Students get a look at town council

Pine Bluffs third grade teacher, Wanda Theobald and her class were welcomed by mayor Bill Shain at the Pine Bluffs town council meeting Monday evening and most stayed the entire meeting.

“We are very proud to receive the third grade class to our meeting,” smiled Shain.

Todd Bishop reviewed the seven responses received from different financial institutions for the bond the town is using for the paving of Black and Butler streets, refurbishing Reher Park, the water distribution project and the rehabilitation of the sewer system.

“Some offers came in at a lower interest rate than we projected,” explained Bishop. “The lowest rate is 1.54 percent, which is a very low rate of interest.”

Bishop said the bond can be closed by May 20, with the funds available at that time.

Town engineer, Chris Lidstone updated the council on the active projects. He explained the water shut-downs were going better with the placement of “trust blocked” valves so the entire town doesn’t need to be shut-off. Shain said he had a few calls from residents concerned about access to their homes and asked Lidstone to remind the contractors to be aware of blocking homes.

Lance Gliech requested to put grass in place of the damaged sidewalk in front of his house. The council approved his landscaping plans and commented “not a lot of people walk in that area.”

Rick Lara spoke to the board about approving a non-conforming house on a lot he owns. A single wide trailer burned down on that lot in 2006 and Lara tried to keep the lot cleaned up, but trash continues to be dumped there.

“I would like to place a home for rent or sale on the lot to bring a family to Pine Bluffs, but it isn’t big enough for a typical stick-built home or modular which the zone requires,” explained Lara.

Town attorney Alex Davison said Lara could inform his neighbors what he would like to put in with a picture of the home and see if there are any negative comments. Shain instructed town administrator Caryn Miller to send out a letter to Lara’s neighbors with a photograph Lara will supply.

In other business, the council accepted the bid from Raymond Matthews for west 25 feet of the east 115 foot of lots one, two and block seven for $750.

After discussing how long it had been since the Laramie County Sheriffs Department changed its fees for housing, the council approved the new daily charge rates of $100 per day up from $83.58 and the booking rate of $40 up from $26.50.

The Knights of Columbus requested a malt beverage permit from the council for their golf tournament in May and the council approved it.

Ken Murray submitted a letter of resignation from his dispatch position which the council accepted and Murray thanked the town for the opportunity.

Miller presented the first stages of the Reher Park plans for the council to review. After some discussion on landscape upkeep and parking places, Shain advised Miller to talk with the engineers about a couple of changes. In other Reher Park discussions, the council approved the purchase of a larger slide for the pool.

Laramie County Commissioner chairman Troy Thompson informed the council during visitor comments that Keith Tast was the new manager of the shooting complex. Laramie County School District No. 2 board chairman Esther Davison encouraged everyone to contact their legislators about the Pine Bluffs Elementary School and its level of disrepair.

“In 2007, we were number one on the list of schools needing replaced, two years ago we were number 30, and this year we are number 60,” explained Davison. “They usually build six to seven new schools a year, so we are looking at 10 years or more. We have talked to our local representatives and will continue to go up the ladder until we get some answers and would appreciate everyone speaking out as well.”

The council was presented with a building permit for a fence at 516 West Highway 30, but Alex Davison asked the council to postpone a decision on this until after executive session.

Before adjourning to executive session, Shain encouraged everyone to vote Tuesday. The council adjourned to executive session to discuss legal matters and personnel. When they returned, they announced the hiring of Robert Armstrong as a police officer and Donald Miller as public works crew member.

The next council meeting will be held Monday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m.