Thayne Wyoming Town Government

Thayne Town Council Meeting
May 14^th, 2008

Present: Mayor Don Aullman. Councilmembers: Bob King, Lorell Woolley, Lindsay Spencer. Clerk: Joan Jensen.

Mayor Aullman welcomed those in attendance and called the meeting to order. He then asked Mallory Winters to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Aullman asked the council for approval of the minutes of April 9^th, 2008. Councilwoman Spencer made the motion to approve the previous read minutes. Councilman Woolley seconded the motion.

First on the agenda were the bid openings for the painting of the Thayne EMT building: Three bids were submitted:

1. Young Painting 8,780.00

2. Mendenhall Painting 4,950.00

3. Frontier Painting 9,450.00

Mayor Aullman stated that we would take the apparent low bidder from Mendenhall Painting under advisement. Mayor Aullman asked Clerk Jensen to contact him and make sure that all the specs were covered in the bid. Clerk Jensen informed Mayor Aullman that Captain Alesia Winters had met with all three bidders. Alesia was in attendance and verified that she had met with the bidders and went over the specs with each bidder. Members of the Thayne EMT’s were in attendance and asked what account the carpet and painting repairs would be taken out of. Mayor Aullman stated that he didn’t think that it was fair for the town to pay for all of the repairs. He felt that the money should come from the Lincoln County, Star Valley Ranch and Town of Thayne account. His reasoning was that each entity should help pay for the repairs and not just the Town of Thayne subsidizing these services. Councilman King expressed his opinion that money should only be used for training and equipment. Councilman King stated that the town was the landlord and should pay for the repairs to the building. Council agreed with Councilman King and the town will pay for the repairs to the building with general funds. Mayor Aullman thanked the EMT’s for their efforts in helping the communities.

Senior Director, Diane Izatt, was next on the agenda. She informed the council that they needed more room in the summer to help accommodate all the seniors that they provide lunch for. She informed the council that they didn’t want to expand the building because they only needed it during the few summer months that we have. She presented two options to the council:

Put concrete tables out on the existing lawn.
Add onto the existing concrete on the veranda with more tables.

Diane had visited with Gordon Barnes who put in the sprinkler system and he told her that he could move the existing sprinklers out farther for the additional concrete. He also told her that the tables on the grass would not affect the sprinkler system. They would just give the center more of a “park feel” to the outside. Diane explained that the center had a grant that would pay for all of the additions. Council stated that they were okay with either of the two options.

Planning and Zoning reported that they had two building permits submitted:

Ron Bittenbender for a storage shed that was approved.
Bill Aullman for a temporary greenhouse that was approved pending a letter from the property owner stating that he was okay with Bill having on greenhouse on his property.

Ordinance 247 requesting a zoning change was tabled last month because of surrounding property owners requesting information from the landowner. The property owners wanted to know what kind of commercial the property owners planned on having. Mayor Aullman informed those in attendance, that our ordinances allow about anything in commercial as long as they have enough parking for their business. The town also has an ordinance for C2 Commercial, which is designed for more professional offices and more restrictive commercial buildings. Council reviewed the area that is requesting a zoning change. Neil Clark, one of the property owners, informed the council and adjacent neighbors that they are not interested in anything commercial that flows outside of the building. They want to put in something like the area where the town hall is located, professional businesses. Mayor Aullman suggested that they could still change it to C1 Commercial with some deed restrictions for the property so that they would be able to handle what they wanted in the area. Mr. Clark reinstated that they definitely didn’t want any automotive or industrial commercial buildings. Michelle Dabel, adjoining landowner, asked if the access would still be located by the Paperwork’s Plus business? Mr. Clark stated that the access road would be located there. Councilman King asked if the easement was a dedicated easement to the Town of Thayne? Cindy Winchester informed the council that it was a dedicated easement that was put in place when they divided the ground, but that it had not been dedicated to the town. Butch took out the 60-foot right of way so that everybody had access to his or her acreage. Michelle Dabel made the comment that she hoped that they would be able to keep some of the easement for sidewalks so that the kids would be able to walk to school and not have to walk along the main highway. Cindy Winchester expressed concerns regarding the water rights and abandonment of water that flows down on them. Mayor Aullman informed the council that there were two sources of water that flows through the area. Strawberry Canal irrigation has no legal right to come our way but the irrigation water is getting less used up and we are getting more water from that canal system. Mayor Aullman stated that the Strawberry Canal system could easily be fixed to make sure that it doesn’t get into the ditch. Nickel Springs also runs through this piece of property and we would have to deal with the water rights from this spring. Councilman King made the suggestion that they review the commercial zoning that the town has in place and make a decision as to which kind of commercial they want. Neil stated that he would like to have it changed to C1 Commercial and have restrictive covenants. Council informed him that the covenants and restrictions for this piece of property would have to be submitted to the town before the zoning would be changed. Councilman King also stated that the covenants and restrictions would need to be filed with the county. Neil made the comment that he would like input from the town council regarding the covenants and restrictions. Mayor Aullman suggested that they schedule a working meeting with the council and invite the surrounding landowners. Neil commented that they wanted to build something clean and workable with the town. Councilman King made the motion to accept Ordinance 247 on first reading pending they submit the protective covenants and restrictions before the June 9^th council meeting. Councilman Woolley seconded the motion.

