C.C. Commissioners Unapproved Minutes...

C.C. Commissioners

Unapproved Minutes...

Unapproved Minutes, Board of Commissioners of 

Converse County, March 19, 2024

The regular meeting was called to order at 8:15 a.m. on March 19, 2024. Present were Commission Chairman Jim Willox; Vice-Chairman Rick Grant; Commissioners Mike Colling and Trent Kaufman; and County Clerk, Karen Rimmer. Commissioner Robert Short was excused. Mr. Grant moved to award the bid to JTL Group Inc. DBA Knife River in the amount of 12329044.50 for the project contingent upon inclusion or exclusion of a bid alternate for stock underpass; Mr. Kaufman seconded. It was clarified for the record that if the bid alternate is included, the project cost will increase by 125540; no further discussion and motion carried. Mr. Jason Wilkinson, Superintendent; Mr. John Shephard, Foreman; and Mr. Dave Shaw, Road & Bridge Special Projects, provided departmental updates.  Mr. Kaufman moved to approve ten bore permits from Next Era Energy Resources, CR31/Ross Rd, each for an 8” collection cable for Cedar Springs IV Wind Farm; Mr. Grant seconded; motion carried. Mr. Colling  moved to approve a bore permit from Saddle Butte Midstream, CR31/Ross Rd, 4” HDPE steel pipe for crude oil; Mr. Grant seconded; motion carried. Mr. Grant moved to approve an amended bore permit for Thunder Creek Gas Services, CR31/Ross Rd, 10” poly pipe versus a 10” steel pipe; Mr. Colling seconded; motion carried. Mr. Colling moved to approve a Roadway Use Agreement between Converse County and 383 Construction LLC for a total of 1.2 paved miles along CR 1/Irvine Rd; Mr. Kaufman seconded; motion carried. Mr. Kristin Watson, HR Director, provided departmental updates; no action was taken. The Commission discussed a draft resolution pertaining to public records requests; no action was taken. Mr. Hal Hutchinson, Owner’s Representative, provided updates on CCJJC Phase 2; no action was taken. The meeting recessed for lunch at 12:00 p.m. and reconvened at 1:00 p.m. Ms. Darcey Cowardin, Public Health Nurse Manager, provided departmental updates; no action was taken. Mr. Dru Palmer, DRU Consulting, provided various energy and natural resource updates; the Commission authorized the submission of a second request to the United States Forest Service for Cooperating Agency Status regarding the Forest Service Land Management Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Old-Growth Forest Conditions Across the National Forest System. Mr. Paul Bauder, Ms. Aundy Luckenbihl, and others on behalf of Douglas Youth Hockey (DYH) stated their intent to place a special purpose tax question on the 2024 general election ballot for the construction of a hockey rink and multi-purpose facility located in Douglas. Lengthy discussion followed; no action was taken. Mr. Clint Becker, Sheriff, and Mr. Nate Hughes, Undersheriff, requested authorization to purchase currently unbudgeted vehicle and body cameras for their Watchguard system; following lengthy discussion; the Commissioners’ authorized the purchase of 5 Watchguard vehicle and body cameras in the amount of 30789.50 for FY2024; it is anticipated that a budget amendment will not be required. The minutes of the March 5 and 6, 2024, regular meeting and Executive Session minutes were approved and ordered filed. Mr. Kaufman moved to approve Resolution 06-24, Designating Election Districts and Precincts and Associated Polling Places for the 2024 General Election; Mr. Grant seconded; motion carried. Mr. Grant moved to approve the service agreement between Converse County and Shred America LLC for shredding services, all County offices, one-year term from the date of approval at a cost of 698.54 per service, and further authorized the County Clerk to sign the digital document; Mr. Kaufman seconded; motion carried. Mr. Colling moved to approve a lease agreement between Converse County and Pitney Bowes for a postage meter machine in the County Clerk’s office to provide postage for the offices of the Clerk/Commissioners/Elections/HR/Special Projects/Surveyor, term of sixty months and for a cost of 334.83 per quarter; and further authorized the County Clerk to sign the digital document; Mr. Grant seconded; motion carried. The Commission approved the proposed language for a commemorative plaque to be placed at Ayres Natural Bridge for the donated handicapped swing. Ms. Dixie Huxtable, County Assessor, discussed 2024 Legislative Session and provided an overview of impacts of the bills if signed by the Governor. No action was taken. The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m. A regular meeting of this Board will be held Tues. and Wed., April  2 & 3, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. unless otherwise posted, at the Converse County Courthouse within Commission Chambers, located at 107 N. 5th Street, Douglas, Wyoming. The public is invited to attend. To get on the agenda, call the Clerk’s Office by the Thursday before the meeting. Per W.S. §18-3-516(f), access to county information can be obtained at www.conversecountywy.gov or by calling the County Clerk’s Office at (307) 358-2244. 

/s/ Karen Rimmer, County Clerk /s/ James H. Willox, Chairman

Publish: March 27, 2024 3003