City Council Meetings

CITY OF GREEN RIVER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS May 1, 2012 The Governing Body of the City of Green River met in regular session at 7 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Castillon called the meeting to order and Marcella Knoll led the Pledge of Allegiance. The following Council Members were present: Gary Killpack, Gene Smith, Adam Coppolo, Tom McCullough, Jim Boan, and Lisa Maes. The following were present representing the City: Director of Public Works Mike Nelson, Director of Human Resources Debbie Klein Robertson, Director of Finance Jeff Nieters, Director of Community Development Laura Leigh, Chief of Police Chris Steffen, Fire Chief/Emergency Services Mike Kennedy, Parks and Recreation Director Allan Wilson, Recreation Supervisor Erek Roosa, City Attorney Galen West, and Public Affairs Specialist Stephen Pyles. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Council Member Boan moved to amend the agenda to add an Executive Session to discuss personnel. Council Member Killpack seconded. Motion carried. (7-0) Council Member Boan moved to approve the agenda. Council Member Maes seconded. Motion carried. (7-0) PROCLAMATIONS Stroke Awareness Month Pamela Spivak read the proclamation and the Mayor declared May 2012 Stroke Awareness Month in Green River and called upon all citizens to learn the many warning signs, to act fast and to call 911 at the first signs of a stroke. Foster Care Month Carmelinda Cornell read the proclamation and the Mayor declared May 2012 Foster Care Month in Green River and urged all citizens to volunteer their talents and energies on behalf of children in foster care, foster parents, and the child welfare professional staff working with them during this month and throughout the year. Arbor Day Dottie Krauss read the proclamation and the Mayor designated Saturday, May 5th, 2012 as the day to celebrate Arbor Day in Green River and encouraged all citizens to actively support tree planting and protection as a means to improve our community and the quality of our lives. Further, He invited all citizens to participate in the City of Green River’s Arbor Day celebration at Thomas Moran Park on Saturday, May 5th beginning at 10:00 am. Clean Up Week Joanna Kleeper read the proclamation and the Mayor proclaimed May 12th through May 19th, 2012 as Clean Up Week in Green River and encouraged all citizens to take this opportunity to clean up their property, dispose of hazardous waste, assist their neighbors, and join other volunteers in the efforts to keep our community green and clean. PRESENTATIONS National High School Rodeo and Volunteer Opportunities Kandi Pendleton thanked the council for supporting the events complex. She said the Sweetwater County Events Complex will be hosting the National High School Finals Rodeo for four years. The event will run through 2015. The economic impact will be around $40 million dollars. There are thirteen performances and the kids are only guaranteed two spots at most three. There will be time in between performances; participants will want to see what kind of things Sweetwater County has to offer. She said the biggest thing they need right now is volunteers for four hour time slots. This way there is not a large commitment of time for them. City Council Proceedings May 1, 2012 Page 1 of 6 Anyone interested in volunteering can go to www.sweetwatereventscomplex.com and click on the National High School Rodeo Finals and then to volunteer information at the bottom of the page. You can fill out the information and submit the application. You will be able to receive any information on the events progress by email so you will be asked to create an account and password in order to keep up on the updated schedules. She said volunteers are a big part of the event. So far, they have 200 volunteers scheduled. They are estimating the need of 400 to 700 volunteers to pull the event off. There will be a volunteer meeting Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at 7:00 pm, in the small hall at the Events Complex. Community Investment Group Proposal Lisa Mueller said the Community Investment Group is interested in preparing a proposal for annual services for the city. This would be an annual contract that would provide project oversight in economic development and prospect management, grant writing, project management support, and funding search. They would also offer prospect recruitment. Council Member Coppolo said he would support having this put on a workshop agenda for a later date. Ms. Mueller said she would be happy to come to a workshop. There is no need to make any decisions tonight. The Mayor asked if she would be able to break the options up or have a contract with all of the options. Ms. Mueller said the city could have a contract for only grant writing or all of the options. CITIZEN REQUESTS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS Misty Zimmerman said in order to vacate a park by Wyoming State Statutes you have to meet some requirements: the property will be used for public school or education, the city or town has had the property for more than ten years, and there is no substantial use that has been made thereof for park purposes. She would like to know what would define substantial use. She said on Friday, April 27, 2012 around 4 pm the city conducted a survey of the residents in the area to determine substantial use of the park. She would like to see a similar survey being conducted for all twenty-nine parks in the city. She said there is no way to measure the use of park. She is concerned with the density of the proposed housing. However, she does support housing of a lesser density on Tract A. Tim Maborian said he would like to have Jane Liddell, a humanitarian, come and speak to the community. She is booked for the year but he will be coming back in the near future with hopes of getting the council’s support. The Mayor asked legal