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Thayne Town Council Meeting
July 9th, 2008
Present: Mayor Don Aullman. Councilmembers:
Bob King, Lindsay Spencer, Lorell Woolley, and Jim Bartleson. Clerk Joan Jensen.
Mayor Aullman welcomed those in attendance and called the meeting to order.
He then asked Justin Visser to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Aullman asked the council if they had reviewed the minutes of June 25th,
and were ready to approve them. Councilwoman Spencer made the motion to approve
the previous read minutes. Councilman Woolley seconded the motion.
The Thayne Volunteer Fire Department was first on the agenda. Chief Erickson
reported that there hadn’t been any calls. Chief Erickson felt that the
activities went well for the Fourth of July activities with the breakfast and
fireworks. He also reported that six new cadets out of nine had passed the
Firefighter One test. The cadets will be re-tested and go on to Firefighter Two.
The Junior Rodeo is scheduled for July 19th. Chief Erickson asked about the
audit, and Mayor Aullman stated that we would defer all comments until we get
the official comments back from the state regarding the audit. Mayor Aullman
also asked the fire department to let us know if the town could get something or
do something to help make the 4th of July celebration easier for the fire
department. Chief Erickson commented that he thought we had all the equipment
that we needed and that he thought it had went well. Mayor Aullman stated that
we just wanted to make the job easier and that we wanted to help in any way that
we could. The council expressed a big thanks to the volunteer fire department
for all that they do for the community. The fire department asked the council if
the town was still working towards a new emergency services building. The
members of the fire department were under the impression that the town had put
the building on hold. Mayor Aullman assured them that the town was still moving
forward on this project. Clerk Jensen will contact the architect and ask him to
send preliminary drawings for the committee’s to review.
Mallory Winters expressed his thanks to the council for the new paint and carpet
that has been installed at the EMT garage. They have a movie night fundraiser
scheduled for July 18th . Mallory informed the council that the movie night fund
raiser is getting more recognized by the public and getting a bigger attendance.
He also reported that the EMT’s were doing the third reading of their by-laws.
They will be presenting them to the town to review soon. Mallory also asked the
council what the council’s plans were with the old ambulance. An individual had
asked him if the town would be willing to sell the old ambulance for them to use
for personal use and also use it in conjunction with the cert program. Mallory
informed the council that it had not been in use for a number of years now. He
felt that it would be to the advantage of the town to do something with it.
Mayor Aullman informed those in attendance that we had listed it with the WAM
Newsletter and tried to donate it to a community that needed an ambulance but we
had had no response regarding the ambulance. Mallory said that Delon Merritt
would be willing to pay $100 for it. Councilman King made the motion to sell it
for $100 and get it out of the way. Councilwoman Spencer seconded the motion.
Sunrise Engineering was next on the agenda. Robert Hood reported to those in
attendance that last evening Sunrise had had a meeting with the town council to
discuss the wastewater facility plant and the water and sewer impact fees. They
had come back tonight to review briefly where we are at this time with the two
studies. He explained to the audience that we were looking at a twenty year
design time line with the Town of Thayne allowing for a growth rate of five
percent a year. Robert explained that they had analyzed both water demand and
storage figures on maximum days and normal days. The studies are based on the
assumption that future use will be normal with today’s usage. Robert explained
that the sewer lagoons are at capacity. The sewer tests the last few months have
been a little over for capacity levels. The town’s sewer lines are adequately
sized for growth. There are a few infiltration problems that we would like to
find and fix. Sunrise Engineering presented three options for the town to
review. They also presented an impact fee for the town to review as part of the
study. The analysis looked at costs for water and sewer projects and what new
users should be required to pay for new development and new grow within the
town. Robert stated that they are still working on this and won’t give the
numbers out at this time. The next step is to have the council select an option
for the sewer improvement and after that we need to look at funding. This will
help us fine tune the impact fees. The water study looked at source capacity
with the town well and spring. The study determined that there is sufficient
source capacity for the next eight years. In reviewing the documents, we will
historically need more water capacity in eight years. The existing system is
short on storage capacity at this time. The system works fine but we need to
have more storage. Sunrise proposed a 500,000 gallon tank to be constructed .
The impact fees were determined by looking at the cost of adding a second well
and a 500,000 gallon tank. They calculated these costs with a percentage of what
the existing users should pay and also what future growth should pay. Robert
also stated that future developments should buy into the existing transmission
lines. Robert explained to the council that we are dealing with a 67 percent
grant 33 percent loan for the project. Robert stated that we should be ready for
construction in 2010. Mayor Aullman asked if there were any questions from the
audience. Those in attendance asked if five percent was a natural growth rate.
