AFTON TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 13, 2018
Mayor Joel Neuenschwander called the regular meeting of the Afton Town Council to order at 5:00 p.m. and welcomed those in attendance.
Those present included Mayor Joel Neuenschwander, Council Member Barbara Sessions, Council Member Jason C. Inskeep, Council Member Rick Merritt, and Council Member Tom Davis attending via telephone. Others present included Town Attorney Dale Cottam, Town Administrator Jonathan Teichert, Town Clerk Lisa Hokanson, Afton Police Chief Jason Romberg, Jeanne Finch, David Kennington, Margie Baird, Joshua Baird, Jennings Voss, Marlowe Scherbel, Christy Stewart Bettes, Marie Ewing, Rene LaBare, Dick Johnson, James Hobbs, Sarah Hale, Kelly Miller, and Van Helm.
Mayor Neuenschwander led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Jason Romberg, Afton Police Chief, discussed the training that the officers are currently receiving.
Chief Romberg advised that he is researching the possibility of purchasing fleet vehicles for the department. He stated that the vehicles would come fully equipped and he is determining if it is beneficial and cost effective for the Town. The Council asked that the department buy locally if feasible.
Mr. David Kennington, representing Sunrise Engineering, updated the Council on the Safe Routes to School project. It was determined that a meeting would be held February 28, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. at the Afton Town Hall to inform and update the public pertaining to this matter.
Mr. Kennington discussed the water line project pertaining to Sixth and Seventh Avenue. He stated that they have begun to design the project. He will keep the Council updated as this matter proceeds.
Mr. Kennington stated that the Afton storage building has been completed and a certificate of occupancy has been issued. He presented the documents to the Town pertaining to this matter.
Mr. Jennings Voss discussed the men’s basketball program. He stated that the school has advised that they would allow their organization to use their facilities but they would be required to have liability insurance. He asked if the Town would allow them to function under their insurance. The Council agreed to this matter but stated that their league would still be required to manage and organize their own program.
Mr. Jonathan Teichert, Town Administrator, presented the Afton financial statements for January, 2018.
Mr. Teichert presented a simple subdivision application submitted by Surveyor Scherbel on behalf of PWilson Survivor’s Trust and Rhea Robert Miles Living Trust. The property is located within the E1/2SE1/4 of Section 25, T32N R119W, in the incorporated limits of the Town of Afton, in Lincoln County, Wyoming. The property is on the west side of Lincoln Street between 4th Avenue and 5th Avenue. He stated that during a recent survey, it was discovered that the existing fence lines and the deed lines were not coincidental with the adjoining landowner. The owners have agreed to the existing fence line as their boundaries. Mr. Teichert stated that the Planning and Zoning Board had approved the simple subdivision application as presented. At the call of the Mayor, Council Member Merritt made a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the final plat, seconded by Council Member Inskeep. Motion carried.
Mr. Teichert discussed the Swift Creek Hydro Power project. He stated that he has been researching commercial insurance for this project and would keep the Council updated pertaining to this matter.
Mayor Neuenschwander advised that the National Cattle Dog Association would be holding their finals in July, 2018, at the fairgrounds. He stated that he had been contacted and asked if the Council would be willing to donate the costs of the Afton Civic Center for their event. The Council agreed to this matter.
Ms. Christy Stewart Bettes discussed an event pertaining to her dog regarding the animal getting caught in a trap located in Wicki-Up Canyon. She stated that she is concerned for other dog’s safety as well as individuals that are in the vicinity. She stated that there are currently no signs in the area to warn people that traps are being placed there.
Mr. James Hobbs, representing the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, advised that the trap that the dog was caught in was set legally. He updated the public on the trapping laws and stated that signs are not currently required to warn individuals of this matter. He advised that education needs to be done on both sides pertaining to this subject.
The Council thanked both Ms. Bettes and Mr. Hobbs for attending the meeting and for expressing their ideas and concerns regarding this issue. They advised Ms. Bettes to contact the legislature to discuss this matter further.
Mayor Neuenschwander presented the consent agenda, which included:
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1.Approval of the minutes from the regular Afton Town Council meeting held January 9, 2018.
2.Approval of the business licenses and building permits issued for January, 2018.
3.Approval of the bills against the Town of Afton for the period ending January 31, 2018.
At the call of the Mayor, Council Member Inskeep made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, seconded by Council Member Sessions. Motion carried.
