Buffalo Wyoming City Council Meeting Minutes 07/07/09
Sep 3, 2009
Recorder: Julie Silbernagel

CITY OF BUFFALO
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
July 7, 2009
The Buffalo City Council met in Regular Session in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Present were Mayor Johnson, Councilman Hancock, Councilman Humphrey, Councilman Hepp and Councilwoman Reid. 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 June 16, 2009 Regular Council Meeting minutes with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
A Public Hearing was held for the retail liquor license transfer from Daniel & Sandra Coleman d/b/a White Buffalo to Elizabeth Ker, Shelley Moreno, Mark Ellis d/b/a Buffalo Sports Bar & Grill. Mayor Johnson explained this order of business had not been properly advertised when it was first considered by Council at the May 19th meeting and apologized to Ker, Moreno and Ellis. No Public Comment was received and Mayor Johnson closed the public hearing.
Ordinance #1334 – An Ordinance providing for the Annexation of the “Indian Campground II” to the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming was presented on second reading. Harold Anton, owner, expressed concern with paragraph 5 of the annexation agreement which addressed conveyance of water rights. Mayor Johnson explained the City’s standard procedure with annexing property. City Attorney Kirven advised a change in use clause could be added to the agreement. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve Ordinance #1334 on second reading with a second from Councilman Humphrey. Mayor Johnson and all Council members voted aye.
A Consent to Petition for Change of Point of Diversion and Means of Conveyance from David Stewart was presented for Council approval. City Attorney Kirven advised he had reviewed the agreement and recommended approval by Council. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve the consent with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
A request from Sparrow Group to waive a requirement for a right-of-way easement regarding the Big Horn Apartments was presented to Council. Mayor Johnson advised the Planning Commission would review the requirement and make their recommendation to Council.
A retail liquor license transfer from Daniel & Sandra Coleman d/b/a White Buffalo to Elizabeth Ker, Shelley Moreno and Mark Ellis d/b/a Buffalo Sports Bar & Grill was presented for Council approval. There being no public comment Councilwoman Reid made a motion to approve the transfer with a second from Councilman Hepp. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Ross Elliot, Buffalo Development Association, presented Council with estimated costs for the improvements to Crazy Woman Square. Elliot stated the BDA intended to apply for a Wyoming Business Council matching grant in the amount of 500,000. Councilman Hepp felt the City could offer in-kind support from the City for the value of the Crazy Woman Square. Councilwoman Reid made a motion for the City to sponsor the grant application with a second from Councilman Hepp. Mayor Johnson and all Council members voted aye. Councilman Hepp made a motion to use the market analysis for Crazy Woman Square as an in-kind match for the grant with the City retaining ownership of the land. Councilwoman Reid seconded the motion with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye. Councilman Hepp then directed the BDA to prioritize items on the cost estimation provided. Hepp also instructed the BDA to work on a Memorandum of Understanding between the organization and the City of Buffalo and to prepare an ordinance with revisions to the by-laws.
Mayor Johnson presented the following board appointments for Council approval:
Commerce Joint Powers Board – Skip Hancock, three year term
Criminal Justice Center Joint Powers Board – Michael Johnson, three year term
Lodging Tax Board – Michael Johnson, three year term
Councilwoman Reid made a motion to approve the board appointments with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Victor Goni, Big Horn Basque Club, presented a request to reserve Washington and Prosinski Parks July 22 – 24, 2011 for the North American Basque Organization Festival. Councilman Hepp clarified that areas of the park would be roped off and admission would be charged. 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 request from Dawn Wexo, Occidental Hotel, for a special liquor license open container permit on July 31st from noon to midnight to allow patrons easier access to the Occidental deck area during the Crazy Days street dance was presented for Council approval. Chief Chapman recommended roping off the area and the time to be further limited. Councilman Hancock made a motion to grant the request with a second from Councilman Hepp. A brief discussion followed with input from Angela Jarvis, Chamber of Commerce Director and Olin Turner, Chamber Board member. The Mayor and all Council members voted nay.
A letter request from Elmer Power Sports for a letter of permission to sell vehicles at 178 North Main Street was presented to Council. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve the request with a copy of the dealer application and a copy of the dealer’s bond to be filed at City Hall. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion with Mayor Johnson and all Council members voting aye.