counsel to explain or define the word substantial when dealing with the usage of the park. Mr. West said he cannot define it. It is up to the governing body, subjective use is made up of all the information from all of the citizens and staff relative to the issue at hand. He said it has to do with the use by the city and the use by the citizens. The governing body will have to come up with the determination. Tommy Upp said he is opposed to the vacation of the park. He does support housing on Tract A not Tract B. He said people use the park to exercise and they like the location of the park. He wants to know why there is such a need for houses, why pick this area, why is the need of new residents more important than the current residents. ORDINANCES Vacation of the Old Lincoln Track and Field at Castle Rock Park 12:06: An ordinance vacating Old Lincoln Track and Field at Castle Rock Park from City Council Proceedings May 1, 2012 Page 2 of 6 public park land. Council Member McCullough moved to approve the ordinance on third reading. Council Member Killpack seconded. Council Member McCullough said substantial means it has been used a lot. He does not believe the park is used a lot. Residents in the area will get a better park than what they have now. The area is currently being used by dogs and not cleaned up. He said the city needs more homes so he will support this ordinance. Mr. Wilson said there are some revisions in the ordinance that legal counsel has added. The Parks Department conducted a survey to the best of their abilities, some people answered and some did not. They have drawn up some plans for the park and there will be a flat pathway along with an elevation path. He has talked with the developer and he agreed to pay for all of the improvements. The plan is to swap the park from Tract B to Tract C. He said in 2007 the governing body approved the Park and Recreation master plan and it does not include Castle Rock Park. He said there is no shelter, picnic tables, barbeque pits, trash cans, playground equipment, or anything in the current park. Council Member Boan asked how many residents showed up to the meeting last week. Mr. Wilson said they sent out over sixty invitations and two households with three residents attended. Council Member Boan said the city held a public meeting and gave them a public forum to talk about concerns and only three showed up. Mr. Wilson said he will be hiring a seasonal employee this summer and he/she will be conducting surveys on other parks. Council Member Killpack said out of 28 parks in the city the new park would be the only park with a large pathway. The city is relocating the park and it will be a better park so he will support it. Council Member Coppolo said one of the things that concern him is the tax revenue going down because of the tax base declining. If Rock Springs keeps growing it will affect the city. He asked what the proposed lot sizes are. Ms. Leigh said the required zoning is R2 and the minimal lot size is 6,000 square feet. With the proposed development the lot size will be 7,000 square feet which is more than what is required. Council Member Coppolo said he is concerned with the size of the streets and storage issues that may come up due to trailers and toys being parked on the street. Ms. Leigh said the lots would be around the same size as the ones in town now. Council Member Coppolo asked if there was a way they could change the ordinance to read relocating the park instead of vacating it. Mr. West said legally it is necessary to vacate the park in order to sell the land. Council Member McCullough asked if they need to make amendments to the current ordinance. Mr. West said yes. Council Member Smith thanked Mr. Wilson for doing a great job on this. He said the city needs to do something with Tract A because it looks bad. He said the issue is not what they will build but can they legally vacate the park. The city has owned the park for more than ten years. In 2007 the city council designated the property as parkland and there has been substantial use of the park since then. The survey that City Council Proceedings May 1, 2012 Page 3 of 6 was conducted was not accurate. The residents use the park so it is substantially used. He does agree that this is a good project but there is a state statute that says you cannot vacate the park unless there is no substantial usage. Council Member McCullough removed his motion to approve the motion. Council Member Killpack removed his second. The Mayor asked if no developer comes forward is the city committed to building a park. Council Member Killpack said the ordinance says it will be maintained as long as the city owns the property. Mr. West said it is a conditional vacation, if the conditions are not met the vacation does not take effect. Council Member Boan moved to amend the ordinance and add: Whereas, in accordance with W.S. 15-1-103(a)(xii)(D), the Governing Body has determined from staff and public documentation and information presented to the Governing Body in open public meetings, that the City of Green River has held title to such park property for more than ten (10) years and that no substantial use has been made thereof for park purposes. (1) That it is the finding of the Governing Body that the statutory requirements of W.S. 15-1- 103(a)(xii)(D) are satisfied; and, Council Member McCullough seconded. Motion carried. (7-0) Council Member Boan moved to approve the ordinance on third reading. Council Member Killpack seconded. Motion carried (5-2) with Council Members Smith and Coppolo voting no. Misty Zimmerman said most people are not home at 4 pm so they could not leave their jobs to come to a meeting. The meeting was not well attended because of the time and not due to the lack of importance to the residents in the area. RESOLUTIONS Killdeer Wetlands Drop Structure R12-22: A resolution for the governing body of the City of Green River, Wyoming, to approve a modification