Council approves park use for vendors

Tuesday evening, Thermopolis Town Council approved the use of Bicentennial Park for vendors during Aug. 18, 19 and 20, the weekend before the eclipse. Council heard from Michelle Lue, who noted the ArtStroll has already been rescheduled for the same weekend and there’s expected to be an influx of people, and allowing vendors to set up in the park could help to draw them downtown.

Jerry Fields added they’re not looking to charge anyone, but they want to invite people to come down and set up.

Deb Stewart and Marsha Nelson, representing Smoking Waters Art Guild, said they have an activity planned for noon until 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, during which people could place objects on a special fabric that is reactive to the sun. The objects then leave an impression on the fabric, which stays until it’s rinsed off.

Stewart and Nelson noted they didn’t know anyone else had requested the space. Likewise, those looking to use the space for vendors didn’t know of the Art Guild’s activity. It was decided that space would be allowed near Fifth Street and Broadway for the guild’s activity.

Council approved allowing the guild to hang pipe cleaner sculpture from one of the street light signs on the south side of Broadway on Friday, Aug. 18. Anyone who come along is welcome to build a pipe cleaner sculpture and hang it from those already set up, essentially building one large sculpture, or mobile.

In other action, the board approved a catering permit for Shorty’s for the demolition derby Aug. 19, 3 p.m. until midnight.

A right-of-way agreement was approved for the Maverik store, which will undergo an expansion beginning Aug. 28. Mayor’s Assistant Fred Crosby said Maverik has purchased all the necessary permits, but the plans call for some trees and shrubbery by the curb and a possible fence off the backside of the store, which would be in the town right-of-way.

Also with regard to the store, Crosby shared plans with the council. He noted the company executives he’s been working with have been great. They’ve noticed some deterioration along the curb and gutter and they plan to replace it. They recently purchased the land to the east of the store, and plan to scrub everything off the entire half-block they now own and have a new building up in 45 days. The new building is pre-fabricated.

Crosby also asked the gas pumps be moved, and the executives plan to move them back an additional 37 feet to allow more room for long vehicles and traffic.

A lot split application was approved for 120 and 132 Fremont Street. Crosby explained the lots are divided in such a way that they retain easy access to water and sewer.

Council also approved yellow lights for the signs indicating no through traffic on the road incorporating 14th Street and Canyon Hills, as well as red flashing lights on the stop signs on 14th. The cost is about $1,300 for each of the four lights, and they are solar-powered.

The lights are in response to concerns raised at the council’s July 18 meeting regarding heavy vehicle traffic on the road, and semi truck traffic where it’s not allowed. In addition to concerns about safety and the impact on the road, there is also the issue of people using the road to bypass nearly all of Thermopolis.

Crosby said about a week or so back there was a study done and it was found about 1,700 cars per day use the route.

An agreement with Wellspring, formerly Hot Springs County Counseling Services, was approved.

The agreement, which is provided annually, stipulate the town will pay $3,000 in exchange for services to include consultation with police officers who become involved with those suspected of being psychotic or dangerous, consultation with town employees regarding behavioral healthcare problems, and in-service training and counseling services for town employees.

A motion was approved to seek new equipment for Bicentennial Park. About $20,000 had been budgeted for new equipment, and a slide at the park was recently damaged. It was determined that, for right now, the slide should be removed. Removal of the current equipment and installation of the new would likely not be possible prior to people coming to town for the eclipse and wanting to play in the park.

The council also briefly discussed replacement of aging equipment in Candy Jack Park, though replacing equipment in both parks would cost around $54,000. Vandalism continues to be an issue at Candy Jack, though park hours were implemented to try and curb the issue.