General Session Minutes for 09-05-2000

CITY OF GREEN RIVER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS September 5, 2000 The Governing Body of the City of Green River met in regular session at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Stark called the meeting to order. The following Council Members were present constituting a quorum: Theron Dye, Harry Holler, George Jost, Dick Paxton, and Dick Wilson. The following were present representing the City: City Administrator Barry Cook, City Attorney Ford Bussart, Director of Community Development Steve Horton, Director of Public Works Mike Nelson, Police Chief Greg Gillen, Director of Human Resources Debbie Klein, and Finance Officer/Treasurer Pete Brandjord. Council Member Jost led the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Moved by Council Member Paxton, seconded by Council Member Holler, to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). CITIZENS' REQUESTS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Stark noted that Council Member Winter was absent because she was attending a National League of Cities Committee meeting in Alaska. Mayor Stark presented Heather Moody's parents, George and Laurie Moody, with a key to the City and a Proclamation stating that September 17th through 23rd will be recognized as Heather Moody Week. He stated that it is wonderful to see someone from Green River make it to the Olympics. The Mayor requested that all citizens in the city support Heather by watching the Water Polo team compete. Council Members Paxton, Dye Jost, Wilson and Holler congratulated Heather Moody and told George and Laurie Moody that they will all be watching and supporting Heather. Amy Galley of Big Brother Big Sisters stated that they are looking for volunteers in the area. She stated that a 1995 Needs Assessment Survey in the schools showed a high demand for mentors volunteering for the program. Citizens' Concerns Tony Pallesen stated that there has been a problem with weeds in her area. City Administrator Barry Cook said that he would check into the problem. Richard Murphy spoke in opposition of the truck stop being built near Green River. He stated that it could bring problems into the area. He also stated that he would like to speak later in the meeting about the Lincoln School issue. Brett Johnson stated that he would like to echo Mr. Murphy's opposition to the truck stop. CONSENT AGENDA Council Proceedings of August 15, 2000, Special Council Proceedings of August 22, 2000 and Workshop Minutes of August 8, 2000 Payment of the bills G.R.E.E.N. Utility Assistance Program Agreement Approval of Commercial Pest Control Service Agreement Approval of First Responder Agreement with YWCA Support and Safe House Approval of Bobby Bridger Concert Contract Approval of New Horse Corral Leases Approval of Elevator Contract with Otis Elevator Approval of Electric Contract with LOC Electric Approval of Investment of Funds Approval of Police Vehicle Bid Moved by Council Member Wilson, seconded by Council Member Holler, to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS Mothballing of Lincoln School building and future use of the facility Council Member Holler stated that he had reviewed electric bills for the building from 1999 to 3/2000 and found that the worst month was from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15, 1999 and the utility bill was $5300. He stated that the windows and doors have been vandalized or broken. He expressed an interest in allowing the Girls Softball teams to use the gym, as they have done in the past. Council Member Jost stated that if the City intends to completely abandon the building, it should have been torn down in the beginning. Council Member Dye stated that if the City intends to try to sell the building, the City should take care of the building until such time as it can be sold. Moved by Council Member Jost, seconded by Council Member Dye to try to heat the building and keep it secure. Motion carried (4-2) Mayor Stark and Council Member Holler voting against. Vickie Shalow stated that preserving the building would be the best idea. She stated that the City and citizens should consider the best use of land and building by keeping it public land. She stated that the City should get expert help in preserving the building. Brett Johnson stated that the City should bring someone in and have the building secured and have the boiler system removed to preserve the building. Waiver of Building Permit Fee for the pump station at the intersection of E 2nd S and S 3rd E Moved by Council Member Holler, seconded by Council Member Paxton to waive the permit fee. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). Release of retainage for Lewis and Lewis, 1999 Surface Improvements Contract Moved by Council Member Paxton, seconded by Council Member Jost to release the retainage. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). Survey Services Proposals by John-Fermelia Company and Aspen Mountain Engineering for Lincoln School Property Issues Moved by Council Member Jost, seconded by Council Member Wilson contract survey services to John-Fermelia Company. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). Approval of a contract with Project Performance for Inspection Services for the remainder of the calendar year Moved by Council Member Paxton, seconded by Council Member Holler to approve the contract in an amount not to exceed $10,000. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). Authorization for sale of Surplus Property A member of the Sweetwater County Search and Rescue requested the purchase of a surplus light bar for $40. Moved by Council Member Wilson and seconded by Council Member Holler to authorize the sale. Motion carried unanimously. (6-0). RESOLUTIONS A Resolution authorizing staff to submit Grant Application to State Loan and Investment Board for Phase 3 (b) of the North side Rehabilitation Project Moved by Council Member Paxton, seconded by Council Member Jost to authorize the application. