6 9 3 14 Holden, county seal deal on airport land
Transcription
6 9 3 14 Holden, county seal deal on airport land
Thermopolis Gun Club receives NRA grant Thermopolis Hot Springs Bobcat wrestlers earn 40-39 win over Cody 3 6 Kiwanis Club marks 50th anniversary of its charter 9 Future of prevention in HS County uncertain 14 Independent Record SPECIAL INTERNET PREVIEW VOLUME 112, No. 50, December 15, 2011 Holden, county seal deal on airport land by Cindy Glasson Acquisition of land to situate a new airport in Hot Springs County has come to a conclusion after months of talks between the county and landowner Joe Holden. A deal was reached between Holden and the county on Wednesday, Dec. 7, according to County Attorney Jerry Williams. The more than 400 acres of property on Owl Creek Road west of Thermopolis includes the Holden ranch as well as a parcel of land held privately by Holden. Compensation to the landowner amounts to just over $1.1 million. Part of that compensation package includes monies to be used by Holden to move any buildings he wishes from the property. To determine the value for the acquisition, two appraisals were performed to determine a before and after value of the ranch as a whole. The difference between the two appraisals then became the purchase price. The methodology for the appraisals was very specific and mandated by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules. Another component of the payment to Holden was what is called an “administrative settlement,” which is essentially an extra enticement to agree to a negotiated settlement. That amount represents the price that a condemnation suit would ultimately cost. By foregoing that process, Holden was able to benefit rather than his and the county’s attorneys. If the county had filed suit and begun the condemnation process, the payment would have become a wasted asset used to pay the costs of the suit. Eminent domain avoided It was thought earlier last week that negotiations with the landowner had come to a standstill and the possibility of eminent domain was looming. A late-evening phone call from Holden to the commissioners put negotiations back on track. The commissioners did not want to pursue eminent domain proceedings; however, FAA regulations demanded eminent domain verbiage would be included in all contracts. “I am gratified that we were able to achieve a negotiated settlement with Mr. Holden for his property,” said Commission chairman John Lumley. “While it has taken quite some time, it has consistently been the wish of the commissioners that the Holdens be properly compensated for the land, regardless of the time involved and it took time to accomplish this goal. “I am extremely appreciative that we were able to arrive at this settlement without any further proceedings.” “I am very satisfied that we were able to come to a negotiated settlement that I think is fair to both the county and Mr. Holden,” commissioner Brad Basse said. “I do wish we had been able to sit down across the table from each other many months ago and maybe save considerable monies that were expended on attorneys and other consultants with the end result being the same. “This is one more milestone in a process that started many years ago. It will be exciting to watch the airport begin to take shape over the next several years,” Basse said. “All of our work to this point has resulted in killing a lot of trees, but now we can look forward to seeing a work product that actually serves the citizens of Hot Springs County and the whole nation as part of the national transportation system.” Chamber considers joining GLF in bringing folk festival to town by J.D. Stetson Members of the Greater Learning Foundation approached the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce board of directors last Thursday to see if the chamber would be interested in a joint venture to bring a statewide folk festival to Thermopolis sometime in the fall. Sue Blakey, a representative from the foundation, explained the event is too large for the foundation to operate alone and it would provide a good opportunity for the two organizations to work together. The organization plans to have the event possibly in the fall at Hot Springs State Park and it would likely last two days. The festival would involve two to three master craftspeople, of which Thermopolis has many living nearby, working at the same time provid- ing demonstrations while period-specific foods would be available. Blakey said there are at least three other communities in the state such