City Council - Regular Meeting

be patient with us. We're starting a couple minutes late. I apologize for that. Uh but we will go ahead and get into it. We got a pretty full premeating agenda. Only five minutes allocated for four to five different topics. So, I'll ask my colleagues uh that we just keep it tight and keep things running along so we can try to get through this entire agenda and make sure we get to the meeting on time because I imagine we're going to have quite a few folks uh joining us for our meeting as well. So, with all that said, uh floor, if you want to kick us off with consideration of lab 162 be great.

Yes. Thank you, your honor and counselors. So, I'd like to invite Chris to Johnson, our PSSE director, to present on this item. Vice Mayor, counselors, uh I wanted to bring for your consideration the uh implementation of local assessment district 162. Actually, not implementation, but like for your uh review so that we can proceed with the process. This local assessment district is along 14th Street from Walcott to McKinley. In that area, we have very poor conditioned streets, a PCI score of 38 out of 100, as well as a water mane that needs to be replaced for some tanks that are going to be going in. These two things along with the age of the other infrastructure in the area like the curb, gutter, ADA ramps, the condition and not meeting the standards especially with those ADA ramps and crossings um led us to um go towards the local assessment district in this area. Um mo may be familiar with Westridge. We had two recent LEDs in that area and those LEDs um not only cover the city infrastructure, water, if there's sewer in the area and streets, but also the concrete curb and gutters and sidewalks. And um because those um concrete features are the private, uh what we do is set up these leds to help uh gain economies of scale, do all of this work under one contract. uh get continuity in the flows for our storm water and um gain the best price possible for those residents there. So, what we're asking is for uh permission to move forward with that L. There's multiple steps in this and we'll be at multiple um meetings going forward, but the next step that we have would be on April 16th and this is a meeting with residents in

the area to discuss the project details and um WLC the WWC the consulting firm has broken out all of the project details. So we have a um parcel parcel by parcel estimate of how much we think each uh customer could be uh required to pay. With that the um improvements total cost is just over $4 million with approximately uh about $800,000 going towards the residence portion of the project. Um and we will have three readings after that um next uh public meeting and um with that I take questions.

Thank you Krista. Anyone have any questions? Sweetie. So by agreeing to this um is there any turning if the residents sentiments are not in agreement? Chris, do you mind reminding us? Mayor, counselor, we have three readings and so at those three readings, they have the opportunity to u voice their concerns and Alex um I've not dealt with this one before directly, but they have what are our opportunities for an off-ramp?

Um so yes, you'll have right now we're just introducing um the the LA just for your consideration as Chris had mentioned. Um and then we will meet like Krista said as a courtesy to the um property owners to give them an update of what's going on so that they know that they'll get letters in the mail. Um and then what we will do is we will draft a resolution that you will see at um a council meeting and that after that resolution um is um I guess okayed by you guys, we will um mail that um to all the residents letting them know when um the first reading will be for um open to the public so that they can come and and voice their concerns or in in in favor of or in opposition of um the the le um and that then there will be three regular council meetings in which that will happen and at any time in that process council will have an offramp um if they do not choose to move forward with it.

Thank you Alex Eric also is there not a petition? Yeah, may mayor council uh by statute if more than 50% of the uh property owners um object then the le dies and so there's there's offramps um from council standpoint but the the homeowners themselves can can actually um if they're opposed to it in enough numbers kill it from going forward

one go ahead um So, not to belabor the point. So, do we send out this petition ahead of all of the public uh reading and resolutions um like a direct mail piece and have a public input prior to the resolution going through? Vice Mayor counselors and gender.

Yeah. So, so that's what this meeting on April 16th will be is to is an introduction so that if if residents are absolutely not in favor, they can let us know and we give them our contact information so that we can start that process of them petitioning forward against them. That's April 16th, correct? Thank you, Council. Just a quick question for Thank you. Um, Eric, is there a prescribed way in which the residents have to voice their I mean, does it have to be an email or a public hearing or all of the above?

Yeah. Um, mayor council, I I would assume we would want something in writing indicating that they're objecting to it. Okay. Um, and I'd have to defer or look up is whether it's based on 50% of the the the area or linear footage or if it's the number of property. I don't know that level of detail, but I know that 50% is kind of the threshold if there's more than that.

