Basin business owner disappointed local business was not used for event

The second monthly meeting of the Basin Town Council was held August 28 with the full council in attendance. 

During the public comments portion at the start of the meeting, Kacee Rundell thanked the town for permits they had approved for a dance during fair and to serve at an event in Powell. 

She then questioned if the Rec Department was under the umbrella of the town. Mayor CJ Duncan told her the rec was its own district that was formed in the 1960s with rec board members from the school, town and community members. 

“While it is attached to this building, we have a use agreement for that facility with them. They are their own board. They have their own budget. They are funded separately,” Duncan explained.  

Rundell explained that she was mainly disappointed as a business owner in town, that the Rec’s upcoming Sip and Shop chose to outsource the alcohol and food. Lisa’s Western Cuisine of Greybull is providing alcoholic drinks that are included in the ticket price. Two food trucks have been invited. 

“There are four places here in town that would have been happy to provide food for that. Of course, I’m the only one with alcohol. It’s really disappointing for [the town] to outsource that to other areas, other towns, as opposed to keeping it local. Then still sending out an email, ‘We want your $250 sponsorship,’ but we don’t want to use you.”

She continued she would have given it to them the food and alcohol at cost, plus provide staffing. It is her way of giving back to her community. The district could have made more money. 

Councilwoman Linda Weeks, who sits on the Rec Board, invited Rundell to the rec board meeting on Sept. 3. 

MOSQUITO CONTROL 

Loren Alberts approached the council about mosquito spraying on Wyoming Avenue. Using a map, he explained, “Your sprayer comes down the road, I’ve annexed out, I understand that …  I was wondering if I can pay the town fee on that property and just have you not turn off the mosquito sprayer when it comes down past the campground.”  

Councilman Brent Godfrey asked if Alberts was willing to pay for it and if this would set a precedent. Duncan explained that at one time the town sprayed Golf Course Road. 

Alberts asked if the town could just swap spraying for this property for the five acres he owns in town that he pays taxes on to the town. “Just charge me on that property, you said I could have mosquito spraying there. So, I’m just asking you take the five acres off of there and just spray the 2 ½ that I have right there basically in town but out of town.” 

Councilman Chuck Hopkin asked if everyone that has a power meter tied to the town utilities gets mosquito spraying. Alberts pointed out he doesn’t have an in-town power meter. That, along with the town not being able to provide water, is why he de-annexed. 

Town Attorney Kent Richins said, “I think this shows a precedent that we wouldn’t want to go out of our way to spray a property. It is adjacent to the town. It should be a case-by-case basis as long as it is adjacent to the town and they don’t go out of their way.” 

Dellos said there are probably other places in town that this happens: one side is in town, one side isn’t. “I think that little stretch takes 30 seconds to drive down right? I don’t see a problem with leaving the sprayer on,” Dellos said.  

Duncan stated that years ago, the town would spray around the north side of town and around so the spray would drift into town. 

Hopkin asked about standing water in that location. Harrison said a culvert replacement took care of most of the water issue. 

The council voted to keep the sprayer spraying on the proposed portion. The normal rate for the spray is $4 a month. Alberts said he was willing to pay the $4. 

OTHER BUSINESS 

• Building permits were approved for Andrus on North Eighth for a shed and Alberts on North Fourth for rebuilding  foundation, reroofing and adding an indoor restroom. 

• Councilman Brent Godfrey gave the South Big Horn County Joint Powers Board report. He said other than work on one of the wells, everything else is going well. 

•The Big Horn Regional Joint Powers Board report was given by the mayor. He stated that during the June meeting, the board discussed a proposed project for the transmission line to the South Big Horn County Airport. All the materials are in for the Otto pump station. 

• Susan Wynn asked about the Farmer’s Market using the north grassy area by town hall next summer. Also discussed was renting of one of the rooms or the hallway in town hall for a winter farmer’s market. She was asked who from the farmer’s market would sign the liability document. The use of the room would be $50 a day. The use of the hallway was ruled out. The council was ok with the use of the grassy area. Wynn will take it back to the farmer’s market group. 

• The mining permit lease was tabled.