Phoning it in

The Town of Riverside implemented a web based video conferencing application, Zoom, for the meeting on April 9, 2020. Limited seating was still available for any members of the public that wished to attend the meeting.

According to a press release from the Wyoming Press Association, governmental bodies can meet their open meeting obligations, while practicing social distancing to help protect public health, by conducting meetings via telephone or video conferencing if the public is given the same opportunity to attend.

Governor Gordon and the State Health Officer also recommended that staff provide as much information as possible in writing to the governing body and make the information available to the public to reduce time spent together in groups. Jan Cook, Riverside Town Hall Clerk, took heed of this advice and had the council well prepared for the meeting.

The meeting had a short agenda and went quickly. The minutes, financial statements and bills were all read, accepted and passed without much discussion.

Then reports were heard from various departments and boards.

Lee Ann Stephenson, of the Sierra Madre Water Sewer Joint Powers Board, provided an update regarding the replacement of the meters. All the engineering has been completed. It is hoped that the project will be finished by September or October. However, completion of the project is contingent on receiving funds from the sale of Sixth Penny bonds. As of yet, the bonds have not been selling.

Stephenson also said that there is an opening for a back-up water operator. The position is about 10 hours per month and is salaried. An advertisement will be posted with the application details.

The parks department said that they would like to encourage people not to use playground equipment while social distancing orders are in place. However, there are only signs that state “use at your own risk”.

Fred Lorenz, Mayor Pro Tem, let the council know that as soon as the roads are dry enough, groomers will be starting to grate the roads.

The last item of the meeting was the first reading of the 2020-2021 Budget. A few adjustments were made and the budget also passed posthaste.

The next meeting for the Riverside Town Council will be on May 14, 2020 at 6 p.m..