Present: Mayor Don Aullman. Councilmembers: Terry Titensor, Lorell Woolley, Todd Luthi and Jim Bartleson. Clerk Joan Jensen.

Mayor Aullman called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance. The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by Dustin Haderlie.

Mayor Aullman asked the council if they had reviewed the minutes and were ready to accept the minutes as read. Councilman Woolley handed a copy of changes to each council member that he felt needed to be added to the minutes. Council reviewed the changes to the minutes. Councilman Luthi made the motion to accept the changes to the minutes. Councilman Titensor commented that he agreed with several of the things that were added. Councilman Titensor asked if we had recorded the minutes. Clerk Jensen said that she had loaned our recorded to a member of the Wyoming Business Council and that she had not returned it. Council agreed that we needed to record the minutes so that when we had a difference of opinion in what was said, we would be able to verify the transcript. Councilman Titensor seconded the motion to add the changes to the council minutes.

EMT’s were first on the agenda. Sherri Merritt reported that they are starting to get busy with calls and gearing up for community events. Sherri reported that EMS Month is coming up in May. The EMT’s have discussed involving the local elementary schools and doing a coloring contest or some activity that would help them learn more about the EMS programs. The Thayne EMT’s are planning on being involved with summer parades and also having movie nights. They have been invited to participate in Star Valley Ranch’s Gaudy Maude Festival. The EMT’s feel that they know a little bit more about what they need to do at the festival. They have considered having a tournament against the Thayne Fire Department with horse shoes or even a mud volleyball contest. Sherri reported that they have had a few calls but nothing as traumatic as some of the ones they have had in the past. Sherri reported that the ambulances are stalked up well and are running good. Sherri also reported that they are losing one of the new BEC members. They have turned in their equipment because of moving and changes in their lives. The Thayne EMT’s have had four or five calls in the month of April. Council asked Sherri how many calls they have had and Sherri reported that they have had thirty calls since the first of January. They are expecting more calls with the people returning to Star Valley Ranch for the summer months. Mayor Aullman thanked them for their efforts.

Planning and Zoning had received a “change of use” for the Main Street Café. Mayor Aullman informed the council that parking was an issue for this “change of use” but that they had addressed this problem by getting permission from their neighbor on the north, Mr. Clinger. Mr. Clinger addressed a letter to the town giving the Main Street Café permission to use the south side of his property for parking. Mayor Aullman stated that this would give them enough parking for the restaurant and the other businesses located in that building. Councilman Woolley asked if there was a copy of that agreement with Mr. Clinger and Mayor Aullman informed him that it was attached to the permit. Mayor Aullman commented that the original permit for this building was for a furniture store. The town is trying to make sure that we address the different change of uses. Council reviewed the change of use permit. Councilman Woolley made the motion to approve the permit for Main Street Café. Councilman Titensor seconded the motion.

The canal beautification bid opening was next on the agenda. Mayor Aullman informed the council that the town had added an addendum to the bid sheet to be more specific on the specs for footings, shrubs, and also include a warranty on the project for one year. The bidders had been contacted regarding the addendum and were in agreement with the additional requirements. Bids were as follows:

Triple H Landscaping – $32,435.00

^{Ethan Call – $29,894.00}

Yellowstone Landscaping – $48,360.00

Gordon Barnes – $51,840.00

Mayor Aullman expressed his opinion that there was a considerable range difference in the bids. Council will review the bids and visit with the bidders and award the bid within one week to the apparent preferred bidder. Mayor Aullman also commented that sometimes the low bidder is not always the best bidder. Mayor Aullman thanked all the different businesses that had put in bids. Mayor Aullman also stated that the town hoped that this project would make our canal bank more attractive with as low maintenance as possible.

Dustin Haderlie asked if he could address the council. He put a bid in for the canal project but he stated that he wasn’t sure on what quality of lights were required or how many were required for the project. He stated that things like this were probably why there was such a variable in the bids. He also said that there were different kinds of weed barriers and prices that could cause variables in the cost of the project.