as Laramie, Dubois and Sheridan also in planning stages to have a festival. She said the window available for Thermopolis to stake a claim to the folk festival is limited to 2012. The festival would be a statewide event, not just a community event, Blakey stressed. Many of the craftspeople would likely need to be juried by the Wyoming Arts Council and the event organizers. The chamber board discussed what the chamber’s role would be for the festival. Blakey said the foundation is very strong in the planning of See Chamber on page 11 THERMOPOLIS, WY 82443 USPS 627-300 75¢ Tour of Homes Kay Rush admires the snowy white Christmas tree on display at the home of Shelley and Jerry Deromedi during the Holiday Tour of Homes Monday night. More than 225 people toured the decorated homes then attended the reception and silent auction at the museum. – Cindy Glasson photo Area Christmas church services and programs It is the season for special Christmas church programs and services. The schedule for Hot Springs County includes: Community Federated Church, 244 N. Sixth – Dec. 24, candlelight Christmas Eve service, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Dec. 25, Christmas Day services, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. First Baptist Church, 310 RWE Christmas concert trio S. Sixth – Dec. 18, Sing-along, 11 a.m.; Dec. 24, candlelight Christmas Eve service, 6 p.m.; Dec. 25, Christmas Day service, 10:30 a.m. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 642 Arapahoe – Dec. 18, Holy Eucharist service and children’s service, 9 a.m. with greening of the church, and chili and chocolate following; Dec. 24, carols, 9:45 p.m., Holy Eucharist service, 10 p.m.; Dec. 25, morning prayer service, 9 a.m. Risen Son Southern Baptist Church, 342 Amoretti – Dec. 18, Christmas program, 10:45 a.m.; Dec. 24, Christmas Eve service, 6 p.m.; Dec. 25, Christmas story/music (no Sunday school), 10:45 a.m. Roundtop Baptist Church, 810 Park St. – Dec. 18, children’s Sunday School Christmas play, 7 p.m.; Dec. 24, candlelight service, 6 p.m.; Dec. 25, special Christmas service (Spiritual Giving), 11 a.m. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 129 Mountain View – Dec. 24, children’s Christmas service, 6:00 p.m.; Dec. 25, Christmas service, 9:30 a.m. St. Francis Catholic Church, Eighth and Arapahoe – Dec. 20, communal penance service, 7 p.m.; Dec. 24, family Christmas mass, 5 p.m.; midnight Christmas mass; Dec. 25, Christmas Day mass, 9 a.m. St. Paul Lutheran Church, 288 Highway 20 South – Dec. 24, candlelight children’s Christmas Eve service, 7 p.m.; Dec. 25, Christmas – Divine service, 9 a.m. Board positions opening Third graders Hardy Johnson, Sesilili Jensen and Elisa Weber sing Silver Bells during the Ralph Witters Elementary “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” concert last Thursday . — Lara Love photo Hot Springs County residents are being asked by the county commissioners to consider serving on several local boards. Openings include: One five-year term on the Hot Springs County Fair Board Two five-year terms on the Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital Board Two three-year terms on the Land Use Planning Board Two three-year terms on the Hot Springs County Library Board One three-year term on the Hot Springs County Museum Board Two three-year terms on the Predatory Animal Control Board One three-year term on the Lodging Tax Board Six three-year terms on the Natural Resources Planning Committee Sportsmen and hunter rep- resentatives for the Predatory Animal Control Board must be bonafide residents of the district and not engaged in raising sheep, goats or cattle. In addition, they shall hold or have held either a valid Wyoming fishing or hunting license or a Wyoming wildlife damage management stamp within the preceding 12 months. Lodging Tax Board applicants must be from the lodging or tourism industry. Residents interested in applying to serve on any of the boards should submit a county board questionnaire to the Hot Springs County Clerk’s Office no later than noon, Dec. 30. Applications may be picked up at the clerk’s office or found on the county’s website at www. hscounty.com. Applications will be considered and appointments made at the county commissioners’ meeting Jan. 3, 2012, at 11:45 a.m. Chamber Mix of art and music Golden Age Club elects board members Ireland, Wally Van Antwerp and Louise Odde. However, after it was noted at a later date Ireland’s term does not expire until 2012, the person with the next highest number of votes – Donna Lossner – was asked to serve. She agreed. Kelley, Virginia and Louise Odde, and Van Antwerp will join Ireland, Larry Burgess, Lillie Mueller and Beverly Moore, who are currently serving on the Golden Age board. Outgoing directors are Jean Stanhope, Jerry Buehler and Nancy Haynes. 