Commissioners plead for public cooperation with bridge

WORLAND – The Washakie County Commissioners discussed a matter regarding the Cottonwood Creek Bridge during their regularly scheduled meeting, discussed the Washakie County Library and received other department updates.

The commissioners were frustrated when they learned after they had initially narrowed the lane over the Cottonwood Creek Bridge that someone had moved the Jersey barriers that were in place. The commissioners narrowed the bridge as a compromise to keep the bridge open because if too much weight is placed on the bridge then it may collapse.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) wanted to close the bridge due to the risk but the compromise was made by the commissioners after their June 1 meeting.

The discussion centered on the commissioners wanting to place a security camera to watch the site, to including additional signage for the bridge. The commissioners said that if there was no compliance from residents or whoever moved the Jersey barriers then they would be forced to close the bridge indefinitely due to safety concerns until construction begins next year.

The commissioners also discussed later with Washakie County Planner David Anderson about the right-of-way (ROW) needed for the construction process to which Anderson said that WYDOT is supposed to handle it for the county’s end of the project. However, Washakie Rural Water Supply (WRWS) would need to obtain their own ROW for their water line project which will be affected by the bridge.

LIBRARY DISCUSSION

Tom Schmeltzer of building maintenance came before the commissioners to discuss what the plan was for the front of the new Washakie County Library as he had painted the fascia at the front of the building multiple times and was not sure it would hold up.

The commissioners and Schmeltzer discussed moving the sign from the old library but felt they would be too damaged to move and place at the new site. They then discussed placing an awning at the front of the building for the library and for the other door leading upstairs that contains the Washakie-Ten Sleep Chamber of Commerce, Washakie Development Association and the Washakie County Youth Alternatives.

Washakie County Library Director Karen Funk was present at the meeting and said she had been in contact with Signs of Sutherland regarding signage for the building, and was asked to get quotes for the commissioners.

The commissioners discussed with Schmeltzer what they wanted to do with the shelving of the old library, which included potentially putting them up for sale, giving them away through the county or donating them to the Friends of the Library to have them determine the best course for getting the furniture sold or distributed in the community.

The commissioners instructed Funk to discuss with Washakie County Clerk Mary Grace Strauch what the best course of action would be regarding the shelving.

Sarah Garcia of Washakie County Youth Alternatives and Lila Jolley of Washakie Prevention also inquired about signage inside to indicate the offices upstairs and what would be the best course forward for that. Garcia said she had money left in her budget to purchase the signs if necessary. No decision was made on the matter.

Garcia also asked if they would be able to get a locking cabinet for records they need to keep for grant purposes with no decision being made on that matter either.

Schmeltzer said that he had repaired minor issues with the new building, including trimming a door that was not working properly for it to fit, as well as removing condensation from a smoke detector box to stop triggering the alarm.

Schmeltzer also asked if there was a truck available for use over the next couple of months as he works on both the fair and moving the library. The commissioners said that he should speak with Washakie County Sheriff Steve Rakness to find out if he can use an available sheriff’s vehicle that is not in use by his department.

Chairman Commissioner Fred Frandson said that the phase one and phase two fire system for the elevator should be installed on June 21 and 22.

The commissioners said they are still waiting on an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant items for the library.

Funk also discussed replacing the copiers in both Worland and Ten Sleep and provided one estimate to replace them but was instructed to also seek a bid from the company that was used for the Washakie County Assessor’s office two weeks ago.

FAIR DISCUSSION

Schmeltzer was given a list of tasks to perform that was asked by the Washakie County Fair Board on Monday night, which included cleaning tasks as well as fixing the bathrooms at the Washakie County Fairgrounds arena.

Schmeltzer said he had finally realized the issue as to why they cannot get enough water pressure into the bathrooms during fair and large events, as the entire complex shares essentially one water line and RVs and trailers take up a large majority of it during that time.

He said that he believed he had found a solution where he can connect a different line that the county is already paying for that he can then dig up and place pipe around the arena to help provide a larger water supply around the arena.

He said it would take time for him to lay down the new line after digging into the ground and was unsure if they would be able to do it this summer before fair starts but intends to have it done before next year.

Schmeltzer was thankful to hear that there would be a fair board member at the fair each day, and that he would come to repair items but his primary focus that week would likely be the library.

Schmeltzer said that they are close to finishing welding improvements at the arena which has totaled around $6,400 so far. Frandson said that Contango Oil and Gas had donated nearly 2,000 feet of pipe for the improvements.

Schmeltzer said that they are welding the end of the pipes in order to deter wasps from gathering in them. Frandson told him that a gate by the bleachers on the south end of the arena had wasps gathering and asked Schmeltzer to find a way to seal that opening.

He said that the picnic tables at the fairgrounds had been painted by the Washakie County Roadrunners 4-H club.

UPDATES

Washakie County Public Health Nursing Manager Amanda Heinemeyer said that there was a large hole on the approach to the Washakie County Public Health building, and was wondering if someone would fix it. Schmeltzer said earlier during his discussion with the commissioners that he had seen it and that he would fill in the approach.

Heinemeyer said that she plans to stop the contract with Legend Rock Media for running the Washakie County COVID-19 Facebook page effective on July 16.

Garcia and Jolley also reported that Washakie County Prevention Coalition will be at Culturefest, as well as July being “take back month” for medications.

Bower said they have been progressing with grading around the county and then they will move onto patching. Bower also asked if he could pursue selling the old roller that was recently replaced, and the commissioners said they would pursue buyers for the item.

The commissioners signed a lease with Mercado Investments LLC. to rent out the former Kennedy Ace Rental Center located at 124 North 8th Street.

The Nowood Watershed District had their levy approved by the commissioners for the Alkali Creek Reservoir project.