Thayne Wyoming Town Government

Thayne Town Council Meeting
January 9^th, 2008

Present: Mayor Don Aullman. Councilmembers: Jim Bartleson, Lorell Wolley, and Lindsay Spencer. Clerk Joan Jensen.

Mayor Aullman called the meeting to order. He then asked Councilwoman Spencer to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Aullman called for approval of the previous town meeting, December 12^th, 2007. Councilman Bartleson made the motion to approve the minutes as written. Councilman Woolley seconded the motion.

Ryan Hurd introduced Brian Gabler to the council members. Mr. Gabler has been working on the impact study that the council requested Mr. Hurd do regarding his proposed subdivision east of Thayne. Mr. Gabler reported his findings to the council and presented a copy of his report to each council member. He reported to the council that the sewer line to the proposed project site was adequate as far as capacity goes. He did report that adding the subdivision to the town’s sewer would probably put our discharge levels over the amount that we are allowed at this point. Mr. Gabler felt that this problem could be remedied with some expansion to the lagoons and possible aeration upgrades to the sewer system. Mr. Gabler reported that they would definitely have problems with the water and the elevation of the subdivision. The subdivision would definitely have to have a pressure pump. Mr. Gabler reported that he knew that Bear Hollow was already having problems with their water pressure and felt that these two subdivisions could work together to remedy this problem. Mayor Aullman asked if they had thought about having their own water storage facility. Mayor Aullman stated that it was not so much an issue of lack of pressure but lack of water storage. Mr. Hurd and Mr. Gabler responded that they would definitely look into this suggestion. Councilman Bartleson asked if the report showed that we had enough water for the town and the proposed subdivision and they responded that we definitely did. Mr. Gabler informed the council that the water usage for the Town of Thayne was extremely high probably because of the lack of water meters. Councilman Bartleson asked if the town would have to drill another well or buy water from another source and they informed him that the town would not have to do that. Mayor Aullman thanked them for their study and suggested that they give the town council time to look over their findings and do some studying of the report. Mr. Gabler informed the council that they could call him if they had any questions. Mayor Aullman stated again that the council needed to do some research on this especially where this subdivision was not within city limits.

Chief Erickson represented the fire department. He reported to the council that they had three items that they needed to discuss:

1. They would like to take Truck #2 and put it in a heated building at Star Valley Ranch. This way it would be chained up and ready to roll. It will not have any bearing on the town’s ISO rating to take this truck out of the Thayne city limits.

2. They would like to replace the old ambulance that they fixed up several years ago for a rescue unit. Chief Erickson expressed his opinion that it was nothing but a death trap. It is not 4-wheel drive and it is overloaded. It also has enough mechanical problems that they feel we shouldn’t put any more money towards fixing up the old unit. The fire department would like to get three cost estimates for a new rescue unit. This unit would not include having water capabilities. They are going to get together as a department and decide on exactly what they need and get a package together to submit for proposals. Their research for a rescue vehicle showed them that it would cost around 60 to 80 thousand dollars. Mayor Aullman asked them to make sure that we advertise in a legal matter to all bidders. Councilman Bartleson asked them if the new unit would have radios and be used as an incident command center and Chief Erickson responded that it would. Councilman Bartleson asked Chief Erickson what value Truck #2 would be to Star Valley Ranch and he reported that it was more of a heated storage advantage for the fire department. This truck would be of value to Star valley Ranch in the summer months.

3. Chief Erickson presented the money to the town for the fire department equipment fund that was made in the golf tournament. They raised a little over $11,000. They kept $2,000 in the account to have for next year’s event. Bob Adams was a great supporter. He matched the fundraiser with his own donation of ten percent.

Robert Hood represented Sunrise Engineering. He talked to the council about the specifications book that Sunrise Engineering was doing for the town. Mayor Aullman is making some changes to fit the Town of Thayne’s requirements. Councilman Bartleson asked if the testing was finished on Wright and Park Streets with the water and sewer projects. Robert reported that they had to wait 30 days after they finished the project but he would be checking on this in the next few days to make sure it was completed.

Bret Merica was next on the agenda. He asked the council where we were at regarding the contract with his subdivision and the town. Mayor Aullman suggested to the council that item # 4 needed to be changed to “will not be required to pay the standard ľ inch Thayne hookup fees for ľ inch water and sewer in the Merica Addition. Thayne is waiving this fee in exchange for infrastructure development in the Merica Addition (roads, water, and sewer to be installed by Merica, LLC as provided herein). Council was in agreement with Mayor Aullman. The legal document will also include a preliminary opinion of probable cost for the road paving to complete the project in 2010 done by Sunrise Engineering. This document will establish the amount of the required bond from Bret Merica. Council discussed that Jim Stokers document needed to have these changes made also. The town’s attorney did not draw up his contract and so we could not make the changes. Jim will be responsible for making the changes to the document and getting it back to the town for signatures. Councilman Bartleson made the motion to approve the changes. Councilwoman Spencer seconded the motion.

Jim Pedersen of Pedersen Planning Consultants had a presentation for the town regarding municipal master plans. He is currently working with the surrounding towns Afton, Alpine, and Star Valley Ranch. Councilman Bartleson asked Mr. Pedersen what the normal time frame for a master plan for a community our size would be. He stated that he thought that it would take nine months to a year to complete. Mayor Aullman asked Mr. Pedersen to submit a letter to the town giving us some different proposals and costs regarding a master plan for the Town of Thayne.

Robert Aullman gave a maintenance report to the council. Council discussed snow removal. Councilman Woolley informed the council and Robert that he had several people ask him about snow removal on our sidewalks. Different citizens expressed that they liked to walk on the sidewalks and Councilman Woolley had noticed that there were a lot of school kids walking in the streets because of the snow. Councilman Woolley had some information on some machinery that he had seen them using in Victor Idaho for snow removal. He felt that maybe this would be an option in helping us keep our sidewalks free of snow. Mayor Aullman stated that the town ordinances require that the property owners are liable to clean their own sidewalks. He also reminded those in attendance that the streets would be the first priority for snow removal. Council discussed the problem with the highway department and snowplows going too fast through town. Mayor Aullman felt that the first thing that we needed to do was get some kind of a working relationship with the state department. Councilman Woolley commented that we could still look into this piece of equipment. It has a heated cab and will fit on the sidewalks and will help keep the sidewalks in use for the public. It can also be used in the summer months for mowing lawns and sweeping sidewalks. Eventually some snow removal would have to be done. Robert was asked how he thought it would work and he stated that he really didn’t know. Councilman Woolley suggested that he contact the towns of Jackson and Victor and get their opinions on this type of machine for snow maintenance. Robert informed the council that he was having problems with snow machines going on the sidewalks before they were cleaned and it made it harder to remove the snow. Councilwoman Spencer suggested that we need to remind the property owners and business people that they are responsible for removal of snow on their sidewalks. Robert was asked to talk to Eileen at the Thayne Post Office and have her remind the people that are doing her snow removal to not push it into the streets. Mayor Aullman also asked Robert to try and leave the corners open as much as he could. There are several places that are starting to have blind spots because of the large pile of snow on the corners.

Ordinance 247 regarding the connection fees for sewer was passed on second reading in a motion made by Councilman Bartleson and seconded by Councilwoman Spencer. The connection fees for sewer will directly correspond with the water size connection fees.

Mayor Aullman suggested to the council that we needed to get a carport for the police truck. Clerk Jensen will work on getting prices for one.

The bills were reviewed for payment. Councilwoman Spencer made the motion to pay the bills. Councilman Woolley seconded the motion.