City of Torrington )
County of Goshen )
State of Wyoming )
The Torrington City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 in the City Council Chambers at 436 East 22nd Ave. at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Adams, Council Members Kinney, Law and Patterson. Also Present: Clerk/Treasurer Strecker, Attorney Eddington, Director of Public Works Harkins, Chief of Police Johnson, Building Official Estes and Deputy City Clerk Anaya.
Mayor Adams called the meeting to order.
Councilman Law led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Adams announced that the meeting is being broadcasted live by KGOS/KERM.
Mayor Adams announced that the current session is Councilman Law’s last Council meeting as a Council member as his term will expire on 12-31-20.
Mayor Adams led the session with informational announcements on the following items: 1.
City Council vacant seat update; 2. Announcement that the scheduled Community Hero Award was postponed due to current COVID-19 restrictions and conditions; 3. Goshen County mask mandate reminder and update; 4. COVID-19 updates and recommendations; 5. COVID-19 vaccine update; 6. Request for continued local business community support; and 7. Thank you to all healthcare professionals, County and Public Health Officers, emergency management professionals, and emergency responders who have sacrificed to help the community survive the crisis.
Councilman Kinney moved and Councilman Patterson seconded to approve the consent agenda which includes the minutes from the 12-01-20 Council meeting as published and all actions therein be ratified. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Adams requested approval to amend the agenda as follows:
• Remove Community Hero Award from the Agenda.
Councilman Law moved and Councilman Kinney seconded to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously.
Attorney Eddington presented for approval an Amendment to Lease of Airport Hangar Site between the City of Torrington and Dave Arland. He stated that the amendment will allow Mr. Arland to pay the City of Torrington $38, 592 as a full and final payment of the lease and in turn the said lease will be considered terminated upon payment thereof. Attorney Eddington commented that the amendment will be subject to and contingent upon Mr. Arland reaching an agreement for the sale of the improvements located on the real property of the City of Torrington, and further contingent upon Shawn Madden and the City of Torrington entering into an Airport Ground Lease Agreement at the Torrington Municipal Airport for the real property upon which the improvements are located. Councilman Patterson moved and Councilman Kinney seconded to approve the Amendment to Lease of Airport Hangar Site between the City of Torrington and Dave Arland as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Building Official Estes presented for approval an Agreement for Shared Services between the City of Torrington, the Torrington Fire Protection District 3 and the Torrington Volunteer Firefighters. He stated that all parties to the agreement have varying percentages of ownership interests in buildings, vehicles and personal property, and commented that the purpose of the agreement is to combine resources and funds and to share services whenever and wherever possible in a manner that is fair and equitable for each party to best service their residents. Councilman Kinney moved and Councilman Law seconded to approve the Agreement for Shared Services between the City of Torrington, the Torrington Fire Protection District 3 and the Torrington Volunteer Firefighters contingent upon the approval of the agreement by the Torrington Fire Protection District 3 as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk/Treasurer Strecker presented a Financial Report as of 10-31-20. She stated that the total restricted and cash on hand was $15, 078, 388.17, then after adding unearned revenue, subtracting unexpended appropriations and restricted cash, the total net cash reserve was $7, 771, 575.78. The accounts receivable/utility billing amount past due was $23, 872.61, the amount at collections was $87, 842.69 and $5, 659.58 was turned over to the City Attorney. With 34% of the fiscal year elapsed most of the revenue has come in better than expected and department heads have done a great job of staying within budget on expenditures. Net revenue for all funds was $1, 883, 402.69, which in comparison to the previous fiscal year has increased overall. Councilman