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STATE OF WYOMING ) LANDER, WYOMING ) ss. OFFICE OF THE FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY OF FREMONT ) September 9, 2008
The Board of Fremont County Commissioners met in Regular Session at 9:00 a.m. with the following members present: Chairman Douglas L. Thompson, Vice-Chairman Pat Hickerson, Jane Adamson, Keja Whiteman and Dennis Heckart. Also present was County Clerk and Deputy County Clerk of the Board Julie A. Freese. Jane Adamson moved, Pat Hickerson seconded, to accept the Agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously. Jane Adamson moved, Dennis Heckart seconded, to approve the Minutes of the Regular meeting held September 2, 2008. Motion carried unanimously. Jane Adamson moved, Pat Hickerson seconded, to accept bills for payment. Motion carried unanimously.
Phil Christopherson, IDEA, Inc. joined the meeting to request the County sponsor a grant application to the Wyoming Business Council. Keja Whiteman moved, Jane Adamson seconded, to approve Resolution No. 2008-13. Dennis Heckart abstained as he is a member of IDEA, Inc. Motion carried. A Public Hearing will be scheduled for September 23, 2008, as a part of the grant requirement. Christopherson stated the reason the County was asked to sponsor the grant application to the Wyoming Business Council instead the City of Riverton is that governmental entities can only sponsor one grant application at a time, and Riverton was already sponsoring one.
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-13
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONER CHAIRMAN TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE WYOMING BUSINESS COUNCIL FOR A BUSINESS READY COMMUNITY GRANT – COMMUNITY READINESS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING THE PURCHASE AND RENOVATION OF THE ALCO BUILDING IN RIVERTON WYOMING.
WHEREAS, the State of Wyoming has made funds available under the Business Ready Community Grant and Loan Program for the development of business facilities that enhance the retention and creation of primary industry jobs and for the diversification and growth of the local economy; and;
WHEREAS, Fremont County is a qualified applicant for funds under the Business Ready Community Grant and Loan Program; and
WHEREAS, IDEA Inc. is a qualified Community Development Organization under the rules and statutes of the State of Wyoming relating to the Business Ready Community Grant and Loan Program;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF FREMONT COUNTY that a grant application in the amount of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) be submitted to the Wyoming Business Council for the purchase and renovation of the ‘Alco’ building and site to be owned by IDEA Inc. Fremont County believes that providing this facility for business growth and expansion will facilitate job creation and retention in the City of Riverton and Fremont County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Fremont County Commissioner Chairman Douglas L. Thompson or Vice-Chairman Pat Hickerson are hereby designated as the authorized representatives of Fremont County to act on behalf of the County Commission on all matters relating to this grant application.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that County staff is directed to provide for the expenditure of granted funds in accordance with the rules of the Business Ready Community Grant and Loan program and payment of the required match amount and balance of project costs by Fremont County.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 8th day of September, 2008 by the Fremont County Commission, Fremont County, Wyoming.
Fremont County Board of Commissioners /s/ Douglas L. Thompson, Chairman ATTEST: /s/ Julie A. Freese, Fremont County Clerk The following items in the Signature File were addressed: 1) Order of Certification to the District Court in the Matter of the Application of L-Heart Ranch, LLC for a Private Road; 2) Letter to Pavillion Mayor Gary Hamlin regarding Center Street Roadway Improvements; and 3) letter to Gardens North representative regarding Rails to Trails Easement Utility Access Permit. A Memorandum of Understanding between Fremont County Transportation Department and Wyoming Department of Transportation, Highway Safety Program was reviewed. Said MOU will allow the Transportation Department to access crash data. Keja Whiteman moved, Pat Hickerson seconded, to approve the MOU as presented. Motion carried unanimously. An Order Vacating the September 9, 2008 Hearing in the Matter of the Application of L-Heart Ranch, LLC for a Private Road was reviewed. Said Order had been signed and sent on September 3, 2008 due to time constraints. Keja Whiteman moved, Jane Adamson seconded, to ratify the Order. Motion carried unanimously. Pat Hickerson moved, Jane Adamson seconded, to accept a Title 25 bill from Lander Valley Medical Center in the amount of $650.00 for one patient. Motion carried unanimously. The Board acknowledged a Notice of Objection to Order of Certification to the District Court of the Application of L-Heart Ranch, LLC for a Private Road, submitted by Pine Bar Ranch. Sheriff Hornecker was present for a Department Report and presented Detention Statistics for August as totaling 188 total with 158 in house, compared to one year ago of 184 total and 164 in