City Council Meetings

CITY OF GREEN RIVER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS September 2, 2014 The Governing Body of the City of Green River met in regular session at 7 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers. Council President Brett Stokes called the meeting to order. The following Council Members were present: Gary Killpack, Mark Peterson, Tom McCullough, and Lisa Maes. The following were present representing the City: Acting City Administrator Chris Steffen, Director of Human Resource Cari Kragovich, Grant Specialist Misty Springer, Director of Public Works Mike Nelson, City Engineer/Utility Manager Mark Westenskow, Director of Finance Jeff Nieters, Director of Community Development Laura Leigh, Fire Chief/Emergency Services Mike Kennedy, Acting Parks and Recreation Director Erek Roosa, and City Attorney Galen West. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Council Member McCullough moved to approve the agenda. Council Member Peterson seconded. Motion carried. (5-0) PRESENTATIONS Wyoming Cancer Resource Center Program Manager Deborah Bassett gave a brief explanation of the programs available at the Wyoming Cancer Resource Center. CITIZEN REQUESTS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS RESOLUTIONS Budget Increase in the Parks and Recreation Department R14-52: A resolution of the governing body of the City of Green River, Wyoming, to approve an increase in the General Fund for a promotion of an employee in the Parks and Recreation Department in the amount of $2,225. Council Member Peterson moved to approve the resolution for an increase in the General Fund for a promotion of an employee in the Parks & Recreation Department. Council Member Maes seconded. Addressing a question asked by Council Member McCullough acting City Administrator Chris Steffen explained this resolution was placed on the agenda because promotions were not included in the FYE 2015 Budget. Motion carried. (5-0) Reallocate Cash-In-Lieu of Parks R14-53: A resolution of the governing body of the City of Green River, Wyoming, to approve an increase in the General Fund for Park Maintenance and Equipment Placement in the amount of $17,500 Council Member Maes moved to approve a resolution for an increase in the General Fund for parks maintenance & equipment. Council Member McCullough seconded. Motion carried. (5-0) Budget Increase for a Position Reclassification. R14-54: A resolution of the Governing Body of the City of Green River, Wyoming to approve an increase in the General Fund for a promotion of an employee in the Administration Department in the amount of $5,308. City Council Proceedings September 2, 2014 Page 1 of 6 Council Member Killpack moved to approve the resolution for an increase in the General Fund to reclassify a position in the Administration Department resulting in an employee promotion in the amount $5,308 . Council Member Maes seconded. Motion carried. (5-0) Adoption of GASB 54 Standard & Applications R14-55: A Resolution Approving the Adoption of GASB 54 Standards & Applications thereof: Council Member Killpack moved to approve the resolution approving GASB Standards & Application thereof: Council Member Peterson seconded. Mr. Nieters addressed the questions on why the City is putting the GASB 54 Standards & Application in the current budget, and stated it will be reflected in the actual expenditures at the end of the physical year external audit report. Motion carried. (5-0) Budget Increase to Reclassify a Position from Exempt to Non-Exempt Status R14-56: A resolution of the Governing Body of the City of Green River, Wyoming, to approve an increase in the General Fund for overtime in the Information Technology Division, in the amount of $7,982. Council Member Maes moved to approve the resolution to increase the General Fund for overtime in the Information Technology Department in the amount of $7, 9823. Council Member Killpack seconded. Mr. Steffen explained currently the two employees in the IT Department are exempt and they should be nonexempt employee. This resolution will put money in their budget which would allow them overtime hours. Motion carried. (5-0) COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS A Letter of Resignation from Adam Coppolo as the Ward II City Council Representative Council Member Peterson moved to accept the letter of resignation of Adam Coppolo from the Governing Body and to declare a vacancy in the office of a council member for Ward 2. Council Member Maes seconded. Council Members thanked Council Member Coppolo for his years on council, and stated the council should wait until after the elections in November, to appoint the candidate from Ward II. Council Members agreed. Motion carried. (5-0) Agreement with the Wyoming Association of Sheriff’s & Chiefs of Police Council Member Killpack moved to accept & enter into an agreement with the Wyoming Sheriff, and Chiefs of Police for the