The County Commissioners’ meeting was called to order on January 16, 2024, at 9:52 a.m. by Chairman Patrick H. Wade. Vice-Chairman John Midkiff, Commissioner Elaine Griffith, and County Clerk Becky L. Freeman were present. Sheriff Randy Starkey and Brandie Collins with the Lusk Herald were in attendance.
State Supervisor, Public Health Nursing Melissa Ohnstad, and Regional Public Health Nurse Supervisor Stephanie Lund met with the Commissioners and County Attorney Anne Wasserburger to discuss county nurse management. Commissioner Griffith moved to enter executive session at 10:00 a.m. to discuss personnel issues. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
Commissioner Griffith moved to leave executive session at 10:42 a.m. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried. There was no action taken.
The regular session reconvened, and Chairman Wade asked Ms. Ohnstad to explain what is required when hiring someone in an administrative assistant position for public health. She said that staff must complete a health assessment, provide proof of certain vaccinations and upon hire, take a tuberculosis test.
Although the employee is a county employee, due to the nature of their job and the Memorandum of Understanding between Niobrara County and the State of Wyoming, Public Health Division, certain regulations must be met. All the people present agreed about the requirements needed, and that in the future any employee will sign off agreeing to these requirements. This information will also be included in the future advertisements for employment and included in discussion before hiring.
Attorney Wasserburger discussed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Commissioners and Fair Board for payment of the annual fire alarm, fire extinguisher and annual and semi-annual hood inspection protection agreement.
Commissioner Griffith moved to sign the MOU between the Niobrara County Commissioners and Niobrara County Fair Board setting forth the responsibilities for the annual payment of $2,514.20 for the above agreement to be paid by the fair board. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
The Commissioners reviewed agreements with Nebraska Safety and Fire Equipment for the fire sprinkler system inspection agreement. This matter was tabled at a later date.
Chief of Police Jake Gordon met with the Commissioners, Attorney Wasserburger, and Sheriff Starkey and submitted a draft contract for a School Resource Officer. The group reviewed the draft and noted there are several items that need to be addressed before moving forward.
Sheriff Starkey then met with the Commissioners to discuss his vehicle maintenance budget and noted that due to more patrolling, more repairs are needed, and this line item will go over. He said that the justice center maintenance line item has gone over as well.
He addressed the generator and said they must manually turn it on if the power goes out. He also reported that there needs to be some rewiring done in dispatch and additional electrical outlets added. He said that a third of the liner is up on the roof and all pipes are hooked up.
24-Catering Permit- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to approve a 24-Hour Catering Permit for 3 Sister’s Truck Stop to sell alcoholic beverages at the Mason’s Fun Night being held February 3, 2024, at the fairgrounds. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
Canon Full-Service Contracts- Commissioner Griffith moved to approve two Canon Copier Full-Service Contracts for copier models IRA-DXC3730 for maintenance and toner. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to sign a joint letter with the Niobrara Conservation District voicing their comments about the BLM Rock Springs Resource Mgmt. Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
Westco Fuel Contract- Commissioner Griffith moved to sign the diesel fuel contract with Westco. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
Commissioner Griffith moved to approve the Central Station Monitoring Agreement with Rapid Fire Protection, Inc., on the condition that the contract changes proposed by County Attorney Anne Wasserburger are accepted by Rapid Fire Protection Inc., Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
Agenda- Vice Chairman Midkiff moved to approve the consent agenda. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda were the minutes of the January 2, 2024 meeting, receipts for December from the County Clerk for $3,758.25, the Sheriff for $55.00, the Clerk of Court for $500.00, and tax roll supplements for Vermilion Energy USA, LLC., from tax year 2021 for $1,693.26 and from tax year 2022 for $3,833.84.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick Wade, Chairman
Attest:
Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk
Public Notice No. 6033. Published in The Lusk Herald on February 14, 2024.
