third and final reading with a second from Councilwoman Reid. Mayor Johnson and all Council members voted aye. Councilman Hepp thanked the Planning Department for their hard work on establishing subdivision and development code.
A Public Hearing was held for the Resubdivision of the Wyoming State Highway Department Addition. City Planner, Colin Betzler, explained the history behind the request for resubdivision. Betzler also stated the Wyoming Department of Transportation had requested the associated subdivision fees be waived since part of the land was to be used for the Criminal Justice Center expansion. There being no public comment Mayor Johnson closed the Public Hearing.
Christy Kessler, Mountain Plains Heritage Park, requested assistance from the City crews to repair the trail in the Mountain Plains Heritage Park and stated the County had agreed to help as well. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve the Public Works Department to assist with repairs to the trail in cooperation with the County. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion and the Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Mayor Johnson then read a proclamation supporting the 2010 Census. Johnson explained the census would be taken April 1, 2010 and encouraged residents to support the Census process.
Mayor Johnson also proclaimed May 13 – 17 as “Days to honor, respect, and remember all those who have Served to Protect and Defend our Country and to Celebrate the Freedom they have given us.” Johnson invited everyone to visit the exhibit on May 13th at the Soldiers and Sailors home at 2 p.m.
Ordinance #1332 – An Ordinance Providing for the Resubdivision of “The Wyoming State Highway Department Addition” of the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming was presented for Council approval on first reading. Councilman Hepp raised concerns over waiving the subdivision fee and made a motion to approve Ordinance #1332 on first reading. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye.
The Health Insurance Renewal with the Wyoming Educators’ Benefit Trust was presented for Council approval. Councilman Hepp made a motion to renew the policy and change the deductible to 1500. Councilwoman Reid seconded the motion and Mayor Johnson and all Council members voted aye.
Mayor Johnson announced a Resolution supporting the Gillette Regional Water System would be presented at the May 19th Council meeting for Council approval. Johnson also announced June 6th is National Trails Day and that a Representative from the Governor’s office would be present to dedicate the historic bridge. Johnson also presented a request for a County resident to tap into City water on the new County line at the Fairgrounds. Councilman Hepp directed legal counsel to research the Tie Hack agreement regarding annexation requirements by the Corp of Engineers.
An invoice in the amount of 2,061.53 to repair the boiler at the Y.M.C.A. was presented for Council approval. A brief discussion regarding building maintenance on City owned buildings and lease agreements was held with Building Inspector, Tom Hulick, being instructed to review the lease agreement.
Colin Betzler, City Planner, thanked Assistant Planner, Alicia Bankston, and the Planning Board as well as the Council for their work on the subdivision regulations. Betzler also presented a request for Council authorization to apply for habitat restoration of Cemetery Creek under Nationwide Permit #27. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve the application submission with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye. Betzler then presented a Memorandum of Understanding between JLM Engineering and the City of Buffalo for additional work needed on the Safe Routes to School project. Councilman Hepp made a motion to sign the MOU with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye. An invoice for the purchase of a portion of the Washut property was presented for Council approval. Councilman Hancock made a motion to purchase the property in the amount of 21,992.35 with a second from Councilman Hepp. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye. In closing, City Planner Betzler updated Council on the Historic Bridge project and read a resignation letter defining May 22nd as his last day. Councilman Hepp made a motion to accept the resignation with a second from Councilman Hancock. Mayor Johnson and all Council members voted aye.
Les Hook, Public Works Director, requested Council approval for City street crews to change to a four-day work week during the summer. Councilman Hepp stated he preferred the five-day work week and made a motion to deny the request. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye. Hook then updated Council on the McKinney Waterline project. Hook called on Brook Stromer, States West Water Resources Corp, to present the bid results for the Waste Water Treatment Plant expansion. Stromer recommended awarding the bid to Hydro Construction. Councilman Hepp made a motion to award the Waste Water Treatment Plant Expansion project to Hydro Construction in the amount of 9,991,352 with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye. Hook then answered Council questions regarding storm water drainage and street signs in Greenleaf Phase III.
Police Chief, Michael Chapman, requested Council allow the Animal Control Officer to challenge a portion of the Police Academy certification as this employee had been previously certified in another state. Councilman Hepp made a motion to allow the Animal Control Officer to pursue the certification with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye. Chief Chapman also presented upcoming travel and training requests. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve the requests with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye. In closing, the Chief requested permission to apply for an additional DUI/Speed Enforcement grant in the amount of 18,000. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the application submittal with a second from Councilwoman Reid. Mayor Johnson and all Council members voted aye.
City Attorney Kirven advised the Tetra Tech Inc. correspondence had been revised and answered Council questions regarding the review of the Police Department Operations Manual and the YMCA lease agreement.
Mayor Johnson presented a request to waive the shut-off fee for water at 140 Lucas as a fire had destroyed the residence. Councilman Hepp made a motion to waive the fee for 140 Lucas with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye. Johnson reminded Council of the Arbor Day Celebration on May 8th at 10 a.m. in Washington Park and the City-wide Spring Cleanup May 13, 14, 15, & 16. Mayor Johnson reminded Council of the NEWY Regional Meeting May 16th in Buffalo. Mayor Johnson announced City offices would be closed May 25th for Memorial Day and the next Department Head Meeting is scheduled for May 26th at 9 a.m. at City Hall.
The following bills were audited and approved for payment: Linda Betz, service – 398.50; Blue Cross/Blue Shield, insurance – 46,250.90; Buffalo Chamber/Commerce, agreement – 12,000.00; Buffalo Children’s Center, agreement – 593.37; Buffalo Senior Center, agreement – 2,536.84; Buffalo Tree Service, service – 1,200.00; ESRI, agreement – 400.00; Fiberpipe, supply – 153.70; Nancy Hall, service – 180.00; Johnson County Circuit Court, agreement – 30.46; Jo. Co. Solid Waste District, supply – 19,607.25; Johnson County Title Co., supply – 310.00; Johnson County YMCA, agreement – 6,504.00; Joint Powers Fuel Facility, supply – 6,430.78; Mick Walter Construction, contract – 17,736.35; Myers Construction, contract – 14,190.00; Nelson Engineering, contract – 9,148.80; Nebraska Child Support, agreement – 217.50; North Wyoming Insurance, supply – 350.00; St. Francis Animal Shelter, agreement – 1,300.00; Spencer Internet Services, contract – 300.00; TW Enterprises, Inc., supply – 775.00; Three Way, Inc., contract – 8,599,50; Visa, supply – 3,421.67; WY Child Support Enforcement, agreement – 312.50; WY Dept of Ag, supply – 100.00; WY Dept of Employment, agreement – 103.01; WY Dept of Transportation, supply – 5.00; WY Educators’ Benefit Trust, insurance – 393.75; WY Planning Ass’n, supply – 50.00; WY Public Health Laboratory, supply – 15.00; WY Retirement System, retirement – 25,033.39; Hillary Zimmerschied, service – 260.00.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.

Mayor
ATTEST:

City Clerk