Town council acts on grant requests

Tuesday evening, the Thermopolis Town Council took action regarding two SLIB grants. Council first approved providing support to Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital’s grant request.

Hospital CEO Margie Molitor spoke in regard to a request for the council’s support for a new roof on the current hospital building. Molitor said there new roof was never part of the expansion and remodel project, and while the additional will, of course, have a new roof there is about 27,000 square feet of the existing building that needs re-roofed.

The new roof is $685,000, but that does not include asbestos abatement of $164,000 for a total $849,000. The hospital is requesting a SLIB grant of $1.5 million, with the remaining funds to be used to move the kitchen from the basement to the ground level. Molitor pointed out getting the grant and doing the additional plumbing and electrical work at the same time as the expansion would be cost efficient.

Also addressed were the building permit fees for the hospital project. Mayor’s Assistant Fred Crosby noted they are in excess of $60,000, but because the project is related to health the state will do most of the inspections. This allows the town to have a much reduced permit cost, possibly around $20,000 with the state taking care of the rest. Molitor noted those costs are the hospital’s not Sletten Construction’s.

Later in the meeting, council passed a resolution to pursue another SLIB grant request to address a sewer line. Town Engineer Anthony Barnett, who presented the request, said there is a section of sewer on Springview from Maiden to about in front of Taco John’s. Though the line is not the old, Barnett said when a camera is put in it, the camera spends a lot of its time submerged.

It was further noted that WYDOT is planning improvements in 2020 on the main route through town, and addressing the issue with the sewer line at the same time, or even prior to, those improvements would be ideal. Though the request for SLIB funding would go in this year, the grant funds might be received at the same time WYDOT begins the roadwork.

A total budget for the sewer line work is around $300,000 and the request would be a 50/50 cost share between the SLIB board and the town. Barnett noted such requests are usually well received as opposed to those where the SLIB is expected to pick up a larger share.

In other action, council approved a street closing from Main Street Thermopolis, for the Thermopolis Brewfest on June 1. The event takes the place of the regular annual Oktobrewfest, and spokesperson Deb Tudor noted microbrewers and the local brewery have been invited to participate, as well as other vendors, and courtesy rides will be offered to and from the event.

Tudor also noted there was a question as to whether glass containers, rather than the traditional plastic, could be sold and used at Brewfest. Mayor Mike Chimenti expressed concern there would be a lot of broken glass downtown and suggested Main Street sell the glass containers, but provide plastic containers for drinking to those who buy them. That stipulation was included in the approval of the street closure.

Council also approved the use of the Thermopolis Golf Course liquor license for an in-town fundraiser.

Kevin Simpson spoke regarding the course. The golf board has discussed their financial issues, he said, and they want to put on a fundraiser March 9. Simpson said they are trying to educate the community on the importance of the course.

The course has its own liquor license, though it is a county license and the golf board wants to utilize in-town space such as the fairgrounds or the armory to host the fundraiser. Simpson noted the county commissioners approved the use of the liquor license in town, provided town council also approved. Simpson said the use of the golf course license means more of the proceeds from the fundraiser would go to the course, rather than having to pay the fees necessary for catered alcohol.

As for the event itself, Simpson said they are looking at bringing in different food vendors from around the area and doing other activities to make it for everyone and not just golfers.

Council approved allowing the golf course to use its liquor license for the event, with the caveats that servers be properly trained and there are safeguards in place against selling to minors.

Council approved a total approved contract amount of $2,339,291.10 for the water line replacement project, which takes into account a reconciliation amount of $190,025.71. Also approved was the bidding out of the clarifier paint project at the water treatment plant. Engineer Barnett explained the project would be bid out and reviewed, with the award done in early March so the painting can be done before high water use sets in. The cost of the project is estimated at around $100,000.

Also at the meeting, Trisha McPhie introduced herself as the new county nurse manager at the Public Health office. She noted the county has received a grant for prevention, and the money will be used in five focus areas – underage alcohol use, adult binge drinking, opioids, suicide and tobacco, which will also encompass vaping. Public Health has already been working with the school district and law enforcement, and is hiring a prevention specialist who will be housed in the district, McPhie said.

Director of Public Works reported the loader at the landfill has been fixed and is being used, and so far there are no complaints. Replacement rails have also arrived for the state park lift station. Mayor Chimenti passed on to Slagle comments he’s heard about the efficiency of town crews to clear the ice and snow.