11 from page 1 events, but they will need much more manpower and volunteers to actually run the festival. The board also inquired whether it would be able to have an event in tandem with the festival, such as a microbrew festival. Blakey said the folk festival would be obligated to provide period-specific foods and the addition of a “brewfest” would likely provide an asset to the overall event. The chamber board did not make a decision during the meeting. Board president Donna Nally said the board would discuss whether they want to be involved and notify the foundation when they have a decision. It was a pleasant mixture of art and music Saturday at the Shake Shop during an art show featuring work by Glenda Ramsey, Angela Sims and Karen Hitchens. Above, Ramsey and Joan Stetler of Prairie Grass collaborate during entertainment at the art show. Art show paintings are in the background. Prairie Grass members and other musicians gather for the monthly acoustic bluegrass jam at 6 p.m. Friday at Shell Southside. — Joe Sova photo Golden Age Friends of Senior Citizens, Inc., known as the Golden Age Club, elected five members to serve two-year terms at its annual meeting Nov. 10. From the field of 10 candidates, the five elected were Mike Kelley, Virginia Odde, Anna Thermopolis Independent Record, December 15, 2011 3-on-3 Basketball The chamber board discussed a new sponsorship system for the Thermopolis 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. Many of the board members had several changes they would like to make to the system and they were not voted upon during the meeting. Nally told the board to provide suggested changes to executive director Michelle Lue prior to the board’s January meeting. The 3-on-3 Tournament will take place May 5-6 in the downtown area. The chamber had previously discussed setting a threshold for how much net revenue it would need to make from the event to justify whether to bring back the tournament in future years. Lue said she had crunched numbers from previous tournaments but she was unable to find realistic figures indicative of the actual net revenue the tournament has brought in over the years. Lue reported she had paid the first of two $6,250 payments to World Events pursuant to the multi-year contract with the organization to provide equipment and host the event. The chamber is in its last year of the contract and the board will need to make a decision after the tournament on whether they will bring the event back. After last year’s tournament, the chamber lost about $200 after all expenses were paid; however, Lue stressed the amount was not indicative of overall performance because the chamber was not allowed to seek additional sponsorships from members because of its tiered member dues system. Some of the board members said they would like to see the $12,500 the chamber pays to World Events go toward other events that have potential to benefit chamber members such as a fly fishing tournament, folk festival or brewfest. The board did not set a threshold percentage of net revenue for the event during the meeting, but Nally did say it would have to make a decision after the 2012 tournament on whether it will seek a new host, buy equipment and host the tournament in-house or no longer have the event. Chamber changes During the board meeting, the board made Lue the official executive director for the chamber. Lue has operated the chamber during the past year as an interim executive director. The chamber board also accepted the resignation of board member Veva Blakesley, who cited personal reasons for leaving the board. The board also Michelle Lue indicated it would vote in January to bring three new memberelected board members onto the board and they will appoint one new board member to fill a seat originally held by Sheriff Lou Falgoust. Bake sale at Blair’s to benefit Helping Hanna Here’s the chance to have all your holiday baking done in one stop with a bake sale Friday, Dec. 23 at Blair’s Super Market. Starting at noon, the bake sale will have all sorts of goodies for you to share with friends and family until 5 p.m. In addition to the bake sale, there will be a drawing for a quilt made by local quilter Bonnie Martin. