Afton council advances 2016–17 appropriation on first reading, approves subdivisions and a county flag lot

Mayor Joel Neuenschwander presided over the Afton Town Council meeting on April 12, 2016, where the council advanced the town's 2016'17 appropriation on first reading and approved several land-use actions and appointments.

The council, responding to comments from Town Administrator Hyun Kim, directed departments to plan for roughly 7 to 10 percent cuts in their 2016'17 budgets because of expected reductions in state funding. Mayor Neuenschwander presented Ordinance 635, the annual appropriation measure for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016; Councilman Jerry Hansen moved to pass it on first reading and Councilman Bill Hoopes seconded. The motion carried. The council scheduled a public appearance date for organizations seeking funds on May 10, 2016 at 5:30 p.m.

Council approved routine business: the consent agenda (including March 15, 2016 minutes and March business licenses and building permits) and bills for the period ending March 31, 2016. The payroll line item shown in the minutes was $49,738.70; notable vendor entries included Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming ($16,408.50) and Lower Valley Energy ($11,287.65). Town Administrator Hyun Kim recommended, and the council approved, renewal of employee insurance with WEBT at existing premiums (motion by Councilman Jason C. Inskeep; second by Councilman Bill Hoopes).

Planning & Zoning Board Chair Gay Petersen presented a planned unit development application for Lot 56 of The Estates at Valli-Vu 5th Filing and a simple subdivision of Lot 53 in the Estates at Valli-Vu 4th Filing, both submitted by Surveyor Scherbel on behalf of Lon Nield. The Afton Utility Board and the Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval; Councilman Bill Hoopes moved to accept the recommendations and approve both the PUD and the subdivision, and Councilman Jason C. Inskeep seconded. The motion carried.

A separate flag-lot application submitted by Surveyor Scherbel on behalf of Lincoln County sought to split part of Block 22 (Original Townsite) to create a lot accessible from Jefferson Street by a 35-foot shared access, for a proposed maintenance shed. Several adjacent property owners raised concerns about noise, traffic, the building's location, and site security. The council noted the parcel previously served as a bus barn, said the new site would be fenced and used only for storage and that vehicle repairs would occur at Town Hall. After discussion Councilman Jason C. Inskeep moved to approve the flag lot; Councilman Jerry Hansen seconded and the motion carried.

Mayor Neuenschwander asked the council to appoint Blake Robinson and Rick Sessions to the Afton Utility Board. Councilman Hansen moved to appoint both men; Councilman Hoopes seconded and the motion carried.

The council entered executive session at 5:35 p.m. to discuss personnel and property matters (motion by Councilman Inskeep; second by Councilman Merritt) and reconvened at 6:10 p.m. The minutes record that personnel and legal issues were discussed but that no action was taken.

The council discussed building permits and setbacks and accepted a Planning & Zoning Board recommendation that the town attorney review the land use ordinance to clarify remedies if setbacks are not met. Council also referred barking-dog complaints to Police Chief Randy Haderlie for an update at the next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.; the next regular meeting is set for May 10, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. at Afton Town Hall.