MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
TOWN OF LUSK
JUNE 6, 2023, 5:00 P.M.
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, June 6, 2023.
Council Members Present: Mayor Doug Lytle, Council Members Dean Nelson, Tom Dooper, Chantry Filener, Adam Dickson
Also Present: Attorney Dennis Meier, Desirae Matthews-LeLeux, Clerk/Treasurer, Todd Skrukrud, Director of Public Works, Linda Frye, Grant Manager, Chief Bo Krein, Sheila Youngquist, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Taylor Willis, Utility Billing Clerk, Trevor Barner, Golf Course Superintendent, Joyce Hammer, Swimming Pool Manager, Mike Mayville, Interim EMS Director, Dr. Jolene Falkenburg, EMS Medical Director
Sheila Youngquist led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
MAYOR LYTLE called the meeting to order at 4:59 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBER FILENER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve a consent agenda for item numbers three (3) through six (6). MOTION CARRIED.
VOUCHERS FOR PAYMENT
14 County Tire, Repairs, $25.00, AFLAC, Payroll Deduction, $744.74, Allbright’s True Value, Supplies, $2,326.85, ALSCO/American Linen, Mat Rental, $215.26, ArchiveSocial, Inc., Support/Maintenance, $2,988.00, Baker & Associates Inc., Groundwater Monitoring, $2,700.00,
BankCard Center 2477, Subscriptions/Supplies, $399.58, BankCard Center 4389, Subscriptions/Training, $602.77,BankCard Center 9385, Golf Course & Ambulance Supplies, $486.41, Barnsdale, Deborah, Utility Deposit Refund, $7.57, Black Hills Energy, Gas Service, $1,103.96, BoardTronics, Inc, Golf Course Equipment Repair, $419.50, Bob Ruwart Motors, PD New Equipment, $54,108.21, Border State Industries Inc., Electric Equipment, $2,297.64, Brown, Terra, Utility Deposit Refund, $18.06, Caselle Inc., Office Support & Maintenance, $1,233.00, Century Link, Phones/Internet, $942.41, CMIT Solutions of WYCenter, PD Firewall, $130.00, CNA Surety, Insurance Bonds, $378.29, Connecting Point, Copier Lease, $100.00, Doyle J. Davies, Municipal Judge, $1,000.00, Decker’s Food Center, Supplies, $93.78, Deeter, Daniel, Utility Deposit Refund, $123.32, Delta Dental, Employee Paid Insurance, $883.30, Emergency Medical Products, Ambulance Supplies, $2,524.14, Energy Laboratories INC., Water Samples, $66.00, Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Streets Oil & Chips, $8,091.60, Ferguson Waterworks, Yearly Base Station Fee, $16,093.75, First Net, PD Phones, $244.90, Franks Parts Company, Parts/Supplies/Repairs, $3,025.37, Gasfire Services, FD Vehicle Maintenance, $70.38, Grainger, Recycling Dept Supplies, $317.90, Great American Financial Services, Copier Lease, $311.00, Hawkins, Inc, Pool Maintenance & Operation, $1,059.47, Herren Bros. True Value, Golf Course New Equipment, $4,041.93, Hometown Country, Shop Uniforms, $400.00, Ideal Linen/Bluffs, Parks, Shop & Pool Parts/Supplies, $811.76, Interstate Batteries, Ambulance & Cemetery Parts & Supplies, $110.91, Jergenson, Doug, Monthly Wage Animal Control, $1,400.00, Jirdon Agri Chemicals, Parks/Cemetery Seed/Sod, $1,143.00
Krein, Bo, Reimburse Fuel/Meals, $56.67, Krein, Johnny, Reimburse Meals, $41.89, Kurtzer’s, Cemetery/Parks Equipment Repair, $349.24, LeLeux Enterpirse, LLC, Golf Course Equipment/Monthly Wage Pro Shop, $2,780.00,
Lumen, Phone, Long Distance, $32.77, Lusk Fire Dept, Retirement, $478.12, Lusk Herald, Legal Advertising/Advertising, $2,069.91, Lusk Lodging Tax Board, Tax Distribution, $2,282.52
Matheson Tri-Gas Inc, Ambulance Oxygen, $97.31, McKee, Dawn, Lifeguard Training, $1,440.00, Meier Building, Rent, $800.00, Meier Law Office, Monthly Retainer, $3,000.00, Midland Implement Co, Parts & Supplies, $686.64, Mike Harberts, Information Technology, $4,487.12, Nio County Weed & Pest, Sewer Dept Chemicals, $994.00, Niobrara Chamber of Commerce, Promotion, $187.50, Nio Conservation District, Trees, $500.00, Niobrara County Library, Internet Service, $250.00, Niobrara County Treasurer , Communications Contract/Property Tax, $6,301.50, Niobrara Electric, Utilities, $39.97, Normont Equipment Company, Sweeper Parts, $1,183.47, Northwest Pipe Fittings of Rapid City, Parts & Supplies, $467.40, Northwest Pipe Fittings of Scottsbluff, Irrigation Repairs, $1,077.84, NTP Small Engine Service, Equipment Repair, $31.14, One-Call of Wyoming, Dig Tickets, $42.00, Peggy Fitzwater Estate, Utility Deposit Refund, $121.77, Peterson Construction, Phase 1 Work, $4,710.00, Pitney Bowes Purchase Power, Postage, $520.99, Print Express, Office Supplies, $382.40, QTPod, Airport Subscription, $1,425.00, Ranchers Feed & Supply, Parts/Supplies, $143.33, Roetman, Brett, Animal Control Services, $210.00, Serendipity Floral & Gifts, Funeral Flowers, $64.00, Smylie Animal Clinic, Animal Medicine, $130.00, Spic & Span Cleaners, Street Paint, $585.00, Stinker Stores Inc, Fuel, $6,725.14, TDS Trash Collection, Tipping Fees Transfer Station/Pump out, $4,869.57, Terex Corporation, Electric Equipment Repair, $642.38, Tip Inc Golf Course Parts, $99.36, Torrington Office Supplies, Supplies, $43.99, Transwest Ford, Ambulance Vehicle Repair, $1,701.30, Underground Enterprises, Transfer Station Haul, $1,800.00, Visionary Communications Inc., Internet Service, $541.31, W.M.P.A., Electrical Power Purchase, $89,760.69, Wagner’s Floral, Funeral Flowers, $58.63, Western Medical Mng. Inc, Ambulance Billing Service, $1,014.75, WEX Bank, Fuel, $71.43, Wilcox, Cory, Uniform Reimbursement, $345.73, Wilkens, Parts & Supplies, $919.21, WY Dept. of Workforce Services, Worker’s Compensation, $1,972.98, WY Dept of Revenue Sales Tax, $5,308.61, WY Dept of Agriculture, Food Service License, $100.00, WY Educators Benefit Trust, Employee Medical/Life Premiums, $29,166.25, Wyoming Retirement, Government Contribution, $15,465.77, Total Vouchers: $311,616.36, MANUAL CHECKS , May 2023, Circuit Court of Niobrara County, Writ of Wages, Garnishment, $506.85, Clerk of District Court, Second Judicial, Writ of Wages, Garnishment, $348.56, Wyoming Child Support, Writ of Wages, Garnishment, $184.61, Motorola Solutions, Inc, FD/PD New Equipment, $59,969.06, AVI PC Engineering Inc, Engineering Fees, $10,313.90, Oftedal Construction, Inc, Contractor Payment, $297,141.73, Gordon, Jacob, K9 Supplies/ Reimbursement, $57.88, Norberg, Rory, Per Diem/Water Samples, $20.00, American Legion Post #1, Public Relations Advertisement, $150.00, Bankcard Center 7939, PD Subscriptions/Equipment/Training, $434.75, Hammer, Joyce, Per Diem/Lifeguard Training, $269.00, Gordon, Jacob, Per Diem/K9 Unit, $88.50, Motorola Solutions, Inc, Fire Dept Equipment, $962.94, Cox, Carol, Pool Training, $375.00, Circuit Court of Niobrara County, Writ of Wages, Garnishment, $506.85, Clerk of District Court, Second Judicial, Writ of Wages, Garnishment, $348.56, Wyoming Child Support, Writ of Wages, Garnishment, $184.61, Postmaster, Utility Mailings, $315.20, Bartschi, Taci, Per Diem/Training, $118.00, Desenfants, Heidi, Per Diem/Training, $118.00, Dickson, Aiden, Per Diem/Training, $118.00, Hammer, Joyce, Per Diem/Training & Mileage, $308.00, Himes, Cody, Per Diem/Training, $118.00, Steemke, Jacob, Per Diem/Training, $118.00, Widrick, Archer, Per Diem/Training, $118.00, Total, $373,312.00
Visitors:
On behalf of Niobrara Electric Association, Shawna Glenda approached the council to ask for the use of the golf course for a tournament on July 14th and reduced green fees. The tournament is to raise money for the NEA Scholarship. COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve the tournament date of July 14th and reduced green fees of $15 per golfer for 18 holes with closed course. MAYOR LYTLE ABSTAINED. MOTION CARRIED
Justin Collins with the Lusk Volunteer Fire Department approached the council to ask for the use of the golf course for a tournament on September 10th with reduced green fees and closed course during the tournament, to benefit the Fire Department. COUNCIL MEMBER DICKSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve the tournament date of September 10th and reduced green fees of $15 per golfer for 18 holes and closed course during the tournament. COUNCIL MEMBER FILENER ABSTAINED. MOTION CARRIED
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER FILENER, to approve the Fall High School Golf Tournament on September 8th and 9th. MOTION CARRIED.