Kinney moved and Councilman Patterson seconded to accept the financial report as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk/Treasurer Strecker presented for approval an amendment to the policy handbook in regard to the creation of a Volunteer Emergency Responder Leave Policy. She stated that the new policy clarifies the unwritten policy that has been followed for years. Clerk/Treasurer Strecker indicated that some confusion and misinformation came up with the unwritten policy, which resulted in a newly created policy that establishes guidelines for volunteer firefighter responder leave. Councilman Law moved and Councilman Kinney seconded to approve the amendment to the policy handbook in regard to the creation of a Volunteer Emergency Responder Leave Policy as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk/Treasurer Strecker presented for approval amendments to the policy handbook in regard to the Definitions, Holidays and On-Call Policies. She stated that after reviewing classifications of employees as Full-Time, Part-Time and Seasonal, it was discovered that the part-time ambulance employees did not fall into the same classifications as the other regular part-time employees. Clerk/Treasurer Strecker indicated that after further research it was found that those specific employees are actually what is referred to as PRN (pro re nata) or “an employee who works when called in or as needed.” She commented that due to that discovery, the Wage Committee would like to change those specific positions to PRN and revise the Definitions, Holidays and On-Call Policies accordingly. Councilman Patterson moved and Councilman Kinney seconded to approve the amendments to the policy handbook in regard to the Definitions, Holidays and On-Call Policies as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk/Treasurer Strecker presented for approval a Vacation Carryover Request. She stated that due to the current circumstances with the COVID-19 health emergency, vacation balances for some employees will not be able to be used by 12-31-20. Clerk/Treasurer Strecker commented that the Wage Committee received a request from Water Systems Operator Radford to consider waiving the policy in 2020 for the vacation balance carryover limit of 80 hours. She indicated that after careful consideration, the committee would like to recommend waiving the policy in 2020 for the vacation balance carryover as requested. Clerk/Treasurer Strecker stated that the request will only apply to the calendar year ending 12-31-20. Councilman Kinney moved and Councilman Law seconded to approve the Vacation Carryover Request as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk/Treasurer Strecker presented for approval a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Recommendation. She stated that based on the 2020 second quarter Cost of Living Index for Wyoming as published by the Wyoming Economic Analysis Division, the COLA is 1.8% for the southeast region. Clerk/Treasurer Strecker commented that after the consideration of the current financial condition of the City, the Wage Committee would like to recommend a 1.75% COLA for employees effective the first pay period of January 2021. She indicated that the recommended COLA will increase the FY21 Budget an estimated $51, 211 (with benefits). Councilman Law moved and Councilman Kinney seconded to approve the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Recommendation as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk/Treasurer Strecker presented for approval the Performance Evaluation & Merit Increase Request. She briefly summarized the request as it had previously been discussed in depth at a Work Session held by the City Council on 12-08-20. Clerk/Treasurer Strecker stated that after consideration of the current financial condition of the City, the Wage Committee would like to offer an alternative to the current Compensation and Performance Evaluation Policy that will reward employees for performance and be easier to sustain in this uncertain economic climate. She commented that the proposal is a one-time stipend based on the performance level as follows: Extraordinary - $400 Stipend, Exceeds Expectations - $300 Stipend, Fully Meets Expectations - $200 Stipend and Meets Expectations - $100 Stipend. Clerk/Treasurer Strecker indicated that the cost of the proposal will be approximately $26, 059 out of the FY21 Budget and stated that employees can expect the stipend on the first payroll in January 2021. Councilman Kinney moved and Councilman Patterson seconded to approve the Performance Evaluation & Merit Increase Request as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
