Council Member Spaulding Resigns

All council members and mayor were in attendance at the 6 p.m. regularly scheduled meeting on July 19 at the Saratoga Town Hall.

A public hearing was held before the meeting began. The hearing was about a land swap of town land appraised at $62,500 for traded property valued at $45,000.

The majority of the public made clear it was not a good idea to go ahead with the trade.

A few people felt a major donation that was being offered to park by the land owner, made the deal even. It was argued the donation may possibly influence the trade.

Carbon County Commissioner Sue Jones pointed out the swap did not meet economic criteria of being a fair trade. She suggested listing the town property for sale with a minimum, then dedicate the money from the sale to park and finish it.

Once the public hearing was over, the regular meeting began.

After agenda, minutes from the regularly scheduled July 5 meeting and a special meeting held on July 8 and financials were approved, items from the public were heard.

Steve Niccolls said the representative from the Council on the recreation board had been missing many meetings which caused some delays.

Jodell Holmes pointed out the corner of Hickory and First was unsightly. She said it has been this way for three years She said people were going behind the fence and urinating. Holmes said it was time for the town to take action.

After the items from the public, there was a public meeting on having a land swap for Tyler Pickett Park.

The majority of residents who came to the meeting to discuss the land swap said it was an unfair trade. They felt the town was getting a bad deal.

Council member Jon Nelson made a motion to reject the land swap. There was a little confusion and Carbon County Commissioner Jones said the motion should be to accept the land swap, have a second and then when the vote was put forth, it could be rejected.

"You should always do a positive motion," Jones said. "But it is clear you want to reject the land swap, so it is okay."

The Council rejected the land swap designated for Tyler Picket Park.

Nelson pointed out with the rejection of the land swap, there would be a design reconfiguration. He said the town would not be starting from scratch, but it should be prepared for some design changes. The Council said they could still approve WLC work order 16691-02, a request for bid on curbs and gutters for the park.

A special event permit for Brewfest scheduled for August 20 was approved.

The Council announced the VSO election candidate forum would happen on July 20 at 6 p.m. at the the Platte Valley Community Center.

An invoice from Wyoming Association of Municipalities (WAM), for annual membership, was approved for the amount of $2,217.

Approval was given for an application Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funding in Resolution 2022-5.

A new website to be created by Civic Engage Open was approved.

A timekeeping module from Caselle valued at $3,050 was approved.

The invoice from LGLP (Local Government Liability Pool) for $4,125.61 was approved.

For the police department, a 2023 service agreement from Motorola Solutions costing $16,258.95 was approved. It is for radio maintenance.

For the Recreation Department, BH Contracting Services LLC invoice of $11,279.45 was approved.

The recreation department asked for permission to advertise for another life guard.

The advertisement was approved.

Lauren Creegan was approved to be on the recreation board.

Public works the Range Construction Invoice for $1,800 was approved as was WYPDES permit renewal. The water and sewer rate was increased by 10 percent and weed and pest was decreased by 40 percent.

The Water and Sewer Joint Powers is soliciting letters of interest for a town appointed seat for the board. There is currently one letter of interest.

Work order 22-04 for T-O Engineers on the construction phase was approved as was work order 22-05 for T-O on an ARPA grant.

D'Ron Campbell said the seal coat at the airport will start on July 21. She said the airport will be closed at some point, but the dates are not confirmed. The work will be done by July 28.

WYDOT Grant-in-Aid ASA004D for $95,000 and WYDOT Grant-in-Aid ASA004B for $27,976 were approved.

South Central Wyoming EMS (SCWEMS) had its first quarter ambulance service invoice for $12,675 was approved. The town approved Resolution 2022-04 for a grant of WyoLink compatible radios.

After the SCWEMS report Ben Spaulding resigned.

The Council thanked him for his time he had served.

After Spaulding's resignation was accepted the Council went into Executive Session.

The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. on August 2 at the Saratoga Town Hall.