Last meeting for Councilmembers

Saratoga Town Council’s meeting on December 20 was the last one for several council members including Jon Nelson, D’Ron Campbell, Ron Hutchins and Mayor Creed James. Next month the new mayor and council members will be sworn in.

Mayor James read correspondence for the 2023 Newly Elected Boot-camp at Wyoming Association of Municipalities conference at the Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne. Dates of conference are January 25,2023 through January 27, 2023. Mayor-elect Chuck Davis asked the present council if they would allow Town Clerk Marie Christen to make reservations for five people for the boot camp. Council approved the request.

Ellie Dana represented Valley Village Day Care, she said she wanted to follow up with the council. Dana said that Mayor James and Valley Village have signed an appraisal agreement for $5,000.00, leaving a shortage of $500. Dana said she has not asked the Valley Village board for the $500. Dana was there to ask the Town Council if they would up the original $2,500.00 they had offered to match Valley Village’s $2,500.00. The Council approved the extra $500. Dana said the appraisal is scheduled for December 22. The report will be ready on January 6, 2023. Valley Village is paying $3,000.00 for a survey of the property to make sure all the pins are in the right place. They have also received the draft of a cooperative operating agreement between Valley Village and Excel preschool. It is being reviewed by Valley Village and Excel. Dana said she expects to have all the comments by the end of the week.

Dana advised the council there is now a website with all the updated information available about the Valley Village Day Care Project.

Marie Christen, Town Clerk, asked the council for approval of policy and procedures concerning grant management. This is required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This policy and procedure has gone to the attorney, who approved it. There was some discussion about section 4.5 that states that the clerk and treasurer will be the grant managers. The council approved the policy and procedure as stated.

James read a letter from Workers Compensation office stating that “after reviewing the case file for the inspection that was completed April 20,2022 at 110 East Spring Avenue, they had not received any documentation that the hazards were abated”. The letter gives the town two weeks to turn in proof of abatement.

Robert Ripplinger spoke with Christen about this issue. He said the letter was just a formality and since it’s been so long, they can open another case, then send proof that the town has done what was required.

James then submitted a quote for the fire department to purchase four commercial garage door openers. The ones they have are old and sticking. The doors will cost $1,275.00 and will be installed by Ledgeco Garage Door, in Saratoga. James said at the fire department meeting, they agreed it would be best to find someone local in case any issues arose.

Mayor James gave an update on the Department of Public Works. He said the water and sewer has submitted the final samples to Casper to wrap up for the end of the year. They are working on two new water services and helping the street crew with snow removal.

The Water and Sewer Department is also analyzing the chlorine system at the lagoons. There was a call out for low water pressure at 221 West Hugus that ended up being a blown out expansion tank.

The Streets department has been working on snow removal and helped on the sewer line issue on Sharp street. There have been a number of water leaks the Street Department has helped on as well. Street Department has also been putting up lights and moving big snow piles.

A tooth on the backhoe broke while digging. They reached out to Wyoming Machinery for a frost bucket and Wyoming Machinery has agreed to trade them straight across for the Falco bucket.

Richard Hodges thanked the mayor and the water department for their quick action taking care of the blown out pressure tank. Hodges said they arrived less than an hour.

Councilman Jon Nelson let the council know the Saratoga Impact Joint Powers Board had agreed to pay the Project Pay Estimate #3 from Lewis and Lewis. The amount due was $562,795.67 minus the liquidated damages of $43,500.00. The remaining balance of $519,295.67 was approved by council to be paid.

Nelson said the Joint Powers Board asked the council to draft a letter to Lewis and Lewis advising that regardless of their presence on site or whether they are doing active work, they are still responsible to meet the requirements of the temporary access. The JPB drafted a letter and asked that the council read it. The letter was approved.

The next Saratoga Town Council meeting will be January 3, 2023 at 6 pm.

Saratoga Town Council Meeting At A Glance

The new website is live at townofsaratoga.org. This website also includes minutes, agendas, bill pay and subscriptions for notifications.

Food boxes will be dispersed to 20 families and 20 seniors.

Approvals

Carbon County Senior Services Agreement.

Variance for 313 East Bridge Avenue, the green building next to the bridge–Triple D Construction wants to raise the building and put a new foundation in place.

Variance for 602 N. 3rd. to build an accessory building/concession stand.

Police Department

Chief of Police Ken Lehr asked for a raise for Dani Vorn as she completed training, a raise was approved based on Lehr’s recommendation.

Two officers would be taking a few kids to Walmart in Rawlins for the shop with a cop program.

Recreation Department

A letter of interest from Amber Waldron to served on the the town of Saratoga Recreation Commission was received. Waldron was appointed to the recreation commission.

The service agreement for Sports Connect, the online processing company that the recreation center currently uses for registration was approved. Council approved.

The next recreation commission board meeting is January 9 at 6 pm.

The Saratoga Airport Advisory Board

Grant No. 028 CARES grant

Grant No. 029 SF-425 Apron Design Grant

Grant No. 030 Apron Construction Grant

Grant No. 031 Entrance rd/Parking Project Grant

Grant No. 032 CRRSA Grant

Grant No. 033 ARPA Grant

Grant No. 034 Entrance Rd/Parking Project Grant

Grant No. 035 Entrance Rd/Parking Project Grant

Submission of the annual Federal financial reports was approved.

RFR #1 AER 1012961/ASA004

RFR #2 AER 1012962/ASA004

RFR #3 AER 1012963/ASA004

RFR #4 AER 1012964/ASA004

RFR #5 AER 1012975/ASA004

Council approved reimbursements for all RFRs.

South Central Emergency Medical Services (SCWEMS)

Received notice they were granted $280,000.00 for the ambulance barn in Hanna.