house. The Communications Division is one position short and is expected to be filled soon. Representatives from Fremont County will be attending a WYO-LINK meeting in Sheridan. Two Communications staff will be attending the Wyoming Peace Officers Association meeting in Laramie. The Department is currently analyzing effectiveness and efficiency in the Communications area and currently auditing incoming calls. Currently, only 10% of the call volume results in a call for service. A one day period audit revealed 1,854 different calls into the Dispatch Center, which revealed a ratio of one call for service for every 464 calls to the Center. Detention currently has 10 Certified Detention Officer and one Civilian Control position open. Deputy Roderick Rieman was recently promoted to Detention Sergeant. There are currently two Patrol positions open with an additional one expected. The Lysite/Lost Cabin deputy has chosen to move into an open Riverton slot. There are two openings in the Dubois area. Chairman Thompson asked Sheriff Hornecker to provide him with a breakdown of training costs associated with new hires. A Fremont County Juvenile Detention Center report indicated there were 20 new juvenile bookings in August. Total bed days in August were 218 days which resulted in an average length of stay of 7.8 days. Revenue billed for these juveniles for August was $16,225. The total cost to Fremont County if we did not have a juvenile justice act compliant, and state certified juvenile detention center for August would be $24,143 (lost revenue of $16,225; cost to detain juveniles in another facility $6,750 and transportation mileage costs $1,168). Sheriff Hornecker reviewed the Rails to Trails adjustments within the Department as far as rule enforcement. The Captains have been requested to develop costs for a Trails Unit. He recommended a transfer of an Adult Drug Court vehicle from his Department to the Drug Court. As there is no interest within his Department to fill that position, the vehicle is available. The Board stated they would take the recommendation under advisement pending more information on associated costs to the Adult Drug Court’s budget. The PAWS group is meeting soon and Sheriff Hornecker will work with the group on drafting a Memorandum of Understanding. The group is scheduled to meet with the Commission in October to discuss the MOU. The Riverton Court Security Committee is up and running and a like committee for the Lander area is being developed. Sheriff Hornecker will be able to provide an audit and security report to the Commission in the near future. Sheriff Hornecker also serves on the Wyoming Court Security Commission and he will keep the Board informed of their progress. He is proud of Fremont County’s court security program which is used as a model for other counties. Vice-Chairman Hickerson expressed concern regarding the Courthouse emergency plans as a result of an alleged gas leak the week before. Longer term employees have received training in emergency evacuation procedures; however, newer employees have not. It was recommended that the new Emergency Management Coordinator should be involved in developing procedures. Pat Hickerson moved, Jane Adamson seconded, to adjourn into Executive Session with Transportation Superintendent Dave Pendleton, Deputy County Attorney Jodi Darrough, HKM Engineers Jeff Young, Steve Gerber and Dr. Jones regarding potential litigation. Motion carried unanimously. Jane Adamson moved, Pat Hickerson seconded, to return to Regular Session. Motion carried unanimously. Jane Adamson moved, Pat Hickerson seconded, to authorize a letter be sent from HKM Engineering to Rice-Kilroy Construction, pending review by the County Attorney’s Office, regarding the Bass Lake Road project. Motion carried unanimously. Fremont County Framework Advisory Council members Tauna Richardson, Lisa Amos, Kelli Rees and Donna Jo Sweet informed the Board they had been called upon by the Wyoming Mental Health and Substance Abuse Division to review their needs assessment and realign their strategic plans for the County with current data. The Coalition met recently to determine what strategies could be implemented over the next two years to reduce underage drinking and the misuse of alcohol by adults. They stated their mission today was to share with the Board the targeted areas and their goals and objectives. Captain Mark Stone of the Riverton Police Department reviewed statistics indicating 200 individuals were arrested per year for minors under the influence, a staggering number for a town the size of Riverton. More kids have been arrested five or more times for MUI than any other county in the state, with several individuals being arrested as many as 13 times. He encouraged the Commission to take the lead and support the efforts of this Coalition. Sheriff Hornecker was present and concurred with Captain Stone’s statistics as they related directly to the Sheriff’s Office. Each year he has deputies recognized by the state because of the number of DUI’s they are enforcing, which is shameful. He stated the need to change the mindset of our youth regarding underage drinking. The group stated that the majority of money making events at the Fremont County Fairgrounds involves selling of alcohol. The group did indicate the Fair Board has been instrumental in ensuring alcohol is only sold to legally