Colby Thurston with the Rural Fire District approached the council and stated he was there to answer any questions they may have about the proposal of the Rural Fire District taking over the EMS. He presented a letter to the council with EMT’s in favor of the proposal. Council Member Dooper asked the Rural Fire District Board Members regarding the budget they presented if they were okay with taking on a losing project. Thurston stated that the vote that was taken, the majority said yes because it was something they feel is needed severely in the community. The Council will discuss this matter in executive session.
Department Updates:
Department updates were given by Mike Mayville, Linda Frye, Trevor Barner, Joyce Hammer, Bo Krein, Desi LeLeux, and Todd Skrukrud.
Old Business:
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve the Golf Membership Reciprocity Program with Crawford Golf Course and share membership lists with Crawford. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve Ordinance No. 9-10-100, An Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance No. 9-10-100 at Paragraph (b)(5) from 300 feet to 100 feet in the requirements to obtain approval from surrounding residential landowners as a condition of obtaining a permit to keep livestock within the Town of Lusk, on third reading. COUNCIL MEMBERS NELSON, FILENER AND DOOPER VOTED AYE. MAYOR LYTLE AND COUNCIL MEMBER DICKSON VOTED NAY. MOTION CARRIED.
New Business:
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve all Temporary Open Container Permits for NEA, Bloomers, Adult Softball and Becky Redfield. COUNCIL MEMBERS NELSON, FILENER, DOOPER AND MAYOR LYTLE VOTED AYE. COUNCIL MEMBER DICKSON VOTED NAY. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DICKSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER FILENER, to approve the livestock permit renewals for Royce Thompson and Randy & Cindy Starky. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DICKSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve new livestock permits for Heather Goddard and Leslie Erwin. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER FILENER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON, to approve the audit engagement letter with Carver Florek & James, CPA’s. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve Resolution No. 23-16. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DICKSON, to approve the consultant agreement for Lusk Safe Pathways TAP Project with HDR. Heath Turbiville with HDR was present and introduced himself. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER FILENER, to approve the liquor license transfer for Lusk Liquor Store, upon approval from the Wyoming Liquor Division. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER FILENER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve together Ordinance No. 6-5-260, An Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance 6-5-260 To Conform to Wyoming Statute and Retitling the Same as “Gambling – Definition”; Ordinance No. 6-5-270, An Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance 6-5-270 To Conform to Wyoming Statute and Retitling the Same as “Gambling; Professional Gambling; Penalties”; and
Ordinance No. 6-5-280, An Ordinance Amending Existing Ordinance 6-5-280 To Conform to Wyoming Statute and Retitling the Same as “Gambling Devices, Gambling Records, Gambling Proceeds Subject to Seizure; Disposition Thereof; Antique Gambling Devices Protected” on first reading. Attorney Meier and Chief Krein stated these ordinances were drafted in 1978 and are being redrafted to adhere to Wyoming Statutes on gambling. MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCIL MEMBER DICKSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to move into executive session for legal matters at 6:01pm. MOTION CARRIED.
The council reconvened into regular session at 6:38 p.m.
Mayor Lytle addressed the topic of the Rural Fire District taking over the Lusk EMS, and stated the council is not inclined to move forward with their proposal at this time and appreciates their interest in it. The Town will be advertising an EMS Director position. Colby Thurston shared his opinion stating it will be difficult with the current path to retain EMT’s with the compensation they are offered. Lytle stated the Town has taken care of the service for over 50 years. The Town of Lusk funds EMS alone and gives $76,000 per year to the county for 911 Dispatch. The Needs Assessment conducted on the service had findings that included new management as well as other outside funding sources. He shared that the council is dedicated to the safety of and providing a service to Niobrara County and the Town of Lusk and will continue to be invested in the service.
There will be a special meeting on June 16th at 9:00 a.m. for public comment and third reading of the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year Budget.
The next regular Council meeting will be Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Douglas E. Lytle, Mayor
ATTEST:
Desirae Matthews-LeLeux, Clerk/Treasurer
Public Notice No. 5949. Published in The Lusk Herald on June 21, 2023.
