Natrona County parks trustees keep officers, confirm new lodge caretaker and seek funds for shelters and archery targets
Loading...
Summary
Trustees voted to retain current officers and approved minutes. Chair Dave North reported a new lodge caretaker started, staff are preparing high-school races and a biathlon agreement is in place, and the board discussed budget shortfalls for shelter construction and archery-target replacement.
The Natrona County Parks and Recreation System trustees voted to keep the board's existing officers in their positions and approved the minutes of the Dec. 11 meeting during a brief session on an evening meeting called by Chair Dave North.
"I have motion to leave them in their position," Trustee John Hatcher said, and the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
The meeting focused largely on routine director updates and funding questions. Chair Dave North reported that a new caretaker began work at the lodge on the 7th and has completed orientation; North said the caretaker will be on site Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. North also announced an open maintenance-operator position on the mountain and asked trustees to refer candidates.
Justin Kenner, a newly seated trustee, described preparations for an upcoming high-school ski race. Kenner said staff used an Arctic Cat and a bucket sled to move existing snow onto trails to accommodate events that include multiple high schools and University of Wyoming participants.
On capital needs, North said the board has a funding gap for park shelters: the most recent low bid for a single shelter was $265,000 while the board believes about $135,000 had been set aside previously; he said he will check county carryover balances and report back. "I need to find out just exactly where we are," North said.
North also said the board has applied for a grant from Easton to replace archery targets on the mountain. He said the board currently has $35,000 budgeted for target replacement but estimates the work will cost $70,000–$80,000 and that the board will request the remainder. The transcript records North as saying, "we're asking we're asking Houston for the the full amount," which the board did not further clarify during the meeting.
The board confirmed that the biathlon use and GRAMA agreement was returned, signed and made retroactive; North said the board has already received at least one invoice under that agreement.
North proposed a late-month work session to set Alcova Reservoir lot-permit rates and related items so the package can go to the BOR and legal review; the board agreed to schedule the session and will finalize timing and logistics. North reminded trustees they are required by state statute to complete public-office training (one-time requirement) and said staff will investigate online options.
Before adjourning, North reminded trustees to declare any conflicts of interest on votes and to abstain when appropriate; he cited trustees with lake trailers as examples of situations that would require abstention on related votes. The board welcomed new trustees Bill Devore and Justin Kenner and concluded a short meeting.
Next steps: staff will check the county funding carryover for the shelter project, pursue the Easton grant for archery targets, and prepare materials for the Alcova Reservoir work session and the BOR/legal review.