Robert explained that they used a growth rate study that was done for Star
Valley and it showed that the lower valley is growing at a growth rate five
percent faster than the upper valley. A five percent growth rate is higher than
what Thayne has seen recently, but taking into consideration the projects that
are being planned in Thayne, Sunrise felt that five percent was a good number.
The average growth rate for Thayne is actually three percent. The developers in
attendance asked for a copy of the study. Robert explained that the Town needs
to schedule a time for another meeting and make the final changes before the
report was made public. Robert asked the council to let them have a couple of
weeks to check on funding for the town. Finding funding for the town is critical
for these projects. Dylan, representing Hokanson Ranch Subdivision, stated that
they would like to have their engineers review the study. He added that they
would like to meet with all the people involved. Councilman King commented that
the council would choose what needs to be done with the projects whether the
developers agree or not. Hopefully we will be able to meet for another meeting
to finalize some of the numbers. Councilwoman Spencer suggested that we meet
with Sunrise and then the town will send out the study for the developers to
review and make suggestions. Town Council will meet next week with Sunrise and
then schedule a meeting the week after with the developers. The question was
asked if the council was going to stop subdivisions until we get these systems
upgraded. Mayor Aullman suggested that we get the plan in place and then get a
commitment from the developers to help us move forward. One of the developers
stated that water usage in the town was really high. Robert Hood commented that
it was consistent with Star Valley. The developers asked if the town was taking
into account that they would have their own water irrigation systems. Robert
explained how Sunrise figured out the water usage. Mayor Aullman asked the
developers to provide their thoughts to us before the next meeting with the
dollar amount they felt they wanted to contribute towards the improvements.
Council scheduled the meeting one week from tonight, July 16th, at. 6:30. Mayor
Aullman asked the developers to get their questions to Robert before the next
meeting.
Next on the agenda was the advertised third and final reading for the Hokanson
Ranch annexation. Marlowe Scherbel informed the council that he had the final
Platte for the subdivision with him. Mayor Aullman asked for questions or
comments from the audience. They were asked what size the lots would be and
Dylan answered that they were varying between bay homes and up to one-acre lots.
Jack Hale wanted to express his thanks to the council for taking time to answer
his questions. He stated that he had some short questions for tonight regarding
the annexation. Jack stated that he still stood behind all the opposition that
he had last time. Jack asked the council to have a moratorium on all major
subdivisions until we have the studies all completed and update the master plan.
He commented that the master plan was out of date and that the town needed to
get something done as to the planning before we back ourselves into a corner. He
stated that the Town of Thayne is a major hub in the whole valley and that
Thayne would be the major place where people would want to live. Both of the
subdivisions affect his property both on the east side of Thayne and on the
south side of Thayne He felt that the annexation was detrimental to the future
growth of his property. Mr. Hale again asked how they used the easement of
Highway 89 right of way to use it as a point for annexation. Jack asked if using
the easement was legal and ethical. Mayor Aullman asked Marlow Scherbel to
explain to the audience how using the easement was permitted. Marlow explained
that the public right of way provides a way to make the land contiguous. Marlowe
stated that the land had to be contiguous. The highway right of way has provided
that continuity to the land. Marlowe also stated that the statutes state that
you have to have fifty percent of the land owners in agreement with the
annexation. Dylan stated that they looked into every option to annex. Marlowe
commented that annexations helped the town with expanding their jurisdiction by
taking more property in so that the town had a sense of controlling what is
happening in those areas. Marlow also commented that annexation helps with
providing some of those infrastructure needs for towns. After a lengthy
discussion, Mayor Aullman asked the council if they were ready to vote on the
third and final reading for the annexation of Hokanson Ranch. Councilman
Bartleson made the motion to approve Resolution 2008-6 regarding the annexation
of Hokanson Ranch on third and final reading. Councilwoman Spencer seconded the
motion.
