The Riverside Town Council met in regular session at 6:00 pm at the Riverside Town Hall with Mayor Leroy Stephenson presiding. Council members present were Ed Golden, Linda Brown and Lisa Lorenz. Mark Helwick arrived at 6:50 pm. Also present were Virginia Parker representing the Saratoga Sun, Brian Woody, Theresa Barnes representing Union Wireless, Peggy Huntley, Lee Ann Stephenson, Helen Weiland and Riverside Clerk/Treasurer Jana C. Cook.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Stephenson led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES: Brown moved with Lorenz seconding to approve the minutes of the August 10, 2023 meeting as distributed. The motion passed.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT/BILLS: The council reviewed the financial statement and unpaid bills report. There was discussion about the Chokecherry impact funds and that the town is receiving money again. Brown moved with Lorenz seconding to approve the financial statement and pay bills in the amount of $26,337.08. The motion passed. This amount includes a specific purpose requisition request in the amount of $5,337.24.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: Brian Woody representing Union Wireless told the council Union Wireless has applied for a Wyoming Capital Project Fund Grant to help bring faster internet services to the Riverside area. He said he didn't know when the grant recipients will be announced, but said he hopes to be ready for the next construction season next spring. Mayor Stephenson thanked him for the report.
REPORTS:
CCCOG: The next meeting is scheduled for September 20, 2023 in Elk Mountain.
SOUTH CENTRAL WY EMSJPB: No report.
PARKS: The clerk told the council there were 92 signatures on the visitors' council sign in sheet. She said donations totaled $273.00-the money has been deposited into the general fund. She told the council it was time to decide if they wanted to have another party and if High Plains Tradition would be asked to play again. Lorenz said she would like to see another band, if not next year, then after. The clerk asked the council to think about what they would like to do and discuss it at the October meeting.
SEWER: No report.
STREETS: Lorenz said there are street signs that need to be replaced or reinstalled on 2nd and 5th Streets. She said the council a picture of a sign to use on 2nd Street to try to slow trucks and trailers going to the river access. Peggy Huntley asked if there could be more speed limit signs on 4th Street. The clerk told Lorenz to let her know how many new signs are needed and she would order them. Lorenz also said there is water erosion on the river access road. Mayor Stephenson said he would be available after the 1st of October to look at the street problems.
SIERRA MADRE JOINT POWERS BOARD: Lee Ann Stephenson said the board has applied for a federal grant for a generator for the pumps.
SPECIFIC PURPOSE TAX: Ms. Stephenson said requisition #24 in the amount of $5,337.24 has been submitted.
MOSQUITO: No report.
90 DAYS DELINQUENT: No report.
ZONING/BUILDING:
Shawn and Linda Brown: Mr. and Mrs. Brown submitted two building permit applications. The first request was for a greenhouse and shop. Brown is requesting a variance of 2 feet on the 2nd Street sign for the shop. Golden said he had visited the site and recommended approval of the variance and permit. Golden moved with Lorenz seconding to approve the building permit application with the two foot variance. The motion passed with Councilmember Brown abstaining from the vote. The second Brown application is for approval for a RV park already in operation. The Browns apologized for not applying for the permit before construction, but didn't realize a permit was required. There are two RV hookups on Lot 3, Block 6 in Riverside. Golden recommended approval of the permit. Golden moved with Lorenz seconding to approve the Brown application for the RV park. The motion passed with Councilmember Brown abstaining.
Duke Altschuler: The Altschuler permit was withdrawn.
ACTION ITEMS: The clerk told the council she and Alyson Sneddon of Wild Swept Accounting are working on the state required F66 and self audit reports, both due on September 30, 2023. There is a possibility Riverside may be required to have a CPA audit review done because of the specific purpose tax requisition money.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: There was discussion about snow removal bids and when they would be mailed. The clerk said she would mail them on Monday September 18, 2023. Mayor Stephenson said Riverside's representative to Carbon County Economic Development Corporation has expired. Peggy Huntley has expressed interest in the position. Lorenz moved with Golden seconding to appoint Peggy Huntley as Riverside's representative to the CCEDE. The motion passed. Mayor Stephenson said he has spoken to former representative Sandy Martin and thanked her for her time on the board.
CORRESPONDENCE: There was no correspondence.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Replacement for Tom Thompson: Mayor Stephenson told the council the clerk had spoken to Jane France about becoming Riverside attorney. Ms. France turned down the position because of a possible conflict of interest. Stephenson said she recommended Bill Hiser of Brown and Hiser in Laramie. Stephenson said he would call Mr. Hiser.
Harrington-Pate Proposal: The proposal was withdrawn by request from Tausha Pate.
NEW BUSINESS:
Possible depository change: Included in the council packet was information from banks in Saratoga-BMO formerly Bank of the West, Rawlins National Bank and Bank of Commerce. The clerk told the council she would call Bank of Commerce to get fee information. Action was tabled until she receives the information.
Speeders Through Riverside: Brown expressed concern about speeders through town. She said her sister has a letter that individuals can sign and send to the governor. There was discussion about previous efforts to get the speed under control. There is a speed sign on the east end of town. Council discussed the former MOU with the Town of Encampment and what led to it being cancelled, Mayor Stephenson said he would talk to Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken and Encampment Mayor Shannon Fagan about the problem.
Clerk request change October 12, 2023 meeting date: The clerk explained she would like to change the meeting date from October 12, 2023 to Tuesday October 10, 2023. Lorenz moved with Helwick seconding to approve moving the October 12, 2023 meeting date to October 10, 2023. The motion passed.
Clerk request-closed town hall October 12, 2023 and October 16, 2023: Lorenz moved with Brown seconding to approve the town hall closures. The motion passed.
Ordinance #229 Budget Amendment Mosquito Abatement Addition-First Reading: The clerk explained a mosquito abatement budget increase of $2,000.00 was necessary because the fogging chemical was more expensive than was budgeted. Lorenz moved with Brown seconding to approve the budget amendment on first reading. The motion passed.
Window Repair: Mayor Stephenson asked that this be tabled for another month. He said he is waiting for a bid from a glass company in Laramie. The council agreed.
With no other business being brought before the council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm.
Jana C. Cook Leroy Stephenson, Mayor
Approved: October 10, 2023
Attest:
Jana C. Cook
The next regular meeting of the Riverside Town Council will be October 10, 2023 at 6:00 pm at the Riverside Town Hall.
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