Council gives go-ahead for fireworks

It’s looking like a green start to the summer, said Mayor Paul Brooks as the Sundance City Council approved the use of fireworks for this year’s July 4 celebrations. Brooks noted that Fire Chief Gari Gill has agreed to keep an eye on conditions and alert the council if this needs to change.

At Tuesday’s regular meeting, the council also revisited the issue of “man camps” and the city’s desire that they be hooked up to utilities. Both businesses currently utilizing these camp sites are willing to adhere to this, said Brooks.

Karla Greaser of Trihydro confirmed that the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) does have specific regulations for campgrounds that the city can follow.

Clerk Treasurer Kathy Lenz informed the council that the final rules to apply for American Rescue Plan Act funding were released this week and the city is ready to move forward on four items: a planning project and three construction items, including replacement of a failing culvert on 3rd Street.

Lenz also stated that she was visiting Cheyenne for a meeting with Governor Mark Gordon and intended to inquire about the pot of money granted to him by the legislature to disburse at his own discretion. Gordon stated that low income housing was one of his priorities and is something Sundance could benefit from, she said, while he might also be interested to hear about the city’s need to expand its fire hall.

On the same note, the council approved a resolution to apply for federal funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program through WYDOT for the failing culvert.

“We would never be able to afford that,” said Brooks, expressing appreciation for the funding opportunity.

Council Member Joe Wilson reported that he had spoken with Wyoming Game & Fish about an animal waste program through the DEQ that provides dumpsters for carcasses. He asked for permission from the council to look further into the grant process, which would fund a container for transfer and possibly dollars for the transport itself.

Issues with the idea, however, include that it makes use of ARPA funding, so it may not continue in the future, and Public Works Director Mac Erickson’s comment that the transfer station does not receive that many carcasses for disposal.

However, said Brooks, looking into new ideas is always a good thing. The council did not take issue with Wilson doing so and bringing back his findings.

The Sundance Kid water tank is starting to go up, according to Erickson, but an issue with the roof panels did cause a brief delay. The council approved a change order for $3853 due to the uncovering of unsuitable organic material (black dirt) while pouring the foundation.

According to Greaser, a permit to construct has been submitted to the DEQ for the north booster project.

The farmer’s market will be starting up again on June 24, according to Lenz, and its grand opening date will include a band, Amish donut stand and more. Lenz shared a request from the group to close half the street next to Sundance Square for this opening event.

She also shared request from the Dime Horseshoe Bar for street closures during its July 4 wiener roast, band for visiting bikers on July 10, summer bash on July 25 and John Deere Days on July 29.

The council passed two ordinances on their final reading: the annual budget and regulations on the drilling and maintenance of water wells within city limits. A housekeeping resolution was also passed to balance last year’s budget and account for items that were not originally included, such as a donation from Sundance State Bank for the Sundance Square movie screen, revenue from the fire department and the PRECorp franchise fee.