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. The quilt is currently on dis- play at Storyteller. All proceeds from the bake sale and raffle will benefit Helping Hanna: An Opportunity of a Lifetime. For more information, call 864-9466. Public notices FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE WHEREAS, default in the payment of principal and interest has occurred under the terms of a promissory note (the “Note”) dated July 9, 2008, executed and delivered by Martin J. Kobza and Nicole M. Kobza (“Mortgagor(s)”) to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Heartland Bank its successors and assigns, and a real estate mortgage (the “Mortgage”) of the same date securing the Note, which Mortgage was executed and delivered by said Mortgagor(s), to said Mortgagee, and which Mortgage was recorded on July 15, 2008, at Reception No. 0479106 in Book 131 at Page 672 in the records of the office of the County Clerk and ex-officio Register of Deeds in and for Hot Springs County, State of Wyoming; and WHEREAS, the mortgage was assigned for value as follows: Assignee: GMAC Mortgage, LLC Assignment dated: November 3, 2011 Assignment recorded: November 9, 2011 Assignment recording information: at Reception No. 0496650 in Book 148 at Page 602 All in the records of the County Clerk and ex-officio Register of Deeds in and for Hot Springs County, Wyoming. WHEREAS, the Mortgage contains a power of sale which by reason of said default, the Mortgagee declares to have become operative, and no suit or proceeding has been instituted at law to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any part thereof, nor has any such suit or proceeding been instituted and the same discontinued; and WHEREAS, written notice of intent to foreclose the Mortgage by advertisement and sale has been served upon the record owner and the party in possession of the mortgaged premises at least ten (10) days prior to the commencement of this publication, and the amount due upon the Mortgage on the date of first publication of this notice of sale being the total sum of $268,015.16 which sum consists of the unpaid principal balance of $260,785.82 plus interest accrued to the date of the first publication of this notice in the amount of $7,267.68, plus attorneys’ fees, costs expended, and accruing interest and late charges after the date of first publication of this notice of sale; WHEREAS, The property being foreclosed upon may be subject to other liens and encumbrances that will not be extinguished at the sale. Any prospective purchaser should research the status of title before submitting a bid; NOW, THEREFORE GMAC Mortgage, LLC, as the Mortgagee, will have the Mortgage foreclosed as by law provided by causing the mortgaged property to be sold at public venue by the Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff in and for Hot Springs County, Wyoming to the highest bidder for cash at 11:00 o’clock in the forenoon on December 27, 2011 at the front door of the Hot Springs County Courthouse located at 417 Arapahoe Street, Thermopolis, WY, Hot Springs County, for application on the above-described amounts secured by the Mortgage, said mortgaged property being described as follows, to-wit: LOT 3 IN BLOCK 2, CEDAR RIDGE SUBDIVISION, FIRST FILING, THERMOPOLIS, HOT SPRINGS COUNTY, WYOMING. with an address of 104 Cedar Ridge Drive, Thermopolis, WY 82443. Together with all improvements thereon situate and all fixtures and appurtenances thereto. GMAC Mortgage, LLC By: Castle Stawiarski, LLC 330 S. Walsh Drive, Ste. 202 Casper, WY 82609-0000 (307) 333 5379 Pub. December 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2011 No. 6412 Notice The Hot Springs County Board of Commissioners is asking Hot Springs County Residents to apply to serve on the following Hot Springs County Boards and Committee: Fair Board, five (5) year term Hospital Board, five (5) year term Land Use Planning Board, three (3) year term Library Board, three (3) year term Museum Board, three (3) year term One Member Two Members Two Members Two Members One Member Predatory Animal Control Board, three (3) year term Lodging Tax Board, three (3) year term Natural Resources Planning Committee, three (3) year term One Sportsman Member & At Large Member One Member Six Members Lodging Tax Board applicants shall be from the lodging and or tourism industry. Sportsmen and hunter representatives for the Predatory Animal Control Board shall be bona fide residents of the district not engaged in raising sheep, goats or cattle and shall hold or have held either a valid Wyoming fishing or