New faces at the council table

The Encampment Town Council meeting on January 12 opened with the newly elected Mayor Shannon Fagan taking the Oath of Office as presented by Encampment Town Clerk Doreen Harvey.

Fagan then swore in new council members Ashley McKinney and Steve Reichert.

Before the meeting was called to order, there was moment of silence for Tyeler Harris, the EMT that died in the line of duty in December.

Penny Layman, South Central Wyoming Emergency Management (SCWEMS) representative gave an update to the council. She reported they had received $260,000 from an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant for the building they need in Hanna. SCWEMS is currently working with Carbon County School District 2. They have a property in Hanna where the old elementary school was.

This ARPA grant requires a 100% match, so SCWEMS will have to come up with $260,000.00 to move forward with the project. SCWEMS has until December 31, 2026 to complete construction to use the grant money.

Councilman Stas Banach questioned the placement of a station in Hanna, being so far north. Layman said according to the study, that was done by a private firm in 2017, a station on the north side of the county and the south side of the county was recommended. Saratoga already has a station in place. Hanna needs the new location/building to bring everything up to date, including showers, two ambulance bays and a storage area.

The locations would make the response time more efficient.

Banach asked where the $260,000.00 would come from.

Layman told him that SCWEMS has some reserves of funds, but they have more discussion with their board.

A local resident then asked the mayor if there was any possibility of getting the streets plowed a little wider.

Mayor Fagan said the town crew had been doing their best to keep up with all the snow that had fallen recently, but she said they will be sure to hit the side streets as well.

Jon Nelson, North Fork Engineering, gave the council an updated set of plans with the updated suggestions from the workshop. Nelson said he hopes to submit the new permit to construct application as well as the request to go out to bid to DEQ by next Friday. He said they would like to start advertising for the bid with a bid opening by February 28 or March 1. Nelson said they are back on track to move forward. He asked for a motion to allow the mayor's signature on the permit to construct application which they will submit next week. The motion was approved as was the advertising.

Nelson will also notify Carbon Power and Light they are back on track.

Mayor Fagan opened public hearing for Title 5.08 Tobacco Sales, 3rd reading of the Amendment. There was no comment and the public hearing closed. A motion was approved to accept the final reading.

[Chapter 5.08 Tobacco Sales includes definitions, prohibited sales, posted notices required-location of vending machines, purchase by minors prohibited and possession or use by minors prohibited sections. The following is a condensed version of the Section 5.08.010 reads: Tobacco products means any substance containing tobacco leaf. Vending machine means any mechanical electrical or electronic self-service machine. Retailer means a business of any kind...that sells tobacco products to a user or consumer.

Electronic cigarette includes electronic cigar, electronic cigarette, electronic pipe, electronic hooka, vapor pen and any similar product or device. Nicotine products means tobacco products and electronic cigarettes. Vapor material means any liquid solution or other material containing nicotine or synthetic nicotine.

Section 5.08.020 states that no individual shall sell, offer for sale, give away or deliver tobacco products to any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years. This section also goes into the ramifications and punishment of violating this resolution.

Section 5.08.030 says that anyone that sells tobacco shall post signs informing the public of the age restrictions, etc. This section also explains the ramifications and punishment for violations.

Section 5.08.040 and 5.08.050 are focused on minors purchasing or possessing tobacco.]

A copy of this resolution is available at the Encampment Town Hall.

Harvey said the attorney had reviewed the lease for Grand Encampment Business Park-Mill Site lease effective February 1, 2023. The attorney didn't see any problems with the it. The terms of the lease are the same as before, $500.00 per year.

The entity that will be leasing the mill is going to call themselves the Grand Encampment Mill, LLC. and are in the process of filing the LLC.

Harvey said they also sent a letter to Tom James, asking him to contact the mayor before he exits the facility so she can tour it with him. They will do the same with the new lessee. The motion was approved for the new lease.

Billy Accord, Public Works, informed the council that the scales are not working properly. He tried to reach Tom James but did not get an answer. James had stated earlier this year it was working. Councilman Bill Craig asked Accord to get an estimate for repairs.

Fagan said the Watershed Protection Committee will met on January 12 with Jeff Streeter, Jeb Steward, Justin Stern and Billy Accord. Water samples are planned for May, June, July and August as soon as the areas are available on Willow Creek.

It is recommended to have a three year study and to continue taking them every three years to evaluate the possibility of pollution. The concern is the impact on the watershed from the Brush Creek development area above Willow Creek.

A local resident asked Chief of Police Shue about a complaint that was filed for dogs barking. Shue said there were 14 complaints filed and nothing had been settled. Shue said he had spoken to the subjects and they were trying to remedy the situation in various ways.

Shue also stated that he had sat at the end of the alley when the complainant called the Police Department and never heard the dog bark even though the complainant said the dog was barking for two hours. Shue reminded the complainant he had asked for recording, either video or audio so he would have some proof. He can't issue a citation without proof. Shue said he has been by the house several times a day and never catches the dog barking.

Fagan said the Town will write a letter to the property owners concerning the dogs barking.

The Encampment Town Council next meeting is February 9, 2023 at 7 p.m. at the Encampment Town Hall.

Encampment Town Council Meeting

Approvals

Purchase as much postage as possible before the rates go up, $1408.00 budgeted for postage.

Annual licensing fee of $40 for the postage scale. Motion approved.

RNB State Bank, Wyoming Government Investment Fund and WYOStar kept as depository

The Saratoga Sun as the current newspaper.

Designated posting places: Town hall, Post Office and the Encampment/Riverside library.

Hosting the Carbon County Council of Governments (CCCOG) for their May meeting.

Lien to be placed on Block 33, Lots 9-12 for delinquent utilities.

Resolutions 2023-01 and 2023-02 for road closures for sled events and Sixth Street sprint.

Council approved spending $528.00 for Winter Carnival advertisements on KTGA/KBDY. This is completely covered by the Carbon County Visitors Council (CCVC) grant. Motion approved.

Winter Carnival prize money of $2,895.00, predominately paid by donations and CCVC grant.

Catering permit for 307 Pub & Grub to serve at Casino night at the Opera House on January 28.

Hach Annual Service Contract Renewal of $4,481.54 for the water plant electronics maintenance.Organization service contract for the Grand Encampment Museum for $1,200.00.