Council tables action on letter of support for business grant

At the December 6 Thermopolis Town Council meeting, the council passed a resolution for a budget adjustment that was originally adopted in June. This allowed the council to pass a second resolution that would pay for the extensive asphalt repair and the water project. The money for these costs will come from the general fund. The amounts for these costs were approximately $41,000 for Fremont Street, less than $80,000  for Richards, and $32,000 for 8th and Fremont, Clark. The council voted and passed the approval for both resolutions. It was noted that they did not want to use enterprise funds to end up paying for the asphalt. 

During citizen participation, Jackie Dorothy requested a letter of support from the Mayor and the Council in regard to Hot Springs County’s application for a Business Ready Grant for the old airport property. Dorothy said they want to tear up the runway and use the material for road base and that the property is a liability. The county commissioners desire to turn the property into a hotel conference center or use for any other business. The grant is for $3 million. Dorothy said as part of their application, they need a letter of support from the town that there are water and sewer utilities provided. The deadline for the application is in January. 

Assistant to Mayor Fred Crosby said that having a sewer line is the main problem with this arrangement and there may need to be an annexation agreement along with “contractural things to be done.” Mayor Mike Chimenti requested the council to table the request as they need to learn more about the “facts and details involved.” They will address the request again on December 20. The council voted and passed the motion to table. 

Town engineer Anthony Barnett presented the final pay estimate for the water treatment plant silo painting project. The council voted and passed the approval of the pay estimate for $5,137.50. Barnett also presented the asphalt overage calculation. The council voted and passed the approval of the calculator as a progress payment for $190,814.34. Barnett also presented the water rights utilization spreadsheet to the council. This document is submitted to the State of Wyoming. Barnett said usage is down across the board, with the exception of Red Lane. 

Town attorney Mike Messenger presented an emergency ordinance declaring lead pipe water lines and associated attachments are to be replaced with lead-free material only. Messenger added the language to the ordinance and said “due to the health and safety concerns for the users of the Town’s water through lead pipes and the lead poisoning associated therewith and the Federal Requirements that may impact the regulation of town water, the governing body deems this to be an emergency and declares such to be the case.” The council voted and passed the approval of the emergency ordinance. 

In administration, Crosby discussed their property insurance coverage and that property values have increased by 8%. Crosby said he managed to get the insurance to drop the coverage with a drop 4% increase of property values but it did not save them much money. The rate ended up being $52,576. The policy allows a $25 million blanket of coverage. The renewal is to occur on January 10. The council voted and passed approval to renew their property insurance coverage with Hub. 

Regarding health insurance coverage, their renewal increased by 3.13%. Crosby said they can add Telehealth which costs the town $6 per employee but no cost to the employee themselves. The town voted and passed the approval of the health insurance renewal. 

Crosby also presented the consultant fee for their insurance policies, which increased by $1,000 for the year to a total of $7,000. The council voted and passed the approval to continue their contract with the consultant and their new fee.

The council voted and passed the approval for their Christmas schedule to have December 23 be a floating holiday and closed Monday, December 26.

Thermopolis Chief of Police Pat Cornwell submitted a letter of resignation from the chief position and requested to return to his sergeant position. Cornwell had only served one year in his chief appointment, with the option to revert back to sergeant should he decide too. The council voted and passed the approval to accept the letter of resignation and placed Cornwell as Interim Chief of Police, until Mayor-elect Adam Estesten takes office in January and appoints a chief, with council approval, for the permanent Thermopolis Chief of Police position.