Buffalo Wyoming City Council Meeting Minutes 03/02/2010
Mar 11, 2010
Recorder:

CITY OF BUFFALO
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
March 2, 2010
The Buffalo City Council met in Regular Session in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Present were Councilman Dyess, Mayor Hancock, Councilman Humphrey and Councilman Hepp. Councilwoman Reid was absent. Mayor Hancock called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman Dyess made a motion to approve the February 16, 2010 Regular Council Meeting minutes. Councilman Hepp seconded. Motion carried.
A liquor license transfer from City Liquor to Williams City Liquor was presented for Council approval. Councilman Dyess made a motion to approve the liquor license transfer. Councilman Humphrey seconded. Motion carried.
The Buffalo Children’s Center lease renewal was presented for Council approval. City Attorney Kirven updated Council on changes made to the lease agreement and advised Council to wait for Buffalo Children’s Center approval. Councilman Dyess made a motion to table the lease renewal until the March 16th regular meeting. Councilman Hepp seconded. Motion carried.
A utility easement and water and sewer connector’s agreement with the Iberlin Brothers for a 10” PRV vault was presented for Council approval. Public Works Director, Les Hook, explained the location and purpose of the easement. Councilman Hepp advised the water and sewer connector’s agreement needed modification. Councilman Dyess made a motion to approve the utility easement and modified water and sewer connector’s agreement. Councilman Humphrey seconded. Motion carried.
City Planner, Brian Grubb, presented his State of the Comprehensive Plan powerpoint presentation to Council. Grubb reviewed accomplishments of the City and advised of future goals of the Planning Department.
Mayor Hancock presented the following board appointments for Council approval:
Buffalo-Johnson Recycle Center JPB – Bill Ostheimer, unexpired term
Buffalo-Johnson Recycle Center JPB – Jennifer Spegon, three year term
Mountain Plains Heritage Park JPB – Frank Pratt, two year term
Councilman Hepp made a motion to approve the Mayor’s appointments. Councilman Humphrey seconded. Motion carried.
James Norton, 381 N Carrington, addressed Council about a sewer claim he had filed with the City’s liability insurance company. Norton explained the claim had been denied and pleaded with Council to reconsider reimbursement in the amount of the claim. Councilman Hepp explained the City’s responsibilities and why the City is not liable. Mayor Hancock advised the City would not cover the loss since it was denied by the liability company.
Two proposals to provide audit services to the City of Buffalo were presented for Council consideration. Tracey Jelly, Dooley & Jelly CPAs, explained why the City was seeking audit services as well as a realistic time frame for the audit services to be completed. Councilman Dyess stressed the City’s need to remain compliant with the State Land and Investment Board and recommended choosing the firm willing to commit to the March 31st deadline. Councilman Dyess made a motion to accept the McGee, Hearne and Paiz proposal with a second from Councilman Hepp. Council discussion followed regarding the addition of a penalty clause if not completed by March 31st. Motion failed. Councilman Dyess made a motion to accept the McGee, Hearne and Paiz proposal with a penalty clause of 25% of total price if not completed by March 31st. Dyess added the audit services of Dooley and Jelly would be chosen if McGee declined. Councilman Hepp seconded with Council members Dyess, Hancock and Humphrey voting aye. Councilman Hepp voted nay.
City Attorney Kirven advised Council of the March 4th closing on the Betz property in the amount of ,095.34. Councilman Dyess made a motion to approve signing the closing documents and issuing funds for the sale. Councilman Hepp seconded. Motion carried. Kirven then advised he would provide copies of the corrected water and sewer connector’s agreement for the Iberlin property. Kirven presented for Council approval Resolution #1291 – A Resolution authorizing Bresnan Communications, LLC to temporarily operate the cable communications system. Kirven stated the resolution extended the Bresnan franchise agreement until a new agreement was reached. Councilman Dyess made a motion to approve Resolution #1291 with a second from Councilman Hepp. Motion carried.
Tom Hulick, Building Inspector, updated Council on recent building activity and answered Council questions on future federally funded sidewalk projects.
Police Chief, Michael Chapman, answered Council questions and stated grant funding was being sought for upgrades to computers and dispatch software.
Les Hook, Public Works Director, presented a property owner request for weight restrictions on Flatiron Drive in an effort to minimize damage to the road. Councilman Hepp advised property owners in the area were aware of the Commercial Park designation when they purchased property. Hook then requested clarification on whether to proceed with the new shop building budgeted in FY10. Mayor and Council directed Hook to proceed. Hook updated Council on the sewer modeling and infiltration study project. In closing, Hook asked Council to consider reducing or to stop withholding retainage from the Hydro Construction pay estimates on the Waste Water Treatment Plant project. A brief discussion followed with additional input from Brook Stromer, States West Water Resources, and the City Attorney. Councilman Dyess made a motion to table a decision until a site visit on this project is conducted. Councilman Hepp seconded. Motion carried. Hook answered Council questions regarding advertisements for water and sewer line projects.
City Planner, Brian Grubb, called Council attention to recent improvements to the Council chambers and presented a draft Capital Improvements Plan to Council.
Pat Foster addressed Council with a complaint about trash cleanup behind businesses on Hart Street and asked City staff and officials to look into this problem.
Councilman Hepp requested a list of goals from Department Heads.
Mayor Hancock announced the Department Head Meeting March 23rd @ 9 a.m. at City Hall. Hancock reminded Council of the Senior Officials Workshop March 16th at the County Fire Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Mayor also announced the upcoming budget workshop dates of March 30, April 6,7,19, 20, 22, 29, May 6 & 13 @ 7 p.m. at City Hall.
The following bills were audited and approved for payment: Aflac, agreement – 1,470.72; Linda Betz, service – 398.50; Blue Cross/Blue Shield, insurance – 46,576.92; Buffalo Senior Center, agreement - 32,536.84; Buffalo Volunteer Fire Dept, agreement – 25,000.00; Child Advocacy Services, agreement – 7,500.00; Farmers Bank, contract – 59,130.72; Nancy Hall, service – 220.00; Hydro Construction Co., contract – 952,507.20; JLM Engineering, contract – 650.00; Jo. Co. Solid Waste District, supply – 16,013.25; Johnson County YMCA, agreement – 191.69; Joint Powers Fuel Facility, supply – 3,457.24; Nebraska Child Support, agreement – 145.00; Northern WY Mental Health, agreement – 1,875.00; St. Francis Animal Shelter, agreement – 1,300.00; Spencer Internet Services, agreement – 200.00; States West Water Resources, contract – 38,122.51; Visa, supply – 1,252.87; WY Child Support Enforcement, agreement – 300.00; WY Educators’ Benefit Trust, insurance – 377.99; WY Retirement System, retirement – 24,291.05; WY Technology Transfer Center, supply – 45.00; Hillary Zimmerschied, service – 260.00.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.

Mayor
ATTEST:

City Clerk