John Grancha addressed the council next. He informed the council that his reason for coming to the meeting was an outside street light issue. The Town of Thayne currently has street lights that are fastened to the power poles located on highway right of ways. Seven of these lights are located along Roberts Street. The Town of Thayne pays for these street lights. Mr. Grancha informed the council that there are nine businesses located by his business park. There are no street lights at all for this complex. Most of these businesses are open from five a.m. to nine p.m. Mr. Grancha stated that most of the time when this entrance is being used, it is dark outside. Mr. Grancha stated that this entrance is also located on a dangerous turn. There are also security issues with these businesses. Mr. Grancha informed the council that he has been burglarized three times and that the Suter’s have been broken into more than that. Mr. Grancha asked the town to consider putting in two new street lights. He would like the lights to be put on each side of the entrance. Clerk Jensen reported to the council that she had checked with Lower Valley Energy and they said that the town would have to put in two new transformers that would cost $950.00 a piece plus monthly fees of $8.12 or $12.44 each. Council asked John if he had lights on his building and he said that he had put in exterior lights on his commercial complex. John also said that Suter’s had put in a security camera. Mr. Grancha stated that there is a lot of traffic in and out of the business complex. Councilman Titensor suggested that we have the engineers from Lower Valley check into the existing poles and make sure that we need transformers. Councilman Bartleson made the motion that we have the two lights installed with the transformers at $950 each unless we already have secondary power. Councilman Bartleson also included that we purchase the brighter lights at $12.44 a month. Councilman Luthi seconded the motion.

Hub’s Smokin Grill owner, Matt Hubbard, addressed the council next regarding their establishment applying for a restaurant liquor license. They informed the council that they only plan on selling beer and wine. They have been letting their customers bring in their own purchased beverages the last few years. They believe that they will be able to better limit their alcohol consumption by selling it on premise instead of letting them bring in their own. Hub’s hopes to generate enough profit from the restaurant liquor license to renew their license next year and make a little money. Mayor Aullman said that the Town of Thayne would do the necessary advertising and have the restaurant liquor license hearing at our next council meeting.

Alesia Winters was next on the agenda. She informed the council that she was representing TIPS. This program is federally funded and is filtered down to the states and into the communities. The program is designed to help with binge drinking and underage drinking of alcohol. This program has partnered with Silver Star and others in the community to provide a text line focused on kids at the local high school and middle school. This program gives them a voice when they are not comfortable with what is going on around them. They are currently receiving seven to eight texts a month. Councilman Bartleson asked Alesia if they were legitimate calls. Alesia said that they had informed the students that these were like 911 calls and law enforcement could recognize the numbers and track them down if they were using it improbably. Alesia also informed the council that one hundred and thirty nine kids have stepped up to say that they are tired of the underage drinking problems. They had a local assembly where they were asked if they had been affected by alcohol tragedies. Every student in the assembly raised their hands that they had been affected by an alcohol tragedy. Alesia stated that we need to make more preventive measures in our communities regarding underage drinking. Alesia asked for someone on the council to be a liaison to work with them with the TIPS program. Councilman Luthi will be the liaison for the Town of Thayne. Alesia also informed the council that she had been teaching a class on responsible beverage serving training. There are twenty four businesses in our community that have liquor licenses. There are eighty liquor licenses in Cheyenne and they have a TIPS mandatory program. This training helps educate those that are selling the alcohol to make sure that their clients are not eliberated when they leave their establishments. Aleisa reported that nine out of the twenty two establishments in Star Valley that have liquor licenses have taken this free training. Alesia commented that she thought that some insurance’s would also deduct from their premiums if they are TIPS trained. Alesia reported that Dad’s Bar and Steak House and Pines Bar were some of the first to be trained regarding this program. The TIPS program is a four to five hour training that has to be renewed every three years.

