Council conducts regular business

Out of necessity, the Sundance City Council met via conference call on Tuesday.

“We’re going to go on doing the bare minimum, we’re not going to make a lot of big changes,” said Mayor Paul Brooks of the immediate future while the outbreak continues. The bills still need to be paid, he said.

Dan Mummert of Trihydro reported progress on the project to replace the tank in the canyon, informing the council that a revised geotechnical report has been received. The geology is similar to what was anticipated, he said, so no significant changes are needed to the plans.

Comments have also been received from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and will be addressed, Mummert said. He anticipates that the time will come to advertise for bids next month.

Public Works Director Mac Erickson stated that the city’s permit for a new construction and debris pit was officially approved a couple of weeks ago by DEQ.

“That’s good news, it’s been kind of a long road but we’ve got our permit now,” he said, telling the council that he is watching the spring weather to figure out the best time to pull the trigger on construction.

The council approved a change order for the Old Stoney rejuvenation project of $1236 for exit signs required by the fire marshal. A work order for $11,458 was also approved for the design of a water line on 4th Street to solve the problem, as the mayor stated, that “We don’t have enough water for the sprinkler system.”

A motion was passed to allow the mayor to sign a grant agreement for the new park next to Old Stoney.

“We are ready to take this project to bid,” commented Clerk Treasurer Kathy Lenz.

The council opted to table discussion on the agreement with Crook County Medical Services District regarding storage of the ambulances. This decision was based on a desire to give the district leeway as they prepare for the pandemic to hit Crook County.

“They’ve got a lot on their plates…and I really want to extend some good will toward them,” said Brooks.

The council decided to issue landfill coupons again this year, which will be mailed out in May on the back of customer statements. Erickson confirmed that this offer of a free visit to the transfer station can be accommodated this year and said that, while it costs a little money, it makes sense.

“It’s a good opportunity for people to clean up town,” he said.

The council agreed that fees for late payment of bills and associated interest will be waived for the month of April to address customers’ difficulties during the outbreak.

In departmental reports, Police Chief Marty Noonan reported 21 calls for the month, the vast majority of which were routine calls for service, and one felony drug arrest.

Erickson told the council that his department is going to begin a facelift on city hall this month to “get things fixed up and improve our image”. His office has been closed, he said, and public works employees are working fairly far apart; there will be a delay on the new employee’s start date as he was planning to move to Sundance from further afield.