County dealing with tire issues north and south

Big Horn County Commissioners Dave Neves, Bruce Jolley and Deb Craft were joined by County Clerk Lori Smallwood and Deputy County Attorney Jennifer Kirk at their February 20 meeting.

South Big Horn County Road/Bridge Supervisor Shannan Hovey told the commission about a situation on Lane 40½.

“There is a canal that runs most of the way down the county road,” Hovey said. “Well, the landowner decided it was getting real close to the county road, so he decided to throw a bunch of tires in it. About 30 tires.”

The landowner created a dam that ran the water closer to the road, Hovey said. The county took the tires out and returned them to the landowner.

North Big Horn County Road/Bridge Supervisor Eric Mann and the commission discussed a situation on the north end of the county that also had to do with tires. The renter of a property on Cannery Road/Road 7 has placed tires in the county right of way. A letter will be sent to the landowner.

Mann said the north end crew has also been trimming a lot of trees. They are currently crack sealing Road 5. Roads 11 and 11½ are next.

County Engineer Willie Bridges told the commissioners that Wilson Brothers had milled off the raised areas of the road on Lane 40 and Road 8. There are still bumps, but they are not as bad. 

Bridges noted that Stephanie May was finishing up the RAISE grant since it had to be submitted by the following week. The grant is for Orchard Bench Road. The commissioners voted to sign a resolution in support of the grant.

There was some discussion about a culvert crossing on the Sidon Canal. Jolley suggested asking the canal board members to come to a commissioner meeting to discuss options. Hovey said that the road really needs work. The south end crew has been cutting trees. He noted that the four solar powered stop signs in the Burlington area were not working all the time, likely due to the batteries not recharging because of overcast skies.

An executive session was requested by Kirk regarding potential litigation on a road closure request on Greybull River Road.

AIRPORT/ PLANNING 

A Land Planning Department report was provided to the commissioners by Paul Thur and Stephanie May. Thur noted that all the towns that have septic systems within the town limits, with the exception of Lovell, have signed a memorandum of understanding with the county. Frannie doesn’t allow septics within the town. Thur also noted that he is waiting for an attested MOU from Manderson.

Another topic the commissioners addressed was a Greybull de-annexation request from landowners. The land is located near the cemetery in Greybull. The commissioners will do a site inspection before further consideration.

Thur gave an airport department update. He is still working on a non-aviation use application for the drag races in 2024. There is a proposed test date on May 18 for a car to drive on the runway to see if the surface will hold up for the drag races. The county resurfaced the runway last summer. The sealant used made the track slick for the cars and began to break down toward the end of the August race.

OTHER BUSINESS

• A public hearing for a liquor license transfer for the Oasis was held.

• Fair Manager Cash Duncan brought a memorandum of understanding request from the Wyoming Department of Health. The MOU was in regard to the Wyoming Retirement Center using the fairgrounds for a shelter in the event of an emergency at the center.

• A draft press release for a NARCAN class was reviewed.

• The commissioners made a field trip to the Sand Draw Cemetery and in this meeting discussed the upkeep and maintenance. A non-profit has expressed an interest in taking it over.