Sherri Merritt talked as a parent of teenagers and as an EMT asking that the entity of the Town of Thayne adopt this policy. Sherri stated that as a parent she knows that there is alcohol out there and that we have lost teenagers because of the alcohol. We need to make sure that people who are purchasing alcohol have the correct ID. Sherri stated that this would be a good policy for the Town of Thayne to adopt and be on board. Councilman Bartleson asked what the town would be adopting. Alesia said that the Town of Thayne could make this training mandatory in order for the liquor license holders to renew their licenses. The Town could decide if they wanted fifty percent of the employees of the establishment to be TIPS trained or whatever percentage the town would like to adopt. The Town of Thayne would have to adopt a resolution requiring this training and what percentage of their employees would have to be trained. The Town of Thayne could refer them to Alesia for the training. The training will cost $50 an employee after June 30th. Mayor Aullman suggested that if the Town of Thayne decided to adopt this policy that we handle it by ordinance rather than by a resolution. Councilman Bartleson made the motion that we support the program and have the first reading at our next council meeting. Councilman Titensor seconded the motion with the stipulation that we notify all the liquor license holders regarding this so they could voice their opinions.

Robert Hood represented Sunrise Engineering. He stated that he was there to give the council an update on the meter project. Robert reported to the council that the SCADDA change order was approved. The bids we received regarding the SCADDA were larger than what we anticipated but the state approved the cost as long as we have money left in the budget. Councilman Luthi asked when they were going to get started again with the meter project. Robert said that it would be better to hold off until the weather gets good again. Robert stated that the ground needed to be good and dry so they can finish the project. Ron Coleman stated that if the construction company had heeded the warnings they wouldn’t have to fix so many problems with the meter pits. The ground would have been blacktopped or cemented and it wouldn’t have been so soft. Ron also informed Robert that we have no way of watering the park without having the line fixed or putting a valve on this broken line. Robert said to give him a couple weeks notice before we want to start watering the park and he will have them fix the line. Clerk Jensen asked about water for the bathrooms and said that the town has the shelters rented out in May. Robert said that he would contact them to come and fix the water line now. Robert will also get a hold of Butch Roberts regarding an easement for the water line behind their house. Robert will explain to Butch what the town’s options are without having a water easement to his property.

Mayor Aullman asked Robert to review the impact fees. Mayor Aullman stated that he felt the impact fees that Sunrise Engineering suggested that the Town of Thayne should charge is too low. Council reviewed the suggested fees. Mayor Aullman stated that we should have the same connection fees plus the impact fees. Robert will review the fees and compare them to other communities that have implemented impact fees. The impact fees help pay for system upgrades because of more people hooking onto the system. Robert stated that we need to make sure that we have documentation to backup the impact fees or the Town of Thayne could be challenged by the developer. Robert will review the impact fees and schedule a work meeting with the council.

Fabyn Hanson addressed the council regarding the parking violations by his motel. He asked the council if they had any resolutions or fixes for these problems. Mayor Aullman stated that when there was one owner for both properties there wasn’t a problem with the parking being shared by both businesses. The council will send a certified letter to the Snider's that by June 1st they have to create more parking on their own property and only use the easement for parallel parking. Mr. Hanson stated that the Snider’s need to get this resolved or they will have to give the motel back because their customers cannot get in or out of the motel. Council suggested that they might have to tear down the garage and create a one way access on the north side of the property. Mr. Snider could also create more parking on the west side of his property. Clerk Jensen was asked to send Mr. Hanson a copy of the certified letter to Mr. Snider and also a copy of any responses that we might receive from him. Council discussed that he must have the parking corrected by June 1st or Juan’s House of Tacos will not be able to have their business license renewed with the Town of Thayne. Councilman Woolley asked that Clerk Jensen E-mail a copy of the certified letter to the councilmember’s before it is sent to Mr. Snider.

David Lundgren introduced himself to the council. He informed the council that he was running for county commissioner. Councilman Bartleson asked Mr. Lundgren why he was running for this office. Mr. Lundgren responded that he feels that it is his calling to make a difference politically. At the present time he is serving on the Kemmerer City Council. Mr. Lundgren stated that he has also worked for Lincoln County. Mr. Lundgren informed the council that he has a web site and would encourage us to look at this. Councilman Woolley asked Mr. Lundgren what kind of changes he would address. He informed the council that he does not have an agenda. He stated that there are things that need to be looked at regarding decisions that have been made in the past. Mr. Lundgren informed the council and those in the audience that he will be there for the public with an open ear for suggestions.

