Council approves police policy manual

Tuesday evening the Thermopolis Town Council approved, by a 4-1 vote, to pass a resolution approving and adopting an updated police policy manual presented by Police Chief Julie Mathews.

Council member Tony Larson, who voted “no,” questioned whether any of the police officers had seen the new policies and suggested they see it before council votes and makes it policy. Mayor Mike Chimenti noted that not only the police chief but also Town Attorney Mike Messenger have reviewed the updated manual, and the officers can then read it so they are aware of what it contains before they sign off on it.

In other action, council approved two catering permits to allow Shorty’s to provide liquor at the Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Saturday, March 23, and for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet on Saturday, April 6.

Council approved signing a letter of support for the Big Horn Basin Nature and Discovery Center Joint Powers Board to pursue a grant. Toddi Darlington presented the request, noting the discovery center project is moving forward and activity is expected in the month on the grounds, which is the former Rio drive in theater.

Darlington noted she would be back at the council’s next meeting for additional letters of support for other grants the board is pursuing. She also reported Wes Whipple has resigned from the board and they selected Jeb Schenck to fill the vacant town position.

Chimenti was approved to sign a notice of award to Carr Coatings LLC for the clarifier painting project; their bid came in the lowest at $84,315.

Also at the meeting, Director of Public Works Ernie Slagle reported Basin Mechanical would come and look at the copper running through the clarifier, as sandblasting would likely tear it up. He also noted he is waiting on some warmer weather to repair the lift station in the state park.

Council member John Dorman Sr. presented to Slagle information he’s received about Worland baling used tires into blocks to use as foundation type material for buildings. Slagle said he knew Worland had an old baler used to make the blocks, but wasn’t aware they were being sold for foundation material.

Town Attorney Messenger reported he has been working to revise and update the lease and operating agreement for the golf course, and will present the document at the next meeting. Messenger also spoke to his and Crosby’s attendance at the Hot Springs County Commissioners meeting, and the discussion there as to who is responsible for which items in the Joint Law Enforcement Center. This discussion, he said, will hopefully eliminate some of the conflicts between town and county as to who pays for what.

Crosby reported he composed, with help from Town Engineer Anthony Barnett, a letter off support to the SLIB board for their recent application for a grant to address an older sewer line on Springview.

Council member Bill Malloy spoke on the recent Wyoming Association of Municipalities (WAM) Winter Convention he attended.

Among the sessions Malloy attended was a regional meeting, in which representatives of towns similar in size visit about issues they are facing; what’s typically found is these towns face the same types of problems.

Thermopolis was something of a big deal at the meeting, as people wanted to know how the town got 14th Street shut down from being a “bypass” around town and taken off GPS programs. Malloy said other towns such as Cody and Greybull want to know because they want to do the same thing or something similar to direct traffic flow downtown.

Other sessions at the WAM convention Malloy addressed dealt with public records, cyber security, enterprise, liens, strategic planning, homeland security, community development and economic planning. He encouraged council to attend the upcoming WAM summer session.