City Council Meetings

CITY OF GREEN RIVER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS August 7, 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 Ruth Lauritzen 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: Acting City Administrator Bill Thompson, Director of Public Works Mike Nelson, Acting Director of Finance Trish Mansfield, Chief of Police Chris Steffen, Fire Chief/Emergency Services Mike Kennedy, Parks and Recreation Director Allan Wilson, Parks Supervisor Erek Roosa, City Attorney Galen West, and Public Affairs Specialist Stephen Pyles. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Council Member Boan moved to approve the agenda. Council Member Coppolo seconded. Motion carried. (7-0) PRESENTATIONS Green River Chamber of Commerce Update Rebekka Breismaster said traffic through the Visitor’s Center has been heavy. They had 2485 walk-ins during the month of July.  River Festival is August 17th - 18th and they are busy getting ready for the event. Tickets for the shrimp boil and spaghetti dinner are on sale now at the Chamber. Everyone can sign up for any events there also.  Sweetwater County Photo Contest photographs were judged last week. The pictures are on display at the Visitor’s Center. The winners were announced on Facebook and will be printed in next month’s newsletter. You can still vote on the People’s Choice until the end of August.  The Chamber will be hosting a Disney Institute class again this year on September 18, 2012. The class is called “Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence”  The Chamber is offering a trip to Tuscany on March 15, 2013. The promotional event for the trip will be held on September 5, 2012, at 6:30 pm, at the Krazy Moose. This trip is a good deal: $2,899 per person which includes seven nights stay in a five star hotel, airfare, nine meals, professional tour escort, and more.  The National High School Rodeo was a success. She thanked the council and the Mayor for all their hard work and also all of the Green River businesses, community members, and volunteers. Everyone played an integral part in helping to make the rodeo a success.  Lunch and Learn will be Wednesday, August 15, 2012, at noon, at the OT Sports Bar. The Humane Society will be presenting. Council Member McCullough thanked her for doing a good job. Train Town USA The Mayor was invited to Cheyenne, Wyoming to receive an award from the Union Pacific Railroad. He said the city has been designated as a Train Town USA which is the first one in Wyoming. He said the city submitted an essay explaining why the city should be considered Train Town USA. Union Pacific Railroad General Manager Andy Tenessy read the resolution that was signed by the Union Pacific Railroad Chairman Jim Young. Ruth Lauritzen said the essay explained that the City of Green River and the Union Pacific Railroad had been together for many years and the railroad is an ever present feature of this town. Update on Railroad Avenue Shelter Mr. Roosa said the staff has provided the council with the cost estimates on 5 different shelters along with two estimates for concrete. City Council Proceedings August 7, 2012 Page 1 of 6 Shelters-materials only:  40’x 64’gable roof - $59,010.00  40’ x 64’ hip roof - $64,850.00  45’ x 60’ gable roof - $74,290.00  45’ x 60’ hip roof - $76,790.00  40’ hexagon - $48,780.00 Concrete:  Monolithic pad - $35,000 to $40,000  Piers and pad - $50,000 to $60,000 Council Member Killpack asked if they choose the 45’ x 60’ hip roof, would it be $76,790 plus more for the concrete, so around $125,000. Mr. Wilson said whatever shelter they go with it has to be brought up through the Planning and Zoning committee for their review. He said they have a steering committee that will discuss the feasibility study on the depot. He recommends waiting to see what happens with the study. Council Member Maes said she agreed with Mr. Wilson. Council Member Boan said this all started from someone wanting to buy a tent for around $40,000 and they were told it would be the same amount to build a shelter in house. Once again the project that was simple is turning into a huge one costing around $100,000. Council Member McCullough agreed that they should wait until the feasibility study is done. The Mayor said he agrees they should wait. They could do a survey on what the community would like to see. Council Member Killpack asked how much the tent would cost. Mr. Wilson said it would be around $10,000 and around $30,000 to $40,000 more to repair it. Council Member Coppolo said everyone needed to remember the original intent for why the city wanted to put a shelter down there. Council Member Smith said he agreed that the committee should look at it to make everything come together. He said they should look at the possibility of a grant. Discussion of Sewer Issues Council Member Boan said he asked that this be put on the agenda to dispel rumors and comments that are being said about the issue. In his opinion, the number one thing a council