Council approves first reading of budget

Tuesday night at their regular meeting, the Thermopolis Town Council approved the first reading of the 2019-20 fiscal year budget.

Mayor’s Assistant Fred Crosby noted typically they have budgeted to draw out of cash reserves to balance the budget. Since 2005, he said, they have had to draw into the reserve to make the budget work. Last year, $875,000 in reserve was budgeted and the year ended with $128,000 to the good. The upcoming budget projects a $1.2 million draw in the reserve. In previous years, when revenues haven’t come in as expected, department heads have been asked to hold back, and Crosby commended them for not dumping budgets and only getting what they need.

Council members were encouraged to go over the budget and present any questions or concerns at the second reading at the next meeting.

In other board action, a street closure was approved for Aug. 3, for the Gift of the Waters Pageant. Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Meri Ann Rush explained the route would be the same, starting at Arapahoe and Senior Avenue, travelling west along Arapahoe to Fifth, south to the flagpole, west to the light, then turning around to travel east down Broadway.

Though the parade is still a few months away, Rush noted she also has to obtain a permit from the state, as the parade will turn around on a state highway, Sixth Street.

A malt beverage permit, also presented by Rush, was approved for the Thermopolis Brewfest hosted by Main Street Thermopolis from 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, June 1. A street closure for the event has already been approved.

A painted checkerboard was also approved for the sidewalk in Bicentennial Park. The board was initially created in chalk, but has since been erased. Council member asked if there were a better place to store the giant wooden pieces suggesting they be put on the stage rather than in front of it so they are out of the way.

A street closure for the June 14 ArtStroll, presented by Smoking Waters Art Guild representative Marcia Nelson, was approved. The closure will be along Fifth, south from the intersection with Broadway to the first alley, an area typically used for the summer Farmers Markets. Nelson explained since the ArtStroll is the same weekend as the Hot Spot Car Rally, the guild has obtained permission from a resident to paint part of his van in the closed area.

Also in regard to the upcoming car rally, a route for the procession of vehicles was approved. Forrest Coleman-Weisz, representing the rally, said the procession would be between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday, June 14. Cars will line up on Senior Avenue, then travel south until Canyon Hills, turn west and travel up to 14th, turn north onto 14th and head back to Broadway, then come back east down Broadway before heading back to Senior Avenue.

The route was approved with Crosby joking 14th and Canyon Hills was not a through street.

A memorandum of understanding between the Thermopolis Police Department and Hot Springs State Park was approved. Police Chief Julie Mathews explained the agreement allows the police to have more areas for patrol to be in, such as the buffalo pasture, and enforce state ordinances and laws in those areas. Such enforcement will help deter illegal activities in those areas.

Mayor Mike Chimenti was approved to sign two copies of the WYDOT application for the raw water bore that goes to the golf course.

Crosby had no names to present to council for a town representative on the Hot Springs Travel and Tourism Board, so advertisement for the position will run again. Crosby also reported he recently visited with a loss prevention specialist, and a seat belt policy will be developed for town employees. He also has met with Homeland Security representative to discuss some floodplain issues.

As one final action at the meeting, a memorandum of understanding was approved with the Bureau of Land Management to allow the town to have some say in the Moneta Divide project. Under the memorandum, the town would present positive information into the decision making, not just criticize. Chimenti noted he wants to stay on top of the project as it affects the drinking water, and as the project moves forward the memo helps ensure the town will continually get feedback from the BLM and Department of Environmental Quality.

The memo, he further explained, is not binding. Further, it doesn’t mean the town has to agree with the BLM and DEQ, but it does give consent to work with those agencies.

Director of Public Works Ernie Slagle reported he has visited with the tire shredding service provider about possibly getting a lower price. After measuring it out, Slagle said, the representative said we had as many tires at the landfill, if not more, when the shredding was previously provided. Because of this, he is sticking with the price of $150 per ton. Last time, the shredding cost the town $73,000.

Also concerning the dump, Crosby reported the weather put a damper on the recent free dump day, and another such day is planned for June.