Commissioners updated on several items

At the February 1 Hot Springs County Commissioners meeting, Brian Clarkson of T-O Engineers gave a GIS update while on speakerphone and said they are continuing to map easements and right-of-way descriptions to link to historical documents and with Road and Bridge. They also developed a plan of land classification features for the Hot Springs County Planning Department.

A T-O Engineers representative met with Bo Bowman for a work session to start incorporating land classification records and documents into the GIS system. Additionally, Clarkson said they are looking to incorporate other planning records such as water wells and septic permits into the GIS database and online applications. 

Nate Messenger gave the FBO report and said there were 90 total recorded operations. Two of those were air ambulances. There were six aircraft overnight and two requests for an overnight hangar.

For fuel sales, they sold 1,153.7 gallons of Avgas and 462.6 gallons of jet fuel. Messenger added that traffic and fuel sales dropped this month and said, “Hopefully it will pick up next month.”

Shane Rankin gave the Road and Bridge report and said the month has been quiet. Their winter maintenance continues and they also have the new fire numbers in place in which Rankin added, “We are done for now.” The sign maintenance will continue in the spring.

Rankin also reported that one of their staff resigned and they have an open position. There was a discussion between Rankin and the commissioners about the issue of commercial driver’s license training and its $5,000 cost. It takes about five to six weeks of classroom training as well. 

Les Culliton gave the maintenance report and said that boiler #1 in the Annex building is down again and that Long has been contacted. Boiler #2 is running and is able to warm the building.

For work at the fairgrounds, Culliton said he is waiting on a new schedule from QC-10 and has contacted them a minimum of weekly. Culliton added that at this time the drawings were to be approved.

For the courthouse, Culliton said the re-roof meeting with Nelson Architect took place on January 19 and a call with WARM is scheduled.

Tricia McPhie gave the Public Health and Prevention report and presented an MOU for the COVID-19 Disease Surveillance and Testing grant, in which spending shall not exceed $25,000. The commissioners voted and approved the grant. McPhie continued and said that they are working on application contracts for the next fiscal year. Prevention is working on their contract as a two-year term.

Bo Bowman gave the planner report and said they had an interesting month and “the next three to four months will be very interesting.” The Natural Resources Planning Committee (NRPC) met on January 12 and again on February 16.

The NRPC is working on finalizing the County Natural Resource Plan. Mr. Bowman expects the plan will be ready for a public hearing in front of the NRPC in April, followed by a public comment period and the presentation of the plan for formal approval by the Commissioners sometime in May.  

The Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) held a workshop last month and discussed suggested changes to the land-use plan. Bowman said they are limited to two different chapters that cover definitions and the review process. Bowman said they are “focusing on tightening things up, eliminating confusion, and vagueness having to do with short-term rentals.”

The changes in the two chapters have been sent to the commission members and they will sit down to discuss them in March. After an informal review of the changes and when things are ready, they will hold a public hearing. 

Bowman also reported that he is working with T-O Engineers and is going through Land Use Change files going back to the 1970s. Their research will result in a layer of data in the GIS system to create a map of the county with respect to land use classifications. 

Bowman said that he is working with the BLM on two road alignment matters at Lower Cottonwood and Hamilton Dome. It has been a two-year challenge regarding a right-of-way alignment and the county road being moved. However, the roads involved have been done more than 50 years ago. Bowman said they are working on cleaning up the matter. 

Bowman presented the final plat of the Fish Hook Subdivision, and the commissioners voted and approved to have it signed by Chairman Tom Ryan. 

Bill Gordon gave the Emergency Management report and said he recently purchased two additional radios because the prices have dropped. The money was previously approved by the commissioners. They now have six radios, which will be used in emergencies.

The two additional radios will be assigned to the Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue. Chairman Ryan asked about the radios’ range and Gordon replied they were, “very good.” Gordon then described how he was in Lovell and was able to reach dispatch directly with a handheld device. 

Gordon also said he is going to be working with Road and Bridge and Search and Rescue. They both want to request to put in for some radios. They will apply with Homeland Security for grant money.

Gordon reported that on April 13 they will have a face-to-face Coordinators Summit meeting in Casper. They have not met together in person for the past two years. 

The commissioners voted and approved to sign a letter of support for the Red Dirt Master Gardener’s Hot Springs County Courthouse landscape project.

Sam Markow, Chairman of the Owl Creek Water District, presented to the commissioners some information about a study being conducted. The study is exploring the possibility of bringing water from Lucerne to the area of the Hot Springs County Airport. This water is of much better quality and having water at the airport might help them there. There could be water not only for drinking but also for fire suppression.

The commissioners did respond with interest in this possibility. Chairman Ryan said he is “very interested in bringing water to the airport.” The engineers for the study involved would need to speak to the engineers for the airport. 

Al Braaten of the Counseling Center is retiring after 30 years of service. Braaten’s replacement, Darby Godspeed-Ransom, was also present.