December 6, 2022
Town of Guernsey
Regular Meeting
Platte County, Wyoming
PRESENT: Mayor Paustian, CM Augustyn, CM Delgado, CM Harris, CM Kelley.
STAFF: Chuck Porter, Jeff Thomas, Mike Fronapfel, Pam Hebbert.
REGISTERING GUESTS: Pat Russell, Penny Wells, Starr Patterson, Kris Shaw, Joe Michaels, Rose Martinez.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Paustian called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
AGENDA: CM Kelley motioned to approve the agenda. CM Harris seconded. The motion carried.
MINUTES: CM Harris moved to approve the meeting minutes from November 15, 2022. CM Kelley seconded. The motion carried.
CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS: Mayor Paustian presented the vouchers for approval. CM Augustyn motioned to approve the Considerations of Claims in the amount of $134,868.08, seconded by CM Delgado. The motion carried. Vouchers follow in their entirety: Amazon Capital Services, $71.20; Appraisals, Inc., $2,750.00; Black Hills Energy, $919.82; Bob Ruwart Motors, $202.50; Brad Cook Construction, $800.00; Capital Business Systems, $168.38; Caselle, $618.00; Casper College, $89.00; CenturyLink, $1,064.66; Contractors Materials, $2,777.00; DLT Solutions, $1,658.31; Engineering Unlimited, $46.55; Guernsey Gazette, $1,274.20; Howshar Hardware, $741.03; Inberg-Miller Engineers, $224.25; Lawson Products, $327.91; One-Call of Wyoming, $7.50; Osborne, Robert, $2.43; Platte County Clerk, $16,642.15, Platte County Treasurer, $22,848.94; Reserve Account/Pitney Bowes, $150.00; Sarah Mosley, $200.00; Staples Credit Plan, $85.30; Sterling Codifiers, $500.00; Stotz Equipment, $484.97; TDS Collection Services, $17,143.64; Thomas, Jeff, $88.25; Thomas, Shenna, $88.25; United States Postal Service, $203.70; Valley Motor Supply, $1,059.32; W.S. Darley, $527.06; Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems, $475.00; Wheatland Automotive, $171.65; White, Jeffrey “Scott”, $148.39; Wilkes, Julie, $36.51; Wyoming State Fire Advisory Board, $220.00; WYOPOTS, $412.56. Total Invoices, $75,286.69. Payroll, $31,172.05. Taxes/Benefits Payable, $28,409.34. TOTAL CLAIMS: $134,868.08.
COMMUNITY/ORGANIZATION REPORTS: Pat Russell provided an update about the “We Care” program at Lynn’s Superfoods. Grocery receipts contributed in support of the food pantry can no longer be collected at the store. A notice is posted at the store listing businesses and organizations where receipts can be dropped off. Starr Patterson spoke as incoming director of the Guernsey Community Food Pantry. She reported the mobile food pantry will follow the same schedule in 2023 as in 2022, which is the 3rd Saturday of every other month starting in February. She asked council permission for the pantry to use the Town Hall garage and parking lot to stage the mobile pantry. The council agreed.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Chuck Porter provided information about activity since the last council meeting, to include online training for grant applications and work to create a map of town utilities. Fire Chief Jeff Thomas reported on the rural fire conference he and Shenna attended the previous week. Mike Fronapfel reported the three-day effort of the public works crew to clean the lift station pumps. Over 400 pounds of grease was removed. He asked residents to refrain from pouring grease down drains. The council received a written copy of the November 2022 Municipal Court report from Judge Conner.
DRAINAGE/W. SUNRISE PROPERTIES: A lengthy discussion was held regarding the drainage of a property owned by Pamela McClure on W. Sunrise, and the effects of existing and potential surrounding properties. Mayor Paustian will work with Mike Fronapfel and Chuck Porter to gather more information.
262 E. WHALEN: Chuck Porter informed the council that completed building plans have been received by the owner of the property at 262 E. Whalen. Depending on the outcome and timeline of the proposed mixed-use zoning under consideration within Guernsey, the owner may also submit a zoning change request.
RAILSPUR UPDATE: Chuck Porter reported that the current design for the second rail spur would require and incur considerable additional costs, including engineering and associated BNSF work. CM Augustyn has been in communication with Platte County and will check in with Platte County Economic Development and Guernsey Economic Development, about potential resources available to support the project.
JTEC/BURNPIT UPDATE: The completed appraisal was received for the JTEC building at 11 Airport Road. A meeting is being scheduled in January for Town representatives to meet with Camp Guernsey officials to discuss exchange considerations and next steps.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORT: CM Augustyn thanked the Public Works employees for their follow-up work at the dog park and provided an overview of activity expected before an anticipated spring ribbon cutting. Mayor Paustian provided information to the council about the plan for the employee Christmas party. He also reported that the police department is advertising for a police chief and a police officer.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Pat Russell expressed concern for concrete chunks laying on a property neighboring hers. Mayor Paustian said he would contact the owners. Penny Wells asked if Public Works had a system to replace faded signs at street intersections. Mike Fronapfel reported that his crew is currently in the process of replacing signs. She also encouraged the council to favorably consider Tri City Parks and Recreation’s request for funding to cover additional pool operation costs they incurred. CM Harris replied to Pat Russell’s comment extending his concern to the number of properties that need attention. Pamela McClure thanked Kellie Augustyn for following up to complete the dog park project after she moved out of town.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business, CM Augustyn motioned that the meeting be adjourned, seconded by CM Harris. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:08 pm.
Attest:
Kellie Augustyn, Mayor Pro Tem
Pam Hebbert, Clerk/Treasurer
Public Notice No. 2009 published in the Guernsey Gazette on November December 27, 2022.