Yeah. Can I So, um, so it we can we establish in that resolution what that is based off of, whether it's area of the property, whether it's frontage of the property, property owners, there's there's a lot of different ways that we can do that and that will be set forth in that resolution. Thank you. All right. Uh, long as nobody has anything else pressing. Christa, Alex, appreciate the information and uh, think we should be set. Thank you. Moving on. Do we have a thumbs up?

Oh, thumbs up. Looking for direction. Classic Ray move. I'm just trying to keep it all. I have a thumbs up for my colleagues to go ahead and move forward with drafting that resolution. Thank you all for direction. Appreciate Christa. Floor replacement of paving roller. Next, I'll just toss it over to Christa again to go over the paving rollers. She's right here. Christa, welcome back.

Thank you. Yes, Vice Mayor Counselors, uh, the streets division has a 30-year-old, uh, pavement roller. This is used to do some of our, uh, smaller projects around town repairs, um, maintenance, and, uh, we had planned in our FY27 budget to replace this unit at $120,000. Uh unfortunately it catastrophically failed and um blew some rods and we it is not worth the investment to get it operational again. Uh but we're coming into our paving season and we are requesting to get approval to purchase this ahead of budget amendment three which we would um include it in so that we can actually do some heating this summer. Um, I think that's pretty self uh explanatory. If there's any questions, I'm happy to help.

Questions? So, I I couldn't tell if this is brand spanking new or um a used rental piece of equipment that one of the vendors might have on the lot. mayor or vice mayor counselor. Uh we were going for a new one since we do spend um since we do keep them for a considerable amount of time. That's the best use of our our funds to be able to maintain them ourselves.

Okay. Still looking for direction on this one as well. Yes. Thumbs up on this one. Thank you. Thank you. Moving on to um the reordered. We're going to do the four new VIP party ducks at Fort Bing Center first, right? Yes. Okay.

So, I'll ask uh Miss Lopez to come up and present on that to add four new VIP decks to addition in addition to the one that we have currently. Mayor Prom counselors, good to be with you tonight. Uh apparently there's a theme tonight of us asking for some uh pre-spending approval authority. Uh and that is in fact what this is for the Ford Wyoming Center. Though recently, Ford Wyoming Center staff has recognized an opportunity to utilize some uh otherwise underutilized or unused space at the Ford Wyoming Center uh to recreate what they're referring to as party decks uh for enhanced user experiences at different events at the Ford Wyoming Center uh including concerts and CNFR. And so to pilot this, they actually used operational dollars to convert one area. And I do have a little bit of show and tell uh that I want to share so that you can see what we're talking about here. Um so they did pilot this concept uh and it was very wellreceived. A little difficult to see in the in the picture, but essentially what we're procuring is the metal plating that goes across this uh span and then uh secures everything with appropriate fall weight ratings and all of that to create this sort of enhanced experience with the high top tables and chairs. um and create more of a party atmosphere above on the concourse um where then they can view the shows uh and enjoy a more intimate you know uh group experience uh somewhat similar uh to the Rockstar balcony uh in that it's it's sort of exclusive and people would rent it separately but uh this is again what we believe is is great utilization of space that would otherwise be unused um and a really

inexpensive way to to bolster store revenues um because we are able to sell these VIP spaces for um quite a fair amount of money per event. So um so this is essentially what we're asking for times four. Uh and we do have funds available excess dollars from projects that have closed under budget that we would like to reallocate. Uh however, per city policy, a budget amendment is required to move capital funds from one project to the other, particularly when that project was not envisioned, budgeted, and supported um by council prior. And since this was sort of a new idea, a new concept, we do need your pre-approval uh to purchase now, and then we will reconcile in budget amendment number three if you support that.

Thank you, Zelma, for that information. For clarification, the reallocation of funds toward the party decks would come from uh capital investments that were planned also for Ford Wyoming Center, right? So, it's kind of self-contained. Yes. One sent number 17 funds that were specifically allocated to the Ford Wyoming Center. Um projects completed out of that funding under budget dollars would just be reallocated. Any questions? Council Pollock. Um how many times do these have to be sold to break even at the cost? They're not very expensive to put in. Right. So,

right. Uh, based on what I'm being told, two to three times and they're already in demand. The one that's existing is already sold for Yellow Wolf, already sold for CNFR. That is why we're asking for approval now to get the materials, get them installed because we think we can sell them all for CNFR. Awesome. Councelor B, just want just to clarify, is that 16,000 per deck or total? That is total. Thank you. Any other questions? In the horseshoe area,