is suppose to do in office is help with the safety and welfare of the citizens of Green River. At no time did he or the Mayor instruct a city employee to do anything. The homeowner asked if the city could do something for him to get him back into his house because his sewer had backed up into his house and he could not afford to fix it. The homeowner is responsible for the repair and he will pay for it, the city will not pay for it. He followed all policies and procedures set forth by the city. He polled the council on their opinion on what they thought should be done and most thought it needed to be fixed. He said this is a health issue for this resident and that is where he stands. Council Member McCullough said he understood that he was being asked if they could take $10,000 out of the tourist fund and put it into a fund for assisting people with these issues. He said the city should stay with what the ordinance is right now; the property owner is responsible from the house to the mainline. Council Member Killpack asked Mr. West if it is legal for the city to set up a fund like that. Mr. West said it all depends on the manner of which the fund is structured. The Mayor said the city has an ordinance in place and that is the way it is. If it does present a City Council Proceedings August 7, 2012 Page 2 of 6 hazard to other residents then it will need to be discussed. Council Member Coppolo said they would be opening a huge can of worms. It would be a health issue if it was multiple homes having the issue. It is a personal resident and the city should not have anything to do with it. CITIZEN REQUESTS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Wilson thanked all of the volunteers that helped during the National High School Rodeo. The Mayor said he has received a letter from the New Mexico High School Rodeo Association saying thanks for hosting the event and for all of the hard work. RESOLUTIONS Budget Modifications for Contract Employee Salary Increases R12-37: A resolution for the Governing Body of the City of Green River, Wyoming, to approve a modification in the General Fund for the increase in the contract positions for the Municipal Judge, City Attorney, and City Prosecutor in the amount of $84,341. Council Member Boan moved to approve the resolution. Council Member Coppolo seconded. Council Member McCullough said they received different numbers for the increases at the July 17, 2012 Council meeting. He said the numbers tonight show the increase due to added benefits. Council Member Killpack asked where the money is coming from. Ms. Mansfield said it is coming from the anticipated revenue from the DUI enforcement they will be receiving. Council Member Boan said the only reason these employees are getting the increase is because their work load has increased, and if it does not work out it will change. Council Member Coppolo said he does not like the anticipated revenue. Where is it going to come from if the revenues are not received? Ms. Mansfield said she is not sure, but she will have Mr. Nieters address it when he gets back. The Mayor said the program should be self sufficient. Motion carried. (7-0) COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS Appointment to the City Tree Board Council Member Coppolo moved to confirm the Mayor’s appointment of JoAnn Wyant to the City Tree Board for a term expiring August 2015. Council Member Killpack seconded. Motion carried. (7-0) Bus Donation from School District #2 Council Member Smith moved to accept the school bus donated by Sweetwater County School District #2 to the City of Green River to be used by the Police Department in the work restitution program. Council Member Maes seconded. Chief Steffen said staff approached the School District to see if they had a bus that the city could purchase for the work restitution program, and Mr. Barton Transportation Supervisor said they had one they could donate to the city. Chief Steffen thanked everyone at the School District #2. He said this shows the great relationship the city has with the School District. Motion carried. (7-0) City Council Proceedings August 7, 2012 Page 3 of 6 Amendment #3 to Nelson Engineering Agreement for the Southside Water Project Council Member Maes moved to approve Amendment #3 with Nelson Engineering in the amount of $46,200. Council Member Smith seconded. Council Member Boan asked how much it cost over the original contract. Mr. Nelson said around $280,000 more. Council Member Boan asked if the City’s engineers could do the rest of the work on the project or did the city have to keep paying Nelson Engineering. Mr. Nelson said no. Council Member Coppolo said he will be voting no because he feels the numbers are way over what they need to be. Council Member Maes said they should continue with the project and get it finished. Council Member Killpack asked if the amendment is not approved would it stop the project. Mr. Nelson said it could stop the project. Council Member Smith said this project needs to