Buffalo Wyoming City Council Meeting Minutes 12/01/09
Dec 15, 2009
Recorder: Julie Silbernagel

CITY OF BUFFALO
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
December 1, 2009
The Buffalo City Council met in Regular Session in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Present were Councilwoman Reid, Councilman Dyess, Mayor Hancock, Councilman Humphrey and Councilman Hepp. Mayor Hancock called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilwoman Reid made a motion to approve the November 17, 2009 Regular Council Meeting minutes with a second from Councilman Hepp. Mayor Hancock and Council members Reid, Humphrey and Hepp voted aye. Councilman Dyess did not vote.
Mayor Hancock presented his Vice-Mayor appointment of Councilman Bruce Hepp for Council approval. Councilman Humphrey made a motion to accept the appointment with a second from Councilman Dyess. Mayor Hancock and Councilmen Humphrey and Hepp voted aye with Councilors Reid and Dyess voting nay.
Municipal Court Judge Mary Hupy led Mayor Hancock, Vice-Mayor Hepp, Councilman Dyess and Alternate Municipal Court Judge Paul Jarvis in the Oath of Office.
Ordinance #1338 – An Ordinance amending that Section 27-38.2 of the Code of the Town of the City of Buffalo, Wyoming, pertaining to monthly sewer usage fees was presented on second reading. City Planner, Brian Grubb, addressed public comments from the November 17th council meeting and advised Council of recent advertising efforts. Councilman Hepp requested the rate increase include future operation cost increases. Councilman Dyess expressed concern for imposing such a large increase in the current economy and suggested the additional costs be looked at when the plant is completed. Dyess stated the rate at this time should only include the amount needed to finance the construction loan. Councilman Dyess made a motion to approve Ordinance #1338 on first reading with a second from Councilwoman Reid. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye.
Anthony Wendtland addressed Council to discuss pending litigation with the Frankovic Trust. Councilman Hepp made a motion to recess to executive session with a second from Councilman Dyess. Mayor Hancock and all Council members voted aye. Council recessed to executive session at 4:10 p.m. At 4:52 p.m. Mayor Hancock called the public meeting back to order.
Resolution #1286 – A Resolution adopting and approving the resubdivision of lots 7-9, block 20 revised plat Richardson Park subdivision was presented for Council approval. City Planner Grubb explained the resubdivision and that it was a county referral. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve the resolution. Councilman Dyess seconded the motion with the Mayor and all Council members voting aye.
Police Chief, Michael Chapman, advised Council that both liquor license holders whose licenses were not renewed at the November 17th Council meeting had recently participated in the training provided by the Community Resource Center. Chapman recommended approval of the liquor license renewals for both entities. Dallas Bligh, Buffalo Properties, LLC, advised Council of the additional measures he had taken to ensure his business was serving alcohol responsibly. Bill Hawley, Community Resource Center, commended Judge Hupy and the City Council on recent action taken regarding establishments failing alcohol compliance checks. Hawley encouraged Council to adopt a written policy on the Responsible Alcohol Service Training. Clint Langer, White Buffalo Holdings attorney, advised Council the liquor license at the Buffalo Sports Bar would not be renewed at this time. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve the liquor license renewals for Buffalo Properties, LLC dba Best Western Crossroads Inn and DJ’s Liquor Store, LLC dba DJ’s Liquor Store with a second from Councilman Humphrey. Councilman Dyess expressed disappointment in the alcohol compliance check failures and suggested an ordinance be enacted to substantially punish repeat offenders. The Mayor and all Councilors voted aye.
City Planner, Brian Grubb, presented results from the Planning Board meeting and the proposed Hampton Inn annexation schedule. Grubb also requested Council direction on filling the planning commission vacancy. Council requested the vacancy be advertised. Grubb then presented a request from the Buffalo Development Association to place signs in Crazy Woman Square showing future development plans and the fundraising progress. Councilman Hepp made a motion to allow the BDA to place signs in Crazy Woman Square with a second from Councilwoman Reid. Mayor Hancock and all Council members voted aye. Grubb then discussed projected storm water drainage at the new Criminal Justice Center.
Councilman Humphrey asked if the water meter had been installed at the Hampton Inn. Councilwoman Reid recused herself from the governing body as well as the Council chambers. A lengthy discussion followed regarding lost revenue due to the delayed annexation and requirements outlined in the water connectors’ agreement. Councilman Hepp made a motion to include an amount for lost property tax revenue in the annexation agreement to be determined by the City Planner and the City Attorney. Councilman Humphrey seconded the motion. Tonia Hanson, attorney for HIB, LLC, requested Council reconsider imposing the property tax penalty as it sent a negative message to new business in Buffalo. Mayor Hancock, Councilmen Dyess, Humphrey and Hepp voted aye. Councilwoman Reid was not present.
Tom Hulick, Building Inspector, answered Council questions regarding curb and gutter on Fetterman Street.
Les Hook, Public Works Director, presented a travel request for a level III water treatment license for Council approval. Councilman Dyess made a motion to approve the request with a second from Councilwoman Reid. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye. Hook also requested Council approval for confined space entry training. Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve the training with a second from Councilwoman Reid. The Mayor and all Council members voted aye. Hook answered Council questions regarding Christmas lights.
Police Chief, Michael Chapman, commended School Resource Officers Manzella and Lloyd for a prescription drug education program presented at the High School. Chapman also advised Council the City had received a permit from the Game and Fish for deer mitigation.
City Attorney Kirven updated Council on the Police Department policy and procedure manual, audits for joint powers boards and old storm water easements.
Michael Johnson addressed Council regarding water used during construction and cautioned against setting precedents by including property taxes in annexation agreements. Additional public comment was heard from Tonia Hanson regarding targeting individuals in the community. Additional comments were heard from Council regarding board appointments.
A brief discussion followed regarding the location of financial records for the recycling board.
Mayor Hancock announced a WWDC Public Hearing for the Buffalo Pipeline on December 2nd @ 1:00 p.m. at City Hall. Hancock announced the Northeast Wyoming Municipal Leaders Group Meeting on January 23rd @ 8:30 a.m. in Dayton. Hancock also announced the City/County Breakfast December 15th @ 7:00 a.m. at the Commissioners’ office and the Department Head Meeting December 22nd @ 9 a.m. at City Hall. Hancock then advised City Hall would be closed December 25th for the Christmas Holiday.
The following bills were audited and approved for payment: Aflac, agreement – 1,470.72; Linda Betz, service – 398.50; Blue Cross/Blue Shield, insurance – 43,728.06; Bresnan Communications, service – 109.90; Buffalo Senior Center, agreement – 2,536.84; The Embroidery Barn, supply – 105.00; Farmers Bank, contract – 45,638.70; Fiberpipe, supply – 67.35; Great Western Bank, contract – 26,027.32; Nancy Hall, service – 225.00; Hydro Construction, contract – 615,764.83; Jo. Co. Solid Waste District, supply – 19,606.50; Johnson County YMCA, agreement – 3,291.38; Joint Powers Fuel Facility, supply – 4,409.83; Professional Dispatch Mgmt 911, supply – 590.00; St Francis Animal Shelter, agreement – 1,300.00; Spencer Internet Services, supply – 200.00; States West Water Resources, contract – 40,980.70; Andy Tkach, petty cash - 229.68; Visa, supply – 5,398.45; WY Educators’ Benefit Trust, supply – 385.88; WY Retirement System, retirement – 24,583.78; Hillary Zimmerschied, service – 260.00.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

Mayor
ATTEST:

City Clerk