Council hears from residents

Tuesday evening’s Town Council meeting was certainly one of the more active in terms of citizen participation, as several voiced their opinion with regard to a couple issues in town.

A topic that received much discussion was the road that encompasses 14th Street and Canyon Hills Road. Beverly Ward first brought up the issue, though by the end of discussion the council would also hear from Karen Slocum, Sam Starnes, Mark Collins, Linda Hughes and Matt Hughes among others.

Ward noted she has been coming before the council to address traffic issues along the road, noting that it’s already busy with the fire department and search and rescue having operational headquarters there, as well as the school and the cemetery, yet there are still semis coming through. There is signage along the highway to notify drivers there is no truck traffic.

Ward expressed concern that the school year is starting soon and children could be in danger. Slocum said she can sit on her dad’s back porch and watch cars go by, and about every one of 20 doesn’t stop. Starnes said in a half-hour there were 56 cars, and at least seven going over the posted speed limit.

Ward also pointed out that when truck drivers use the Canyon Hills to 14th route, they essentially bypass the town, which has an economic impact. Shurie Scheel said when people use their GPS, it recommends that route because it is the fastest.

Mayor Mike Mortimore added he couldn’t remember when the street hasn’t been a busy one, and the current signage on the route was put up in the 90’s to try and slow traffic down.

Councilmember Bill Malloy suggested hitting people “in the pocketbooks,” essentially ticketing more drivers who are speeding or driving semis on the street. However, constant enforcement of the street would require money be spent on an additional police officer. Mortimore also noted ticketing everyone might drive people away.

Mayor’s Assistant Fred Crosby said there are two issues here. One is that people aren’t stopping, the other is the amount of traffic on the street. While they can regulate whether people are stopping, he said, it is more difficult to regulate the number and type of vehicles travelling the route.

Following the discussion council approved a motion to place some flashing signage on the street, and to move the signs alerting to no truck traffic farther back along the road so drivers have earlier notice. Mortimore also encouraged people to contact trucking companies directly to let them know their drivers are using the route when they shouldn’t.

Another topic of discussion was drainage issues on Upper Fremont. Ray and Belinda Moore said that lately they have found a lot of water in their home where there previously was none. They emphasized this is happening at other homes in the area and they have never had water in their home during times of high water. The issue has caused them to get a sump pump, and devalued their property.

Though they suggested adding a leech line to the storm drain, Town Engineer Anthony Barnett said the line would not solve the entire problem. Ray pointed out that it appears water is not moving through the storm drain and instead looks like it’s stagnant, which could be an issue. Barnett said he would look and determine if water is going into the storm drain as it should.

In other council action, a catering permit was approved for Shorty’s for the Lions Club Ranch Rodeo Aug. 5 and 6 at the fairgrounds.

A street closure was approved for Fifth Street, south from Broadway to the alley, for the Farmers’ Market. The market begins Saturday, July 29 and will be every Saturday through Sept. 30. Market time is 8-11 a.m.

A second street closure was approved for Broadway from Sixth to Fifth, from 7 p.m. Aug. 19 to 1 p.m. Aug. 20. The closure, as well as a lifting of open container ordinance for the space and time, will allow plans to move forward for a street dance prior to the Aug. 21 eclipse. The event is a collaboration between Main Street Thermopolis and One Eyed Buffalo.

Though initially only the street closure was approved, Shurie Scheel expressed concern the open container ordinance would not be lifted. It would be a challenge for people to invest in the event and to move the paperwork forward if it were not lifted.

A bid of $92,454 was approved from Wild West Construction LLC for a chip seal project. The chip sealing will include: 11th and Warren to 10th and Warren; 10th and Fremont to 9th and Fremont; 9th from the dead end to Richards; 9th and Clark to the dead end; and 10th from Broadway to Amoretti.

A right of way agreement was approved from Candy Jack Trailer Court, to move a sign about seven feet off the fence line so people can see where the court is.

Several resolutions were passed, including one for council to accept $1,545,200 from the Wyoming Water Development Commission for the water transmission line rehabilitation project. Crosby noted they are also pursuing some money from the State Revolving Funds for the $2.8 million project.

Another resolution approved was for the WYDOT road maintenance reimbursement. Crosby explained the reimbursement comes every year, to take care of some of the streets in town. The reimbursement is about $20 per person, which equates to about $60,000 per year. Crosby said that amount is the cap, though it’s not nearly enough for what needs to be done.

A third resolution approved was to amend Ordinance 836, increasing the court automation fee from $10 to $25. The amendment was the result of the Wyoming Supreme Court stating the fee must be $25 or nothing, though the “powers that be” in Municipal Court thought the $10 was sufficient. If the fee were to be nothing, the Supreme Court would then assess how much it costs to maintain the system.

The final resolution was Resolution 537, establishing a procedure and setting fees and charges by the Town of Thermoplolis for public record requests and services. Under the ordinance, a written request must be made to the custodian of records. The request shall provide the name, signature, address and telephone number of the person requesting review of public records, and records shall be identified as accurately as possible. A form is available in the Town Clerk office or online at townofthermopolis.com

Council also received an update from the Big Horn Basin Nature and Discovery Center Joint Powers Board. Toddi Darlington explained once the master plan for Hot Springs State Park was completed, they received the “go ahead” to move forward with the discovery center and decided the best place to start is the children’s outdoor educational nature park.

The park will be located at the old Rio Drive In area. Darlington said the first phase is to put in sidewalks working toward the entrance into the property. She further noted there is a request in to WYDOT to piggyback on their construction project of redoing the entrances to the state park, to help put in the property entrances. From there, the next phase is a parking lot and then the building itself. Darlington said they are pursuing a grant for the project, and the Centennial Committee gifted them their remaining money to continue pursuing the discovery center.