May 07, 2024
Town of Guernsey
Regular Meeting
Platte County, Wyoming
PRESENT: Mayor Delgado, CM Harris, CW Wells, CM Augustyn, CM Michaels
STAFF: H. Dawson, Chief Harrison, Officer Chavez, Attorney Jones
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Delgado called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance and was welcomed to the meeting.
REGISTERED GUESTS: Jeff Thomas, Dennis Brinkley, Ron Green, Elle Behrmann, Bob and Pam Case, Amy Kennedy, Brad and Stacia Cook,
AGENDA: CW Wells moved to approve the agenda. CM Harris seconded. The motion carried.
MINUTES: CM Augustyn moved to approve the April 2, 2024 minutes as presented, CM Michaels seconded. Wells and Harris abstained. The motion carried.
CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS: Mayor Delgado presented the vouchers for approval. CM Michaels moved to approve the Considerations of Claims in the amount of $169,335.45, seconded by CM Augustyn. The motion carried. Vouchers follow in their entirety: Bam Document Destruction, $163.90; Bob Ruwart Motors, $346.00; Bowen, Jesse, $240.00; Capital Business Systems, $273.96; Caselle, $618.00; CAN Surety, $200.00; CPS Distributors, $219.49; Deere Credit, $13,360.38; Guernsey Gazette, $588.12; Imperial Pump Solutions, $18,839.48; Itron, $5,309.04; Mobius, $335.00; Mosley, Sarah, $500.00; Newcomb, $80.00; Platte County Locksmith, $275.00; Team Laboratory, $1,454.75; Torrington Office Supply, $81.98; Vistabeam, $459.35; WESTCO, $2,329.67; Wheatland Garage Door, $1,265.95; Wheatland REA, $62.13; Wheatland Conference of Municipal Courts, $150.00; WMPA, $86,929.91; Wyoming Public Health Labs, $40.00; WYRULEC, $694.46; Total Invoices, $134,816.57; Payroll, $23,049.26; Taxes/Benefits, $11,469.62. TOTAL CLAIMS: $169,335.45.
ORDINANCE 2024-002 – 1st reading of Golf Cart Ordinance 2024-002. CW Wells made a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-002. Seconded by CM Michaels. The motion carried. CM Harris and CM Augustyn vote Nay.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Bob Walsh with the All-School Reunion committee is requesting an open container permit for the reunion at Gordon Davis Park. Reunion hours at the park are from 12pm to 5pm and the park has been reserved already. Mayor states the Town has no issues with that and it’s approved, just keep the kids away from the beer. Dennis Brinkley discussed the lack of cleanliness throughout the town and more specifically the homes near him. He’s concerned for his family and his dogs health. Mayor Delgado said Public Works set traps last year and didn’t catch any rodents, that was confirmed by M. Fronapfel. The Town will start putting liens on properties that are not cleaned up in a timely matter according to the town’s ordinances. Stacia Cook spoke 3 or 4 meetings ago about the town Ordinances not being enforced and she is following up to say she did what was asked and called the Town Planner and the Police department multiple times to report issues and still nothing has been done. Chief Harrison stated that the home and person in question has a right to be on the property. Stacia Cook stated again that the town needs to follow the Ordinances it has set up for the community. Troy Reichert addressed the Council, the Mayor and spoke directly to the Chief about the obvious drug addicts walking around our town and by our school, where our children are. Crack heads in the middle of the road talking to the air and citizens having to chase them out of the middle of the road so they don’t hit them, surely this behavior is cause for arrest. We need to clean this mess up. Shawna Reichert came with a proposed solution that includes starting a neighborhood watch and the community can come together to provide 24 hour coverage. Shawna is relieved people are volunteering for neighborhood watch. Jessica Rotz had personnel questions regarding summer help, those questions went unanswered due to personnel laws so she questioned, transparency and accountability.
NATHAN VANNATTER: Nathan VanNatter with Troop #47 came to propose an Eagle Scout Project that he would like to do for the town. Nathan would like approval to enhance the Prairie Rest Cemetery. Some ideas include installing a Metal QR code to allow for the cemetery directory to load on your phone. Community involvement recommended uploading gravestone and plaque photos. Nathan proposed an overall cleanup for the cemetery along with more ideas. He would like this opportunity to give back to the community. CM Michaels discussed coins on military headstones have meaning and to list the meanings. Possibly find a way to attach the coins to the headstones in a matter the headstones would be unscathed. CW Wells made a motion to approve Nathan VanNatter’s Eagle Scout Project. Seconded by CM Michaels. The motion carried.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION REPORTS: Christa Rosera notified the community of the upcoming Groundbreaking ceremony that will take place on May 13th at 1pm for Camp Guernsey Fire Department. Shawna Reichert attended leadership Wyoming in Lander. Military day is coming up on May 14th and 15th. The lodging tax board delivered it’s 2 grants to Platte County recipients and she will be attending the international round up. Shawna also has a Go Goshen meeting here on the 19th for a one-day training designed to bring more health care professionals to the area.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Mike Fronapfel gave an update on the waterline project; they are going to start boring under Highway 26. The bladder tank will be installed next week and that will cause water restrictions to come this summer. The bladder will only hold a quarter of the amount the current tank holds. Chief Harrison says they are finishing up academy and Officer Thomas has been working on grants for car computers and radios. Chief is looking forward to working with the neighborhood watch program. Chief addressed the ability to arrest citizens with mental health issues due to the fact we cannot violate citizens rights. Council asked if the Chief has been told by the Council or the Mayor not to work nights? Chief says he has not been told that. Chief stated he would need 8 officers to cover overnights and that’s not feasible right now. CW Wells asked Chief to refresh the Council on the benefits of a K9 dog for the department and to address where they are with the evidence locker. Council and the Mayor requested an itemized list on what that would cost the town. CM Michaels motioned for the Chief to have approval to come up with an agreement/contract to present to Council. Seconded by CW Wells.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORT: CM Harris asked if Town Hall hours can be extended. CW Wells wanted confirmation that Chief has been writing the Police schedule as it’s never been voted on otherwise. CM Michaels complimented the public works department for the waterline project as it seems to be going well. CM Michaels elaborated on the potential expansion of the Library and Senior Center building and that the meeting with Wyoming Business Council was very informative and there is up to $750,000 grant available with a 10% commitment from the town. CM Augustyn let us know that Guernsey Economic Development will be purchasing some Dog Park ramps and other items to enhance the park. Changing from two Council meetings a month to just one was requested from CM Augustyn. Mayor Delgado said we can try it after the fiscal year. Mayor Delgado addressed what the community is saying and he wants to cut down on complaints and clean up the Town. He will get with Planner and have him contact the Health Department on some of these homes. He also stated the water project is moving right along.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: May 7th is the next council meeting. Spaghetti Dinner at the VFW May 11th. Mother Son dance May 11th at the VFW. May 13th Camp Guernsey Fire Hall groundbreaking.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: CM Michaels motioned to enter executive session at 7:14 p.m. for personnel after a short break. Seconded by CM Harris. The motion carried. The Council returned to regular session with no decisions made.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Delgado asked for a motion to adjourn. CW Wells motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by CM Augustyn. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Attest:
Eddie Delgado, Mayor
Hillary Dawson, Clerk/Treasurer,
Public Notice No. 2066 published in the Guernsey Gazette on June 11, 2024.