in the Capital Projects Fund for the Killdeer Wetland Project in the amount of $120,000. Council Member Boan moved to approve the resolution. Council Member McCullough seconded. Council Member Boan said the only reason he will vote to dump more money into the river is because there is a safety issue for someone floating the river. Mr. Wilson said the Green Belt Task Force started the project and there were some issues that came up. The city did not cause the problem but it is a safety issue that needs to be fixed. Council Member Smith agreed with Council Member Boan. This was built by someone else incorrectly, and it almost killed someone. He would rather fix it now instead of waiting until someone gets hurt or it is settled in court. Motion carried. (7-0) Arbor Day Donations R12-23: A resolution for the governing body of the City of Green River, Wyoming, to approve an increase in the General Fund and to accept the donations from TATA Chemicals and Wyochem FCU for the Arbor Day celebration in the amount of $325. Council Member Maes moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Coppolo seconded. Council Member McCullough thanked them both for their donations. City Council Proceedings May 1, 2012 Page 4 of 6 Motion carried. (7-0) Arts Development Program Budget Increase R12-24: A resolution for the governing body of the City of Green River, Wyoming, to approve an increase in the Capital Projects Fund for the Arts Development Program and to accept the donation from Eric Dowdle in the amount of $3,130.52. Council Member Killpack moved to approve the resolution. Council Member McCullough seconded. Motion carried. (7-0) COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS Bid Award for the Russian Olive/Tamarisk Abatement Project Council Member Smith moved to award the bid to Boss Reclamation in the amount of $95,945.00 and authorize entering into an agreement for the Russian Olive/Tamarisk AbatementProject. Council Member Killpack seconded. Council Member Boan asked why there is such a huge difference in the bids and if everything will be done without any change orders. Mr. Wilson said there will be no change orders on this project. The city has not put any funding towards the project. It is 100% funded by grants. He said one company does this kind of work and has the equipment that is needed. The other company might have to bring in special equipment to do the job. Motion carried. (7-0) Appointment to the Sweetwater County Travel and Tourism Board Council Member Killpack moved to confirm the Mayor’s appointment of Allan Wilson to the Joint Travel and Tourism Board (Appointment to complete Tom McIntosh’s term which expires November 2013). Council Member Maes seconded. Motion carried. (7-0) Name Change of the Green River Fire Tower Council Member Coppolo moved to authorize moving forward with changing the name of the Fire Training Tower from “The Green River Fire Training Tower” to “The George Nomis Fire Training Tower”. Council Member Smith seconded. Motion carried. (7-0) CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Boan moved to approve the following consent agenda items. Council Member Smith seconded. Motion carried. (7-0)  Release the retainage to SCI, Inc for the Rodeo Arena Capital Improvement Project  Release the retainage to CXT for the Rodeo Arena Restroom/Concession Stand Capital Improvement Project  Release the retainage to North Face Roofing for the Pavilion Re-Roof Capital Improvement Project  Approve the Tee Level and Green Level Hook a Kid on Golf Program contracts with Chris Mulhall  Open Container Permit to the Ponderosa Bar and the Embassy Tavern for the Rally in the Alley Benefit Poker Run Event on July 21, 2012 from 9 am to midnight for the barricaded area between the intersections of East Railroad and North Center Street and East Railroad and N 1st E  Minutes from: April 10, 2012 Workshop; April 17, 2012 Council  Financial Reports and Payment of Bills: Prepaid Invoices = $151,777.29 Outstanding Invoices = $500,317.55 Pre-authorization Payments = $755,000.00 Payroll Expenditures = $342,196.84 CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT Mr. Nieters had nothing to report. City Council Proceedings May 1, 2012 Page 5 of 6 CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT Mr. West had nothing to report. MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS Council Members Smith, McCullough, Maes, and Boan had nothing to report. Council Member Coppolo said there will be a kid’s camp at the Sweetwater County Airport on Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 7 am to 1 pm. He asked that any of the community requests be proportioned by the usage. This is something he asked for last year and will be looking at during the budget discussions. Council Member Killpack said an offer has been made for URA Director but there has not been an answer as of yet. The Mayor said the Chef’s Challenge will take place Friday, May 4, 2012. He has some ideas and would like to meet to discuss them. On Monday, May 7, 2012 there will be another 6th Cent initiative meeting. ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION Council Member Boan moved to adjourn to executive session to discuss personnel at 8:37 pm. Council Member McCullough seconded. Motion carried. (7-0) RECONVENE Council Member Boan moved to reconvene at 8:59 pm. Council Member Smith seconded. Motion carried. (7-0) COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS Search for a City Administrator Council Member Boan moved to suspend the search for a City Administrator. Council Member Coppolo seconded. Motion carried (5-2) with Council Members Maes and McCullough voting no. ADJOURNMENT Council Member Boan moved to adjourn at 9:02 pm. Council Member Smith seconded. Motion carried. (7-0) ______________________________ H. Castillon, Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ Jeffrey V. Nieters, City Clerk City Council Proceedings May 1, 2012 Page 6 of 6