Town council approves budget

At the June 21 Thermopolis Town Council meeting held at the Town Hall, town clerk/treasurer Tracy Van Heule presented a budget resolution and the financial statement. The council voted and passed the acceptance of the documents.

Mayor Mike Chimenti then recessed the council meeting and held a public hearing and asked for comments about the proposed 2022-23 budget. Assistant to Mayor Fred Crosby said that after the second reading, he was approached with new items from Chief of Police, Pat Cornwell. Those items included an added Homeland Security grant for $54,000, a grant for $3,800, and police equipment for $10,750. Additionally, they increased their fuel and oil budget by $14,500. Mayor Chimenti asked if there were any public comments, but there were none. The council then voted and approved the updated budget on its third reading.

Town attorney Mike Messenger then swore in Thomas Gamblin as a new police officer for the Town of Thermopolis. 

In citizen participation, Meri Ann Rush, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, presented a request for street closure for the August 6 Pageant Day Parade, which will follow the same route as the previous year. Rush also noted that there will be dancers at the flagpole and the theme is "Stars and Stripes." The council voted and passed the approval of the street closure and to have Mayor Chimenti sign the state permit.

Merlin and Barb Heinze of Merlin's Hideout presented their concerns about the coming construction, which closes Richard's Street between 6th and 7th Streets. The Heinze's building and front access will be blocked by the road work. The entire street will be dug up and 22 inches deep of material will be removed so that a new water line pipe system will be placed. The Heinze's are concerned that the construction will negatively affect their business during their peak month of traffic. 

Town Engineer Anthony Barnett said that the work will begin on July 11. The construction also affects Family Dollar and Mack's Market. There was discussion on adding temporary signage to help redirect customers and traffic to use the alley. However, the Heinze's building is being leased out in the back at the alley for another business, Kirby Creek Tannery. The matter is still being addressed by the town.

In his project's update, Barnett reported that the painting of the water treatment plant silo is going forward. Also, there needs to be a survey for a more current topographic map of the cells in the landfill. They have to dig the last cell in the landfill before transitioning to the coming transfer station.

Town attorney Mike Messenger then read the new language for the third reading of the Pari-mutuel Ordinance and the council voted and passed approval, making it an official ordinance. The ordinance will take effect on July 1.

Crosby then presented the Joint Law Enforcement Center contact extension, which begins in July 2022 and ends in July 2024. Crosby and Chief of Police Cornwell said that there have been no issues. The document was previously approved that day by the Hot Springs County Commissioners. The council voted and passed the approval of the contract extension.

Another document Crosby presented was for the Landfill Contract Extension. The council voted and approved it as well.

Regarding an opening on the Travel and Tourism Board, the council voted and passed approval to appoint Dr. William Robinson. Council member Dusty Lewis spoke well of Robinson and endorsed him. The appointment is for a three-year term. 

Mayor Chimenti and the Town Council then presented a plaque award to Director of Public Works Ernie Slagle for his 45 years of service.

Council member Bill Malloy gave a report on his recent trip to the Wyoming Association of Municipalities Convention in Laramie. Malloy covered multiple subjects such as landfills, the cost of transporting trash, housing problems and the "take over" of Airbnbs, not enough places to find to rent, and how recreation has changed in Thermopolis with the increase of floating, trails, hiking, and climbing, finding housing new school employees, harassment in the workplace and lawsuits, and the lodging tax. The conference was attended by about 250-300 people, according to Malloy.

During the further discussion in Malloy's report was the question, "Does Thermopolis want to grow?" Malloy stated that he estimates 50% of the town does and 50% of the town does not. The subject of housing was of concern to Malloy and the idea of subdivisions or new hotels/motels was explored. At the convention, a speaker discussed that towns should "think like a developer" and consider buying up the empty lots or run-down shack properties, fixing them up, and making them into viable properties for either businesses or residents to acquire. Malloy said he doesn't know if a town should go into real estate but also noted that other cities and towns elsewhere in the country have taken this approach.

Mayor Chimenti then brought up a subject from a previous council meeting regarding the traffic on Roundtop Drive with hikers for the new trail. Chimenti said that the road is not a plated town street, and it is a private drive. He asked council member Dusty Lewis, who also represents Hot City Alliance who helped develop the trail, about moving the trailhead to the golf course. Lewis said that might be possible.

Lewis asked if the town had any signs they could use to say "Slow Down"? Crosby also said he would like to have a memorandum of understanding for the use of hikers who would cross the golf course. After more discussion, Crosby recommended that Lewis have a conversation with Terry Tonn, one of the landowners involved in the situation. 

Chief of Police Pat Cornwell reported that at the recent TIPS training, 10 to 12 bartenders and employees attended. Cornwell said, "It was good to see and help them to know what to look for" in regard to intoxicated customers. Cornwell added, "It was very good to have them take that class."