Manderson’s park will stay with help from town

Revitalization plan in the works

Reviving the city park in Manderson was one of the topics discussed at the council meeting on June 13. Mayor Patrick said the town wants to make it nice enough to use.
He asked Councilman Tim Patrick to speak. He stated he had gone through the cost on everything being considered at the park. “The way that we can beautify it and make it a lot better than it is right now is if we run a two-inch line down the center of that.” Six couplers would be added along with four iron sprinklers. He feels that the park could be watered in about four settings. The cost including grass seed would run $8,000-$10,000.
He added that grass takes a few years to grow its best. That said, the town would fence off parts of the park during the growth period to keep people and animals off it.
The councilman went on, “Right now, we are spending a lot of money to water that park. A lot of money as in time. Because we are pulling anywhere from 150-180 foot of hose all the time. It’s creating a lot of expenditures as far as money goes.”
Where will the money come from?  Councilman Patrick said he suggests that it comes from the community fund. There is currently a little over $67,000 in that fund. “The fund is set up to better our community. Our park is what speaks of our town. It doesn’t speak very well of us.” He asked for community and council input.
Councilwoman Judy Bury said she agrees a sprinkler system is needed.  She has watched the hoses being moved to water the entire park.  Councilman Troy Chambers was also in agreement.
Councilman Patrick stated he would like to see the whole community help. The town would host a barbecue once the work is complete.
One resident suggested a particular type of grass. Resident Travis Study asked about hiring a contractor to do the work. Councilman Patrick told him the town couldn’t afford to hire a contractor. Study expressed concern because the town did the work on the fire hydrants and “that mess is still not cleaned up yet.”
Bury expressed she would like to see the work done sooner rather than later. Besides, the town has two maintenance guys who are doing a great job, she said. If the town hires a contractor, the cost will increase. She continued that the current maintenance staff has already fixed a water leak. It was mentioned that restrooms have been repaired.
Councilman Patrick noted that he and his brother Rod have put in underground lines and know what they are doing. Bury suggested the town have a sheet for community members to sign up to help. She believes that for the park to get going, the community needs to help. Bury added she would like to see big city park signs.
Town resident Eileen Duncan suggested putting a dog run at one end. She thinks that would attract people traveling through. Bury asked about clean-up of the run. Duncan suggested a doggie poo bag dispenser could be added.
Mayor Patrick said the town will figure out a workday. It will be posted so the public will know. A signup sheet will be at the office.

BUDGET
The third reading of the 2024-25 budget was tabled by Mayor Patrick. He said it was because Councilwoman Julie Williams was not able to attend this meeting. The mayor said Williams was the one that wrote the budget, so he wanted her present for any questions. He would like to set a special meeting.
Councilman Troy Chambers told the mayor that the second reading of the budget at a special meeting was not valid because the meeting violated Wyoming’s open meeting laws.
The mayor asked, “How is that?” Chambers replied, “Because you didn’t have an agenda posted. There was action taken and no meeting minutes were listed.  That is a requirement by Wyoming state law. So, we have to do it again. “
Mayor Patrick replied, “If I remember right, it was posted.” Chambers countered that notice of the meeting was posted, but an agenda was not.  The mayor continued that the budget was on the agenda. He asked town clerk Michelle Freitas to find a copy of the agenda and the minutes.
“Here is what we are going to do. Since that has been brought up, we’ve got the 2024-25 budget on the agenda. Do I have a motion to pass the budget for the second reading tonight? It’s on the agenda, let’s pass it now, then we just gotta have one special meeting,” said Mayor Patrick.
The motion to pass the second reading was made by Chambers and seconded by Councilwoman Judy Bury. The motion carried. When Freitas brought back to the mayor the agenda and minutes, he said they were no longer needed. “We went around.” He said on the budget and insurance for the PD were on the agenda.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
Town resident Sharon Sanford requested to be on the agenda. She stated that she lives at the campground. Sanford added that she does not own the Hi Way Bar & Café or the campground. “I have one question for councilwoman Bury.”
Mayor Patrick told Sanford that she was there to speak. She could ask her question. “But I can tell you right now, until the question is studied, we will get back. You can go ahead and ask the question, but I won’t guarantee you’re going to get an answer.”
Sanford continued, “Judy is it true that you can shut the business down just because I talk to people at that café and bar?” The mayor addressed Bury and told her she didn’t have to answer. Bury indicated she would not answer it. Sanford continued that it has been frustrating to be told several times that Bury could and would. The mayor said it was a personal problem, not a council problem.
Sanford went on to say she was pleased to hear in this meeting that the council wants the public to help with the park. She would like to see it publicized prior rather than after. Councilman Patrick said the town typically has advertised prior. He asked Sanford if she had a particular example or is she going on hearsay.
Sanford replied she is tired of the drama on social media. The councilman agreed. The mayor replied that it isn’t the council that is posting the drama. It is a few people in town and people from out of town that are. He believes the out of towners have no business posting.
According to Sanford she asked a question on the Facebook page and Bury responded to it. From that point, the entire thing was blown out of proportion. “It got to the point that if I even spoke to anybody, I get told don’t piss Judy off cause she is going to close you down. I should be able to talk to anyone I want to without that threat.”
The mayor asked Sanford who told her that threat. Councilman Patrick said Sanford didn’t have to answer that question. The mayor agreed that she didn’t, then added, “Here we go with the hearsay again. We are not going to have hearsay at meetings. We are not going to sit here and argue.”  Sanford said the matter wasn’t hearsay and she was not arguing. She would like to see the entire town stop being divided. People should have the freedom to speak and not be afraid.  
Resident Chris Saunders asked if permits were needed for people to set off fireworks on their own property. He was told no.
Town resident Bugs Chambers asked when the town was going to go back to putting out copies of the bills, the Visa bills and minutes from previous minutes. In the past the town has put copies of these documents out for the public to see.
The mayor said the town is getting there. “It takes time. We’ll get there.”
 
OTHER BUSINESS
• During Mayor Comments the mayor said that if a person wants to be on the agenda, they need to call the town clerk. The clerk will add their name and the topic. He added that if anyone needs anything from the town, they need to go through the clerk.
• Freitas gave the clerk/treasurer report.
• Clerk of Court Janet Reasoner gave the court report.
• Chief BJ Kidgell gave the police report. He noted that traffic going through has picked up. He also praised Reasoner for her hard work for the PD.
• Councilman Patrick gave the maintenance, water, sewer, streets, and alleys reports. He said that most of the streets have been sprayed for weeds. The maintenance crew has been watering.
• The town council approved getting road base and equipment rental estimates for First Street and in front of town hall.
• A building permit for Jerry Cook was reviewed and approved.
• Sherry Showalter requested a livestock permit for lambs within the town limits. Prior to approval the mayor stated that “test person” for having livestock within the town limits didn’t do what they were supposed to do. After some discussion the permit was approved with the understanding that a) the town could come on the property anytime for inspection; b) if inspection doesn’t pass, Showalter would correct any issues; C) a detailed agreement will be signed; D) Showalter will be responsible for any damage should the livestock get out, and E) no more than 3 animals.  
• A permit for fireworks and a 24-hour liquor permit for July 4 was requested by Hi Way Bar & Café. The request was approved.