The bills against the Town of Afton for the period ending January 31, 2018, are as follows:
Lancaster, Larry- Reimbursement Exp.$ 30.00
McDonald, Dennis- Reimbursement Exp. 30.00
Wyoming West Fire Extinguishers- Services 164.00
Call Ready Mix- Supplies 81.78
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming- Insurance14,922.15
Star Valley Ridge Riders- Community Support 3,000.00
Valley Auto- Parts & Supplies 1,872.47
L.N. Curtis & Sons- Supplies 1,340.00
Hillyard, Rodd- Reimbursement Exp. 30.00
Hastings Hardware- Parts & Supplies 880.42
Hi Mountain Floral & Greenhouse- Services 79.00
Hunky’s Technical Service- Services 415.00
Lincoln County Sheriffs Office- Communications 3,296.00
Lower Valley Energy- Electricity & Gas Exp. 7,403.71
Old Dominion Brush Company- Parts 181.96
Afton Point S- Repairs 58.95
Petty Cash- Town of Afton- Misc. Exp. 27.58
Star Valley Disposal, Inc.- Trash Removal 464.00
Silver Star Telephone- Telephone & Cell Phone Exp. 2,105.13
Caselle, Inc.- Software Support 1,956.00
SVI Media- Public Notices 3,893.88
Sunrise Engineering, Inc.- Services 8,271.00
Wyoming Workers Compensation- Workers Comp. 1,519.37
Wyoming Association of Rural Water- Registration 39.00
Wyoming Retirement Systems- Retirement 9,096.98
NCPERS Wyoming- Payroll Deduction 224.00
Volunteer Fireman’s Retirement Fund- Pension Fund 495.00
Wyoming Water Quality- Membership Dues 60.00
Bank of Star Valley- FICA & Fed/W13,657.94
Wilkes, Cody- Reimbursement Exp. 30.00
Rocky Mountain Yeti Afton- Services 220.78
Crimestar Corporation- Software Support 300.00
Valley Sanitation, Inc.- Trash Removal 698.00
Wells Fargo Remittance Center- Supplies & Travel Exp. 1,944.96
Office Depot- Supplies 160.29
Peavler, Joshua- Reimbursement Exp. 30.00
High Country Linen- Service & Supplies 716.09
Valley Office Systems- Lease Payment 230.00
Wyoming Child Support Enforcement- Payroll Deduction 1,500.00
Freedom Mailing Services- Services 951.98
Pitney Bowes- Postage Exp. 252.72
JP’s Water & Sewer Service- Services 525.00
Echo Services- Services 381.00
Skaggs Companies, Inc.- Supplies 184.85
Burton, Bryce- Reimbursement Exp. 30.00
Great- West Trust Company- Payroll Deduction 310.00
Broulim’s- Supplies 396.58
VSP of Wyoming- Insurance 205.02
Wyoming Educators Benefit Trust- Insurance 58.50
B & H Auto Repair LLC- Repairs 641.31
Symbolarts- Supplies 156.00
One-Call of Wyoming- Services 30.25
Fuller, Patricia- Services 35.00
Platinum Dry Cleaners- Services 44.64
Hampton Inn & Suites- Training Exp. 744.00
Bassett, Ronald- Reimbursement Exp. 30.00
Tolman, Pam- Services 1,375.00
Nelson, Greg- Reimbursement Exp. 30.00
Leavitt, Joey- Reimbursement Exp. 30.00
BSHC P.C.- Legal Services 2,550.31
P C Industries, LLC- Supplies 149.97
Munger Mountain Construction- Services13,894.45
Wex Bank- Fuel Exp.` 2,184.89
K & C Services- Services 800.00
Nichols, D. Bryan- Reimbursement Exp. 30.00
Star Valley Glass and Lock- Services 347.47
Tractor Supply Credit Plan- Supplies 682.13
Axon Enterprise, Inc.- Supplies 384.00
Galls, LLC- Supplies 2,588.25
Parsons, Lyndon- Repairs 2,069.20
Town of Diamondville- Supplies 640.00
Ferguson Waterworks- Parts 440.69
Payroll60,936.80
Mayor Neuenschwander presented the following individuals and asked that the Council consider appointing them to their respective Town Boards: Utility Board- Council Member Rick Merritt, Advisor Larry Lancaster, Chairman Tom Johnson, Rod Jensen, Josh Nield, Blake Robinson, Rick Sessions. Heritage Committee Board- Mayor Joel Neuenschwander, Chairman Helen Draney, Lark Linford, Paul Stauffer, Ann Sanderson, Alan Haderlie. Airport Board- Council Member Barbara Sessions, Francis Brown, Rod Jensen, Dustin Haderlie. Public Health Board- Mayor Joel Neuenschwander, Council Member Rick Merritt, Dr. Noel Stibor. Tourism Promotion Board- Council Member Tom Davis, Advisor Jonathan Teichert, Chairman Winston White, Lynn Call, Eddie Hunsaker, Marlowe Scherbel. Planning & Zoning Board- Advisor Jonathan Teichert, Chairman David Dory, Gay Petersen, Loni Hillyard, Lee Schwab, Larry Call. Golf Board- Council Member Jason C. Inskeep, Advisor Jonathan Teichert, Director Bryce Burton, Chairman Mark Weston, Charlie Thielepe, Homer Bennett, Kelly Fullmer, Kade Wilkes. Swift Creek Hydro Power Project- Council Member Jason C. Inskeep, Administrator Jonathan Teichert. At the call of the Mayor, Council Member Inskeep made a motion to approve the Town Board members as presented, seconded by Council Member Merritt. Motion carried.
