Council votes to approve emergency ordinance

At the August 3 Thermopolis Town Council meeting Town Attorney Mike Messenger presented an emergency ordinance amending a town code section which changes the automation fee structure as required by Wyoming statutes.

Messenger said, “the essence of this is that we have been collecting forty dollars for the state’s automation fee.” The town withdrew from that program on July 1. But they’ve been collecting the forty dollars and the administration wants to start collecting that money because they are going to have to account for it and pay it to the state of Wyoming.

Messenger added, “It is not our money. So rather than go through another two readings and collect more money, we’ll get that effective tonight.” This amendment will remove $40 from bonds. The council voted and approved passage of the emergency ordinance. 

During citizen participation, the council passed a catering permit for Shorty’s at the State Park event for the Sounds of Summer River Dance.  

Town Engineer Anthony Barnett presented the results of bidding for their chip seal project. He recommended Wild West Construction, who have done the last two chip seals for the town and they were the lowest bidder. The amount awarded is $80,145. The council voted and passed approval for the bid. 

Barnett commented that in this work they will address remaining road work is in Waldorf’s Acres. Barnett continued his report and said there are two projects that are still ongoing at the water treatment plant with the boiler replacement and the filter media.

Council member Tony Larson reported about a water leak in Bicentennial Park where they had to shut off the water. Larson ordered a replacement value and installed it to fix the leak. They will turn on the water and check to make sure everything will be OK.