Bids and permits approved by council

Tyler Martineau
Posted 11/4/21

The Torrington City Council convened on Tuesday to approve ordinances, bids, and permits during its first meeting of the month.

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Bids and permits approved by council

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TORRINGTON – The Torrington City Council convened on Tuesday to approve ordinances, bids, and permits during its first meeting of the month. 

Mayor Randy Adams began the meeting with his information items. 

Adams announced all council meetings will now be streamed on Youtube via KGOS Sports channel in an effort to be as transparent as possible. 

With the recent snowfall, Adams reminded the public to clear their sidewalks in accordance to the city ordinance and to call city hall if someone is unable to do so on their own. 

Adams also gave an update on COVID-19 statistics in Goshen County. Adams said there were 170 active cases and 206 probable cases since Friday, Oct. 29. The county’s death toll has risen to 38 after two deaths last week. 

Adams added Goshen County Public Health is still offering vaccines, and booster shots are now available by appointment. 

The last information item was an update on road construction projects going on around the city. Adams said the final sewer upgrade will begin on Nov. 8 and alleyway access will be disrupted between 23rd and 35th Avenue. 

Paving operations will also continue on Ridge Road as the curb and gutter are in place along the East side of the street. 

Adams also said pre-bids and bidding will take place on the $3,500,000 waste-water treatment plant and construction within the next month. 

Brandi Hiser of Two Horse Hospitality addressed the council for two catering permits. The first of which is for Farm Girls Boutique’s customer appreciation day on Nov. 4. The second was for a similar event at The Old Moose Mercantile on Nov. 11. Hiser said both businesses are owned by the same people and they have hosted these events in the past as well. Hiser also said she will be the only one serving alcohol at the events, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be clearly differentiated. 

The council approved both catering permits to Hiser. 

In other action items, City Attorney James Eddington read a proclamation to recognize Nov. 15-21 as National Apprenticeship Week in Torrington. 

Electrical Supervisor Dana Youtz spoke to the council about the current apprenticeship program and the partnership with Alliance Apprenticeships. Youtz said there is one person currently in the program with another to joining shortly. 

Youtz also said the program is recognized by the United States Department of Labor which adds to its reputation. 

“There is criteria to be able to be recognized, which we are, so it’s a good thing for the city of Torrington,” Youtz said. 

Councilman Ted Kinney asked how long the apprenticeship lasts. Youtz said it lasts through until they become a journeyman lineman, which requires four years in the merchant program and 8,000 hours of job training. 

“It’s a long process. It’s basically like a college degree,” Youtz said. “One good thing about the training program and Alliance is they get them through the first three years of the merchant program so they only have one year to finish when they get with us.”  

The council approved the proclamation along with ordinances on third readings which were in regards to weeds, public record request fees, and the regulation of tobacco products on city property. 

Torrington Deputy Clerk Silvia Anaya informed the council the ordinances will go into effect once published on Friday, Nov. 5. 

The council also approved an ordinance on first reading relating to annexing the AB Miller Airport Association. According to Director of Public Works Jeff Harkins, the town already owned the piece of land from a previous deal but there have been no ordinances which officially annexed the land. 

“What we’re going to do is we’ll just do the annexation now and include that within the city of Torrington’s boundaries,” Harkins said. 

The land is on the runway protection zone (RPZ) which means nothing will be able to be built there. The addition of the property was meant to extend the runway. 

Harkins also said the purchase was initially completed in 1988. 

The council approved the first reading of the ordinance. 

In other business, City Clerk Treasurer Lynette Strecker addressed the board about awarding a bid for the purchase of a new three-quarter ton extended cab pickup chassis with tool box. The recommendation to the council was to approve the bid from Transwest Ford of Torrington for $53,500. 

Strecker said they received six bids and Transwest Ford’s was not the lowest price. However, the trade-in value for the city’s current vehicle made it the lowest bid. 

“Basically the trade-in is what made the big difference in this case,” Strecker said. 

Councilwoman Kate Steinbock asked if delivery time was an issue since the bid states it will be ready in 300 days. Strecker said all of the bids had similar waits. 

“Hopefully we can keep the other vehicle running until then, but all of the outcomes were pretty far out,” Strecker said. 

Councilman Dennis Kelly asked why there needed to be a replacement since it is driven less than 300 miles a month and he has yet to see a vehicle which cannot be repaired. 

Facilities Maintenance Specialist Michael Lira said it has 130,000 miles on it along with engine and transmission work. 

Mayor Adams added it has spent a lot of time in the shop as well. 

The council approved the bid from Transwest Ford 4-1. Councilman Rick Patterson, Steinbock, Kinney, and Adams voted yes, and Kelly voted no. 

The council also approved a bid from LL Johnson out of Denver, Colorado for a new articulating tractor. The budget for the purchase will be split between the streets and sanitation and the parks budgets. 

After the approval of the bills, Torrington Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Lance Petsch gave another update on the new ladder truck. Petsch said they received notification from their representative to look at the truck. 

The next city council meeting will be on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.