Purchase agreement for library signed

By SETH ROMSA

Staff Writer

WORLAND – A purchase agreement was signed on Tuesday by the Washakie County Commissioners, and Gerry and Lee Kennedy to agree in principle to purchase the Kennedy’s Ace Hardware building, with the intent of moving the Washakie County Library to the building.

The purchase agreement is for $525,000 that was generated from a one-cent tax that was enforced from 2009 until 2012 and has been in a savings fund gaining interest for purchase of or construction of a new library.

An additional option for Washakie County to purchase the Kennedy’s Ace Repair Shop within the next 60 days for $125,000 was added to the agreement, but was not exercised during this meeting, and is still under consideration of the county commissioners.

County Commissioner Aaron Anderson added that if the purchase were to be made, that the funds would not come from the library fund, and the building would be used for other county departments.

Once the agreement is closed and the purchase is made in early to mid-November, a lease agreement will be in place for the Kennedy’s for a maximum of one year, with the rent being charged to the Kennedys in the amount of the annual county property taxes, to be charged on a quarterly basis, which would cease once the Kennedys move out. The Kennedys have purchased the former Shopko building.

POOL

Aquatic Center Board Chairman William Tempany came before the commissioners seeking advice regarding how the Aquatic Board should proceed with maintaining bylaws between themselves and the Joint Powers Board, and how to maintain funds for necessary repairs at the Worland Aquatic Center.

Washakie County, the City of Worland and Washakie County School District No. 1 formed the joint powers board.

Concern was expressed by Commission Chairman Fred Frandson about how the Aquatic Center Board was unable to access the endowment for funds to repair the pool, which could snowball and lead to a major catastrophe that would lead to the pool shutting down for a significant amount of time for repairs.

An amendment was agreed upon in May 2017 to allow the WAC Joint Powers Board to request funds from the school district with requests limited to $20,000 annually and an aggregate outstanding total of $160,000.

Anderson noted that the interest returned off of the endowment is less than that of the rate of inflation, which is allowing the inflation to “eat up the purchasing power of the endowment.” In his opinion, the agreement should be amended to allow the whole endowment to be available to repair the pool, so that the pool does not fall apart like the last one did.

Frandson made it eminent that they were very close to pulling out of the WAC Joint Powers Board the last time these negotiations were ongoing.

“Well please don’t, because we need your support,” Aquatic Center Board Member Terry Livingston said. “It has kind of been a nightmare for the board members, we want this to be better, and the pool to be ran better.”

One item worth noting in this discussion is that any amendments to the bylaws for the WAC Joint Powers Board must be unanimously accepted by all three boards and approved by the Wyoming Attorney General.

In other news at Tuesday’s meeting, Washakie County Public Health Nurse Manager Amanda Heinemeyer reported that the first case of West Nile virus in humans was found in Washakie County.

Heinemeyer also reported that Screen Free Week started on Monday, and all passports should be turned in before Friday. The first Flu Clinic will be held on Oct. 4 at the senior center.

Heinemeyer also said that State Health officials sent out a health alert to all physicians and hospitals regarding the recent vaping epidemic that has swept across the country.

OTHER BUSINESS

•County Planner David Anderson said that “four or five” firms have approached him regarding the bike path assessment and repairs on Airport Road.

Anderson will be getting in contact with owners around County Road 17 and 17 1/2 to vacate while work is done on Lane 18 1/2.

•A bid made by Cathie Presley for the Winchester property just south of Worland was accepted for $1,200. A bid by Andrew Getzfreid and Katherine Coguill for a property just north of Worland was accepted for $507.15.

•Keith Bower of Road and Bridge said that a tree on Washakie Avenue needs to be taken down after part of it fell in the road, and the rest of the tree was discovered to be rotten.

A 145-foot section of North Hillcrest will need to be patched for $9,500, and that bid was awarded to Wild West Construction out of Cody.

•Tom Schmeltzer of Building Maintenance updated the board on the success of the demolition derby during Harvest Festival, and an update on the leaking shower in the Washakie County Jail.

The Commissioners went in to executive session to discuss personnel with Schmeltzer.