Motocross agreement for lease advances

The first monthly Basin Town Council meeting was May 8.

Councilpersons Linda Weeks, Chuck Hopkin, Mike Dellos and Brent Godfrey were in attendance. Also in attendance were Mayor CJ Duncan, Town Administrator Deaun Tigner, Town Clerk/Public Works Manager Tony Harrison, Police Chief Kyle McClure and town attorney Kent Richins. 

MOTOCROSS LEASE 

The council along with Richins reviewed a motocross lease. Richins said it was his first attempt. He tried to cover the gambit. Duncan stated “I really like the way it reads. I feel like it is exactly what we want in a lease. It says what we expect from them, fee included.” 

He added he wasn’t sure about the 10-year term; he was thinking more like five years. Hopkin agreed. He was thinking after five years, the agreement could be reviewed. 

Harrison asked if the town would have to restore the ground to its original state if the if the motocross doesn’t last.

After Richins read from the agreement that the town can keep the improvements, the decision to add the club would be responsible for cleaning up what wasn’t wanted. 

Richins continued, “One area that I wanted to discuss a little bit was #2 purpose. Of course this is taxpayer property. It’s hard to pick and choose who can use property. But the way I put this, ‘This use of the lease premises is for public use and is not considered exclusive. However, only individuals authorized the district are able to enter upon use of the lease property based on their rules and regulations.”

He added, “In other words, it’s public, anyone can use it, but it is subject to the districts rules and regs.” 

Richins went on to talk about the access off Wyoming Highway 30. The lease agreement states that the district will maintain that road. He wonders where that road begins and ends. He was told it would start at the highway. 

Duncan suggested that the council approve the agreement contingent on the changes and the completion of a survey. That motion was made and passed. The proposed lease amount is $200 per year. 

PUBLIC WORKS 

Harrison, in his public works department update, noted that the Third Street water project was starting to slow down. The crew had to fix four service lines on Holdredge that had been drilled through by TCT. Harrison said the crew did a good job getting the lines fixed in a timely manner. 

The crew will be trenching to place a new line for the SCADA monitoring system for the raw water. The old line went bad.  Hopkin asked if a repair was attempted on the line before getting a new one. He was told yes. 

Routine maintenance was done on the sewer lines in the alley from Holdredge to Matteson. 

The crew has also been removing pinecones from the cemetery and areas are being reseeded with grass seeds. 

Employee Dean Eibert attended a Spring Water Conference and will be receiving a certificate. Employees Roberta Vigil and Bill Everhart attended a three-hour mosquito class in Worland. The foggers were recalibrated for the season. 

Items placed on the Public Surplus Auction site brought in over $10,000. Harrision noted that work orders have increased since the raw water was turned on. 

ADMINISTRATION 

 Tigner presented the admin department report. She noted that for most of the month they have been doing training. 

Tigner also noted that the number of dog and cat licenses is down from last year. The court fines for the month are $947, with fees at $40 for the month. 

A written report was provided to the council as well. 

POLICE 

McClure gave the police department report. He noted the department answered 241 incidents and had 114 calls for service. Six case files were opened, and two arrests were made. 

McClure gave a grant and vehicle update. He also noted an officer attended the Easter Egg Hunt at the WRC. He took a class on ethics in leadership and case law studies. Sgt. Drewry and Officer VanderPloeg are both taking online training one hour a month for 12 months.  

RECREATION DISTRICT 

Hopkin gave an update on the Rec District. The board meeting was the night before this meeting. There was some discussion about the agreement between the town, the rec district and the school district. 

The agreement was taken to the school board meeting on May 13 for their discussion. 

Richins asked if the Rec District OK’d the agreement. Hopkin said no, that board was waiting for it to come back from the school board. 

Hopkin noted that the infield of the baseball parks need to be bladed. Somebody drove across them with a vehicle when the fields were wet. He asked if the town had a blader that could be used. Harrison said he would take some town equipment to see what they can do. He was planning on the crew spraying weeds and mowing anyway. 

There was also a discussion about adding brackets for advertising to the west side of the Rec building. Harrison expressed concern that it be done so that moisture doesn’t seep in the brick wall. Duncan explained that the brackets would only be attached to the wall near the bottom of the wall. The council moved to allow for the brackets to be put up by the rec district. 

OTHER BUSINESS

• The Electric Department report was a written report included in the council’s package. 

• A building permit was approved for an entryway cover for South Big Horn County Water District. 

•The first reading of Ordinance 716-Budget 2025-2026 was read and passed. 

• Ordinance 717-Sewer Utility Rate Increase first reading passed. 

• Weeks gave a Beautician Committee report. Yard of the Month starts in June. 

• Duncan gave an update for Big Horn Regional Joint Powers Board. 

• A special event permit was approved for the Lilac Days Car Show. 

• The council moved to explore the most cost-effective way to get electrical service to the concession/lifeguard booth at the pool.