Town council shows support for Thermopolis Golf Course

Tuesday evening, the Thermopolis Town Council, with Councilman Mark Nelson absent, approved providing $28,000 to the Thermopolis Golf Course. The money will come from what was previously set aside for a fountain project.

Prior to approval of the funds, Councilman Tony Larson - who signed on to the Golf Board a few years back - provided information on increased usage of the course. The number of rounds played has gone from 5,598 in 2013 to 6,218 in 2014 and 6,356 in 2015. Revenue has also gone up, and the course is turning around, Larson noted, but last year there were some unexpected technical difficulties with some pumps. The support from the council will pay that bill.

Larson noted there is still an outstanding note being paid for some pipe, sprinkler heads and wire purchased about 10 years ago. A raffle this year for an AR-15, and possibly a night golf tournament, are planned to help generate some revenue.

Mayor Mike Mortimore said the course belongs to the town, and they have to take care of it. He described the course as "quite an asset," and Larson noted people come to play when they hear there are good greens.

In other action, the council approved a request from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Main Street Thermopolis to close off the 600 to 400 blocks of Broadway June 25 for a dance and parade. The 10 a.m. parade is hosted by PRCA, and the organization will team up with Main Street to host the downtown dance - traditionally at the fairgrounds - from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

There has been some coordination with local businesses that are open late, and they are on board Lea Schoenewald noted. The street closing also hinges on Police Chief Steve Shay signing off on what the department can cover.

A right-of-way agreement for Jesi Ehlers was approved, for property purchased at 540 Maiden Street. The agreement allows a privacy fence, even with the house, to be erected on the Town right-of-way.

The council also approved signing the 2016 contract from Koerwitz, Michel, Wright and Associates. Crosby noted the cost will increase about 10 percent, and there are extra requirements the firm will audit for. The contract will be $11,600 to $12,700, but not to exceed the top amount. Signing the contract allows for the audit to happen.

Also approved for signing was a letter of support for Main Street Thermopolis' application of a $9,000 grant for a photographic survey and line drawings of the downtown area. Chamber of Commerce Director Meri Ann Rush explained through Main Street Wyoming they can apply for technical assistance grants such as this. The money will be used to bring High Plains Architects to town. The firm will analyze the downtown area and provide different façade ideas for existing buildings, a step toward revitalizing the downtown and preserving its historic value. She further added if façades get a new look the downtown, efforts would be made for the buildings to complement each other.

Council also approved starting the bidding process to remove the trees to the east and west of Fifth and Broadway Crosby noted the trees are pretty much dead and gone, but several efforts were made to keep them alive.

Toddi Darlington with the Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation reported on the year the foundation has been having.

The biggest news is the foundation was selected by Governor Matt Mead to receive the 2015 Governor's Arts Award. Darlington noted it is a great thing, as the foundation works to bring the arts and sciences through education to the community, and to receive the award there has to be an impact on the state; the foundation's winning the award shows it's having that impact.

Both Darlington and Wright stated the award belongs to the community because their attendance and participation make the foundation events possible.

The foundation was also recipient of the Chamber of Commerce 2015 Non-Profit of the Year Award. Foundation members nominated for the Chamber's 2015 Person of the Year were: Bev Koerwitz, Martin Andreen, Jacky Wright and Brad Basse. Foundation members whose businesses were nominated for the Chamber 2015 Business of the Year were Broadway Bygones and Martin's Appliance Repair and Sales. The foundation also received the Distinguished Service Award for the North Big Horn Basin District for outstanding service to music education. Darlington noted this award is presented to organizations not associated with the schools, but who bring arts into the schools. The foundation is now nominated for the Wyoming Distinguished Service Award, which will be awarded in April.

Jacky Wright, whom Darlington described as a "power player" for the foundation, received the Hot Springs School District No. 1 2015 Power Parent of the Year Award.

Town Engineer Anthony Barnett updated the council on projects including the Cedar Ridge tank painting and a bore to connect upper Fremont and Crystal Lane areas to higher-pressure water.The bore was tied in going into upper Fremont, Barnett said, and with the pressure reducing valve vault coming in water shutoffs will start appearing on Fremont and Meadowlark in the next few weeks. With regard to the tank painting, he said the wet weather last prevented sandblasting to happen as scheduled. Valve replacement was scheduled for Wednesday, with sandblasting to follow.

Director of Public Works Ernie Slagle reported there was an issue in town with a broken valve at the top of Cedar Ridge, and expressed appreciation for the new excavator because it worked well to help get the job done.

Mayor Mortimore also reported the Daughters of the American Revolution will conduct their 101st annual conference May 20 in Thermopolis, and requested someone welcome them. Mortimore was authorized to sign a proclamation in recognition of the conference.