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). A Resolution to establish a procedure for purchase requisitions by the City's appointed officials Council Member Dye asked if this was requisitioned in the budget resolution. City Administrator Barry Cook stated that supplies and travel are in the budget, and were approved by the budget resolution. Council Member Wilson asked why they waited so long to establish a procedure. City Attorney Ford Bussart stated that everyone needs a checks and balances. He stated that it was a way to make sure that no one takes advantage of the City money. Moved by Council Member Dye and seconded by Council Member Wilson to approve the resolution. Motion carried unanimously. (6-0). A Resolution Requesting purchase of BLM land for the landfill Moved by Council Member Jost and seconded by Council Member Holler to approve the resolution. Motion carried unanimously. (6-0). A Resolution to amend the budget in order to provide funds to Project Performance in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for inspection of FYE 2001 capital projects Moved by Council Member Paxton and seconded by Council Member Wilson to approve the resolution. Motion carried unanimously. (6-0). ORDINANCES First Reading: An ordinance amending sections of the personnel policies and procedures manual for the City of Green River. Moved by Council Member Holler, seconded by Council Member Jost to approve the ordinance. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). First Reading: Sweetwater County Child Development Center request to rezone form R-1 to B-1 on north side of Shoshone Avenue across from Washakie Drive Moved by Council Member Holler, seconded by Council Member Wilson to approve the ordinance. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). First Reading: An ordinance amending sections 1, 3, and 5 of Green River ordinance 99-5, and sections 10.2, 10.4, 10.6 of Chapter 10 of appendix B of the Green River Code of Ordinances, clarifying some sign definitions; and creating section 10.9 to Chapter 10 of Appendix B of the Green River Code of Ordinances, City of Green River, to more clearly define sign requirements Moved by Council Member Holler, seconded by Council Member Jost to approve the ordinance. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). Ordinance 00-7 Third Reading: Ordinance granting to Questar Gas Company, a Utah Corporation, a franchise for the construction, maintenance, and operation of a gas distribution system in the City of Green River, Sweetwater County, State of Wyoming. Moved by Council Member Jost, seconded by Council Member Holler to approve the ordinance. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). Ordinance 00-8 Third Reading: An ordinance establishing the license tax of Questar Gas Company Moved by Council Member Jost, seconded by Council Member Holler to approve the ordinance. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). City Administrator's Report City Administrator Barry Cook stated that Pat Collins of WYDOT would be here during the last week of September to look at the FMC Bridge. Mr. Cook reminded council that he had stated at a previous meeting that they would like it to be in the bridge program for funding of the project. Barry stated that he had received a letter from Lynn Jackman regarding the Bridger Pathway Project. Mr. Jackman expressed concern about the notice to proceed date that he received from the City. Mr. Jackman stated that they could still maintain the October 2nd deadline already in place. Barry Cook announced that there would be information in his office regarding a Partner's in Governing Forum to be held in Casper on September 29th. Barry Cook also stated that the City had received a grant for the Bobby Bridger concert in the amount of $250. Barry Cook stated that notices regarding removal of signs have been distributed to candidates who did not make it past the primary elections. The Building Inspection has notified them that they must be removed. He stated that citizens have shown concern regarding an oversized sign by McDonald's and the candidate will remove it by the end of the week. Barry also stated that someone in the Street's Division has turned in his resignation, leaving the Street's Division with five employees. Barry stated that Council should consider lifting the hiring freeze and allowing the Street's Division to hire an employee. Council Member Jost asked if Council enacted the hiring freeze. Barry stated that he had been the one to enact the freeze until after the budget was completed. He stated that he and Mike Nelson would be looking at ways to resolve the issue. Barry Cook announced that staff was preparing Candidate notebooks and City Council Packets for Meetings on September 19 and both October meetings. They will be available at City Hall. Barry Cook stated that since the a resolution authorizing staff to submit Grant Application to State Loan and Investment Board for Phase 3 (b) of the North side Rehabilitation Project has passed, the Council should be aware of potential problems that could arise. He stated that the Joint Powers Water Board has a scheduled water line project. He stated that is late in the season to be opening up streets to repair the lines. He stated that the City has delayed a project for them. He stated that if both projects are going on, it would have half of town under construction. City Attorney's Report Mayor Stark asked if there was any way to have the JPWB replace the asphalt. City Attorney Ford Bussart stated that the City would need to notify them of the restoration ordinance in place and make it known that the City would like to have the asphalt replaced. Council Member Paxton asked about a pending litigation with a contractor. Mr. Bussart stated that it was still pending. Mayor and Council Reports Mayor Stark and Council Member Jost thanked the T.V. crew for a job well done. Council Member Paxton congratulated the Moody's again. Council Member Wilson congratulated the building inspector on receiving his master electrician. Council Member Holler thanked Ben Thomas for his support. He stated that legal counsel should look into what can be done regarding the 1979 Shed ordinance requiring certain setbacks from dwellings and property lines. Council Member Holler also thanked Solvay for letting him leave work early to attend the City Council Meeting and asked for all employers to support their employees. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Personnel and potential litigation Moved by Council Member Holler, seconded by Council Member Paxton, to move into executive session at 8:45 p.m. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). RECONVENE Moved by Council Member Holler, seconded by Council Member Paxton, to reconvene at 9:27 p.m. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Governing Body, it was moved by Council Member Paxton, seconded by Council Member Jost, to adjourn at 9:27 p.m. Motion carried unanimously (6-0). ____________________________________ Norman C. Stark Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________ Pete Brandjord City Clerk City Council Meeting September 5, 2000