MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TOWN OF LUSK
MARCH 3, 2020
The Town Council of the Town of Lusk met in regular session at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall on Tuesday March 3, 2020.
Council Members Present: Mayor Doug Lytle, Council Members Rebecca Blackburn, Calvin Carstensen, Tom Dooper, and Dean Nelson
Also Present: Linda Frye, Clerk/Treasurer
Cassandra Matney, Deputy Clerk
Todd Skrukrud, Director of Public Works
Dennis Meier, Town Attorney
Bo Krein, Chief of Police
Officer Jacob Gordon
Doug Jergenson, Animal Control
John Eddy, Water/Sewer Superintendent, Fire Chief
Sean Duffy, Golf Course Superintendent
James Santistevan, Cemetery/Parks, Emergency Management
MAYOR LYTLE called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.
Chief Krein led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, to approve the agenda as printed, second by COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON. MOTION CARRIED.
VOUCHERS FOR PAYMENT
AFLAC Payroll Deduction $599.78
ALSCO/American Linen Mat Rental $156.58
AVI PC Engineering Engineering Fees Infrastructure/Water Well # 1 $14,381.10
GovOffice LLC Email Annual Fees $550.00
BankCard Center Postage/Supplies/Office Support/
Training/Uniforms $1,281.48
Boldon Welding & Repairs Services Water Vehicle Repair $23.23
Caselle Inc. Office Support Software $1,100.00
Century Link Business Long Distance Phone $31.85
CMI, Inc. New Equipment $425.00
Connecting Point Equipment Lease $43.00
D.C. Drilling Water Maintenance & Repairs $9,756.30
Doyle J. Davies Municipal Judge $1,000.00
Decker’s Food Center Supplies $42.55
Dell Marketing L.P. Officer New Equipment $1,773.46
Delta Dental Plan Employee Paid Insurance $738.55
Farwest Line Specialties Supplies $500.00
Filener, Chantry Office Support/New Equipment $280.00
Great American Financial Copier Lease $400.50
Great West Trust Co WRS 457 Plan Deferred $200.00
Franks Parts Company Parts/Repairs/Snow Removal/Supplies $1,993.39
Honnen Equipment Equipment Repairs/Snow Removal $2,001.22
Ideal Linen/Bluffs Shop Supplies $67.99
Interstate Batteries Repairs/Parts/Supplies/New Equipment $189.85
Jergenson, Doug Monthly Wage Animal Control $900.00
John Deere Financial Golf Course New Equipment $619.37
Meier Building Monthly P.D. Rent $800.00
Black Hills Energy Gas Service $1,233.73
Border State Industries Parts & Supplies $1,620.90
Kurtzer’s Parts & Supplies $404.75
Lusk Herald Advertising $1,330.18
Lusk Lodging Tax Tax Distribution $2,605.15
Marc Parts & Supplies $466.39
Meier Law Office Monthly Retainer $3,000.00
Newman Traffic Signs Parts & Supplies $222.36
Niobrara Chamber of Commerce Promotion $187.50
Niobrara County Library Internet Service $250.00
Niobrara County Treasurer Communications Contract $6,301.50
Nio. Electric Assoc. Landfill Utilities/Electric Line Upgrade $341.29
Northwest Pipe Fittings New Equipment $1,337.63
One-Call of Wyoming Tickets $15.00
Whitaker Oil, Inc. Fuel and Oil $4,088.97
Pitney Bowes Inc. Office Supplies $84.99
Platte Co. School Dist. 1 Drug Testing $780.00
Century Link Phones/Internet $1,355.29
Rawhide Drug Co. Supplies $7.72
Respond First Aid Sys. Shop Supplies $161.62
Silver Cliff Vet Animal Control Expense $199.96
TDS Trash Collection Transfer Station Tipping $2,435.40
Torrington Office Supplies $182.08
Underground Enterprises Transfer Station Hauling Fee $1,500.00
Valley Motor Supply Parts/Supplies/Repairs $375.37
Visionary Communications Fire Dept. Misc. Internet $92.74
Verizon Wireless PD, Ambulance & Mayor Cell Phone $443.15
W.E.B.T. Employee Life Insurance $72.25
W.M.P.A. Electrical Power Purchase $124,616.89
Ferguson Waterworks Electric Metering $591.16
Western Medical Management Ambulance Billing/Access Fee $202.82
Wyoming Dept. of Revenue Wyoming Sales Tax $6,889.14
WY Law Enforcement Academy Training/Ammunition $1,484.50
Wyoming Retirement Government Contribution $14,825.25
WY Rural Electric Assoc. Conference/Training $150.00
Wyoming Dept. of Workforce Employee Worker’s Compensation $2,120.54
Total Vouchers $221,831.42
MANUAL CHECKS February 2020
Energy Laboratories Water Samples $3,451.00
Pete Kruse Per Diem $19.00
Royce Thompson Per Diem $19.00
Jay Owren Per Diem $96.25
Matthew Smith Per Diem $96.25
Rory Norberg Fuel Reimbursement replaces Ck. 42057 $30.01
Lusk Post Office Utility Billing $227.08
Lusk Post Office Utility Billing new rate $3.24
Todd Skrukrud Per Diem $19.00
Linda Frye Per Diem $19.00
Doug Lytle Per Diem WAM Winter Workshop $165.00
Calvin Carstensen Per Diem/Mileage WAM Winter Workshop $327.40
United States Treasury Adjusted Amount Due Period 12/31/19 $89.47
Total $4,561.70
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, to approve the list of vouchers as presented, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN SECOND, to approve the Treasurer’s report that includes the financial condition and manual checks. MOTION CARRIED. The Treasurer’s report will be filed for audit.
