Council hears project updates

At last week’s regular meeting, the Sundance City Council heard progress reports for several ongoing projects. Not all had seen movement within the prior month, however, such as the effort to open a new construction and debris pit at the landfill site.

The application is in the “same spot” as it was when the council met in August, said Public Works Director Mac Erickson. It resides with the Department of Environmental Quality for technical review and has not yet been approved.

The proposed new Family Dollar store next to the Best Western has progressed, on the other hand. Karla Greaser of Trihydro, City Engineers, reported that she has received the site plans and storm drain plans and has a few comments to provide the company; she told the council that she intends to work with Erickson to make sure he is in agreement before submitting those comments.

Regarding the new water tank in the canyon area, Greaser reported that she has been working through easements with Erickson and Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Lenz. Following feedback with the landowners, she said, it has become apparent that an additional easement is not wanted, which means the new tank cannot be constructed beside the old so that the latter can remain in service until work is complete.

Constructing the new tank on the other side will require additional easements from another landowner, she said. Other options are also being considered, such as a temporary tank and a reduction in the diameter of the new tank.

Meanwhile, said Greaser, the rest of the design is still moving forward, which means the project is in good shape to stay on schedule. Mayor Paul Brooks expressed a “desire to move ahead as quickly as possible on that” as the project is intended to replace a tank that is currently leaking.

The mayor’s hope to bring natural gas to Sundance also saw no movement in the last month, he said, though he informed the council that he would like the newly formed economic development committee to help find the necessary money.

Brooks stated that he has been told by economic experts that it is a strike against the city for businesses looking to set up here that natural gas is not available. Sundance now has access to the feasibility study performed for Ranchester when it completed a similar project, he said, while the State Lands and Investments Board will likely fund Sundance’s own feasibility study.

However, he said, there is no point moving forward with applying for said feasibility study if the city does not have funding options for the project itself. He estimated a figure of $10 million would be needed to launch the project to bring natural gas to the town.

Lenz reported on the current status of Main Street projects, telling the council that a request for proposals is being written for a design for Central Park. Meanwhile, she and Erickson will be meeting with the folks from David Street Station in Casper this week to hear the “dos and don’ts” of a successful Main Street renovation.

In departmental reports, Police Chief Marty Noonan told the council that 44 calls were received in August and Rally day traffic was up from last year but his department experienced zero issues all week. City Attorney Mark Hughes informed the council he is still working on the contract that will allow the city to use the Moorcroft landfill as he is not completely clear about a change requested by Moorcroft Mayor Dick Claar.