Mayor Neuenschwander presented Ordinance 644 for third and final reading, an ordinance amending Town Code provision §8-3-01 expressing Town policy and limiting water service to properties within the Town municipal limits and repealing Town Code provisions §8-3-02 through §8-3-04. The proposed ordinance would limit water service to properties within the Town municipal limits or to properties that would in the future be annexed into the Town once the properties are eligible for annexation. Discussion was held to change the wording of the proposed ordinance to read that any person that has paid for a water connection must complete the connection within one year and immediately begin paying the demand charge upon payment of the connection fees or the fees paid and the connection contract would be forfeited. After some discussion, Council Member Inskeep made a motion to pass Ordinance 644 on third and final reading with the amendment as stated. Council Member Sessions seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Discussion was held regarding the possibility of increasing the water and sewer base rate and the water and sewer connection fees for out of town customers by twenty-five percent. It was determined that a public hearing would be held during the regular Afton Town Council meeting on March 13, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. The Council authorized Town Attorney Cottam to draft a resolution pertaining to this matter.
Mayor Neuenschwander presented Ordinance 645 for third and final reading, an ordinance creating classes of crime and penalties and amending multiple and various Town Code provisions relating to the offenses. Attorney Cottam presented some recent reclassifications of misdemeanors and the changes that were made to the ordinance after the second reading was completed. At the call of the Mayor, Council Member Inskeep made a motion to pass Ordinance 645 on third and final reading with the amendments as stated, seconded by Council Member Merritt. Motion carried.
Mayor Neuenschwander presented Ordinance 646 for second reading, an ordinance amending Town Code provision §5-4-02 to provide additional restrictions on excavation and boring along and within the Town streets and alleys. At the call of the Mayor, Council Member Inskeep made a motion to pass Ordinance 646 on second reading as presented, seconded by Council Member Sessions. Motion carried.
Town Attorney Cottam discussed and updated the Council on recent changes that were made pertaining to individuals purchasing alcohol in convenient stores. He advised that alcohol would no longer needed to be purchased at a designated register in the convenient stores due to the new laws.
Mayor Neuenschwander presented a proposed letter of support for the Crow Creek Pipeline Project from the Town. At the call of the Mayor, Council Member Inskeep made a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the letter as presented, seconded by Council Member Sessions. Motion carried.
Mayor Neuenschwander presented a proposed letter to the Board of Lincoln County Commissioners from the Town pertaining to terminating the lease agreement regarding the Simplot Ball Fields. After some discussion, Council Member Inskeep made a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the proposed letter as presented, seconded by Council Member Sessions. After further discussion, Council Member Inskeep, Council Member Sessions, and Council Member Davis voted nay with Council Member Merritt and Mayor Neuenschwander voting in favor of the motion. Motion failed. It was determined that the Council would discuss this matter further with the Commissioners in the near future.
Ms. Sarah Hale, representing the Star Valley Chamber of Commerce, discussed the promotion of a regional tourism initiative that she is currently working on in conjunction with the legislature.
At the call of the Mayor, Council Member Sessions made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the Afton Town Council, seconded by Council Member Inskeep. Motion carried. The regular meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Afton Town Council will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. at the Afton Town Hall.
Joel Neuenschwander, Mayor
(ATTEST:)
/s/ Lisa Hokanson, Afton Town Clerk
Publish February 28, 2018.
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