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN SECOND, to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held February 4, 2020. MOTION CARRIED.
Visitors:
Sara Janes-Ellis from WYDOT Transportation Alternative Program gave information on the funding available for a signal at the intersection of Fifth Street and Main Street. The traffic study at the intersection did not warrant a signal. She wanted to reassure the Council that even though the study did not warrant a signal does not mean that something can’t be done. The Town could still apply for funds through her office. There are options for the Town to receive funds. The “Statements of Interest” opens March 13th and ends April 15th.
Chief Krein stated that Fort Collins Protection Dogs and Training LLC were selected by the Police Department for K-9 training. Joe Clingan and Court Bolton along with their K-9 presented to the Council information on the program. Joe Clingan is the Chief of Police from Nunn Colorado and Court Bolton is the K-9 trainer. Mayor Lytle asked what their recommendations are for dual training. Chief Clingan stated that the dual training is used everywhere and usually when the dog shows up the situation decreases. The Town would have to look at the budget and funding. The cost would be $18,000.00 for the dog and the training. The annual cost would be approximately $1,550.00. The K-9 would be considered another officer and the use of the dog for other departments would be at the discretion of the officer. The Police Department is asking for the Council to allow them to continue with the program and add K-9 Loki to their roster. Officer Gordon stated that they wanted to bring it before the Council so everyone is on the same page. Chief Krein said he felt it would be an asset to the Community.
Terry Bukowski approached the Council concerning the Community Garden and a follow up from last year. They gave 320 pounds away which went to the Senior Center, Wyoming Child Development and Food Bank on Main Street. Mayor Lytle stated that his concern with the community garden is there were a lot of issues there last year which extended the Police Department. Mayor Lytle said that everyone in the community should have an opportunity to buy a lot in the garden. Council Member Dooper stated that his opinion is it’s not the Town’s issue, close the garden and there will be no issues. Mr. Bukowski would like to have a clear boundary and have a home rule that talks about gates. Mayor Lytle said this will be discussed in executive session and will come out with their decision.
The department heads gave updates on their respective departments:
John Eddy reported that there was a water main break behind the Covered Wagon that was fixed. He has been moving water from the sewer lagoons. Fire Department has been doing training.
James Santistevan is checking playground equipment and will be doing monthly checks. For Emergency Management there will be a meeting at the Commissioners room on March 17th at 2:00 p.m.
Chief Krein informed the Council on the number of calls for February 2020 which is slightly down from last year. They are continuing with training.
Linda Frye reported that the FEMA Property Acquisition Project is complete and the final step is to have Melinda Gibson State Mitigation Officer inspect the site. Mayor Lytle, Council Member Carstensen, Todd, and Linda met with the Office of State Lands and Investment, USDA Rural Development and Bruce Perryman AVI Engineer, about funding for the infrastructure project and the Loans applied for.
Todd Skrukrud has not been contacted by Anderson Surveying, so he will contact them again. Representative from Visionary talked to Todd about a tower on the hill and referred him to the WYDOT.
Attorney Meier said that the Town is waiting for an easement agreement with Brad Wagner through his property. Mayor Lytle gave information about using a cell phone instead of a radio that he learned about at WAM Winter Workshop.
Old Business:
The Council reviewed the Advisor Engagement Letter from Todd Bishop from Kaiser Wealth Management. Mayor Lytle gave information on the meeting with Office of State Lands and Investment in which they requested that the Town put our applications in phases. The Town will ask Todd Bishop to resubmit the draft and separate the question of Lusk’s request from Manville. Attorney Meier talked to Todd Bishop about the fees for Kaiser Wealth services. COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to ask Todd Bishop to redraft the question and separate the Town of Lusk and the Town of Manville on the August 18th ballot. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Meier will talk to Todd Bishop about separating the question.
New Business:
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN to approve the “Pro-Shop” Contract with Dennis Green. Council Member Dooper said that they should follow through on the Auditors request to separate the Golf Membership Fees and Trail Fees. There was further discussion on the Golf Course. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve the Livestock Permit Renewal for Doyle Davies and Adah Pflughoeft. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve the Airport Hanger Lease Renewal with Dan Hanson. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve to increase the Golf Course Membership Fees to Single $400.00, Couple $600.00, College Student up to the age of 26 years old carrying 12 credit hours per semester $125.00, Students non-graduated currently in school $50.00, Single Senior Citizen 62+ $350.00, Punch card for 10 (ten) 9-hole games for $135.00, and annual Trail Fees $125.00. MOTION CARRIED.
The Swimming Pool annual pass fees were tabled until next meeting.
Budget workshop was tabled until next meeting.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN, to convene into Executive Session at 7:00 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to reconvene into regular session at 7:35 p.m. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Lytle asked for a vote to continue the Community Garden. No motion was made to continue the Community Garden. The Community Garden will be disbanded due to a lack of motion.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKBURN MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER CARSTENSEN, to bring onto the force K-9 Officer Loki. MOTION CARRIED.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday April 7, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
Douglas E. Lytle, Mayor
ATTEST:
Linda M. Frye, Clerk/Treasurer
Public Notice No. 5409. Published in The Lusk Herald on March 11, 2020.