aged individuals and they go over and above what the city requires. The group further stated their intent is not to abolish alcohol but to honor their mission statement to support the responsible use of alcohol. Environmental strategies are major as the community norms provide alcohol (rodeos, fair, parade, etc.). Vice-Chairman Hickerson stated the County has implemented a discount to County liquor licensees if their management and employees partake in TiPS training. The legislature also passed a nuisance law that gives the county the authority to pass resolutions. The group thanked the Commissioners for their support of the Coalition’s efforts. County Planner Ray Price and developer Gail McKinney joined the meeting to continue discussions regarding the Canyon View Subdivision. This is a proposed five lot simple subdivision located northwest of Lander off Baldwin Creek Road. McKinney had appeared the previous week; however, the Board took no action on her subdivision as the Planning Commission had first tabled the proposal and then approved it later on a 3 to 2 vote due to issues surrounding the question of multiple simple subdivisions out of a single parcel. Deputy County Attorney Jodi Darrough had researched the Board’s non-action and stated the statutes indicate “the county commissioners shall approve or disapprove the subdivision application and issue a subdivision permit or ruling within 45 days after receiving a report from the planning commission.” The non-action was a result of questions regarding limiting the number of simple subdivisions. She had earlier informed the board that until that interpretation or policy is expressed in “black and white” in the regulations, it would be hard to enforce. Pat Hickerson moved, Dennis Heckart seconded, to approve Canyon View Subdivision. Voting against the motion: Jane Adamson. Motion carried. Commissioner Whiteman was absent for a portion of the
meeting due to other commitments. County Coroner Ed McAuslan presented photos of the Emergency Management shelter that was damaged due to high winds during the Uden search earlier in the year. The shelter had been purchased with Homeland Security funding and he recommended the County replace the damaged shelter and he presented a quote of $5,785 for a replacement tent. The Board requested other options be researched to include other portable structures that may not be damaged as easily. It was also noted that the County now has property insurance; however, this damage happened prior to the effective date of July 1st. The Board reviewed a draft memo from the Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor that he recommended be sent to all departments. The topic of the memo is reporting of crashes and/or major equipment failures in a timely manner. Jane Adamson moved, Dennis Heckart seconded, to approve the memo as drafted. Motion carried unanimously. County Clerk Julie Freese distributed copies of monthly subsidiaries as well as employee salary sheets for each department. The Board stated they would review the information and discuss them at the next meeting. Vice-Chairman Hickerson will review Hudson Mayor Hamon’s request for additional funding from the State Lands and Investments Board consensus grant monies. He stated there is additional funding available in that fund at the county level. Commissioner Hickerson will visit with Town representatives regarding their timeline and report back. Chairman Thompson was absent from the remainder of the meeting for personal reasons. Commissioner Whiteman rejoined the meeting. Commissioner Adamson reported on a water problem she is working on in the Pavillion area. Commissioner Heckart stated there is some activity taking place in Raintree Estates, hopefully as a result of the County’s request to return the roads to their prior condition. Commissioner Whiteman suggested the Boards be provided with training on their roles and responsibilities as well as how to conduct meetings (Robert’s Rules of Order, etc.). Youth Services Director Chuck Kratz had also reminded her of recent legislation regarding juvenile justice. She asked for an update on the Yellowstone Development District. Vice-Chairman Hickerson stated there are concerns with maintenance of Kingfisher Bridge in the Dubois area. The Solid Waste Disposal District is experiencing severe budget problems. He also asked the Board for their direction on a location for a new Lander Ambulance Facility. The vacant lot behind the Courthouse is Ambulance Director Wempen’s first priority. Keja Whiteman moved, Jane Adamson seconded, to authorize Wempen to proceed with planning the new facility at the vacant lot location. Motion carried unanimously. Following further discussion, Dennis Heckart moved, Jane Adamson seconded, to table the motion until the next meeting when Wempen would be present to review the proposal. Voting against tabling the motion: Pat Hickerson. Motion to table carried. There being no further business, Dennis Heckart moved, Keja Whiteman seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 2:30 p.m. and reconvene on September 23, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. Motion carried unanimously.
/s/ DOUGLAS L. THOMPSON, CHAIRMAN FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ATTEST /s/ JULIE A. FREESE, COUNTY CLERK AND CLERK OF THE BOARD
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