Council hears of potential new development

The Sundance City Council heard of a potential new subdivision development near the Croell headquarters at last Tuesday’s meeting. Ken Rathbun of Bearlodge Engineering approached council members to gauge the city’s willingness to provide water for the proposed development.

Karla Greaser of Trihydro said she can see no concerns with providing water in that area thanks to the work done on the city water system. The council meanwhile commented that development will be good for the growth of the town.

At Tuesday’s regular meeting, the council also approved this year’s free garbage day vouchers for city utility customers. These will be placed on the next statement sent out to residents and can be used on any day during May and June.

“It’s for one day only, but you can bring as many loads as you can on that day,” said Clerk Treasurer Kathy Lenz.

The council also addressed the issue of cable television at Green Mountain Estates. This housing was not originally equal opportunity, said Lenz, but rather was for low-income individuals.

Some of the residents did not have the money to buy their own television, she continued, so many years ago the city signed up for cable so it could be offered in the community rooms. However, the management company is now doing well enough that the city feels they should pay their own cable bill.

Lenz asked the council for permission to disconnect the service, which was granted.

At the request of Ed Pacola, the council agreed to give permission for a farmer’s market on Friday evenings between 4 and 7 p.m. this summer at the new Sundance Square Park. It was pointed out that the original grant for the park was written on the premise that farmer’s markets could be held there, while the council expressed no issue with him working on this project with city hall.

Public Works Director Mac Erickson did make the request that vendors be cautious of the new grass at the park, which will not yet have established by that time.

On a similar topic, the council heard that the Sundance Chamber of Commerce has donated the statue of the Sundance Kid to the city along with $3200 to cover future maintenance. The provisions of the agreement include that the chamber has the right in perpetuity to use images of the statue in its promotions and that a plaque will be placed near the statue explaining the chamber was the original commissioner of the statue.

A motion was passed to accept the proposal.

The council also passed a change order for the design of a restroom for the park and concrete for additional curb and gutter side work. Work on the park, commented the mayor, is coming along nicely.

City Attorney Mark Hughes reported that he has been working with Judge Matthew Castano on an agreement for the city’s municipal court cases to be heard in Circuit Court. To do that, he said, “You have to have an agreement that is approved by the Supreme Court.”

However, he explained, the Wyoming Supreme Court is concerned about the need to create an agreement that would be consistent for all counties, should they ever make the same request. Guidance has not yet been received, he told the council, so, “We’re still working on it.”

Greaser provided an update on current city projects, telling the council that construction is progressing on the Sundance West tank and the contractors for the tank installation itself are expected imminently, “So hopefully we’ll start seeing a tank go up here pretty quick.” The Sundance Kid tank project is still in the permitting phase but Greaser said she is hoping to move forward to look at the bidding schedule this week.