Ron Coleman gave a maintenance report to the council. Ron gave a copy of suggestions from the Wyoming Water Quality and Pollution Control. He asked the council to refer to the list and to look at the last sentence on the list from the state. The sentence reads as follows: When access is available on dead end main water lines, allow water to run at a continuous flow rate of up to 4gpm. This accomplishes two benefits: 1) Helps prevent water main from freezing. 2) A continuous flow of water through the water main insures line is adequately flushed. Ron stated that in past winters, this water has run into the sewer lagoons. Ron wanted the council to be aware of the reasons why the water was running and he felt that it was better running into a stock tank than into the sewer lagoons or on the ground. Ron also informed the council that we have received our gas meter and will have training with the fire department and the police department on how to use it at the end of this month. The gas meter will be used by all three departments. The tripod that we are going to get will also be available to the fire department as well. Ron informed the council that he has also spoken with all of the businesses in town regarding grease traps. Ron reported that Hubs Smokin Grill has been proactive and has already installed a grease trap. Ron also informed the council that the Thayne Senior Center has a grease trap but it has not been cleaned. Ron told the council that he has spoken to Kip Wilkes about using his lift for putting up town banners. Kip will let the town use the lift if the town will be responsible for taking care of the maintenance for the lift. The town will still need to get a harness for the lift and Ron said that this will come into play when we purchase the tripod.

Mayor Aullman reported that the town maintenance guys will pick up tires for residents of the town who have no way of taking them to the landfill. Mayor Aullman stated that the town wanted to make sure that we take advantage of the “Earth Day” promotion from the county. We want to get rid of all the old tires in the Town of Thayne.

Ron discussed with the council that the town’s ordinance for grease traps does not include Laundromats. Ron suggested that we change our ordinance to include this kind of business also. Council will review the ordinance and make the necessary changes.

Ron reported to the council that the Town of Thayne has been keeping the parking lot by the arena open this last winter. Ron suggested that the town get large landscape rocks so that the school maintenance workers will know some boundaries for their snow removal. The way it was opened up last year, it had a lot of traffic through it. Councilman Bartleson asked where the rocks needed to be put. Ron said that they needed to be put on the north side of the bike path.

Councilman Titensor asked if the storage shed was completed. Councilman Woolley said that it was almost completed and A-Squared Builders had asked Lorell if they should put wiring and lights inside the building with the money that was left over from the bid. Council discussed the things that would have to be done with the wiring to have lights at the arena and power for the sound system. Councilman Woolley informed the council that the storage shed is unfinished on the interior. Councilman Woolley asked if we should have them rough wire in the electrical. Councilman Titensor stated that we need the inside wired. Councilman Titensor also stated that we need new lights at the arena. Council decided to have them not finish the walls on the interior side until we have the wiring done. Councilman Woolley will have them give him a cost for wiring the electrical on the inside of the storage shed.

Councilman Woolley informed the council that the police department had visited with him and that they want to put the radar cart out. They will not do this until all the streets are swept. The police officers have concerns with rocks hitting the radar cart. Maintenance supervisor, Ron Coleman, stated that they have swept the streets. Councilman Woolley commented that Dana Street had not been swept and Ron stated that it had been swept. Councilman Woolley suggested that we have a member of our police department come to our council meetings each month and give us a report on what is happening. Councilman Woolley also suggested that we purchase two new guns for the police department and a gun safe to lock them up in. Mayor Aullman will check on the price of a 40 M Lock and an 870 Remington Express. Councilman Titensor voiced his opinion that he would like to have a police officer come to our council meetings also. Clerk Jensen will make sure that they are informed about this request. Councilman Bartleson commented that our police officers are not certified. Clerk Jensen informed him that they are certified with POST. Councilman Bartleson stated that he meant that the Thayne Police Department was not certified. Clerk Jensen was not aware of a certification for the police department but she will check on this and report back to the council.

