January 3, 2023
Town of Guernsey
Regular Meeting
Platte County, Wyoming
PRESENT: Ex-Officio Mayor Paustian, Mayor Delgado, CM Harris, CM Michaels, CM Wells.
EXCUSED: Ex-Officio CM Augustyn, Ex-Officio CM Kelley.
STAFF: Mike Fronapfel, Sergeant Holt, Judge William Conner, Pam Hebbert.
REGISTERING GUESTS: Eleanor Behrmann, Shane Clevenger, Anthony Martinez, Ada Pulos, Rose Martinez, Sarah Seyfang.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Paustian called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
MINUTES: CM Harris moved to approve the December 20, 2022, meeting minutes. CM Delgado seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
OATH OF OFFICE: Edward Delgado was sworn in as Mayor by Judge William Conner. Joseph Michaels and Penny Wells were sworn in as a Council Members.
AGENDA: CM Michaels requested to move Public Comments to follow the approval of the agenda for this and all future council meetings. He also requested to add property to the discussion items for the Executive Session. CM Michaels moved to approve the agenda with the noted changes. CM Wells seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS: Mayor Delgado presented the vouchers for approval. CM Harris motioned to approve the Considerations of Claims in the amount of $75,771.58, seconded by CM Michaels. The motion carried 4-0. Vouchers follow in their entirety: Allwayz Manufacturing, $220.00; Amazon Capital Services, $522.62; Charlie’s Repair, -$54.02; Cooley, Noretta, $67.84; Delgado, Dorothea, $500.00; Energy Laboratories, Inc., $177.00; Guernsey Super Foods, $31.37; Holtz, William, $140.00; Imperial Pump Solutions, $3,844.24; Nebraska Printworks, LLC, $397.60; Staples Credit Plan, $284.98; TDS Collection Services, $15,218.28; Town of Guernsey, $2,550.00; Twisters Bed & Breakfast, $655.20; United States Postal Service, $204.79; Western Research & Development, $3,200.00. Total Invoices, $27,959.90. Payroll, $25,435.27. Taxes/Benefits Payable, $22,376.41. TOTAL CLAIMS: $75,771.58.
COMMUNITY/ORGANIZATION REPORTS: None.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Mike Fronapfel reported that public works staff have been focused on snow removal and the Haynes lift station pump repair. He is looking at costs to replace versus re-build it and will report back to the council. Very few freeze-ups were reported during the sub-zero cold spell. Judge Conner presented his December 2022 Municipal Court report. He noted fewer citations in December likely due to the current staff shortage in the police department. Sergeant Holt reported two arrests in December. The department ended the year with 3,700 calls. Pam Hebbert reported for Kellie Augustyn. Economic Development received maximum donations in the raffle for the dog park. They will start purchasing equipment. He thanked Economic Development, big Steve Kelley, Michelle and the staff at Kelley’s Bar for making it happen. The council received a copy of the fiscal year 2022 financial review which was completed by Lenhart-Mason & Associates. Hebbert reported that the review was submitted to the Wyoming Department of Audit by the December 31, 2022, deadline. Joni Kumor will be available at the next meeting to present the review and answer questions from the council.
RESOLUTION 2023-001 – Newspaper Designation: CM Michaels motioned to approve Resolution 2023-001 declaring the Guernsey Gazette as the official legal publication for the Town of Guernsey. CM Wells seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
RESOLUTION 2023-002 – Bank Designation: CM Michaels motioned to approve Resolution 2023-002 declaring Banner Capital Bank and First State Bank as the official depositories of the Town of Guernsey. CM Harris seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATIONS: The council reviewed the liquor license renewal applications for the following establishments: JW Perks, DBA Ben’s Bar; Karen Geuke, DBA Crazy Tony’s Bar; Kelley’s Bar, Inc; Lake Guernsey Post 4471; and, Register Cliff Pharmacy Inc., DBA Twisters. CM Wells motioned to approve all the applications as presented. CM Harris seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
COUNCIL POSITION VACANCY: Mayor Delgado asked the council how they would like to approach filling the vacant council position. CM Michaels suggested that residents desiring to serve on the council submit a letter of intent with a resume of qualifications for review by the council. Council Members Wells and Harris agreed. Notice will be posted requesting letters and resumes be submitted by 4:00 pm on January 9. Interviews will be scheduled for January 11-12.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORT: CM Harris thanked the public works crew for their efforts moving snow after the recent storms. CM Wells asked that meeting attendees identify themselves when speaking, for the benefit of Zoom participants. Mayor Delgado added that all addresses should be made from the podium. CM Wells requested that submitted written reports be read out loud for transparency. She asked if signage can be added at the bridge to the golf course to caution drivers to watch for activity on the bridge. Mayor Delgado will ask the County Commissioners about the possibility. She also inquired about flashing lights on Highway 26 to caution for pedestrians. Currently the DOT has only approved flashing lights to alert fire department dispatch. Mayor Delgado will ask the Town Planner to look at getting a traffic count meter installed. CM Wells remarked that she witnessed safety procedures being followed in the recent removal of Christmas lights, which CM Michaels acknowledged. She proposed adding a second vehicle further back on Highway 26 to increase safety. Wells suggested that citizens contact representatives with questions they have about needs in the Town. She stated she looks forward to serving on the council and thanked the outgoing representatives. Mayor Delgado appointed CM Harris as Mayor Pro Tem. He thanked the outgoing crew and acknowledged it hasn’t been easy. CM Michaels asked if a resolution is necessary to outline the council meeting schedule. Mayor Delgado replied that it is not, adding it will be important to review the Mayor-Council policy handbook for changes in recent years. CM Michaels thanked Public Works and the Police Department for keeping the town safe. Hebbert presented comments by out-going Council Member Steve Kelley. He extends his congratulations to the new council and appreciates his time on the council, the good and the bad, serving14 years total.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 6:35 pm CM Wells motioned that the council adjourn to an Executive Session on personnel and property. CM Harris seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
ADJOURNMENT: At 7:23 pm the council convened to regular session with no decisions made.
With no further business, CM Michaels motioned that the meeting be adjourned, seconded by CM Harris. The motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:23 pm.
Attest:
Edward Delgado, Mayor
Pam Hebbert, Clerk/Treasurer
Public Notice No. 2012 published in the Guernsey Gazette on November January 24, 2023.
