(Lander, WY) – The Lander City Council convened on Tuesday, August 24th for a regular meeting.
A discussion concerning ambulance funding was brought back to the Council by Council Member Julia Stuble, who invited County Commissioner Mike Jones and Priority Ambulance Director of EMS Matthew Behl to speak on the matter.
Back in June, the County Commissioners officially requested for ambulance funds from each Fremont County municipality, with Lander being asked to contribute $100,000.
While the County has already paid for the service for this fiscal year, the contributions were still requested because, as Commissioner Jones put it, “This is a one time request, with the caveat that there is a long term solution. The County cannot carry this burden for multiple years.”
Mayor Monte Richardson suggested a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) be drafted by the Commissioners to make things official and to ensure the ask amount would be capped at the requested sum.
Council Member Melinda Cox agreed, stating that an MOU is a “reasonable request.”
Commissioner Jones agreed as well, and the matter will be brought up at the Thursday, August 26th Fremont County Association of Governments meeting, and will be further discussed with the other municipalities.
Also discussed during the work session portion of the meeting, was the potential for vaccine incentives for City Employees.
While not mandatory or required in any capacity, City Human Resources manager Rachelle Fontaine has begun the planning stages for incentivizing City Employees to get COVID vaccinations. Those who participate would meet once a month to have their names drawn for various perks and prizes, which would be funded through the American Rescue Plan.
Owen Sweeney and Helen Wilson of the Wind River Visitors Council were also in attendance to discuss the use of potential Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) funding to pay for 3 digital signs ($40,000 per sign) in Fremont County.
These signs, which would go up in Lander, Shoshoni, and Dubois, would namely be used for COVID messaging, but could also be used for events and general City notifications.
If the signs are erected, each City would be responsible for maintenance and electricity costs.
Nothing has been voted or decided upon, but the matter will be presented at the Dubois Town Council meeting tonight, and Shoshoni is currently researching the matter further.
During the City Staff discussion portion of the meeting, Chief of Police Scott Peters stated that the Narcan training has been completed, and equipment grant proposals are in the final stages. He also informed the Council that the radar trailer is fixed, and that a new Code Enforcement Officer was hired.
New portable radios were also purchased, and after an equipment price drop and grant funding, only cost about $20,000.
Chief Peters also reminded everyone in attendance that a DUI task force will be patrolling during Labor Day weekend all throughout fremont County, and there will be a heavy Wyoming Highway Patrol presence.
All of the following were also approved during the meeting:
- Resolution 1223 – amending job description for Building Inspector
- a Blue Sky grant application for the Senior Center solar array
- a Free Acre County Subdivision request
- Dillon Vista re-subdivision for Moorman/Holtzma
- 2nd Subdivision/re-subdivision for Sunrise Villa Estates
- a FEMA Relocation and Acquisition Proposal bid award to HDR in the amount of $104,785