Council listens to two concerns and a park picnic request

WORLAND — The Worland City Council heard from three citizens on three different issues at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.

Two of the citizens had concerns to bring forward to the council.

Christina Smith had written a letter to the Northern Wyoming News (published June 10) and sent a similar letter to Mayor Jim Gill regarding one landlord with four housing units increasing rent by $200. Gill invited Smith to speak to the council.

She said just because raising rent is legal she doesn’t like this becoming a standard and was concerned other landlords might follow suit.

Smith said she had spoken to two of the four renters, both elderly. She said after her letter appeared in the newspaper the American Legion reached out to offer assistance to the veteran.

Smith said the tenants must either sign the new lease or move out as of July 1.

She wondered if an increase cap could be put in place or rent be controlled.

Council woman Wendy Fredricks, who is also executive director of the Worland Senior Center, invited Smith to contact her to see if they could help and encouraged the renters to seek HUD (Housing and Urban Development) rentals in the area.

Gill thanked Smith for coming and trying to help the community.

AIRPORT FISHING POND

Mike St Clair came to the council to request that the airport fishing pond become an official city park and be maintained on a regular basis.

St Clair outline the history of the pond, his involvement and the involvement of WBI Energy employees.

St Clair helped organize the initial upgrades to the pond including the fishing pier that is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Volunteer projects also provide picnic tables. Last year WBI volunteers and Washakie County Weed and Pest worked to remove Russian olives and weeds from around a portion of the banks to provide access for fishermen.

“We are prepared to go back out there,” St Clair said but noted that WBI employees want some assurance that the maintenance will not spiral downward like it has in the past.

Engineering representative Mike Donnell said there are several issues at the pond including bank erosion, sinkholes by the dam and the pipe through the dam needing replaced.

Public Works Superintendent Nick Kruger said he has switched responsibility for the pond from the airport to the parks department and crews are going out once a week for maintenance.

He said he knows the pond is used, noting he saw paddleboarders out there prior to coming to the council meeting Tuesday night.

St Clair also wanted to inform the council about the program being planned to commemorate the 20th year following the 9-11 terror attacks on New York City, Washington, D.C. and in Pennsylvania.

He said the committee will report back with more details.

PICNIC

Erin Beall reported to the council that they hosted the first Picnic In The Park last Tuesday, June 8 in Sanders Park as a way for people to gather and socialize. People can bring their own food or purchase food from others.

She said they would like to have the Picnic in the Park every second and fourth Tuesday in June, July and August. She said the would like to have live music on occasion and water games.

Kruger said about 150 people attended the first picnic last week.

He said he asked Beall to come to the council regarding possible food vendors at the event.

Beall said there would be no commercial food vendors such as food trucks at the picnics.

The council approved to allow the event through August at Sanders Park.

In other business Tuesday night:

•The council approved the 2021-22 fiscal year budget following a public hearing with no public comments received.

•The council approved a resolution amending the current fiscal year budget for unanticipated revenues and expenditures throughout the year.

•The council approved a new contract with the Wyoming Department of Health to continue testing waste at the sewer lagoon for COVID-19. Kruger said the new contract is for the sewer lagoon only with the department no longer testing at the Wyoming Boys School.

Kruger said they will be testing three times a week. Current testing shows low COVID levels in the community.

•The council approved a street closure for today (Thursday) from 5 to 8 p.m. on North 11th by Crosspoint Baptist Church for the vacation bible school picnic.

•Two sidewalk loan applications were approved, one for $4,300 for driveway curb on Coburn and one for the front sidewalk for $1,200 on South Eighth. Clerk/Treasurer Tracy Glanz said there is $180,000 left in the sidewalk loan fund.

•Worland Police Chief Gabe Elliott requested a street closure on Obie Sue between 11th and 12th streets on Aug. 3 for the annual Worland Fire Department family picnic. The council approved the closure from 3:30 to 9 p.m.

Elliott also reported that the Worland-Ten Sleep Chamber has submitted the parade permit for the Washakie County Fair Parade at 9 a.m., Saturday, July 31.