WHEATLAND – The Platte County commissioners met April 6 in the county seat of Wheatland. The meeting was originally scheduled for April 4, but due to weather the meeting was postponed to April 6.

Those present for the meeting were Steve Shockley, Commission Chairman; Ian Jolovich, Commissioner; Kayla Mantle, Commissioner joined by telephone; and Malcolm Ervin, County Clerk.

Chairman Shockley called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. Commissioner Jolovich motioned, seconded by Commissioner Mantle, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried. Commissioner Mantle motioned, seconded by Commissioner Jolovich, to approve the March 21 meeting minutes. The motion carried. Commissioner Jolovich motioned, seconded by Commissioner Mantle, to approve the vouchers as presented. The motion carried.

The Board then reviewed the daily receipts of Treasurer Kristi Rietz from March 16 - March 29, which totaled $440,459.93.

The Board examined, and approved, an encroachment license for the Millikin Quarry.

The Board reviewed an application to close a portion of Iron Mountain Road for the Chugwater K9 Classic. Commissioner Jolovich motioned, seconded by Commissioner Mantle, to approve the special events application for the Chugwater K9 Classic June 17, 2023. The motion carried.

The Board then reviewed comments made by the County Engineer, Hal Hutchinson, on a draft road use agreement. The Board agreed with Engineer Hutchinson’s comments and wished for them to be incorporated into the agreement.

Jim DeWitt, maintenance supervisor, provided updates to the Board, which included how to fill a vacancy in his department. Mr. DeWitt also discussed landscaping at the Courthouse and asked for the Board’s preferences.

Commissioner Jolovich motioned, seconded by Commissioner Mantle, to approve the OneWyo II opioid settlement agreement. The motion carried.

Commissioner Jolovich motioned, seconded by Commissioner Mantle, to accept the Fiscal Year 2021 – 2022 financial audit. The motion carried.

Stewart Bjelkevig, Association President, met with the Board to ask whether the Association could renew its lease with the County. Currently, the Association has an agreement to lease the shooting range from the County, which expires June 17, 2024. Chairman Shockley addressed concerns that the Association had not allowed 4-H Shooting Sports to utilize the facility. Mr. Bjelkevig addressed those concerns by saying they were provided an agreement from the University of Wyoming, who is the entity that oversees 4-H. However, the Association’s legal counsel advised them not to sign the agreement. The Association would allow each individual to sign the waiver and allow them the ability to utilize the range. The Board requested that the Association work with 4-H Shooting Sports to come to an agreement that would allow for 4-H to utilize the range before the Board renews the lease.

Doug Dumont, County Planner, presented two simple subdivision requests. The first, is a request made by Darin & Candy Geringer to divide approximately 20 acres into four parcels. The second, is a request made by Shane & Erin Unwin (on lands owned by Douglas & Anne Brickman) to divide a single 29.5-acre parcel. The Board reviewed, and approved both requests.

Planner Dumont presented two building certificates from Julie Wilkes and Larry & Susan Williams. The Board reviewed, and approved, both requests.

The Board reviewed an agreement, which would provide extraterritorial law enforcement assistance with Laramie County. Commissioner Jolovich motioned, seconded by Commissioner Mantle, to approve an extraterritorial assistance agreement with Laramie County as presented. The motion carried.

Chairman Shockley informed the Board that the Housing Authority requested assistance from the County with replacing a sewer line that had collapsed. The sewer line is at the senior housing facility on 16th Street in Wheatland, which is owned by the County and operated by the Housing Authority Board. The Board agreed to cover the cost of that replacement.

There being no further business for board consideration, the meeting adjourned at approximately 11:15 a.m.