Ron expressed concerns about what the Town of Thayne needed to do with the bike path and keeping motorized vehicles off of it. Councilman Woolley suggested that we get rid of the bike path along Dana Street or put up some kind of barriers. Councilman Woolley stated that he felt the town would be liable for someone who crosses over the line and gets hit. Clerk Jensen informed Councilman Woolley that the bike path was constructed with a WYDOT grant and that the Town of Thayne agreed to keep it as a pathway. The town is required to keep it painted and in good condition. The pathway was approved by WYDOT to be on the north side of Dana Street with just stripping and no barriers. Mayor Aullman commented that we need to make sure that our police officers keep all motorized vehicles off of the bike path.

Council asked Clerk Jensen to make sure that our judge has been given the oath of office for the Town of Thayne.

Mayor Aullman asked Clerk Jensen to inform the council what our legal council had suggested regarding the annexation of the Meadows. Clerk Jensen reported to the council that Mr. Voyles suggested that the town not do the annexation of the Meadows until their infrastructure had met and passed all the inspections. Ron Coleman brought the council up to date on what was not approved and needed to be worked on. Clerk Jensen informed the council that it takes three readings for the annexation process. The town could approve two of them and then table the third reading until all the infrastructure was approved by Sunrise Engineering or wait until the infrastructure had passed inspection. Councilman Bartleson made the motion to start the annexation process. Councilman Luthi seconded the motion.

David Dawson was in attendance and asked the council where we were regarding the contract agreement. Council reviewed the suggestions that the Meadows had sent to the town for the agreement. Clerk Jensen informed Mr. Dawson that the town had not received any information regarding the cost of the upgrades for the generator. Mr. Dawson will send the town the costs for this and then the town will decided whether they want to participate in helping the Meadows pay for this upgrade in generators. Mayor Aullman stated that he didn’t think that the town should approve more than ten acres of a PUD at a time. The Meadows wanted 40 acres approved and Mayor Aullman expressed his opinion that it made him uneasy to approve that much at once. Mayor Aullman commented that the town and even the developer could make changes if they seen that something was not working out the way that they wanted. By approving 10 acres at a time a correction could be made before they started the next phase. Mayor Aullman said that it would be better to take steps towards this project rather than big jumps. Maintenance Supervisor, Ron Coleman, informed Mr. Dawson about the problems that he has had with the development. Ron stated that he had asked Ryan Hurd several times for a timeline regarding the project. Ron also expressed his concern over a water line that was left open during the winter months and the problems that it could have caused for the Town of Thayne. The line was just covered and Mr. Hurd did not have it inspected by the town or Sunrise Engineering. Ron stated that Mr. Hurd had not cooperated with any of the requests the town had made regarding working on water lines on Fridays and weekends. Ron commented that he felt that he had been very respectful with Ryan regarding the project and that he would like the same kind of respect back from Mr. Hurd. Mr. Dawson said that he was not aware of these problems and that he would check into them. Mayor Aullman informed Mr. Dawson that if he wanted to be addressed at a council meeting he needed to make sure that he was on the agenda for the council meeting. Mayor Aullman told Mr. Dawson that he needed to call the clerk and ask to be on the agenda by the Monday before the scheduled council meeting. The town will not address his concerns another time if he is not on the agenda.

