The County Commissioners’ meeting was called to order June 16, 2020 at 9:10 a.m. with Chairman Patrick H. Wade, Vice-Chair John Midkiff, Commissioner Elaine Griffith, and County Clerk Becky L. Freeman, present.
Road and Bridge- Ken Dockweiler with Bridger Pipeline met with the Commissioners and Foreman Fred Thomas to update them on the status of the Equality Pipeline.
Mr. Dockweiler stated he had talked to the contractor about trash on the Rights of Way, and the contractor sent a crew to pick up the garbage. Commissioner Wade said it isn’t cleaned up in his area and that he had received complaints from a landowner on Kirtley Road regarding the trash. Chairman Wade noted that it could be from either ONEOK (they are reseeding) or Bridger. The group also discussed reseeding and the cover crop that will be used. The main concern is the loss of topsoil if they don’t use the right cover crop.
Foreman Thomas apologized for the miscommunication regarding the last meeting and his committing to purchasing gravel from Timberline and blade the Gravel Pit Road.
He went on to discuss gravel prices and quantities to purchase for additional road projects.
He said the Rural Fire District had approved the purchase of a blade and will lease it to the County. Details need to be worked out and the County Attorney will draft a lease agreement between the fire district and the county.
County Attorney- Attorney Anne Wasserburger met with the Commissioners and discussed the blade being purchased by the Rural Fire District to lease to the County, the prevention contract, and the child support agreement.
They also reviewed and discussed her budget request.
Neil Holmes stopped in to report on his meeting with contractors for the Wyoming Business Council grant for the fairgrounds.
He said Deputy Attorney Davies is working on contracts for all parties involved. He said he is waiting on updated bids from some contractors.
He thought the outdoor work, generator removal and installation, could start relatively soon, but the indoor work will not start until at least December 7, 2020 and is tentaviely scheduled to end around February 7, 2021.
Prevention Specialist Kerry Steward met with the Commissioners and presented a draft work plan for the prevention grant. She said that she and Melanie Pearce will be meeting to review the prevention grant and make adjustments as needed.
Deputy County Attorney Doyle J. Davies met with the Commissioners and discussed the contract he is drafting for Neil Holmes as general contractor for the fairgrounds auditorium upgrade.
Regional Public Health Nurse Supervisor Melanie Pearce met with the Commissioners to review the Prevention contract.
Library Board Member Reappointment- Commissioner Griffith moved to reappoint Virginia Pullen to serve on the library board for a three year term ending June 30, 2023. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, motion carried.
Child Support Enforcement Cooperative Agreement- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to approve the Cooperative Agreement between the Wyoming Department of Family Services, Child Support Enforcement and the Niobrara County Clerk of District Court. Commissioner Griffith seconded, motion carried.
24-Hour Catering Permit- Commissioner Griffith moved to approve a 24-Hour Catering Permit for Spirits for the Legend of Rawhide Concert on July 9, 2020. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, motion carried.
Road Crossing Permit-Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to approve a road crossing permit for Mill Land and Livestock Co., Inc. to bore under a portion of 28 Road located in the SE1/4SE1/4 of Sec. 24, T33N, R64W and the SW1/4SW1/4 of Sec. 19, T33N, R63W to install a water pipeline for watering livestock. Commissioner Griffith seconded, motion carried.
Tree Trimming- The Commissioners discussed a bid received from Mike Mayville to trim trees at the fairgrounds.
Fire Ban- The Commissioners received a letter from Niobrara County Fire Warden Duke Lashmett requesting the Commissioners declare a fire ban in the unincorporated areas of Niobrara County.
Resolution 20-07- Commissioner Griffith moved to approve Resolution 20-07, a Resolution designating a partial fire ban in the unincorporated areas of Niobrara County effective June 16, 2020 through October 15, 2020, or until it may be amended or rescinded by the Board of County Commissioners. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, motion carried.
Audit Engagement Letter- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to sign the engagement letter with Porter, Muirhead, Cornia, and Howard to perform the County’s audit services for FY 2020 for $48,000. Commissioner Griffith seconded, motion carried.
Fairgrounds, Library, Courthouse Operations & Maintenance (FLC O & M) Fund Transfer-Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to sign the letter authorizing the Niobrara County Treasurer to transfer $7,992.93 from the FLC O & M account to the General Fund to pay for the actual expenditures for lighting upgrades for the beef, pig, and horse barns, installing electricity in the maintenance shed and the purchase of a washer and dryer for the extension office/fairgrounds. Commissioner Griffith seconded, motion carried. This letter amends the original letter dated June 12, 2019 authorizing the treasurer to transfer $10,000 to fund the above expenses, which were estimates.
Consent Agenda- Vice Chairman Midkiff moved to approve the consent agenda. Commissioner Griffith seconded, motion carried. Items on the consent agenda were the minutes of the June 2, 2020 meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick H. Wade, Chairman
Attest:
Becky L. Freeman, Clerk
Public Notice No. 5472. Published in The Lusk Herald on July 22, 2020