A letter request from the Pool board to increase an employee’s wage from 15.75/hr to 17/hr was presented for Council approval. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve the request with a second from Councilman Hancock. Mayor Johnson and all Council members voted aye.
Mayor Johnson presented a contract for services from former City Planner, Colin Betzler, for Council review.
Les Hook, Public Works Director, advised Council the storm drain study results on Highway 16 East had been approved by the Wyoming Department of Transportation. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve funding to proceed with engineering costs needed to change the drawings. Councilman Hancock seconded the motion and the Mayor and all Council members voted aye. Hook also updated Council on the PRV vault project, tree limb cleanup, lower shop roof and the McKinney Street waterline project.
Hook then led a discussion on the water tap request for the Hampton Inn. Councilman Hepp asked Councilwoman Reid and Mayor Johnson to recuse themselves from the discussion and to leave the Council chambers. A lengthy discussion followed with input from Jerry Landrey and Ken Reid, Hampton Inn developers. Councilman Hepp made a motion that the HIB annexation request be at the August planning commission meeting and that the water tap permit be revoked. There being no second Councilman Humphrey made a motion to table the request. Councilman Hepp requested that the annexation petition be filed immediately. Vice-Mayor Hancock instructed HIB to meet with the City Attorney to resolve the problem. Councilwoman Reid and Mayor Johnson joined the regular Council meeting.
Police Chief, Michael Chapman, requested Council approval for a new alcohol compliance contract. Councilman Hancock made a motion to approve the contract with a second from Councilwoman Reid. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye. Chapman then presented bid results for a 2009 Dodge Charger and requested Council award the bid to Thomas Dodge and Chrysler Jeep in the amount of 36,912. Councilwoman Reid made a motion to award the bid with a second from Councilman Hancock. Mayor Johnson and all Council members voted aye. In closing, Chief Chapman presented travel requests for Council approval. Councilwoman Reid made a motion to approve the travel requests with a second from Councilman Hancock. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
City Attorney Kirven updated Council on correspondence with Tetra Tech RTW regarding the Waste Water Treatment Plant, the Indian Campground Annexation agreement revision, the Betzler contract for services and the Movie in the Park request.
Marilyn Novotny, Angus Street property owner, addressed Council with a request to repair a backstop at Prosinski ball field. Novotny stated that balls were hitting buildings and vehicles in that area. Public Works Director, Les Hook, advised he would solve the problem.
Pat Foster requested Council waive the bond requirement for his itinerant vendor license to provide horse and buggy rides in the City of Buffalo. Councilwoman Reid made a motion to waive the bond requirement with a second from Councilman Humphrey. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Randy Dyess, Planning and Zoning Board, requested legal counsel at the July 28th Planning Commission meeting.
Mayor Johnson advised Council of the SLIB video conference regarding stimulus funding on July 8th @ 10:30 a.m. at the Veterans’ Home. Johnson also announced the States West Clear Creek Watershed Study Meeting July 9th at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Johnson announced the City/County Breakfast July 21st @ 7 a.m. at the Best Western and the Employee Picnic July 24th in Washington Park. Mayor Johnson also announced the next Department Head meeting on July 28th at 9 a.m. @ City Hall. Johnson advised Council that new binding letters of credit for Section 318 funds needed to be secured.
Councilwoman Reid requested the strategic planning seminar for Council be discussed at the July 21st Council meeting.
The following bills were audited and approved for payment: Aflac, agreement – 1,509.44; Linda Betz, service – 398.50; Big Horn Mountain Coalition, agreement – 2,000.00; Blue Cross/Blue Shield, insurance – 41,408.28; Buffalo Senior Center, agreement – 2,536.84; Chrysler Financial Business, equipment – 27,696.73; Nancy Hall, service – 180.00; Mary Hupy, agreement – 200.00; Jo. Co. Solid Waste District, supply – 23,546.50; Johnson County Treasurer, supply – 2,379.82; Nebraska Child Support, agreement – 435.00; Postage by Phone, supply – 400.00; St. Francis Animal Shelter, agreement – 1,300.00; Andy Tkach, supply – 128.69; VISA, supply – 1,343.51; WY Ass’n Municipalities, supply - 5,834.00; WY Child Support Enforcement, agreement – 600.00; WY Dept of Revenue, tax – 329.23; WY Educators’ Benefit Trust, insurance – 370.13; WY Retirement System, retirement – 23,864.64; Hillary Zimmerschield, service – 260.00
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.

Mayor
ATTEST:

City Clerk