Town council looks at water issues

During the comment period for mayor and council at Tuesday night town council meeting, the topic of water, particularly with regard to South Thermopolis, was raised. Council member Tony Larson was concerned the town was selling South Thermopolis good water, but they are making the town look like the bad guy. In his opinion, once prices in South Thermopolis are raised to make them pay the same as town residents they claim the town is rotten and is selling bad water, and start looking for other sources.

Other sources looked at include the Buffalo Creek well, but there is concern that would negatively impact the Big Spring. The Lysite Mountain well is also being considered, and could become a viable option in the future.

Mayor Mike Mortimore said the water was tested again where it goes to South Thermop and Owl Creek, and it is in acceptable range of total trihalomethenes. He added there has never been a bad reading from that site.

A point raised during the discussion is that studies regarding alternate options are still being conducted and more information is expected before any formal decisions are made.

Council approved two catering permits from Shorty’s Liquor, one for 4:30 p.m. until midnight on Feb. 24 for the Boots and Buckles Ball, the other for 5 p.m. until midnight for the Chamber Banquet. Both events are at the fair building.

Council also approved support and sponsorship of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Gottsche. During the meeting, Gottsche Executive Director, Cheryl Shero, explained there is no information as to whether grants in the state are reduced, but they are submitting for consideration for the CDBG for their building project.

Shero said they are requesting the town lend their support and be a “pass through” for the grant, as it cannot be submitted through Gottsche. Other than the pass through, she said, Gottsche will handle everything in regard to protection of and reporting to the town.

Finance manager Karissa Williams added there is not a whole lot the town would be asked to do.

The construction project will cost $8 million complete — $5 million for a reduced project — and Shero noted they are applying for $500,000 with the CDBG grant.

Should the grant be awarded, it’s anticipated funding would not come for a few months and be put to use during the 2018-19 fiscal year.

A reconciliation order for the tank painting project was approved in the amount of $18,351.20. The order, Town Engineer Anthony Barnett explained, accounts for differences in quantities planned to use compared to what was actually used, as well as the installation of new vents on the tanks at Cedar Ridge, the old airport and the state park. Council further approved a final payment of $24,402.20 for the project, which does take into account the reconciliation order.

There was some concern that the lighted stars had to be taken down from tanks, as the supports for them had to go with the new vents being put in.

Barnett also reported that they did the bid opening for the water line replacement project on Jan. 25, and were planning to go with Barnum, Inc., as they were the low bidder. However, as they went through the paperwork it became obvious they left out part of their bid package.

Running it through the State Revolving Funds and Water Development staff, their recommendation was to go with Wilson Brothers, as their bid was about two percent higher than the recommended contract price but still well below the estimate. The approved bid is for $2,127,702.80

Council approved a motion for a cell tower to be put up, placed atop a light at the stadium, with the caveat that the panels on the tower be no bigger than 8 foot by 10 foot. If the panels need to be bigger, the company building the tower will have to make a special request to council.

Mayor’s Assistant Fred Crosby said the company has identified places that would work for a tower within their parameters. Another considered location was T Hill. They also tried looking in East Thermopolis, but there was no area that fit the parameters.

The company has also gone through the state park, since it is on park land, and received their blessing. They’ve also worked with the school district to lease the land for a set amount.

Council reviewed, but took no formal action on, proposed prices from Rocky Mountain Power regarding a light near the entrance to the Hot Springs County Rec District from the highway.

Two options were proposed. The first, in which Rocky Mountain Power would provide the streetlight, would cost $7,700. That price doesn’t include the work the town would have to do for surveying, trenching and installing the conduit. The second option is for Rocky Mountain to provide a service drop to meter, with no lighting, at a cost of $5,300 for underground service or $3,500 for overhead service.

A letter from John Waterman, the vice president of Business Development for Fireworks World, was presented. Waterman requested the town grant a variance to Ordinance 839. The ordinance states the sale of fireworks shall be on property owned by a retailer, and Waterman requested a variance to allow the business to lease property for a year-round retail operation in town.

Though Dusty Lewis moved to approve the variance, the motion died for lack of a second. Lewis said he’s in favor of working with any business willing to come to town and set up shop, providing jobs and taxes.