fiscal year 2015 compliance program not to exceed the amount of $3,400. Council Member McCullough seconded. Motion carried. (5-0) Amendments to the 50/50 Sidewalk Replacement Policy Council Member Peterson moved to approve the amendments to Administrative Procedures, Regulation #43, and Tile: 50/50 Sidewalk Replacement Program as presented. Council Member Killpack seconded. City Council Proceedings September 2, 2014 Page 2 of 6 Ms. Leigh explained the program has 88% allocated for residential repairs, and 12% for non- residential. She stated in prior years it was distributed on a first come bases on how it was distributed. Motion carried. (5-0) Authorize Advertising an Invitation for Bid for the Sale of Municipal Property Council Member Maes moved to authorize city staff to advertise an invitation for a bid for the sale of Lincoln School Addition, Tract A. Council Member McCullough seconded. Ms. Leigh stated this was just giving permission for staff to advertise an invitation for a bid for the sale of Tract A, as a residential subdivision. Motion carried. (4-0-1), with Council Member Killpack abstaining. Union Pacific Depot Project Redevelopment Options Ms. Springer presented all options: Option 1: Strategy – Compose a letter to the Wyoming Business Council requesting a one year project extension. Allocate 2014/2015 Consensus monies toward the required matching funds. The source of the outstanding required matching funds remains unclear. Proceed with the abatement of hazardous materials at the site utilizing the EPA Brownfields Grant utilizing funds from the current Depot budget line item. Secure all required matching funds by Dec 2015 to ensure that the WBC project time line is from 2016-2019. The grant agreement estimates approximately three years for the renovation/reuse of the building to be complete. Reasoning - The City may explain to WBC the project timeline was altered in order to accommodate the cleanup project at the site. The city is experiencing reduced revenue from sales tax which impacts all operations. A delay of one year may afford sufficient time for the city to source the outstanding funds. Points for discussion - The city must additionally have sufficient revenue to cover the maintenance and operations of the building. A new staff position may be required to fulfill the arts programming designed to take place at Lynch Hall once renovations are complete. The grant narrative contains 13 performance measures which indicate whether the City is meeting its goals set forth in the agreement with WBC. Option 2: Strategy- Contact Wyoming Business Council stating the City would like to return the grant this de-obligating the funds. The City offers no alternative reuse or redevelopment of the building. The City does not proceed with EPA Cleanup project and returns the Brownfields grant funds received for the federal government. Request the ownership of the building revert back to the Union Pacific or keep ownership of the building and allocate City funds toward abatement at the site and demolition of the building. Reasoning- the Current and projected budgetary shortfalls will make it impossible to meet our commitment to the Wyoming Business Council. If the City no longer wishes to hold the building there is no point in proceeding with the cleanup. Points for discussion – this decision may have negative impacts in regard to the City’s relationship with the Wyoming Business Council as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality and the Union Pacific. Significant City funds have already been put toward the project, if the building is not utilized tax payers funds have been wasted and there are significant cost associated with demolition. City Council Proceedings September 2, 2014 Page 3 of 6 Option 3: Strategy – Contact the Wyoming Business Council as soon as is feasible in order to return the $1 million Communities Facilities grant, explain to WBC that the current project I untenable considering the City’s current financial situation and future projected expenditures associated with operation of the building and management of programming. Consider applying for a Downtown Development grant from WBC in November of 2015. This program has a maximum allocation of $2 million with a match requirement of 15% - 30% if project costs. Move forward with the EPA Cleanup at the site with the intent to remodel/reuse the building in future. Research new possibilities for the Depot site, including partnerships with business entities that could invest in a future project. Consider a project which affords a broader range of uses for the buildings and spurs economic development in the downtown. Partner with other entities to assemble the matching funds required for a grant. Reasoning- The grant agreement with Wyoming Business Council as it stands contains very specific performance measures in terms of how the facility may be used, which the City may find re