uh, can I press counselor? Yeah, it's hard to see in the picture and I apologize for that, but yes, it's uh above, if you're familiar where uh club 13 is, it's another 20 seats up maybe on the concourse level. Yes, in the horseshoe which optimizes viewing if we have a half house concert. Thank you. Right. Um looking for direction on that one as well I take it. So

like you have it. Thank you. And then I believe you have the next item as well. Correct. Replacement of rooftop units at Casper Rec Center. Yes, sir. Thank you. So, for our next item, we are requesting substantially larger sum of money uh to replace uh to pre-order the rooftop units at the Casper Recreation Center. Uh so, as you know, we we finished a facility condition assessment in 20122. Uh that was done in the fall. Uh it took us a little while to compile massive amounts of information uh establish a tool by which we would prioritize investments. Uh you saw some of that during our 1centent number 17 cycle um planning. And so through 1ent7 $5.4 million was allocated to building facility improvements. Um, and so in January of 2025, while we were working on capital budgets for FY26, we did request $250,000 to replace those units based on the estimate that came from the facility condition assessment. We learned our lesson. We will not use those dollar figures anymore to estimate necessarily our capital investments uh because using those we've found sometimes they're under, sometimes they're over, but it's really best practice for us to confirm um before we set our budget. Long story short, uh in July of 2025, shortly after that funding became available, uh the systems at the rec center that are currently installed failed. We went through a process of repairing those, but it just confirmed that that is in fact work that needs to be done uh post haste. And so, uh we did utilize the funding to hire an engineering firm to complete the design for us. In addition to that, we added controls which was not necessarily envisioned in the original project ask in uh for fiscal year 26. And so that design has been completed

and uh the price tag now for those two units and the controls associated with them um is about $900,000. Of course, we only budgeted $250. Um and so we're looking to fill that deficit. The good news is we are still intending to use the facility funding that was provided through one set number 17 and this is a perfectly acceptable use for that funding and be needed. Um but we would like to order those units now that the design is done. Um so that we are able to install during the most ideal time of the year. Um and given the lead time of those large pieces of HVAC equipment, we would need to do that now in order to make that target deadline. I'm happy to answer questions.

Questions? You know how many tons each unit is? Are they like 20 ton? That is a great question, counselor. And I'm going to ask Matt to try to our buildings and structures manager. We're not sure. We'll get back to you, counselor sweetie. Just curious who's gonna

depends on the cost of the steps. Any other questions? Okay. I feel like I should have a questioning in there. Uh Zimma, if you don't mind. Um I mean, you expect the units to work throughout the summer, right? I mean, there's no risk of anyone um work in like 80 degree environments or anything. Correct. Pro I don't feel comfortable saying there's no risk. Guarantee it for me.

That is not something that I feel great about doing, but I can say they're they are operable right now. And we did make investments to make them operable through the rest of last season after they failed. So hope that they will last through this. The worry though is that uh I I assume the reason this is being pushed up in the capital agenda is that the worry is that this time next year, you know, um we're going to be less and less sure of it lasting through the season.

Yes. In addition to increases in costs over another year and uh yeah just timing and lead times and there's a lot of reasons why it makes a lot of sense to do this to order them now and be prepared to install them in the fall. Other questions going once, twice, three times need some direction. Councelor Sweeney. Yeah.

I'm not comfortable if we don't know a little more specifics. I'm not looking to nitpick anything, but um I I simply asked a question how how big it units these are. Um that would tell me something in my you know limited knowledge. I'm not an engineer, but um I'd at least at least like to have that information than or if it's or pipe system that's totally different or what it is if they're rooftop units. I mean,

Sly, my take it um if we get if we give you your direction this evening, you'll come to us hopefully with a memo that has more detailed information about the units. I assume there'd be a contract about the specific type and model of units and all of those things.

Mayor Prom Council, yes, we would follow the exact same process in terms of getting it bid out now. And so, the bid would include all of the specifications as designed by our HBAC consultants. uh we don't have an onstaff HBAC design expertise and so we did hire that out to design associates Matt bus planes engineer excuse me so you know we have an HVAC mechanical engineer designing the system for us and we'll go through the formal bid process and we will be asked to award a contract for the for the installation

and because it's a million dollars it would not be on our consent agenda So there'd be public comment period and opportunity for discourse. Uh councelor Sweeney, what are your thoughts on that? Do you feel like we need that information ahead of time before we put it on uh put it up for bid? Personally, yes, but I'm only one vote. I guess I would ask if uh anyone wants to second. Councelor Sweeney, uh, anyone that wants to push this and maybe get some additional information up front before we put it on our agenda for a regular work meeting, I would welcome any seconds to that. Not as councelor Bond, go ahead.

Yeah, sorry. Um, thank you, Vice Mayor. Um I I guess I'm thinking that uh moving forward it wouldn't uh preclude us in the in the bid process from you know from changes letting them go ahead with the the payments. Um and the bottom line is these need to be replaced one way or the other. Correct. So told, however, I would I would say if it would give council more comfort, yeah,

we could add it as a follow-up item, we could provide that information in the next week and maybe just do a follow-up discussion in the work session early next week to just get actual thumbs and that's fine. Councelor Sweeney, that amanable to you? So, I'll I'll be a no, but uh the reason being you put stuff out to bid, there's an expectation you're going to follow through and uh so I I need more information, but but again, I'm one vote. So,

fair enough. And uh I agree with that logic. have taken that position on items in the past, but go ahead. Phone a friend. Oh, yeah. Sure. I pulled up the the design specs and it looks like they're both 80 ton units.

So, they are quite substantial. They provide all the heating and cooling. One does all the heating and cooling for the gymnasium and one does all the heating and cooling for the the locker rooms and some other smaller spaces that are located around that. But yeah, they are they're substantial units. Okay. Well, no vote or not. Uh looks like you're the lone wolf on this one, Councelor Sweeney. So, uh sounds like we got 80 ton units um with some more information expected within the next week in either an information packet or future work session and then we'll have a very detailed memo uh after we put it up for bid and see it on a future agenda items. Appreciate the input. Um, with that we're doing pretty well on time. So, uh, you got direction from everyone except maybe councelor Sweeney. So, we should be good. Thank you. Moving on to agenda review. Uh, city manager prom. U, what do you got for us? Anything on the radar?

Uh, we do. So, our foul ordinance is on third reading and we're requesting a change. staff is requesting essentially four um more more time and so you'll see that on your script and I think Eric can brief you on that.

Yeah, thank you Mayor uh city manager prom. Um during the course of uh the various readings um staff internally began to discuss some aspects of the ordinance and it was determined that it would uh behoove us to spend a little more time fleshing through some of u the aspects of uh the proposed ordinance. Um so what we would request of council is to continue it to a date certain in in June. um that would allow us uh time internally to determine what if any additional changes are necessary. Um and then upon legal review whether or not we feel comfortable that we can legally move forward with a third reading or if that would necessitate um some additional public input. So request domestic f I ordered my

quail count your quailes before they have thank you for that uh context Eric. So, when we get to that um item on the agenda, if uh someone on council feels so inclined, it sounds like it's in the script uh uh some language there to push that to a future meeting to give city staff the time they need to uh give it, you know, go over it with the fine tooth comb. So, I guess I would welcome uh one of my colleagues to uh make that motion when we get to that point in the agenda.

Appreciate it. Councelor Haskins, is there anything else? We got a couple minutes before meeting starts miraculously. So, anything else on agenda review that anyone would like to bring up? Councelor Sweeney. So, 981 HDR engineering on the master plan um additional services. I uh this was on the wastewater treatment. Um so, am I reading that correctly? We're upping the master plan by $990,000.

Hey, how are you? The master plan project not only constitutes the master plan but also the headworks improvements and screw pump replacement um UV road system replacement and um clarifiers. So these added costs are for um some of those additional components. It is not taking our $45,000 master plan and making it 900,000. its costs that are associated with other projects and bringing it bringing the design in under that master plan umbrella

because I um if I could I thought we had already approved like the screw bumps and all of that previously that was contained. So that's why my confusion on this. Chris, are you hanging around for the meeting? Are you I am hanging around.

Okay. So, when we get to that that item on the agenda, could we potentially Yeah, absolutely. tap here. Um, well, if you could benefit from having a chance to read through the memo, uh, and considering the fact that the meeting starts right now, I guess I would welcome if you're going to be present, uh, councelor Sweeney, if you still would like to make that inquiry, I'd suggest we make it when we get to that item and the agenda is not consent. So, we'll have the opportunity for discussion if that works for you. Uh, sure. Okay. Right.