The zoning change for Neil Clark and Dave Burnette was next on the agenda. Mayor
Aullman stated that Mr. Clark had never directed the town on whether they wanted
a zoning change to C1 or a C2 in writing. He advised them that they needed an
official request if they wanted C1 Commercial or C2 Commercial. Mayor Aullman
asked Cindy Winchester a surrounding landowner if they had a chance to look at
the CCR’s. Cindy stated that they have reviewed them but that there was still a
question as to water rights. Council discussed the water right issue with the
property owners. Mayor Aullman commented that he was not sure that the ditch was
in the five acre area that is in question. Butch Roberts commented that we
needed to make sure that the water rights have a way to get through. Mayor
Aullman stated that it is a real concern now days with people abandoning their
water rights. They need to find a way to take care of the water. Mayor Aullman
commented that he had reviewed the CCR’s and that the town will not assume
taking care of violations. The association will take care of it and you should
list your own enforcement. Councilman King stated that he had reviewed the CCR’s
and that they called them deed restrictions but numbers eleven and twelve are
called CCR’s. They need to be one or the other. Cindy Winchester asked the
council if the CCR’s would just fall within his own five acres. Mayor Aullman
informed her that it would just be his own property but that most of these
restrictions were already in our ordinances. Council tabled the third reading on
the zoning change until we get a letter from the landowners asking for C1
Commercial or C2 Commercial. Mayor Aullman also asked them to get a copy of our
C1 Restrictions on what kinds of commercial they would allow in their commercial
area and initial the ones that they would approve so that when someone purchases
the land they know what they can build. Mayor Aullman also asked him to give a
copy of this to the surrounding landowners for them to review and approve. Mayor
Aullman suggested that we table the third reading for two weeks and suggested
that the parties in question get together and come up with a list that everyone
can live with. Council needs a copy of the list by next week to review.
The advertised Miller Annexation was next on the agenda. Mayor Aullman asked
Clerk Jensen if she had received any comments for or against. She informed the
council that she hadn’t received any comments. Kevin Larsen asked if he could
comment regarding the annexation. He informed the council that he stood to speak
in favor of the annexation and that he knew the Miller family and felt that they
would be an addition to the town in a positive way. Mayor Aullman asked if it
was being annexed into the town as AR1 Zoning. Clerk Jensen replied that it was.
Councilwoman Spencer made the motion to approve the Miller Annexation on first
reading. Councilman Woolley seconded the motion.
Ryan Herd provided a mylor to the town regarding his subdivision and asked if
the town would sign it so they could move forward with their bonding. Councilman
King made the motion to accept the mylor from the county. Councilman Woolley
seconded the motion.
Justin Vissor addressed the council next. He informed the council that he
appreciated their time. He asked the council if they would let him pay his
increase in rental fees in increments. He would like to break it down a little
bit instead of doing the increase all at once. Councilman Woolley made the
motion to let them increase their rent by $25.00 a month. They will be paying
the $650 by January 1, 2009. Councilman King seconded the motion.
Ray Wheeler was next on the agenda. He talked to the council about his property
on Dana Street. When he bought the property five years ago he was under the
understanding that it was mixed use. Mr. Wheeler wants to expand his taxidermy
business. He is running this business out of his garage at this time. Clerk
Jensen informed him that his property was residential and not mixed use. He
stated that he was misled by the realtor. Mr. Wheeler talked to the council
about different things he might be allowed to do with his property. Council
discussed with him different options he could do and informed him that when he
decided what he wanted to do that he needed to bring his plans before the
Planning and Zoning Board. Councilman King informed Mr. Wheeler that he needed
to have his building permit to the town clerk the Wednesday before the planning
and zoning meeting. Planning and Zoning meets the second Monday of each month.
Gaylen Clayson, the new owner of Star Valley Cheese, was next. He introduced
himself to the council. He explained to the council that he was currently
involved with the restaurant and cleaning it up and keeping it open for longer
hours. They are in the process of getting it out of bankruptcy. He suggested
that the Town of Thayne might help them apply for a grant with the State of
Wyoming. Clerk Jensen reviewed what they would have to do in order to be able to
apply for the grant. After a lengthy discussion, council asked him to come back
when they have a plan in place and we will take it one step at a time.
Clerk Jensen will contact Pederson Planning regarding a meeting on August 19th,
2008 for the Master Plan for the Town of Thayne.
Robert Aullman went over some maintenance issues with the town council. They
asked Robert to make sure the hydrant by Una Heap’s is fixed. Council also
discussed some street repairs. Clerk Jensen will get the specs for chip and seal
on Roberts Street and some other street repairs. The town will then advertise
for bids.
Council reviewed the bills for payment. Councilwoman Spencer made the motion to
approve the bills. Councilman King seconded the motion.
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