Ordinance 248 was reviewed for second reading. This ordinance provides a way for the Town to use Sunrise Engineering as the town engineers on a case-by-case basis. They will bill the town for their engineering services and the town can pass the bill on to the developers. Councilman Woolley made the motion to pass Ordinance 248 on second reading. Councilwoman Spencer seconded the motion. Councilman King abstained because of a conflict of interest.

Robert Hood presented a draft copy of the town’s public works standard specifications and drawings to each council member for them to review. He explained to those in attendance that he had had a working meeting with Mayor Aullman, Lindsay Spencer, Robert Aullman and Clerk Joan Jensen a few weeks ago. They had made a few changes and he asked that the council would go through this draft copy and make any changes that needed to be made. Robert also provided a copy to Ryan Herd and Hokanson Ranch Subdivision’s for them to review.

Robert Hood reported that the grant project was almost completed. The sidewalks are scheduled to be completed after they finish putting in the power. He reported to the council that there were some grant funds left over and that maybe we could review the project with the Wyoming Business Council and see if there are any other expenses that would fall within the scope of the project. Council discussed having the parking lot paved by the rodeo arena and also putting in streetlights. Council discussed the signs and suggested that the school district needed to be the one in charge of lighted signs by the school when school was in progress.

Robert also reported to the council that Castle Arch had contacted Sunrise Engineering regarding their subdivision. If the town allows them to use town water, the town would be short on storage with DEQ requirements. The town would be able to meet the requirements with DEQ by adding a storage tank. Ryan Herd explained to the council that they could construct their own storage tank but that they felt it would be more beneficial to the Town of Thayne if they took the money they would use for a storage tank and contribute to a larger project that would be more beneficial to the town. Council discussed different options for water source capacity. Ryan asked the council for a decision on whether the town would let him use town water for his subdivision. Mayor Aullman explained to him and the council that we could not make that decision until we were more solid with studies regarding water and sewer impacts. Mayor Aullman also suggested that both of these subdivisions that were currently applying for town water and sewer needed to have their own water storage for emergency situations. It would help everybody’s water pressure if they had their own storage. Councilman King made the comment that we needed to check with the Bedford Water system and see if the town would be able to tie into their system and pay them for the water that we use. Councilman King stated that this would be the perfect time to approach them because they were in the process of building a new storage system. This would also get us out of the redundant tank-building scenario. The State of Wyoming is pushing regionalization with water systems and this would be the perfect time to do this. Mayor Aullman suggested that we also invite the Wyoming Water Development board to meet with Bedford Water and the Town of Thayne. Mayor Aullman commented that it could be a win win situation for a lot of people. Council asked Robert Hood to set up a meeting with all the people in question. Jason Lindford suggested that he felt it would be better if Mayor Aullman contacted the Bedford Water board. Mayor Aullman told them to schedule a date with Wyoming Water Development and then we will approach the Bedford Water board regarding a meeting.

Kevin Paul addressed the council regarding a resolution to vacate the old map because of some corrections that needed to be made for the subdivision. A resolution has to be made to vacate the old map before a new amended map can be filed with the county. Resolution 2008-3 vacating the old map was passed in a resolution made by Councilman King. Councilwoman Spencer seconded the motion.