Council discussed the Sewer Land Lease. Council discussed that the survey on the land to correct the inconsistencies would be completed as soon as the snow was gone. Mayor Aullman suggested that Marlowe Scherble should also visit with Elaine Slater when he is doing the survey to get her side of what happened between the Slater’s and the town regarding the sewer land. Councilman Woolley stated that this was not important because the town had already decided on what they were going to do with Deland Lainhart and the sewer land. Councilman Titensor asked about the water issue and who was going to pay for the water usage. Councilman Titensor suggested that whoever leases the land that the stock water goes with the lease. Mayor Aullman said that the water is only used a few months in the winter and is not used in the summer months. Councilman Woolley stated that if the town is going to lease out the land that the town put in a stock tank and monitor the water usage. Councilman Woolley also stated that Ron could keep the water from freezing but that it should be running on the town’s side. Councilman Woolley informed the council regarding the water rights that are issued to the sewer land. Mayor Aullman said that there are water rights for the north side of the sewer land that runs out of the Baxter Ditch. Councilman Woolley stated that the water rights only exist for a small portion of the sewer land. Councilman Woolley also said that we have not used these water rights for five years so they have gone back to the state. Councilman Woolley also stated that Mayor Aullman was in violation of sprinkling the water land from another water source. Council discussed that we needed to file on these water rights and get them back for the sewer land property. Mayor Aullman stated that “Snow Days” was in violation also because they were within 500 feet from the lagoons. Mayor Aullman also asked Councilman Woolley if they had liability insurance for the “Snow Days” events. Councilman Woolley stated that they were not in violation of the 500 feet from the lagoons and that they did not have liability insurance for “Snow Days”. Councilman Woolley thought that the town was responsible for purchasing liability insurance for this event. Clerk Jensen will review the minutes and check into the cost for next year. Councilman Titensor expressed his opinion that the town could rent the land and also have town events like “Snow Days”. The town should be able to make it desirable to lease the land and keep it grazed off or cut down. Councilman Titensor stated that not renting the sewer land would just cause a large weed patch. Councilman Titensor also stated that we should also be able to use the land for community events like “Snow Days”. Councilman Bartleson will review the lease and do the necessary work to get the water rights issued back to the Town of Thayne. The Town of Thayne will table the sewer land lease opening until the items of the water rights, correct surveying and re-wording of the sewer lease is completed. Mayor Aullman will continue to rent the sewer land a month at a time.

Council scheduled an Arbor Day and community clean up for May 19th. The Arbor Day celebration was scheduled for 12:00 o’clock at the Thayne Town Hall.

Council reviewed the letter from Star Valley High School asking for donations for the drug free graduation party. Councilman Luthi made the motion to pay $400 to the senior graduation class for advertising. Councilman Titensor seconded the motion.

Council reviewed the upcoming contract renewal with Star Valley Ranch for EMS services. Council voted for an 8% increase in the contract for the next five years. Clerk Jensen was instructed to send them a letter and a new contract asking for an 8% increase for the next five years.

Mayor Aullman informed the council that the town had been sent the proposals from the water study for a new storage tank. Mayor Aullman asked the council to review the proposals from the five different engineers and have their top three proposals submitted to Clerk Jensen by Monday. The Town of Thayne will submit their top three choices to Wyoming Water development.

Mayor Aullman also reminded the council that the Town of Thayne has a meeting scheduled with the Lincoln County Commissioners next Tuesday, April 20th at 11:00 a.m. at the Thayne Town Hall.

Council scheduled a work meeting April 21st at 6:00 p.m. to finish reviewing the Town of Thayne Land Development Code and award the canal beautification bid.

Council scheduled two budget hearings in June. The budget hearings will be June 9th and June 23rd.

The bills were reviewed for payment. Councilman Titensor made a motion to pay the bills. Councilman Luthi seconded the motion.

General Bills: Sewer Bills:

Salaries 11,822.50                                     Salaries 1,724.71

XXX NCPERS 16.00                                          FICA 310.43

Insurance 1,813.32                                   Energy Lab 415.00

Wyoming Retirement 918.83                               LVE 409.67

FICA 3,258.52                               Thayne True Value 133.45

Quill 1,191.00

Heath Jensen 100.00

Veronica Dykes 584.32

Patkenn 220.00

Lincoln County Sheriff 495.00

Maverik 55.71

Skinner Service 190.80

Wy Public Health 6.00

SV Independent 108.00

Silver Star 241.82

SV Disposal 172.50

Paperworks Plus 34.96

PPS 591.69

All Star Auto 97.53

Carpets Plus 6,991.31

Randall Rees Painting 2,490.00

LGLP 5,000.00

Valley Computer 60.00

Chevron 274.87

Town of Afton 25.00

Grainger 85.01

Advanced Industrial Supply 1,210.50

Luthi & Voyles 157.50

NorMont Supply 160.00

Lincoln County Public Health 14.31

Lower Valley Glass 655.00

Joan Jensen 469.92

Galls 1,575.86

Sunrise Engineering 3,307.50

Sunrise Engineering 1,765.00

Thayne True Value 410.90

LVE 1,405.32

BISCO 115.36

Wy Worker’s Comp 270.90