Cottonwood Creek Bridge sold to highest – and only – bidder

Cottonwood Creek Bridge in Winchester was sold at the Washakie County Commissioner meeting on Tuesday, May 2 to Galloway Ranch LLC out of Ten Sleep for the amount of $1,150.

Galloway offered the only bid on the historic bridge, which will continue to be utilized for its original purpose – only this time around, it will stretch over Nowood River rather than Cottonwood Creek.

“It doesn’t offset the cost of the scale model,” Commissioner Morgan Martinez said, in reference to the estimated $5,000 rendering of the bridge for display at Washakie Museum and Cultural Center, to be funded by the county. However, with little time left to advertise for bids before Wyoming Department of Transportation requires the bridge to be removed on May 26, the commission reasoned that the sale was still a better option than the estimated $29,000 expense to scrap the bridge.

AMBULANCE STATION CONSTRUCTION

Former Building Maintenance Manager Tom Schmeltzer met with the commission regarding construction on the recently purchased 603 North Road 11 building, soon to become the ambulance station. Schmeltzer was appointed for part-time work managing the project and will head discussions with the City of Worland regarding the need for an architect on the project.

With what was described as a “minimally invasive remodel,” Schmeltzer reasoned that the county could be its own contractor, so long as work over $50,000 is put out to bid. Chairman Aaron Anderson agreed with the suggestion, noting that the North Road 11 building had been purchased with fiscal responsibility in mind and should continue to be handled as such.

Work to be done includes the construction of two bedrooms, a bathroom, and air conditioning system in the building’s garage. A privacy fence, a fire suppression sprinkler system, electrical work, concrete cutting, plumbing, dry wall, painting, and flooring were listed as part of the project.

“Timeline is going to be a big issue for us, we’d like to see this get done,” Anderson said.

AQUATIC CENTER JOINT POWERS BOARD

Washakie County School District No. 1 Chief Operations Officer Charlie Cauffman approached the Commissioners regarding the dissolution of the Worland Aquatic Center Joint Powers Board. The City of Worland and WCSD No. 1 have already agreed to the dissolution, in which the school will take over sole management of the Aquatic Center, and await approval from the county, the third and final member of the board, before it can proceed.

Potential issues discussed included access to the pool by Washakie County School District No. 2, as well as the designation of public funds accrued for use at the pool. County Attorney Anthony Barton later described the language in the agreement ensuring public use and direction of the funds as “sufficient.”

Cauffman asked that potential language changes be added by addendum to avoid reentering the cycle of approval from all three agencies involved. “We’re just trying to move ahead. Once we get our final approval, if we’re trying to take over by July 1, there’s a lot to be done on our end,” he said.

The county’s final decision on the dissolution of the Joint Powers Board agreement will be made during their May 16 meeting to allow for public comment.

‘PET ROCK’ STUCK

Road and Bridge Supervisor Stuart Bower reported that the “Pet Rock” on Mahogany Butte will be staying put for now. The boulder had been considered for removal, as its position has potential to start a rockslide, but after an initial investigation, Bower suggested the rock may not be a pressing concern.

“They didn’t even budge it?” asked Martinez.

“All we did was just rock and roll it,” Bower replied. “It’s keyed in there. It looked like it was going to fall off of there tomorrow, and it hasn’t, and it looks like it won’t fall forever now, and it may.”

Consultant Midwest Rockfall concluded that the boulder will stay in place for now, save for a torrential downpour. The rock’s removal will be postponed, pending future discussion with the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service.

WORLAND HISTORIC DISTRICT

In other news, Stefanie Kowaleczyk and Mike Bies with the Washakie County Historic Preservation Commission reported the receipt of $11,000 from the State Historic Preservation Office through the Certified Local Government grant program to go toward creating a historic commercial district in downtown Worland. The Commissioners approved the grant agreement, and the WCHPC will move forward seeking requests for quotes on the project.

OTHER BUSINESS

Big Horn REA’s right-of-way permit along Big Trails for a power system upgrade was approved on consent. Weed spraying is in the works for county roads, with Lane Seven, Lane Eight and Road 11 designated for dust control treatment. Forty-seven potholes are destined for filling this week. Lane 14’s “plugged culvert saga” has been resolved after it was discovered a landowner had dug through it when putting in a waterline.

Bower asked the public to report roadkill to Washakie County Road and Bridge when applicable so the carcasses can be removed. “They get knocked off in there, you don’t see them until you smell them,” he said.

Fire Chief Chris Kocher received approval to allow residents to set off fireworks on the county-owned portion of the public pit July 3-4. Jennifer Martinez asked for a retail liquor license for The Brass Plum at Country Bloomers for an upcoming garden party, which was approved. Building Maintenance Manager Ryan Casad will investigate upping the electrical capacity at Washakie County Fairgrounds for events such as the Wyoming State BBQ Championship and Bluegrass Festival.

“We want to bring business and events to the county in the long term,” Martinez said, in support of the fairgrounds project.