Hokanson Ranch project presented a demonstration on E-one Sewer Systems. Their engineers explained to the council how this kind of sewer system would be beneficial to the Hokanson Ranch subdivision because of their groundwater issues. They felt that there needed to be alternative sewer systems and that this one was the right system for this project. They felt that it was important to bring the information to the council for them to review.

First reading on the Hokanson Ranch annexation was next on the agenda. Mr. Nate Campbell was in attendance and explained that he did not want his property to be annexed. Council informed him that it was not being annexed. Clerk Jensen had received a fax from Jack Hale regarding his concerns regarding the annexation. He stated that their land should be annexed before Hokanson Ranch because they were closer to the town and that the town was leap frogging over their land in order to do the annexation. Council discussed that Mr. Hale and Mr. Hemmert had never approached the town regarding annexation and that we were not jumping over his property. The Hokanson Ranch Annexation is contiguous to the Town of Thayne because of the highway easement. Council discussed that his reasons for objection weren’t valid and that he apparently does not understand the process of annexation. Councilwoman Spencer made a motion that we pass Hokanson Ranch Annexation on first reading. Councilman Woolley seconded the motion.

Ryan Herd informed the council that he was going before Lincoln County planning and zoning and the county commissioners in June regarding his subdivision. He wanted the council to know that he was going to come to our next council meeting and ask the town to serve his subdivision with water and sewer for Phase A of his project which would entail eight units this year. He reiterated that they were prepared to move forward and put in their own water tank but he didn’t feel that it was the best thing for the town. Mayor Aullman stated again that we needed to explore all three options; putting in their own tank, Town of Thayne adding another tank, and regionalization of water tanks with Bedford. Until some of these studies are completed we will not be able to make that decision. Ryan also asked the council if they had had an opportunity to review the addendum that he submitted to the town stating that Castle Arch would only pay for the expenses that were incurred for water and sewer for their subdivision. Council will review the cost estimate that was submitted by Sunrise Engineering and was split into different categories by Castle Rock and Hokanson Ranch subdivisions and be ready to make a motion on it for the next council meeting. Councilman King also stated that the town needed a signature on the addendum from somebody in the subdivision that has the authority to hold up to that responsibility.

Miller Ranch applied for annexation last month and was tabled because of not submitting all the necessary requirements. Clerk Jensen had the annexation reviewed by our legal representative and he deemed that it was ready for approval. Council discussed the annexation and made the comments that if they are annexed into the town they will be able to sell two lots and then they have to comply with the town’s subdivision rules. Council reviewed the annexation requirements from Miller Ranch. Councilman King made the motion to move forward on the annexation and start the advertising process. Councilman Woolley seconded the motion.

Mayor Aullman discussed the Consensus grant meeting with the council. He informed the council, that some of the town’s had decided not to agree on the amounts that each town was to receive at the Cokeville meeting. Councilman King made the motion to approve Resolution 2008-2. Councilwoman Spencer seconded the motion.

Council discussed the dog ordinance for the town and that we needed to have the police officers cite the citizens who are refusing to purchase dog licenses. Citations will be issued after June 1, 2008 for individuals who have not purchased dog licenses.

Terri Merica had expressed her concern to Clerk Jensen that Ron Bittenbender was parking on an existing easement. Council discussed that her tenants are also parking on the easement and that it was not a problem as long as we make sure that they are not impending the ambulance from getting to emergencies. Mayor Aullman suggested that we need to make sure that when a commercial area changes it usage that they apply for a change of use permit

Budget Ordinance 249 regarding the Town’s General. Water, Fire Department, Thayne Ambulance, and Severance Funds was passed on First (1^st) reading in a motion made by Councilman King. Councilwoman Spencer seconded the motion.

Budget Ordinance 250 regarding the Town’s sewer funds was passed on First (1^st) reading in a motion made by Councilman King. Councilman Woolley seconded the motion.

Budget Ordinance 251 providing for the Mill Levy for the Town of Thayne was passed on First (1^st) reading in a motion made by Councilman King. Councilwoman Spencer seconded the motion.

The council reviewed the bills. Councilwoman Spencer made the motion to approve the bills. Councilman King seconded the motion.

Councilman Woolley informed the council that we needed to pay Curtis Weber for being the director for snow days. Council also agreed to advertise for a person who would be willing to coordinate the 4^th of July activities.

Meeting adjourned.