TORRINGTON – The Torrington City Council recognized employees who have reached milestones while working for the city on Tuesday. 

Councilman Ted Kinney was absent from the meeting. 

Mayor Randy Adams presented service awards to Dana Youtz who has worked for the city for 40 years along with Tom Werkele and Kelly Matlock who have both worked for 35 years. 

“They are great workers,” Adams said. “They are people that I depend on every day, people that I don’t have to worry about, people that I can trust and people who do a great job.”

Adams spoke about each individual and what they have done for the city. 

“We couldn’t do everything without our Mayor and Council and employees,” Matlock said. 

After the awards were handed out, City Clerk and Treasurer Lynette Strecker showed a presented a slide show of pictures of the three from their years of service. 

During action items, the council approved 2022 tournament schedule at Cottonwood Country Club presented by Golf Pro Dave Dent. 

The council also discussed a business lease agreement with Youth Alternatives. 

Police Chief Matt Johnson said the new youth alternatives program, with the partnership of Wyo Help, plans to use the old University of Wyoming facility in town.

“The upside of that is there’s nothing currently slated for use there. The downside of that is should there be someone who wanted to lease that it’s a potential drop in revenue for the city,” Johnson said. 

He also mentioned a full-time employee was hired for the program but had to back out and so they are hoping to hire a replacement sometime in the beginning of the year. 

The council approved the lease agreement. 

In other action items, the council also approved an amendment to the agreement professional services with Inberg-Miller Engineers to a permanent contract in regard to the baler/transfer facility and a resolution to authorize the submission of a Hazard Mitigation Grant application for an outdoor warning siren project located in the Cold Springs Business Park. 

Clerk Treasurer Strecker addressed the council about amendments to the policy handbook. Strecker said the Wage Committee meets in December and July each year to look at possibly changes to the handbook. 

The council decided to vote on each of the six amendments separately starting with tobacco free workplace. Strecker said they added the new ordinance about tobacco products on city property as well as the addition of no tobacco products while operating vehicles or equipment for employees. Councilman Dennis Kelly asked if the policy would conflict with the ordinance, and which one would be enforced. 

“The ordinance is going to affect all Torrington citizens or individuals in the city of Torrington at the time of that violation, and the policy is specific to city employees only,” City Attorney James Eddington said. “[Employees] could be in violation of both technically.” 

The council approved the amendment to the policy. 

The council also approved an amendment regarding safety glasses with some revisions to the limit and procedure. Councilman Richard Patterson added to the amendment to take out specific businesses in the policy for the safety glasses. 

Other changes featured cleaning up language and other editorial changes to the internet information protection and control standards and promotion, demotion and transfers. 

The council also approved changing the on-call policy to allow for a two-hour minimum as opposed to one hour to compensate employees for the loss of time off as well as offering a merit pay stipend for compensation and performance evaluations. 

During the mayor’s information items, Adams said the electrical department did not have any extra work after the wind event last week. 

“Much more serious wind problems occurred to the South and West particularly along the interstate routes,” Adams said. “Hopefully, we won’t see much of that.” 

Adams also reminded everyone to clear their sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall and to contact the city if anyone is in need of assistance. 

Adams also gave an update on the current COVID cases in the county stating there are 17 active cases reported. Wyoming has had more than 100,000 cases since the beginning of the pandemic with 1,526 COVID related as of Tuesday. 

Adams said the Omicron variant has been reported in the state and added the vaccines are proving effective against the new strain.

In terms of construction projects, Adams said the sewer upgrades for the year are complete with the exception of some minor concrete work. The crack-seal project has also been completed. 

Pre-bidding for next year’s sewer treatment facility project is underway with bid opening expected to take place in mid-January. 

Adams also said they are still waiting on the delivery of the emergency generator for the ambulance building as well as materials for the fuel island upgrade at the airport. 

Adams concluded his information items with a reminder to the community to be thankful during the holiday season. 

“As we near the upcoming holidays, remember to count your blessings, treat everyone as you would have them treat you, and have a great and responsible holiday season,” Adams said. 

The next council meeting will be Jan. 4 at 7 p.m.