Busy Lovell council passes five ordinances including trailer regulations

The Lovell Town Council breezed through a busy agenda that included budget work, ordinances on trailers in town and dispatching agreements during the regular June meeting on Tuesday, June 11.
Five ordinances came before the council, and all five passed on third and final reading.
First up was the annual appropriation ordinance, 1010, 2024. The council passed the ordinance, which establishes budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, unanimously, with councilman Ray Messamer absent.
The ’24-25 budget is set at $4,711,855, and town administrator Jed Nebel said he and clerk/treasurer Colleen Tippetts worked with department heads and examined the finances to make adjustments necessary to balance the budget, partially using cash carryover money to do it.
“Everything should be good to go,” he said.
The council then approved on third reading Ordinance 1012,2024, which establishes the annual tax levy for the Town of Lovell.
The council passed three trailer ordinances on third reading. Ordinance 1013 cleans up and redefines the section of the town code dealing with trailers and campers.
 Ordinance 1014 prohibits long-term camping within town limits. Under the ordinance, 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 adds penalties to the town zoning ordinances.
The meeting began with Mayor Tom Newman appointing HK Click as the chief town building inspector, with Craig Walker as the deputy. Click had previously served as the primary inspector, then served as the deputy before now returning as the primary.
The council voted to approve the appointment unanimously.
Dispatch agreements
The council considered together dispatching agreements with the fire department and hospital. Nebel said he visited with officials from both Fire Protection District No. 1 and the North Big Horn Hospital District and reached an arrangement where the hospital district will pay an additional $2,375 per year in dispatching fees, with the fees to the fire district decreased by the same amount. The council passed a four-year agreement with the two districts, contingent upon a review by the town’s legal counsel.
Two requests by Aud’s Four Corners bar came before the council, and both were approved. The council approved a catering permit for the Mustang Days Rodeo on June 29 and an open container permit to allow alcohol sales in a fenced-in area at the Four Corners June 28-30 for Mustang Days during regular business hours. The council passed Resolution 2024-2 to approve the modification to open container requirements.
The council also passed a catering permit for the Diamond J Bar for a wedding at the Lovell Community Center on July 27.
In other business June 11:
• The council voted to approve a contract with Midwest Assistance Program for professional GIS consulting services at a cost of $500 per year. The motion included the authority for public works director Adrin Mayes to sign the agreement.
• Clerk/treasurer Tippetts explained that an insurance package for cyber insurance that had been a part of the Wyoming Association of Risk Management policy is now separate. The council voted to approve a new cyber policy for up to $750 in annual premiums.
• Nebel presented a waiver from the Shoshone Municipal Pipeline board recognizing that the Town of Lovell is not liable for the pipeline issues or actions based on the town sponsoring a grant for the pipeline.
• Citizen Chris Hansen spoke to the council about concerns he has about speeders on Second Street, noting that he has seen a motorcycle drive past a trailer park on Second at 55 to 60 miles per hour. He wondered if a speed bump or other method could be used to slow traffic. Nebel said a speed bump is unlikely, but he said he would discuss the matter with Chief of Police Roger Haney.