be finished and Nelson Engineering is the right one to finish it. Council Member McCullough agreed with moving forward with the project. The Mayor said he agreed. Mr. Nelson said as of today, the project is 372 days beyond the contract time. Motion carried (5-2) with Council Member Coppolo and Killpack voting no. Service Agreement with Inberg-Miller for Testing Services for the Child Development Center Project Council Member Coppolo moved to approve the agreement between the City of Green River and Inberg-Miller to provide testing construction services for the Child Development Center. Council Member Smith seconded. Mr. Wilson said the agreement is insurance for the building. It makes sure all of the testing of the soil and concrete is completed with the construction. He said the money will come out of the 6th Penny funds for the CDC building. Motion carried. (7-0) CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Coppolo moved to approve the following consent agenda items. Council Member McCullough seconded. Motion carried. (7-0)  Requests for assistance and fee waivers by the Green River Chamber of Commerce for the 2012 River Festival  Malt Beverage Permits to the Green River Chamber of Commerce for Friday, August 17, 2012, from 3 pm to midnight, at the Expedition Island, and Sunday, August 18, 2012, from 11 am to 5 pm, at the Expedition Island  Catering Permit to the Embassy Tavern to cater alcoholic beverages at the Art on the Green Banquet, on August 18, 2012, from 3 pm until 9 pm, at the Island Pavilion  Catering Permit to China Garden, Inc. to cater alcoholic beverages at the Alison Johnson wedding, at the Island Pavilion, on September 1, 2012, from 4:30 pm to 11:50 pm  Authorize the final payment to Boss Reclamation for the completion of the Russian Olive/Tamarisk Abatement Project per the 41-day advertisement.  Authorize the final payment to Castle Rock Electric for the completion of the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Project according to the 41-day advertisement City Council Proceedings August 7, 2012 Page 4 of 6   Maintenance agreement with Copier and Supply for the Savin document center at the Public Works facility  Renewal of the Mutual Aid Agreement with Fire District #1 of Sweetwater County  Horse corral lease agreement with Mel Horrocks for corral #17  Horse corral lease agreement with Tiffany Lundgren for horse corrals #98 and #99  Horse corral lease agreement with Chuck and Julie Burgess for corral #15  Financial Reports and Payment of Bills: Prepaid Invoices = $636,978.22 Outstanding Invoices = $1,270,598.86 Payroll Expenditures = $969,143.17 Pre-authorization Payments = $1,059,950.00  Amendment to bill list to pay Incredible Auto Sales in the amount of $19,454,12  Approval of the minutes for: July 10, 2012 Workshop, and July 17, 2012 Council CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT Mr. Thompson said the city council makes the laws and ordinances for the city and the city administrator does the executive part. It is very important that the council remembers that there is a chain of command that must be followed. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT Mr. West had nothing to report. MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS Council Member Smith said he will hold his comments on the sewer issues for the workshop. He said the city employees are very good hearted and have good intentions and are working well together with the residents. He thanked Mr. Tennesy for his hard work with Train Town USA. Council Member McCullough thanked him also. He asked the council if they still want to meet on the August 21, 2012 since the primaries are on that day. Council agreed to keep the meeting on August 21, 2012. Council Member Coppolo said he heard that the legislators have come out with a safety improvement grant for cities and town. This could be a good tool for us to use. Council Member Maes thanked the staff that came to the Great West Divide meeting. Council Member Boan thanked the Union Pacific Railroad for their efforts with the depot. He apologized to Chief Steffen and his staff for his comments to the editor of the Green River Star for the lack of participation of the Police Department. He said he should have taken a different approach and for that he apologizes. Council Member Killpack said the city employees are great and he appreciates the work they do. He thanked Mr. Tennesy for his hard work. The Mayor said Union Pacific said they will donate the depot to the city. He thanked Mr. Tennesy for his hard work with the depot. The City and the Union Pacific working together has a lot to do with him and Dick Hartman. ADJOURNMENT Council Member Boan moved to adjourn at 8:25 pm. Council Member Coppolo seconded. Motion carried. (7-0) ______________________________ H. Castillon, Mayor City Council Proceedings August 7, 2012 Page 5 of 6 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jeffrey V. Nieters, City Clerk City Council Proceedings August 7, 2012 Page 6 of 6