Council approves permit for Basin Dollar General

The Basin town council met at their second meeting of the month on August 27. During the meeting the council voted to approve a Commercial Retail building permit for Basin, DG, LLC. The address listed is 902 South Fourth Street.  The motion carried unanimously.  

On the phone for that portion of the meeting for Capital Growth Buchalter was Kirk Farrelly. Alin Corez from Inberg Miler Engineers was at the meeting in person.  

Town Attorney Kent Richins asked to advise the council where the town was at regarding the final plat. “Two meeting ago we had a motion that passed that said the final plat was passed by the council with some contingencies. Today everyone should have gotten an email that had the documents to fulfill those contingencies. One of them is a performance bond, which is in good order. The other one is the development agreement, which is also in good order.  

As far as he can tell all the contingencies to sign the plat have been met. He wasn’t sure if a vote was needed because of the vote two meetings prior. 

Mayor Duncan added that the town wanted it verbally noted that all the contingencies have been met.  He then asked town foreman Tony Harrison if he had any comments about the building permits. 

Harrison said the town was provided a foundation and building plans. Surveys have been done and the water plan is figured out. They are working with WYDOT to get the M-54 application completed and approved. (M-54 is the official application form used by WYDOT to request a license for placing utility facilities within state highway rights-of-way or on WYDOT property.) Harrison has no concerns about the building permits. 

PUBLIC COMMENT 

Former Basin Councilman, Planning & Zoning member and current Basin mayoral candidate Carl Olson spoke during the town’s public comment portion of the meeting. 

Olson said he would like to address a phone conversation he had with Duncan regarding a potential conflict of interest.  Olson, who also works for Big Horn Redi Mix, notified the council at a previous meeting about a phone call he received about the Dollar General. 

Olson explained he is employed by Redi Mix in the Construction and Precast Division. He has not solicited for any work from the Dollar General. 

He stated that he had received a phone call from the Sand & Gravel division of Redi Mix. That division deals with just product.  Apparently, the Dollar General asked for pricing on approximately 1000 yards of material. The batch manager for Redi Mix went to their Cody offices to get the pricing. Olson has nothing to do with that office either. Olson was asked on the phone call “Where is the Dollar General going in Basin?” He was also told that the pouring would start in September. 

That was a surprise to Olson as he does sit on P & Z and attends town council meetings. “I was pretty sure there had not been any building permit as of then.”  

He continued that he came to Duncan solely with the intention of letting the town know what he had been told about the store’s plan. “Later that night it became a conflict of interest. Which, in my opinion, I do not have a conflict of interest as I do not work in that part of the Redi Mix.” 

Olson added that he has done previous jobs in town for Redi Mix. “It has always been decided that I don’t own the company. I don’t own interest in the company except they are my employers. So, it was ok to work.”  He has done jobs for the town and in the town that were through his division. “All I would have to do is maybe not vote when they voted on it. I was never accused of having a conflict of interest except by Jack Nauman.” 

He wondered if the reason he received a phone call regarding a possible conflict of interest has anything to do with him running for mayor. “With the intent in shutting me down on P & Z.” 

Olson looked at the P & Z bylaws. In article V it says that “Four members is the majority of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.” There are five members on the board He understood that one of the members was resigning at the end of August. This would leave the required four members. 

Olson continued to quote from the bylaws that reinforced even if one member was disqualified, four members could conduct business. 

He ended his comment by saying that if it was still felt there was said conflict, that it be discussed further with him in person. 

Duncan thanked Olson.  

OTHER BUSINESS 

• Committee reports were given for the Rec District, Activates Beautification, and two joint powers boards. 

• A building permit was approved for Sponseller on South Seventh. 

• An executive session was held for contract negotiations and personnel. 

• A special event permit was approved for the school’s homecoming parade.