hunting license or a Wyoming wildlife damage management stamp within the preceding twelve (12) month period. Residents of Hot Springs County interested in applying to serve on a Board should submit their County Board Questionnaire (available on the County website www.hscounty.com or at the County Clerk’s Office) to the Hot Springs County Clerks Office no later than 12:00 p.m. December 30, 2011. Applications will be considered and appointments made at the Hot Springs County Commissioners Meeting January 3, 2012 at 11:45 a.m. Hans Odde Hot Springs County Clerk Pub. December 15, 22, and 29, 2011 No. 6417 COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS The Thermopolis Town Council met in regular session December 6, 2011 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. Present were Mayor Bill Malloy and Council members Tony Larson, Al Braaten, Dick Hall and Tom Linnan. Also present were Assistant to the Mayor/Codes Administrative Assistant Fred Crosby, Clerk/Treasurer Tracey Van Heule, Police Chief Mark Nelson, Town Engineer Heath Overfield and Town Attorney Mike Messenger. AGENDA: Following a prayer led by Malloy, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A motion was made by Larson, seconded by Braaten and carried to approve the agenda with the addition of 14-B, Golf Board Request. MINUTES: A motion was made by Hall, seconded by Braaten and carried to approve the minutes from the Council meetings on November 1 and 15, 2011. BILLS: A motion was made by Larson seconded by Linnan and carried to approve the General, Enterprise and Special Fund bills for November 2011. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: CATERING PERMIT: SHORTY’S BAR: A motion was made by Larson, seconded by Linnan and carried to approve a catering permit for Shorty’s Liquor on December 10, 2011 at the Fairgrounds from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. for the Hospital Christmas party. Approval was also granted from the Town of East Thermopolis and the Fairboard. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: MARY GORDON: PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM: Gordon invited the Mayor and Council to participate in planning meetings for an upcoming public health emergency preparedness exercise plan. Operation Prairie Eagle will be held May 11, 2012 for the state and May 14 & 15 for Hot Springs County. The next planning meeting is December 13, 2011 at the Hospital. Malloy indicated he planned to attend. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: MICHAEL WRIGHT: 2011 AUDIT: A brief synopsis of the audit was presented by Wright. The opinion letter notes the financial statement for June 30, 2011 is fairly presented. Wright noted the Town had a clean audit except for a comment relative to segregation of duties and emphasized the importance of oversight by the Mayor and Council. TOWN ENGINEER: HEATH OVERFIELD: CHANGE ORDER #1 – WATER TANK PROJECT: A motion to approve the change order, finalizing the power line cost ($50,103.00) to the Roundtop Tank site, was made by Larson, seconded by Linnan and carried. TOWN ENGINEER: PAY ESTIMATE: Overfield noted pay estimate #7 for the water tank project was in the list of bills. The project is being shut down for the winter. Overfield also noted the Owl Creek connection was not completed due to unavailable parts. TOWN ENGINEER: 14TH ST. SIDEWALK: A motion was made by Braaten, seconded by Larson and carried to approve change order number two which extended the time period and increased the contract amount; additional work was completed due to available grant funds. The motion also included approving a certificate of substantial completion for sidewalk project (Safe Routes to School – Phase 2). Overfield noted his firm is working on the required education component; when complete a final reconciliation change order will be presented. DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Chief Nelson presented the November reports. November reports for Streets and Alleys, Water, Wastewater, Sanitation and Landfill departments were presented. Codes Administrative Assistant Crosby presented the November Codes Administration and Building reports. TOWN ATTORNEY: MIKE MESSENGER: Messenger noted he is still working with Bresnan on the cable franchise. ADMINISTRATION: EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE: A motion was made by Linnan, seconded by Hall and carried to accept the health insurance renewal from Allegiance. ADMINISTRATION: EMPLOYEE FLEX PLAN: A motion was made by Larson, seconded