Buffalo Wyoming City Council Meeting Minutes 09/01/09
Sep 15, 2009
Recorder: Julie Silbernagel
CITY OF BUFFALO
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
September 1, 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 August 18, 2009 Regular Council Meeting minutes with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and Council members Humphrey, Hepp and Hancock voted aye with Councilwoman Reid abstaining from the vote.
Ordinance #1335 An Ordinance Revising that Section of the Code of the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, that generally provides for the appointment of commission members to the Main Street Development commission was presented for Council approval on first reading. Councilman Hepp requested the name be corrected to the Main Street Commission instead of the Main Street Development Commission. Councilwoman Reid seconded the motion with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye.
Ordinance #1336 An Ordinance creating Chapter 2D, Sections One and Two of the Code of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, pertaining to the Buffalo Parks Board was presented for Council approval on second reading. Councilman Hepp asked Public Works Director, Les Hook, to review the ordinance. Councilwoman Reid made a motion to approve Ordinance #1336 on second reading with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Nancy Karm, 190 S Pine, requested Council consider passing an ordinance to ban horses living within the city limits. Councilman Hepp advised there were currently City ordinances or State Statutues addressing Karms concerns. City Attorney Kirven stated the foul premises ordinance could possibly apply to Karms situation. Mayor Johnson advised Karm that the Council would consider the request.
A letter request from Ray Clark, Jr. to suspend garbage fees at a property on North Burritt Avenue was presented for Council consideration. Councilman Hancock explained the standard practice of charging for water, sewer and garbage fees together. Councilman Hepp advised the City would still have to provide this service if citizens were allowed to pick and choose which services they were going to use. Councilwoman Reid added her understanding to be that the services were bundled. Councilman Hepp made a motion to deny the request with a second from Councilwoman Reid. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Paul Jarvis, attorney for the Frankovic Trust Property, addressed Council with a request for settlement on the Lucas Street dispute. A lengthy discussion followed with Council questioning the thoroughness of the two appraisals. Councilman Hepp made a motion to continue settlement negotiations with the Frankovics with a final decision to be made at the September 15th Council meeting. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion. Mayor Johnson and all Council members voted aye. Jarvis reminded Council that under State Statute negotiations needed to be finished in a timely manner.
George Grace, representative for former Planning Board members, advised Council of a past agreement that had not been followed through. Grace explained the West Valley subdivision and improvements that needed to be made to a lane. Grace asked Council to tend to this matter and get the issue settled. Council directed the City Attorney to send a letter requesting the work to be completed.
Mayor Johnson presented letters of resignation from the pool board from Kate Holt and John Miller. Johnson thanked both members for their years of dedication to the outdoor pool facility in Buffalo. Councilman Hepp made a motion to accept the resignations with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Johnson also read a letter from the Department of Education requesting support for a new strategic plan to increase attendance and raise the graduation rates in Buffalo.
Tom Hulick, Building Inspector, answered Council questions regarding the Planning Director application process as well as open building permits.
Public Works Director, Les Hook, updated Council on current projects in the City. Hook answered Council questions regarding crosswalk painting, Safe Routes to Schools sidewalks, and blading and graveling of alleys.
Brook Stromer, States West Water Resources, held a lengthy discussion with Council regarding the Waste Water Treatment Plant project. Stromer presented Council several options on how to proceed with the lagoon solid storage portion of the project.
Michael Chapman, Police Chief, reported to Council the 2009 Dodge Charger had arrived. Chief Chapman then presented several travel and training requests for Council approval. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the travel requests with a second from Councilwoman Reid. Mayor and all Council members voted aye. Chapman then answered Council questions regarding foot patrol, 1% funding stickers and results of recent alcohol compliance checks.
City Attorney Kirven updated Council on draft agreements for engineering services awarded to Grizzly Engineering and answered Council questions regarding the Police Department policy and procedures manual.
Mike Bender, Buffalo Youth Baseball Association, requested Council approval to make additional repairs to the baseball facilities at Prosinski Park. Bender requested placing an additional storage shed, new bleachers, and repairing the backstop on the South field. Bender also asked the City to repair the water leak on the first baseline. Councilwoman Reid made a motion to allow the association to proceed with the repairs to Prosinski Park facilities with a second from Councilman Humphrey. All Council members and the Mayor voted aye. Bender also requested permission to repair the Bicentennial fields with an agreement that the park be reserved for the baseball association. Mayor Johnson advised Bender to work with the softball association and the YMCA to schedule the ballfields.
Edna Young complemented the Public Works department on their timely efforts in placing the No Parking signs on Parmalee Street.
Don Vogl, 619 Sesame, presented Council with several parking violators and unlicensed vehicles in the City. Mayor Johnson requested the Police Department follow up on the report.
Councilwoman Reid made a motion to have the City attorney review the ordinance regarding Council absences. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion with all Council members and Mayor Johnson voting aye. Councilman Hepp then made a motion to excuse the recent absences of Councilman Hancock and Councilwoman Reid. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion with Mayor Johnson and Councilors Humphrey and Hepp voting aye. Councilwoman Reid and Councilman Hancock abstained.
Mayor Johnson announced the City/County Breakfast on September 15th at 7:00 a.m. @ Best Western. Johnson also announced the Department Head Meeting on September 29th at 9 a.m. @ City Hall. Johnson also announced the North East Wyoming Regional Municipal Leaders Group on Saturday, September 12th @ 8:30 a.m. at City Hall in Gillette in the 2nd floor community room.
The following bills were audited and approved for payment: Aflac, agreement 1,475.44; Linda Betz, service 398.50; Blue Cross/Blue Shield, insurance 42,082.48; Boys & Girls Club, agreement 50,000.00; Buffalo Development Assoc., agreement 7,000.00; Buffalo Senior Center, agreement 2,536.84; Casper College, supply 255.00; Decatur Electronics, supply 1,900.00; Energy Equipment & Supply, supply 3,429.34; Great Western Bank, contract 41,362.06; Nancy Hall, supply 225.00; Hydro Construction Co., contract 372,258.62; Johnson County Commissioners, supply 553.50; Jo. Co. Solid Waste District, supply 23,473.50; Johnson County Y.M.C.A., agreement 3,600.02; Joint Powers Fuel Facility, supply 3,697.52; National Institute of Ethics, supply 590.00; Nebraska Child Support, agreement 217.50; Public Safety Division, supply 3,725.00; RBR Tactical Armor, supply 1,689.00; St. Francis Animal Shelter, agreement 1,300.00; Spencer Internet Services, service 200.00; States West Water Resources, contract 51,631.55; Thomas Dodge, equipment 37,807.00; Andy Tkach, reimbursement 270.86; Visa, supply 1,829.94; WCS Telecom, supply 202.26; WY Child Support Enforcement, agreement 300.00; WY Dept of Transportation, supply 5.00; WY Educators Benefit Trust, insurance 378.00; WY Retirement System, retirement 23,891.77; Hillary Zimmerschied, service 260.00.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk