Ward 1 vacancy officially declared for Worland City Council

WORLAND — Worland Mayor Jim Gill officially announced the vacancy in Ward 1 at last Wednesday’s regular council meeting, Nov. 6. The vacancy came open after the resignation of Delayne Renner Newton last month.

Gill asked City Attorney Kent Richins if it would be a problem to wait to make the appointment until January when the new council members also take office.

Richins said there would be no problem waiting for the appointment.

Gill said they would advertise the vacancy and accept letters of interest.

Renner Newton was elected in 2018 and was in the middle of a four-year term. Any person appointed will serve for two years until the next regular election in 2022.

With the appointment, Ward 1 will have all new representation on the council with current member Keith Gentzler retiring at the end of the year and Kenneth Shearer losing in the Nov. 3 election to Adam Martinez.

The ward map is available at the city website and is described as east of 10th Street and north of Culbertson Avenue, to 15th Street, thence north to Big Horn Avenue east, and all that area north of Big Horn Avenue bounded by the city on the north and east.

Gill opened the Nov. 4 meeting congratulating newly elected council members Wendy Fredricks, Martinez, Schaeffer and William Worley on their recent election. They will take the oath of office in January along with council members Kody DeMunbrun and Mike Neufer who retain their seats.

Martinez and Schaeffer were in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting.

In his opening remarks, Gill also thanked the council, department heads and city employees for the work they do to provide the services that help the residents of the city including water, sewer, streets, health and safety, city parks and more.

MEETING SITE

The Worland City Council voted to continue to meet at the Worland Community Center Complex during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to allow for distancing for the public.

Mayor Gill said he was approached by a few council members asking about moving the location of the meeting or providing recording capabilities at the complex.

Gill said, “I want to go back to the council chambers but I want to be mindful of the health orders in place. I was hoping by now we could be back there.”

It was noted that the only system at the complex would be for Clerk/Treasurer Tracy Glanz to use a micro recorder at the complex.

With the council chambers too small to allow social distancing the other option would be to return to Zoom web-based meetings.

Council members expressed concern that Zoom meetings limited public involvement.

GOLF REPORT

Donnie Bjorhus of Sagebrush Sports reported to the council that the winterization schedule for Green Hills Golf Course was moved up a week due to the storm Oct. 23-24.

The maintenance staff was able to apply fungicide to the greens and get the sprinkler system blown out before the storm and cold weather came in.

He said during the 2020 season, they had 7,082 daily rounds, compared to 5,264 in 2019. This does not include tournaments or league.

The final tournament of the season was canceled due to the weather but Bjorhus said he and his wife Valerie did host a customer appreciation for all the season pass holders.

OTHER BUSINESS

•The council approved a resolution to amend the current budget, moving funds from the street reserve account into an expense line.

•Worland Police Chief Gabe Elliott reported that the ordinance officer resigned on Nov. 4. He said the officer told him that they did not feel it was a good fit.

“We’ll go back to the advertising process and start over,” he said.

•Public Works Department Superintendent Brian Burky said that the crews were getting ready for the snow in the forecast.

He said they were also replacing the fire hydrant and line at South Lane.

•Richins reported that the city is advertising to sell the vacant lot at 1429 Coburn with a minimum bid requirement of $25,000. Bid opening is Dec. 1. The lot is vacant after a condemned home was deeded to the city and the city demolished it.