TOWN OF MIDWEST MINUTES *
December 13, 2023
The regular meeting of the Midwest Town Council was called to order at 7:00 pm at the Midwest Town Hall by Mayor Tracy Sutherland. Mayor Sutherland led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council Members present were Chayla Callahan, Mandy DeWitt, Rick Provence, and Darla Lindsay.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Mayor Sutherland opened the Public Hearing for the Big D Oil liquor license renewal. Mayor
Sutherland asked three times if there was anyone present who wished to speak against the Big D Oil liquor license. Mayor Sutherland asked if there was anyone present who wished to speak in favor of the Big D Oil liquor license. Mike Cevasco commented that he is in favor of the Big D Oil liquor license. Mayor Sutherland asked two more times if there was anyone present who wished to speak in favor of the Big D Oil liquor license.
Hearing no protests Council Member Lindsay made a motion to accept the application for Big D Oil’s liquor license and adjourn the Public Hearing at this time, 7:02 p.m., seconded by Council Member DeWitt. Council Member Callahan recused herself due to conflict of interest. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Council Member Callahan, seconded by Council Member Provence to accept the minutes dated November 8, 2023. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Council Member Provence, seconded by Council Member Callahan to accept the Treasurer’s Report dated October, 2023. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Council Member Lindsay, seconded by Council Member DeWitt to accept the Budget Report dated October, 2023. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS: On file. Council Member Lindsay requested a copy of the 2024-2025 County Commissioners Scholarship Application. The Clerk will get her a copy.
PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, & COMPLAINTS:
1. Jamie Durand-Jones – 2J Services Lease Agreement Modifications – The Mayor stated Jamie was not able to attend the meeting.
2. David Florence – Employment Portfolio – David informed the Council of his job qualification for the Police Chief position and presented his employment portfolio. Police Chief Jones explained the process for hiring an employee. David stated he will have to do the full fourteen week training.
OFFICER’S REPORT:
Maintenance Report – Jennifer Sutherland stated that the radio reads are here. The Ferguson Waterworks Tech came out and trained Jennifer, Jaime Jones, and Rod Hudson on how to install them.
Jennifer informed the Council that the waterline at 102 Aspen Street has been repaired.
The door at the Rec. Center has been fixed.
Rod is working on getting the snow fence up.
Jaime informed the Council that the EPA federally mandated lead service line inventory is to be completed by October 2024. It will be minimally evasive for the residents. Every tap will be checked.
Clerk’s Report – The animal shot clinic was held on December 5, 2023. 46 animals were vaccinated and/or licensed. There are still 110 animals that need licensed. Please remind residents that when they lose a
pet to contact the office so the Clerk can take them off her list.
The Clerk informed the Council that the town hall will be closed on Monday, December 25, 2023 and Monday, January 1, 2024.
The Clerk received information from Waste Connections that the Casper bale fill will be raising their rates. If she gets final confirmation from the Salt Creek Joint Powers Board she will have a resolution prepared for the next meeting.
The Council received an email in their packets in regard to the WAM Winter Workshop. The Clerk requested that if any of the Council wants to attend to please contact her so she can get them signed up.
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Sutherland stated that the next meeting is scheduled for December 27, 2023 and asked if the Council wanted to have a second meeting in December. The Council agreed not to have a second meeting.
Attorney’s Report – None.
Police Report – Police Chief Jones informed the Council that several affidavits and complaints have been processed through the attorney’s office.
Due to the nice weather coming up, Police Chief Jones will be working on a nuisance violation list.
Police Chief Jones will be having some training coming up.
Animal licensing notices will go up door to door to people who have not licensed their pets yet. A rabies certificate is required.
Council Member Report – None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Community Improvement – Council Member Provence inquired about who would be taking care of the new basketball court equipment. Jennifer stated she will take care of it.
2. Police Chief and Clerk Positions – Council Member Lindsay stated the Council should start visiting the Clerk position soon.
Police Chief Jones informed the Council that the advertisement for the Police Chief position has not been put in the paper yet. The application and advertisement is with the attorney for approval. Council Member Provence made a motion to not post the Police Chief position advertisement in the Casper Star Tribune, seconded by Council Member Lindsay. Motion carried.
3. Chickens – Second Reading of Ordinance 2023-05, an Ordinance of the Town of Midwest Wyoming to Amend Ordinance 2020-01 Pertaining to Animals to Include Regulations and Requirements for the Keeping, Harboring, and Raising of Chickens within the Town – Council Member Provence made a motion to accept the Second Reading of Ordinance 2023-05, an Ordinance of the Town of Midwest Wyoming to Amend Ordinance
2020-01 Pertaining to Animals to Include Regulations and Requirements for the Keeping, Harboring, and Raising of Chickens within the Town, seconded by Council Member Lindsay. Motion carried.
4. Old Tractor – Jennifer informed the Council that the new tractor should be here December 14, 2023 and possibly the old tractor.
5. Old Water Station – Jennifer stated that Installation and Service worked on the valve for the old water station. Jennifer will be exercising the valve with Rod a few more times. Mayor Sutherland stated it might be best to cap it off.
6. Building Permit Amount of Days to Build – Dan Mayes discussed with the Council the amount of days a person has to start building according to the town permit. He stated that the Zoning and Planning would like to see it changed from 120 days to 180 days. Council Member Callahan made a motion to approve the Zoning and Planning Commission’s suggestion to move their regular building permit from 120 days to 180
days, seconded by Council Member Provence. Council Member Lindsay voted nay. Motion carried.
7. Building Without a Permit Fine – Dan discussed with the Council, Zoning and Planning’s idea for raising building without a permit fine increase. Police Chief Jones discussed the process for building permits and building without a permit fine and/or citation. The Council agreed not to raise the fine for building without a permit.
8. Third and Final Reading of Ordinance 2023-04, an Ordinance of the Town of Midwest Wyoming to Appropriate Funds for the Payment of Salaries of Employees of the Town of Midwest, Wyoming – Council Member Provence made a motion to accept the Third and Final Reading of Ordinance 2023-04, an Ordinance of the Town of Midwest Wyoming to Appropriate Funds for the Payment of Salaries of Employees of the Town of
Midwest, Wyoming, seconded by Council Member Callahan. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Motion was made by Council Member Callahan, seconded by Council Member Lindsay to accept the
vouchers presented for payment. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Eugen Dickerson thanked Jennifer for cleaning up the cow manure off of the Town Hall front lawn.
2. Dan discussed an issue with the set back distance in the chicken section of Ordinance 2023-05. The Council will look into the section Dan is referring to and possibly make changes before third and final reading. Police Chief Jones requested that himself and Dan get together and do some homework on this issue.
3. Mr. Dickerson inquired about the difference between a dog and cat running around an entire yard but a chicken cannot. Council Member Provence stated the chicken ordinance is specific about the chickens being confined. Motion was made by Council Member Lindsay to adjourn the regular Council Meeting at 8:00 pm to go into Executive Session to discuss employee issues, seconded by Council Member DeWitt. Motion carried.
* Minutes subject to Council approval. Posted December 21, 2023.