The bills from 12-02-20 to 12-15-20 were presented for payment. Councilman Patterson moved and Councilman Law seconded to approve the bills for payment as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Adams asked for public comments, questions or concerns.
Councilman Kinney stated that he is very appreciative of the east side walking path improvements, and for the care and maintenance of the path.
Councilman Law moved and Councilman Kinney seconded that there being no further business to come before the Mayor and Council to adjourn at 7:57 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
The following bills were approved for payment: 69831 CITY OF TORRINGTON payroll withholding 534.37;69832 DENT, DAVID A. Golf Pro Payable 609.48;69833 FAMILY SUPPORT REGISTRY payroll withholding 235.97;69834 GOSHEN CO DISTRICT COURT CLERK payroll withholding 100.00;69835 GREAT-WEST TRUST CO LLC payroll withholding 2536.00;69836 NEW YORK LIFE payroll withholding 369.37;69837 CENTURYLINK TVFD phone/data line 293.87;69838 SMITH, LEONARD deposit refund 106.45;69839 GARY RICKARD deposit refund 79.37;69840 SUSAN MCGUIRE deposit refund 166.09; 69841 ARROW ELECTRIC OF TORRINGTON electrical work, exhaust fan work, heater work 1480.00;69842 ACTION COMMUNICATIONS INC. microphone 46.67;69843 AXON ENTERPRISE INC. tasers/accessories 9063.00;69844 B & C STEEL CORPORATION dumpster bottoms 3129.51;69845 BIVENS CONSTRUCTION INC. concrete/valve work 8466.50;69846 BOB RUWART MOTORS install wireless ignition, key blank 692.02;69847 BORDER STATES INDUSTRIES INC. flood lights, return, machine bolts, fire resistant canvas pants, current transformer, wall heaters, hinged meter locking rings, meter locking device 2779.79;69848 BROWN CO hex nuts 2.98;69849 BROWN, KENNETH T. Municipal Court Associate Judge 225.00;69850 CNA SURETY WY blanket notary errors & omissions policy 100.00;69851 CANON FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. copier contracts 839.00;69852 CASELLE INC. contract support & maint 1990.00;69853 CENTURY LUMBER CENTER grounding plugs, connector, tape, splices, screws, conduit body, hole straps, caulk, toilet seat, brushes, edger, nipples, ball valve, adapter, paint, jars, clamps, elbow, bushings, nail fastener, patio door insulator kit, coupling, bits, zinc chest handle, bolt snaps, double cut key, power block cord, power outlet centers, electrical outlet box, outdoor cover, braided nylon, shovel 421.62;69854 CITY OF TORRINGTON trail fees 2850.00;69855 COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ambulance supplies 85.70;69856 CONNECTING POINT copier service contracts/monthly charges 358.90;69857 CONTRACTORS MATERIALS INC. cargo work pants 328.00;69858 CULLIGAN WATER OF TORRINGTON dispenser rentals, parts, water 140.50;69859 DALE'S TIRE & RETREADING tire repair 857.00;69860 DAWSON INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS LLC jet rodder nozzle repair 337.56;69861 DIVERSIFIED SERVICES INC. cleaning services 115.00;69862 DPC INDUSTRIES INC. sodium hypo 2636.77;69863 HERSTEAD MONUMENT CO reset stone 500.00;69864 E P CONSTRUCTION curb/gutter 1575.00;69865 ENERGY LABORATORIES INC. lab testing 407.00;69866 FASTENAL CO bleach, batteries, fasteners, washers, screws, tapcons, face masks, tap bolts 343.33;69867 FISHER ROOFING & RESTORATION CO INC. cleaning & restoration of south fire hall 6399.59;69868 FLOYD'S TRUCK CENTER INC. lever assy, shift lever kit, side carb skate, emergency stop w/ frame 2350.92; 69869 PRO QUALITY PEST CONTROL rodent control 130.00;69870 SUNSHINE PHOTOGRAPHY head shot 40.00;69871 GOSHEN CO ECONOMIC 1/4 cent tax, monthly contribution 22357.89;69872 GOSHEN DIESEL SERVICE air bags 210.00;69873 GREATAMERICA FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP copier leases 434.00; 69874 HACH CO flow meters & accessories 9347.87;69875 HAWKINS INC. sodium hydrox 50% diaphragm 2432.37;69876 USABLUEBOOK blower lubricant, eyewash bottles 501.46;69877 HOTLINE ELECTRICAL SALES & SERVICE LLC electric meters 24200.00;69878 IDEAL LINEN/BLUFFS FACILITY SOLUTION mats, scrapers, sam dust/energy fees, sam garment fees, sam linen, coveralls, towels, mops, trash bags, toilet paper, cleaner, screens 2293.51;69879 INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTORS nuts, washers, foaming glass cleaner 50.02;69880 J HARLEN CO INC. work boots 209.99;69881 JAMES A. EDDINGTON PC City