by Braaten and carried to approve the Flex Plan for 2012, with a maximum employee contribution of $1,500.00. ADMINISTRATION: MISC.: A motion was made by Linnan, seconded by Larson and carried to approve December 23 and 26, 2011 as Town holidays. MAYOR AND COUNCIL: BUDGET ADJUSTMENT: A motion was made by Linnan, seconded by Hall and carried to approve transferring $6,675 from General Fund Cash reserve to department budgets for employee Christmas bonuses and the corresponding changes to the budget. Malloy noted the bonus is based on longevity, with a $200 net maximum. MAYOR AND COUNCIL: GOLF BOARD REQUEST: Malloy noted he and Crosby had met with Golf Board president Dan Herdt on numerous occasions. The board has seven fundraisers scheduled; however they need $10,000 to pay bills until golf membership income is received. A motion was made by Larson and seconded by Linnan to transfer $10,000 from General Fund cash reserve to the Golf Board and the corresponding changes to the budget. Additional discussion ensued on the importance of the board and members continuing the fund raisers and the limited availability of Town funds. The motion carried. Malloy noted a department head meeting would be held on December 13, 2011 at 9 a.m. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. The next council meeting is scheduled for December 20, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. BILLS: APCO, Dues, $92.00; Big Horn Federal, Depreciation, $41,610.00; Big Horn Water, Rental, $24.50; Big Sky Steel, Steel, $215.75; Indoff, Supplies, $297.90; Capozzoli Sign Co., Lettering, $10.00; Carrot-Top Ind., Flag, $385.00; Thermopolis Hardware, Supplies, $391.52; Verizon, Service, $183.04; Mike Mortimore, Hardware Maintenance, $300.00; Blairs, Supplies, $19.76; Northern WY Daily News, Ad, $41.04; Dept. of Employment, Insurance, $4,011.80; Ditch Witch NW Montana, Excavator, $66,683.93; Brenntag, Lime, $7,326.00; Energy Lab, Service, $384.00; Engineering Associates, Service, $27,567.07; Flying Eagle Gallery, Plaques, $59.48; William Gordon, Registration, $150.00; Green Turf, Spraying, $460.71; HSC, Tax Collection, $350.40; HSC, JLE, $12,365.73; HSC Memorial, Service, $31.60; ICMA, Retirement, $50.00; HS Vet Clinic, Contract, $955.00; Independent Record, Ad, $602.10; Industrial Systems, Pump, $115.54; Jill Jacobson, Contract, $825.00; KLM Solutions, Motor, $8,371.00; Kinsco, Uniform, $159.98; Laird Sanitation, Service, $50.00; Lamax, Pay Est #4-Final, $23,248.00; Login/IACP, Dues, $250.00; Mathew Bender, Statutes, $35.47; McClintock, Fuel, $4,060.26; WCS Telecom, Service, $127.62; Messenger & Jurovich, Service, $4,808.33; Norco, Towels, $78.58; O’Reilly Auto, Parts, $880.75; Orchard Trust, Retirement, $450.00; Owl Lumber, Supplies, $595.34; Precision Analysis, Service, $4,321.45; Rocky Mtn Power, Contract, $34,126.00; Rocky Mtn. Power, Service, $18,501.58; Pamida, Supplies, $291.69; Pizza Hut, Certificates, $100.00; RT, Service, $826.06; The Radar Shop, Service, $236.00; Bonnie Smith, Contract Labor, $550.00; Respond First Aid Systems, Supplies, $43.51; Sam Horton, Burner, $114.00; Sanitary Systems, Service, $2,407.80; Schneider Construction, Pay Est. #3, $24,790.05; Alfred Vallee, Service, $178.30; Vision Service, Insurance, $487.10; T & J Propane, Propane, $21.25; Thermopolis PD, Petty Cash, $27.05; Thermopolis Sinclair, Diesel, $1,814.09; Thermopolis General, Accounting & Collection, $11,500.00; Town Office, Petty Cash, $84.37; Thermopolis Enterprise, Intergov Water, $484.35; T of T Ins, Health Insurance, $90,000.00; T of T Flex, Ins, $425.00; Traveling Computer, Laptop, $879.98; Tractor and Equipment, Repairs, $2,713.95; Postmaster, Postage, $343.20; UNUM, Ins., $119.54; American Welding, Rental, $20.46; Carquest, Supplies, $718.53; Tracey Van Heule, Flag repair, $110.00; Waste Systems, Parts, $174.10; Waterworks, Supplies, $787.00; Wilson Bros., Pay Estimate #7 & #6 Retainage –Water Tanks, $173,665.60; Red Rock Family Practice, Service, $151.00; WY-Test, Service, $234.50; Wyoming. Com, Service, $30.00; Wyo. Gas, Service, $491.55; Wyoming Retirement, Retirement, $15,911.52; NCPERS, Life Ins., $368.00; Wyoming Rural Water, Dues, $400.00; Bobbi Zupan, Travel Exp., $116.29; Zupan Electric, Service, $365.79; WY State Bd of Pharmacy, Registration, $40.00; Cole Van Antwerp, Service, $120.00; Payroll, $79,599.90; Payroll Taxes, $24,768.03. ________________________ ATTEST: William H. Malloy, Mayor _____________________________________ Tracey Van Heule, Town Clerk/Treasurer Pub. December 15, 2011 No. 6418