Afton council approves change order, tourism spending and permits; hears police, utilities and road requests

The Afton Town Council on March 14, 2017 approved multiple consent items and heard staff reports outlining public‑safety concerns, road repair needs and utility maintenance.

In consent business the council approved a change order of $90,547.15 for Munger Mountain Construction related to the town's new maintenance storage building and approved routine bills and payroll through Feb. 28, 2017. The council also authorized up to $6,000 from the Tourism Fund for a new logo, advertising and website work and approved a limited malt‑beverage permit for an event set for June 17 at the fairground south exhibit building. After an executive session the council accepted a bid of $61,100 from David Allred and Trent Veigel for Lots 4 and 5 of the Old Fairgrounds Addition.

Police and public‑works updates preceded the consent agenda. Chief Jason Romberg told the council that several residents reported prescription medicine thefts and asked residents to license dogs and report suspicious activity to help reduce citations and problems. Chief Romberg said he has applied for highway safety grant funds that, if awarded, would be used to pay overtime for special patrols, and asked the council to consider budgeting for a replacement police vehicle in the upcoming budget.

Director of Public Works Joshua Peavler reported that crews placed gravel as a temporary fix for potholes on Warrior Way Road and asked the council to consider budgeting $50,000 to repair and repave a portion of that road. Director of Public Utilities Larry Lancaster summarized Utility Board discussion about septic dumping fees (currently $155 per 1,000 gallons), noting the board voted to raise the fee to $170 per 1,000 gallons but asking the Council to postpone action while staff conducts additional research. Lancaster also said crews will repair a water line on 8th Avenue and begin aerating sewer lagoons to reduce spring odors.

Golf Course Director Bryce Burton said fertilizer has been applied around the course and that the ice skating rink is closed with the warmer weather. Town Administrator Jonathan Teichert presented financial statements for the period ending Feb. 28, 2017 and reported that park signage will be changed to allow dogs on leash, with owners required to clean up after their animals following a citizen request. Teichert also reported a follow‑up on a complaint about firewood being sold in a residential area; the business has relocated outside town limits. The council discussed rules for RV parks and asked staff to continue research on dates and allowable lengths of stay.

What happens next: staff will return with additional research on the proposed septic rate change and budget proposals (police vehicle, road repairs), the development change order will be incorporated into the maintenance building contract and sale documents will be prepared for the accepted lot bids. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for April 11, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at Afton Town Hall.

Votes at a glance: Approve limited malt‑beverage permit for June 17 — motion by Councilman Jason C. Inskeep, seconded by Councilman Rick Merritt; Motion carried. Authorize Tourism Fund expenditures up to $6,000 — motion by Inskeep, seconded by Merritt; Motion carried. Approve consent agenda including $90,547.15 change order for Munger Mountain Construction — motion by Inskeep, seconded by Merritt; Motion carried. Accept bid for Lots 4 and 5 (Old Fairgrounds Addition) for $61,100 — motion by Inskeep, seconded by Merritt; Motion carried. Ordinances 637 and 638 were introduced and passed on first reading; final votes or subsequent readings not recorded in the transcript.