Attorney, extended hours 6907.70;69882 KATH BROADCASTING CO LLC tower rent, City Council meeting 475.00;69883 K & K COMMUNICATIONS paging service-elec meters 12.00;69884 FRANK PARTS CO oil seals, grease fitting, cable ties, hyd fluid, air/oil/fuel/hyd filters, concentrators, adapters, double lip S, belt drive, century spring, ompact socket, starter fluid, web winders, switch-combination, macs belt dressing 646.76;69885 LEO RILEY & CO in progress audit billing FY2020 10000.00;69886 LUJAN CLEANING SERVICE LLC cleaning, window cleaning 237.00;69887 MATHESON TRI-GAS INC. medical oxygen 100.95; 69888 MATTHEW BENDER & CO INC. WY Court Rules 2020 Supplements 182.10;69889 MCI A VERIZON CO long distance/911 call backs 51.23;69890 MCKEE, KAREN R. & MARTIN B. banner 63.60;69891 MUILENBURG, KENT repair leaking heat line/replace flush valves 855.93;69892 MUNICIPAL ENERGY AGENCY OF NE wholesale power 401836.69;69893 NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION nfpa 225: model manufactured home installation standards 52.20;69894 NORTHWEST INSTRUMENT & CONTROLS INC. sensor assy, sentry, oxygen 417.14;69895 O'REILLY AUTO ENTERPRISES LLC wiper blades, air/cabin filters, mini bulb, fuel cap, cleaner, vent wrap, brake rotor, ceramic pad, brake grease, quik-loks, connector, transmission fluid, steering wheel covers, load genie, swivel ratch 553.40;69896 OLSON TIRE CO universal sensor, tire repairs, prema rad patches, trac recap, radial carcass, dismount/mount, stem lt metal valve stem, tube 2152.16;69897 ONE CALL OF WY tickets for CDC code TRG 89.25;69898 ENVIRO SERVICES INC. lab analysis 150.00;69899 PATRICK, JOHN B. Municipal Court Judge 1100.00;69900 PINNACLE BANK postage, gift cards, training fees, air filter, bracket, signs, fuel, Christmas lights, work boots, refund, plastic cleaner/polish, manual/training, tankless water heater, birthday cards, air filter base repl, mechanics gloves, rotory latch rh & lh, cups, bleach, kleenex, wipes, sales tax, flex-o-glaze 2426.44;69901 PRINT EXPRESS INC. trail pass labels, golf course membership tickets, tee time books, ups 708.57;69902 PRO-QUIP LLC electric clamp tire changer, air driver 517.00;69903 RAILROAD MANAGEMENT CO license fee-water/sewer 146.41;69904 WY AIRPORT SERVICES LLC Airport Operator Contract 1964.72;69905 RIVER VIEW SAND & GRAVEL LLC pea gravel 1151.09;69906 VANDEL DRUG battery 7.69;69907 SAM'S CLUB/ SYCHRONY BANK cleaner, toilet paper holders, envelopes, paper plates 147.84;69908 VALLEY MOTOR SUPPLY buffing kit, hyd hose/fittings, wire ties, batteries, clamp, tubing, connectors, air/oil/fuel filters, protectant, car wash concentrate, microfiber towels, bed armor aero, headlight lamp, DEF, red grease, steering wheel cover 891.75;69909 SNOW CREST CHEMICALS LLC hot water closed loop contract 125.00; 69910 SUEZ WTS USA INC. monthly chemical management 7748.79;69911 SURVIVIAL ARMOR INC. male plexus ballistic mbav-III vest, class a carrier w/ molle 921.23;69912 TELEDYNE INSTRUMENTS INC. plotter paper rolls 436.34;69913 TIMBERLINE ELECTRIC & CONTROL CORP troubleshoot issue-supplied limit switch, repl exhaust fan 514.50;69914 TORRINGTON OFFICE SUPPLY ink/toner cartridges, weekly planner, mouse pad w/ wrist rest, file sorters w/ tabs, cover stock, hole reinforcements, legal pads, laminating pouches, big tab index dividers, pens, laminated wall calendars 1149.95;69915 TOUCHTONE COMMUNICATIONS long distance 127.54;69916 TRANS-WEST INC. rear view mirror kit, small mirror 64.30;69917 TRIHYDRO CORP WWTP Pre-Treat Design 34396.42;69918 U S POSTMASTER credit for postage 850.00;69919 VALLEY COLLISION vehicle repair 9206.09;69920 GRAINGER flexible bulk rolls-low temp plastic strip, marking paint, motor 923.27;69921 WESTCO propane, unleaded gas, diesel 7792.65; 69922 WY ASSOC RURAL WATER 2020 voting membership, mini conference member registration 599.00; 69923 WY DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION Torr/Ind Park Ave, Torr/US-85 Realign/Enh 213.40;69924 WY DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WY motor fuel license renewal for airport 50.00;69925 WY DEQ - SOLID & HAZARDOUS WASTE DIV yearly tank fees for 2021-airport 800.00;69926 WY MACHINERY air filter, element assy 135.41;69927 TORRINGTON TELEGRAM ads, legals 1996.00;69928 WEST, LAURETTA credit refund 118.13;69929 RICHEY, MICHAEL A. & SCARLETT R. deposit refund 43.74;69930 ALTISOURCE SINGLE FAMILY INC. deposit refund 51.31;69931 BARTEL, GARRETT deposit refund 93.59
Public Notice No. 7671 published in the Torrington Telegram on December 25, 2020.
