Flooding concerns addressed by Town Council

Resolution 2023-11-Flood Declaration was approved by the Saratoga Town Council at the April 4 regular meeting.  The resolution states that the Mayor of the Town of Saratoga has declared a state of emergency on behalf of the Town of Saratoga due to severe flooding, and will execute for and on behalf of the Town of Saratoga, the expenditure of emergency funds from all available sources, the invoking of mutual aid agreements, and the requesting of assistance from Carbon County. The resolution says that all local public and private resources are not sufficient enough and thus are asking the County for additional help. The Mayor of the Town of Saratoga has had direct communication with the Emergency Manager or Deputy Emergency Manager from the Carbon County Office of Emergency Management, who agrees with the imminent concern for severe flooding in and around the Town of Saratoga, which may cause continued property damage from previous years, disruption, and endangerment to the health and safety of citizens. The resolution says the Town of Saratoga has imminent concerns of severe flooding due to high water levels, flow measures, continued precipitation, warming temperatures, aggressive runoff and/or extensive snowmelt from a winter with a higher than average level of precipitation.

With threats of severe flooding beginning on or after April 4, 2023 flooding conditions are expected,  that are likely to cause damage to private and public property, disruption of utility service(s), and endangerment to the health and safety of the residents of the Town of Saratoga who reside, work or travel within the disaster area.

Mayor Chuck Davis said, “We have had a couple of pre flood meetings with the municipalities of the county for a plan. There are two purposes for this. The county has a sandbagging machine that they will bring to town for our use.  The other thing is if we need more help above the county level, the county will make that decision. The county will then ask the state and federal government for additional help. We, the town of Saratoga, will be in charge of how things are operated. If we need additional help we notify the county, then the county brings in their resources. If that’s not enough, then they notify the state. To get the help from the county first we need to get this resolution approved to start receiving resources from the county. Councilmen Jerry Fluty asked the mayor if we have to meet any criteria to get help and would that give anyone outside of the town of Saratoga control over us in managing the flood situation.  The Mayor said no there is no minimum requirement needed to get help with the flood situation from the county and no there would be no outside control over us as a town in managing the flood situation.  Saratoga will set up their own command center and outside command will simply come in to help and follow the direction of the Town of Saratoga.  The town of Saratoga will be in charge and tell the outside help where to go and how to help. The town of Saratoga also has the option to call in contractors.  

Chuck Davis talked to Chuck McVay, Water and Sewer Supervisor, and Chuck has concerns about flooding in the sewer system and the ponds.  There are a couple of ponds that are sand bagged each year.

In an emergency situation the core of engineers can bring in machinery to work on the river after the proper paperwork is completed. The Mayor talked to Mark Shirley, a conservationist with the National Resources Conservationist Services, and they could possibly pay up to 75% to assist in repairing the flood damage and restoring the river bank.  

Friends of the Library

Two additional little free libraries from the Saratoga Friends of the Library have been approved by the town council to be installed as a summer project. There is currently a free little library outside the town hall. The county library foundation is willing to donate $250 to each new little free library and the Saratoga Friends of the Library have the funds for the materials to make two new little libraries. The town will help in digging post holes and setting the posts. The locations suggested are Kathy Glode Park and one out at the Saratoga Lake Campground for visitors who come during the summer time. There is a possibility that the SMHS shop class may design their own little free library.  There has been discussion about a contest for the students to design and refurbish the free little library outside of the town hall. 

Valley Village updates

Ellie Dana, board member of Valley Village thanked the town council and everyone for their support. She said the architectural plans are almost done. They are planning a fundraising campaign challenge that wil be annouced April 18.  Dana reports they have someone who has put up $100,000.00 and to match what we can raise in the challenge.  Dana said they have accumulated a great deal of money and are in good shape to make it to the finish line without much trouble. The clinic is supposed to move out on the week of the 24th.  Dana said this means on May 1 they can start work. Dana explained that they have two extensive undertakings.  The first is the crawl space which has been taking in water for a very long time.  There are things in the crawl space that will have to be replaced.  The second thing is the roof has to be replaced and a layer of insolation has to be installed to keep the building warm.  The max estimate funding hopefully needed for the roof and crawl space is $93,000.00.  She asked the town council if they would consider waiving the building permit fee of $948.10 because we are doing this just as maintenance work. Town waived one for the ball field for the kids and waived one at the high school for the FFA.  The town approved waiving the building permit fee of $948.10.  

Update on TAP Masterplan by McCall Burau

Saratoga Transportation Alternatives Master Plan March 16 was the deadline. They have received 5 proposals, OB Consulting was selected. The subcontractors are  Studio CP- urban planning and design firm out of Denver and FDA Engineers out of Cheyenne. The Planning and Zoning Committee came to a decision with a unanimous vote from the committee.  The goal is to build a trail from the grocery store to downtown.  

Recreation Commission

A letter of interest to be on the recreation commission board was received from Emily Williams.

Next meeting is May 1 at 6:00 PM at the Town Hall Council Chambers

Saratoga Airport Advisory Board

Next meeting is April 10, 2023 at 3:30 PM at the Town Hall Council Chambers

• 18)RFR ASA004D - $4,941.25 

South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services Board

Next meeting is April 17, 2023 at 6:00 PM at Saratoga Ambulance Barn

32 ambulance calls last month

THE NEXT TOWN COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE ON

TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2023 AT 6:00 PM.