October 18, 2022
Town of Guernsey
Regular Meeting
Platte County, Wyoming
PRESENT: Mayor Paustian, CM Augustyn, CM Delgado, CM Harris. Absent: CM Kelley.
STAFF: Chuck Porter, Lester Ballard, Jeff Thomas, Pam Hebbert, David Smith, Derek Chavez.
REGISTERING GUESTS: Christa Bartel, Pat Russell, Penny Wells, Ada Pulos, Rose Martinez.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Paustian called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
AGENDA: CM Harris moved to approve the agenda. CM Delgado seconded. The motion carried.
MINUTES: CM Augustyn moved to approve the minutes for the October 4, 2022, meeting. CM Harris seconded. The motion carried.
CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS: Mayor Paustian presented the vouchers for approval. CM Delgado moved to approve the Considerations of Claims in the amount of $240,489.09, seconded by CM Augustyn. The motion carried. Vouchers follow in their entirety: B.A. Lawrence, $1,135.00; Bear Creek Originals, $130.07; Border States Industries, $4,008.45; Capital Business Systems, $169.16; Caselle, $618.00; Conner, Shawn, $725.00; Contractors Materials, $429.00; CPS Distributors, $1,666.24; Dad’s Septic, $300.00; Energy Laboratories, $475.00; Environmental Compliance Solutions, $925.00; Fast Stop 1132, $519.73; Foggie, Lakiesha, $1.51; Foos, Tami, $5.57; Frey, Abigail, $1.59; Fronapfel, Carl, $2.77; Guernsey Gazette, $1,059.00; Harmon, Stuart, $8.83; Haynes, Odell, $2.17; Horton, Douglas, $1.42; Lenhart Mason & Associates, $8,500.00; Letcher, Holly, $1.26; Mitchell, Dylan, $2.39; One-Call of Wyoming, $15.75; Parrish, Brian, $1.16; Richardson, Courtney, $6.02; Sam’s Club MC/SYNCB; $324.12; Stotz Equipment, $115.57; Swain, Lelani, $87.62; TDS Collection Services, $2,523.90; USPS, -$500.00; Valley Motor Supply, $394.50; Verizon Wireless, $257.08; Vistabeam, $491.50; Westco, $2,494.93; Western Research & Development, $22,551.25; Wex Bank, $4,169.47; Wex Bank, $32.00; Wheatland Automotive, $453.37; Williams, Julie & Erin, $6.69; WMPA, $99,329.79; Wyoming Public Health Laboratory, $72.00; Wyoming Retirement System, $262.50; Wyrulec, $403.08. Total Invoices, $154,279.46. Payroll, $34,154.56. Taxes/Benefits Payable, $52,055.07. TOTAL CLAIMS: $240,489.09.
COMMUNITY/ORGANIZATION REPORTS: Pat Russell spoke for the Guernsey Community Food Pantry. The Mobile Food Pantry on October 15 went well with new volunteers serving after the loss of the Youth Challenge participation. Starr Patterson will be starting as the new site manager after Pat’s last month in December. The Board increased the qualification limit for the weekly food pantry to 200% of the poverty threshold, with use starting on October 21.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Police Chief Smith reported it has been a busy year. He anticipates 3700 calls for service by the end of the year. The department will set up vehicles on Whalen with their lights on to help slow down traffic for Treat Street. CM Delgado thanked the department for watching the crosswalks in the morning before school. Lester Ballard reported the golf course is officially closed for the season. Staff is preparing the course and facilities for winter months. Mayor Paustian thanked Ballard and the crew for the outstanding job they did this year. Fire Chief Thomas reported on recent activity of the department. A discussion took place about EMS members of the department using Ambulance 265 as a first response vehicle in emergent circumstances. CM Delgado stated it would be important to stay within authorized parameters. Hydrant testing will take place next spring by a contractor. In the short term, the VFD will be checking to determine if any are not operational. Chuck Porter reported the library and senior center flooring is scheduled for January 3rd. The rail spur design is pending approval by BNSF. Brad Cook reported the dog park will be done as soon as the 10-foot gate arrives and can be installed. The final masonry work is being completed at the cemetery entrance. Pam Hebbert reported a technician will be onsite to assist with the use of the new ITRON system for October meter reads. The appraisal of the JTEC building by Chris Brown is expected to be complete mid-November. Lenhart Mason has started the 2022 financial review. A discussion of a rotation schedule for office computer replacement took place. CM Augustyn motioned that office staff be approved to attend the November 2-4 WAM Fall Workshop and the November 16-17 Caselle training through WAMCAT. CM Delgado seconded. The motion carried.
RESOLUTION 2022-007: CM Augustyn motioned to approve Resolution 2022-007 in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Week October 23-29, 2022. CM Harris seconded. The motion carried.
INBERG-MILLER/DOLLAR GENERAL SITE DRAWINGS: CM Delgado motioned that the Dollar General site drawings from Inberg-Miller be accepted. CM Augustyn seconded. The motion carried. Inberg-Miller will move forward with permitting. The town planner will monitor and inspect the site as the project progresses.
UTILITY RATES FOR DORMANT PROPERTIES: After review and discussion of the current utility rate ordinances, it was determined that: if a property is to be dormant, the property owner may call the town and request the water be shut off and not incur a monthly charge, but pay a $50 reconnect fee to have water turned back on. If the water is left on, the rates as outlined in the ordinance will be effective with a minimum charge of $30 per month. Dormant properties will incur a sewer connection fee of $4.00 per month if the water is shut off. If the water is on, the $18.00 per month sewer rate will be charged. Sanitation rates cannot be waived or reduced. All properties will be charged for electric usage per kWh as outlined in the current ordinance.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORT: CM Augustyn reported Mr. Bohannon likes what has been done with the cemetery entrance and would be interested in being involved in a potential second phase. CM Harris suggested the work to dig up the VFW markers at the cemetery may need to be contracted out. CM Delgado and Mayor Paustian inquired about options for lighting the cemetery sign and medallions. Brad Cook reported he has purchased LED solar lighting
PUBLIC COMMENT: Penny Wells inquired about the potential problem to the storm sewer from black walnuts on N. Nebraska. Pat Russell encouraged donation to the First Lady’s Hunger Initiative for those interested in food insecurity. Stacia Cook thanked candidates for attending the GSEA candidate forum and reported it went well. She also thanked the police department for their presence in the schools and expressed the importance to the students.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, CM Harris motioned that the meeting be adjourned, seconded by CM Augustyn. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 pm.
Attest:
Nicholas Paustian, Mayor
Pam Hebbert, Clerk/Treasurer
Public Notice No. 2006 published in the Guernsey Gazette on November 8, 2022.