restrictive and costly in future. De-obligating the funds now allows the WBC to utilize those monies elsewhere in a timely manner. Explaining that the Council intends to explore alternatives which ultimately present less of a financial burden to City demonstrates fiscal responsibility. Points for discussion – Time should be invested in researching alternatives and actively seeking other entities willing to invest in the project, specifically a business. Some funds may still be allocated toward the Depot so that a grant application to WBC in the Downtown Development Program can demonstrate sufficient matching funds, by way of financial statement. Council Member McCullough stated with all the information given he thinks the council should go with Option #3. Council Member Killpack stated after doing some research and talking with Pat Robbins from the Wyoming Business Council he thinks the council should go with Option #3. Council Member Peterson expressed his concerns, and the reasons why the council should go with Option #3 Ms. Springer stated that even if the council goes ahead with the hazardous waste abatement, the building will not need to be finished immediately. Council Member Maes asked about Lynch Hall having a restaurant in it. She also stated the council should go with Option #3 Ms. Springer stated the grant they have currently is for developing Art and Cultural for youth. Council Member McCullough moved to approve Option 3. Council Member Killpack seconded. Motion carried. (5-0) Brownfields Cleanup Cooperative Agreement Council Member Killpack moved to approve the EPA Cooperative Grant Agreement. Council Member Maes seconded. Council Member McCullough asked if the City’s match had gone up. Ms. Springer stated it has not. She also stated the cleanup should start after the first of the year. City Council Proceedings September 2, 2014 Page 4 of 6 Council Member Killpack asked how much the City’s match would be. Mr. Westenskow stated the projection for the City’s match should be around $22,000. Council Member Peterson asked if the City’s portion would go over the amount that had been budgeted. Ms. Springer stated it would not. Motion carried. (5-0) CONSENT AGENDA Council Member McCullough moved to approve the following consent agenda items. Council Member Killpack seconded. Motion carried. (4-0-1), with Council Member Maes abstaining. • Landfill item removal request to Ian Parker for a snow blower, and a wood sled. • Contract with Green River High School Athletic Booster Club in the amount of $500. for advertising. • Issuance of a catering permit to Ponderosa Bar, Inc. to cater alcoholic beverages for the Facinelli Wedding at the Pavilion on Saturday, September 6, 2014, from 4 pm to midnight. • Issuance of catering permit to Red Feather Bar, Inc. to cater alcoholic beverages for the Down & Injured Riders trust of Sweetwater County Poker Run at Flaming Gorge Harley Davidson Parking lot located at 440 Uinta, on Saturday, September 6, 2014, from 12 pm to midnight • Community Service Contracts:  Flaming Gorge Days $24,000  Food Bank of Sweetwater County $20,000  Golden Hour Senior Center $19,000  Green River Chamber of Commerce $85,500  Southern WY Retired & Senior Volunteer Program $1,000  Sweetwater Family Resource Center $5,500  Sweetwater Life RU Ready Project Community Coalition $5,000  Sweetwater Transit Authority $22,520  SW-Wrap BNEA Kids Program $10,000  Treatment Court Foundation of Sweetwater County $8,000  Youth Home, Inc. $8,000 • Waiver of Direct Sub Grant award for the 2013 Juvenile Accountability Block Grant • Financial Reports and Payment of Bills: Prepaid Invoices = $14,171.52 Outstanding Invoices = $715,109.51 Payroll Expenditures = $349,258.74 Pre-authorization Payments = $1,065,000.00 CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT Acting City Administrator Steffen stated deer surveys went out in the September’s Utility Bill. He asked the citizens to express their concerns and send the surveys in. He also updated the council on the sewer issues on Riverview. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT Mr. West had nothing to report. MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS Council Members Killpack, Maes, McCullough, and Peterson had no report. Council President Stokes stated he was approached by a Rock Springs Council Member to participate in a Doughnut eating contest on September 20th for the Alzheimer’s foundation at Bunning Park. He stated he and Council Member Killpack have volunteered but he needs five more people. Mark Westenskow and Jeff Nieters volunteered. City Council Proceedings September 2, 2014 Page 5 of 6 ADJOURNMENT Council Member Maes moved to adjourn at 8:24 pm. Council Member Killpack seconded. Motion carried. (5-0) ________________________________ H. Castillon, Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ Jeffrey V. Nieters, City Clerk City Council Proceedings September 2, 2014 Page 6 of 6