Apartment garbage rates protested by owner at town council meeting

The Lovell Town Council worked through a variety of issues during the regular meeting on Tuesday, May 14.

Before getting into the regular agenda, the council heard from Mike Grant, owner of the Lovell Apartments on Nevada Avenue, who expressed concerns about how garbage rates affect apartment houses.

Under the town code, garbage rates for rooming houses, multi-family dwellings and apartment houses are $19 per month plus $10 per month for each additional housing unit up to eight units for a 300-gallon receptacle, but for business establishments, hotels and motels, the garbage rate is a flat $20 per month.

The difference in garbage fees doesn’t seem fair, Grant said, noting that his receptables are dumped at the same rate as commercial businesses and motels, but his rates are higher.

Grant said a much fairer system would be to set the fee based on volume rather than on the number of units, noting that the Lovell Apartments are smaller efficiency units.

The higher rates were communicated to Grant recently by the office staff at town hall after it was realized the town was not charging the appropriate amount under the code. Grant said the change would cost him an extra $143 per month.

“We’ll have to look at it,” mayor Tom Newman said. “It’s worthy of some conversation.”

Town administrator Jed Nebel said the code is somewhat confusing and said he will examine the language and also check with other municipalities to see how they handle apartment houses.

“I think we can take a look at it and, if nothing else, clear it up,” Newman said.

Ordinances

The council continued budget work during the meeting, first voting to table the annual appropriation ordinance – 1010, 2024 – until the June meeting.

Nebel informed the council that the budget is close to being balanced, with the town currently only $34,000 over expected revenues based on department requests compared to $150,000 when the budget process began.

“Every department has done their fair share to make it a balanced budget,” Nebel said.

Nebel said he is examining the cash carryover amount in the current budget, and if the numbers hold up, the town may be able to pay for some needed items like new tables and chairs at the community center, picnic tables at Armory Park, security cameras for the town parks and additional crack sealing for town streets.

The council did pass Ordinance 1012 – the annual tax levy – on second reading.

Trailer/camper ordinances

The council passed three ordinances – 1013, 1014 and 1015 – on second reading.

Ordinance 1013 would clean up and redefine the section of the town code dealing with trailers and campers.

 Ordinance 1014 would prohibit long-term camping within town limits. Under the code, no person may use a trailer or camper as a primary dwelling unless the trailer is in a mobile home or trailer park. A trailer may be used as a temporary dwelling for no more than 14 consecutive days unless given an exception permit by the town council.

Ordinance 1015 would add penalties to the town zoning ordinances.

Tree City issues

Town of Lovell parks director Kelton Wagner explained some issues that have arisen with proposed changes to the national Tree City USA program, of which Lovell has been a member for 23 years. Under proposed changes coming from the national level, the town would have to enact a permit system under which a property owner in town would have to obtain a permit to plant a tree on private property. The town would also have to hire or designate an official to oversee the permitting process.

The change did not go over well with the council.

“A permit to plant a tree? That’s crazy,” councilman Dan Anderson said, and added Mayor Tom Newman, “That seems a little heavy handed.”

Nebel pointed out that the ordinance wouldn’t have to be in place until December, giving the town time to research and consider the issue.

During discussion, it was pointed out that the mayor can still designate a day an Arbor Day locally and schedule a poster contest and tree planting with elementary students with or without the Tree City USA designation.

Park Project

The council considered a change order for phase two of the project to develop Armory Park. Nebel explained that a line item for lighting in the park had been a bid alternate in the funding package with the State of Wyoming Land and Water Conservation Fund grant due to concerns that the vendor that could provide lighting able to operate in all weather conditions was out of Canada.

In communication with the State, Nebel discovered that the LWCF staff had no issues with the Canadian company, since the company could supply the best all-weather lights. And he also was told that the company fit “Buy American” guidelines.

The council voted to approve Changer Order No. 1 for $59,118 for the lighting, and Nebel said the lights will prove to be a nice touch around the walking path.

Garbage truck

Nebel reported that the long-awaited garbage truck will soon arrive, noting that the chassis is finished and the installation of the hopper is next in Billings. He said the town should be able to take possession within two weeks.

Town clerk/treasurer Colleen Tippetts said money for the final payment in the amount of $172,541 needed to be transferred from savings or the town WyoStar account. The council voted for the WyoStar transfer. Public works director Adrin Mayes said the normal life of a garbage truck is five years, and the current Town of Lovell truck is eight years old due to the difficulty getting a new truck purchased.

The council joked that perhaps the town should order the next truck now so that by the time the new truck is worn out, the next truck might arrive. 

In other business May 14:

• The council voted to renew a dispatching agreement with Big Horn County Fire Protection District No. 5 (the Deaver-Frannie Fire Dept.).

• The council voted to continue Don Richards as the town’s representative to the Shoshone Municipal Pipeline board contingent upon his willingness to continue.

• After discussion, the council voted to renew a contract with Madison Hunder to clean facilities at Lovell parks for $2,150 per month and $15 an hour for additional work.

• The council voted to renew a lifeguard agreement with School District No. Two.

• Nebel informed the council about a meeting on June 18 with personnel from the Wyoming Pathways office, who he said will help with outdoor recreation planning including the ongoing project to develop a mountain biking trail system near Lovell. 

Nebel also explained some traffic control issues nearing a decision point by the Lovell Police Department, including a possible crosswalk on Oregon Avenue at Sixth Street and a possible four-way stop at Sixth and Oregon, all in the name of safety for pedestrians heading to Armory Park. Also under consideration is a stop sign at Third and Montana.

• The council scheduled a work meeting for Friday, June 7, at noon. The next regular meeting of the council is set for Tuesday, June 11, at 7 p.m.