TORRINGTON – The Torrington City Council convened for its first November meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at the Torrington Council Chambers. 

Mayor Herb Doby was present with council members Richard Patterson, Dennis Kelly, Wayne Deahl and Shane Viktorin.

City Clerk and Treasurer Lynette Strecker presented the request for the council to declare an emergency and allow them to proceed with the purchase of a camel combination sewer cleaner and vacuum truck (vactor truck) from Kois Equipment Co.

At several of the prior meetings, Strecker and Water and Wastewater Supervisor Tom Troxel have provided updates on the city’s vactor truck that was in an accident and out of commission. The city has been waiting on the final decision from the insurance before moving on to purchasing its replacement. In the meantime, the city has been paying a rental fee of $14,000 per month for a vactor truck while waiting for updates. 

At the last council meeting, they explained that the insurance had finally decided that the damage was too great and totaled the vehicle.

“We did receive money from the insurance company,” Strecker said. “We received $509,662 and the purchase agreement is for $542,141. This will leave the amount to come out of reserve at $32,479, which is a lot better than the alternative.”

Strecker said declaring this issue and emergency it allows the city to purchase a replacement truck immediately instead of requiring them to go out to bid. Currently, the city is without a vactor truck, as the rental truck has been returned. 

A vactor truck is used to suction wet and dry materials. Most often it is used for regular maintenance and emergency situations concerning the sewers. However, the truck also has many other functions including helping the water department with water leaks and cleaning pits by the bailer.

“It’s used across the city in various departments,” Troxel said.

Troxel said if the request is approved then they could enter into the agreement and the truck would be delivered Thursday, Nov. 9. 

The council unanimously approved the request to declare an emergency and approve the purchase.

City Attorney James Eddington read the proclamation to declare Nov. 13 to 19 as National Apprenticeship Week in the city of Torrington. 

“National Apprenticeship Week is celebrating its ninth anniversary of raising awareness of the vital role registered apprenticeships provide in creating opportunities by allowing apprentices to earn while they learn and preparing a pathway to good, quality jobs and well-paying careers in the city of Torrington, Wyoming and across the nation,” Eddington read. “Whereas, registered apprenticeship programs enable employers to develop and train their future workforce while offering career seekers affordable paths to secure high-paying jobs.”

“Mayor, council, this is my apprentice Ben Cantu; he’s doing a wonderful job,” Electrical Supervisor Dana Youtz told the council. “He is going to be here for two years starting next month.”

“We push our apprentices through pretty quick, more so than other entities,” he continued. “He’s doing work that third- and fourth-year apprentices do. He’s doing a great job.”

Youtz said the apprenticeship consists of four years of accredited schooling and then 8,000 hours of on-the-job training. After completing the program, the apprentice receives their journeyman’s. 

The council approved the proclamation.

Jeff Harkins, the director of public works and city engineer, presented the winning bid for the fiscal year (FY) 20025 chip seal placement project. The winning bid was Topkote, Inc. of Yankton, South Dakota in the amount of $207,788.98 and a reserve of $12,211.02 (5.9%) for contingency for a project total of $220,000. The project is expected to be completed by September 6, 2024.

Harkins said the project is to apply 45,535 SY of chip seal and fog coat to East G Street and East H Street from 17th Avenue to 27th Avenue and East I Street from Highway 26 to Crestview Drive. It also includes 4,480 SY of triple asphaltic surface treatment on Albany Avenue from Laramie Street to Sheridan Street and Sheridan Street from Albany Avenue to end. 

The other bids received were from Bituminous Paving for $371,770 and 71 Construction for $643,697.60.

The council approved the bid.

Harkins also presented the winning bid for the FY2024 crack fill project. The winning bid was Highway Improvements of Sioux Falls, South Dakota in the amount of $74,000 and a reserve of $26,000 (35.1%) for contingency for a project total of $100,000. The estimated completion date is March 29, 2024.

Harkins said the project consists of applying 100,000 LF of hot mix joint sealant to East B Street and East C Street from Highway 26 to 30th Avenue.

The other bid that was received was from Z&Z Seal Coat for $77,000.

The council unanimously approved the bid.

Strecker presented the city’s recommendation to award a bid to Shell Equipment of Littleton, Colorado for the purchase of a new roll-off truck with hook lift assembly. The bid was for a total of $239,268.75. 

“We held the bid on Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. and had a really good turnout,” Strecker told the council. “We received eight bids with five different vendors.”

Strecker said when comparing the bids they looked at several factors including availability, warranty, rear axle suspension and horsepower. 

Shell Equipment’s bid included delivery in 45 calendar days, a five-year warranty on the truck and three years for the hook lift system, a 46,000 lb suspension and 475 horsepower. The other bids included delivery in 250 days to 700 calendar days, only a two-year warranty on the truck and one year for the hook lift system, lighter suspension and only up to 380 horsepower. 

Even though the low bid was from Peterbilt of Wyoming of Cheyenne for $222,375, Strecker said the city agreed that the bid from Shell Equipment conforms to all of the necessary specifications. 

The council approved the bid to Shell Equipment.

The council approved entering into negotiating for the Waterworth proposal. The Waterworth proposal involves a new software system for the water, wastewater and solid waste utilities. This system has been highly recommended by other cities that are currently using it.

The council approved the Health Insurance Committee’s proposal for the 2024 health insurance renewal for the city. There are no changes at this time to coverage or cost.

The council approved two catering permits. 

The first was for Sara Yung with the Open Barrel Brewing Company for an Eastern Wyoming College Foundation Christmas party. The event will be held on Dec. 9 from 5 to 9 p.m. at 436 East 22nd Avenue.

Charlie Harshberger with the 307 Sports Bar & Grill for a “Ladies Night at the Theatre” event. The event Nov. 11 from 4:30 to 11:30 p.m. at 126 East 20th Avenue.

The council approved Doug Mercer’s request to reserve September 14, 2024 and Main Street for the next annual “Classic Cars on Main Street” event. This action only holds the day and space on the calendar. As the event gets closer Mercer will go through the necessary steps to get the final approval. 

City Attorney James Eddington read the third and final ordinance reading relating to the prohibition of fowl in the animal control district.

At the Oct. 3 meeting, Eddington explained that this issue was a housekeeping matter. The R6-A zone was created to allow limited agricultural use; however, the animal control district ordinance was not updated. Before this change, it still did not permit chickens inside of the city limits. 

The council approved the reading.

During the mayoral informational part of the meeting, Doby thanked and congratulated several businesses for their efforts to spruce up their businesses.

“Great job to the businesses and all the property owners who take the time, effort and expense to keep the properties up,” Doby said. “It’s good for business and it’s good for Torrington. My thanks to you.”

Doby also told residents to go to the city website, www.torringtonwy.gov, and check out the new TextMyGov service. Residents can receive city alerts and notices on their cell phones and make inquiries to city staff by text. Just text “Hi” to the city of Torrington at 307-338-2802.

During the public comment, Patterson reminded everyone that Saturday is Veteran’s Day. In honor of the holiday, there will be a Veterans’ program in the Eastern Wyoming College’s Fine Arts Auditorium on Friday, Nov. 10 at 12:30 p.m.

The next meeting of the Torrington City Council will take place Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Torrington City Council Chambers at 436 East 22nd Avenue.