Town approves support of hospital request

At the Thermopolis Town Council meeting Tuesday evening, council approved providing a letter of support of the Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees’ application for $1.5 million in SLIB funds for the hospital addition and renovation.

Representing the hospital board were Dan Herdt and Melissa Johnson. Herdt noted there are two times a year when SLIB funds can be applied for, and they’re in a bit of a rush to get the application in to Cheyenne. It’s hoped the SLIB board will grant the money in January.

The master facility plan for the hospital was completed in 2015, and at that time the addition and renovation was $16.4 million. In the three years since the plan was developed, according to the Turner Building Cost index, construction inflation has been 14.2 percent, or an additional $2.3 million. Inflation was accounted for in initial estimates, but the rate is above average and will increase the project an additional 9.7 percent or $1.591,000.

Additionally, geotechnical investigation has revealed deep foundations are required, which will increase foundation costs by up to $500,000. Asbestos abatement is also necessary, costing $100,000. The additional combined costs brings the project to $18.6 million.

According to a project summary presented to the council, the $1.5 million is to supplement the project budget due to unforeseen expenses stemming from the foundation issues, asbestos abatement and inflationary factors.

In other action, the board approved the second reading of and ordinance increasing sewer and solid waste collection rates for users with and customers of the Town of Thermopolis by revoking Ordinance 826, Resolution 500 and Resolution 493, and establishing an effective date.

Mayor Mike Mortimore clarified what the ordinance means in terms of sewer rates, noting there has been some confusion as to what is affected. Mortimore said the base rate includes 2,000 gallons of what people flush down their toilets and put down their sewers. It’s based on an average of the three winter months —December January and February — as sewers don’t have meters.

For in-town residential users, the current base rate is $25, and under the new ordinance it will be $27. As to how the average per household is figured when it’s not metered, Mortimore said it’s taken off the water meter during the winter months, as people are likely to be using water for washing clothes, bathing and in toilets rather than for washing cars or watering lawns.

There will be one more reading of the ordinance before it is adopted.

Council also approved a bid of $29,517 from Greiner Ford in Casper for a 2018 three-quarter ton crew-cab pickup. Mayor’s Assistant Fred Crosby noted the vehicle replacement was a budgeted item.

A bid from Owl Creek Excavation was approved in the amount of $34,991.80 to finish the project on 12th Street. Town Engineer Anthony Barnett said it is a safety issue, going into the fall season, to have the trench still open. The valley pan of the street cracked during the winter as ice and water made its way into the ground. As additional water infiltrated, the sewer line shifted, requiring work to get it flowing properly again.

The sewer line is flowing properly, but not to the standards of the Department of Environmental Quality. According to the bid, the plan is to start work Sept. 28 and be done by Oct. 13.

Also during the meeting, Barnett provided an update on the airport tank painting project. He noted Carr Coatings requested to start early on the project with the cooler weather we’ve been having, so as not to be delayed by bad weather later in the year. The project, begun this week, has a projected end date of Oct. 14.

Barnett also reported the chip seal project is nearly complete, and any chips should be swept up by Thursday at the latest. He noted there have been no complaints from public on this project.

Main Street Thermopolis President Suzanne Samelson presented Wyoming Main Street brochures, inside which are informational inserts for the local program. She said they look forward to using them to educate the community about Main Street and how it benefits our downtown, our city and our county, and they’re proud to be the pilot brochure project for other Main Street communities in Wyoming.

Samelson noted Main Street’s co-sponsoring the weekend street dance the Saturday before the eclipse, and downtown businesses reporting record sales and happy customers in the period surrounding the eclipse.

Members Meri Ann Rush, Howie Samelson and Shurie Scheel are attending the Wyoming Work Together Conference in Laramie. The conference is presented by the Wyoming Economic Development Association, the Wyoming State Chamber of Commerce and the Wyoming Business Council/Main Street. Howie and Scheel will also be attending the Main Street Affiliates Retreat in Retreat in Gillette Oct. 26. Thermopolis is one of six affiliate communities in the state, and Main Street is working to become certified.

Samelson said the 2017 ornaments are now available, depicting the Herard’s Pharmacy Building. With regard to last Saturday’s Oktobrewfest, Samelson said a special addition was the celebration of the building in the downtown historic district which are now 100 years old. About 300 people attended the event, and a couple from Hanover, Germany saw an ad for the event and chose to come. Though their English was limited, Samelson said they were able to say “is good!” Several businesses on Broadway reported an increase in sales, with one person referring to it as a “min eclipse day.”

Samelson also expressed appreciation to the town for the street closure and use of the old fire hall, and for the staffing from the police department.

Matt and Linda Hughes presented concerns to the council about some unsafe tree limbs hanging over their property, with dead limbs and branches falling onto their property. Matt said according to their reading of the town code, specifically Section 11-801, it is a misdemeanor. He further added it was deemed a civil matter by Police Chief Steve Shay, but they believe it is more criminal in nature.

Mayor Mortimore said the matter has been turned over to Town Attorney Mike Messenger for an opinion.