Darci Sprenger, left, and Jonna Hipzer-Dickie of Peak Wellness addressed Pine Bluffs Town Council Monday night to request help.

The council brought in their prioritized lists of Sixth Penny projects to Monday nights Pine Bluffs Town Council meeting and the overall prioritized list was determined, with mayor Bill Shain explaining where he will draw the line for how much of the ballot the town can get.

The council came to a consensus agreement that Shain’s list plan was agreeable. In Shain’s list he bundled several projects together by type and went by the total cost of the projects in each category.

Currently the town’s list features water projects again on top with a $2.2 million price tag. The water projects include a new water tank, the water main loop project and water bond debt retirement. Town manager Caryn Miller stressed the importance of water bond retirement, saying paying off the 2003 bond will help keep the town water rates low for several years and sustain the level of service provided.

The next item Shain placed on the list is $1.7 million for paving projects in Pine Bluffs.

“I think we’re obligated to do Butler (Street),” Shain said, adding that Black Street is the other paving project.

Shain then rounded out his top four with bundling electric meters and Reher Park, and the lift station and replacing the sewage lagoon valves. When grouped Shain estimated the meters and Reher Park rehabilitation to cost about $700,000. Shain noted there is a good chance the items will be separated out if placed on the ballot.

Councilman Tom Mohren had questioned the lagoon system’s need for dredging and work at previous meetings. Mohren told council he talked to town maintenance director Tom McDonnough about the issue. It was explained the town has a 30-year lagoon system that should have a few years left, though Mohren said McDonnough recommended replacing the exterior valves. With the lift station and lagoon valves together, their price is estimated to be $600,000.

Shain said the first meeting with the steering committee is Jan. 16.

“Unless someone else has something they really want, I may start kicking and screaming if we don’t see at least $4.5 (million),” said Shain, adding he is hoping for at least $5.2 million. “I’ll do my best to draw a line in the sand that we need at least that much.”

The ballot total is set for between $90 to $100 million and Shain said the county commissioners have been generous in allowing entity planning.

The Eastern Laramie County Landfill could also try to get a place on the ballot for new equipment, councilman Michael Ragsdale informed council. A new loader and grinder will be discussed at the next landfill board meeting.

Also during the meeting representatives from Peak Wellness addressed council requesting space to expand their adult mental health services in eastern Laramie County. Peak has observed an increase in demand in the last several years as Peak representative Jonna Hipzer-Dickie explained. By acquiring an office in Pine Bluffs, Peak plans to “address needs in a more routine and convenient way,” Hipzer-Dickie  said.

A psychiatrist would have a regular schedule at the new location. A location outside of Cheyenne would make monitoring new medications easier as well. The services would become better planned once a location can be set and need better assessed. Peak Wellness hopes to set up a center in 2012 for free and gain funding once the site proves to be successful.

Because of confidentiality concerns over files and computers the location would need at least one large room for those items and another for therapy and counseling.

Mohren suggested the modular, which is currently being used for court. The space is expected to be available in March, when court moves into the historic high school’s second level. Shain reminded the space has also been requested by the Texas Trail Museum.

Shain called the idea “worthwhile” and suggested several locations like additional rooms in the historic high school, and the other half of the chiropractor’s building, though Shain noted he could not speak for the owners on the matter of rent.

Darci Sprenger who manages the Chrysalis House, a branch of Peak Wellness in Pine Bluffs, noted the youth services provided by Peak are already maxed out in the area. Peak also provides services and consultation to the sheriff’s department and Cheyenne’s police department, and could provide such help in Pine Bluffs.

Miller informed council during department reports that Pine Bluffs has received $7,000 in a Homeland Security Grant, “On top of the $14,000 chief and I are trying to spend.”

Miller also got the town over $11,590 in funds for maintaining the automated weather observing station at the airport.

In visitor comments, Nancy Sundin thanked the town for repairing the alleys following her request at the last meeting.

The next town council meeting is Tuesday Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. in the town hall. The meeting has been moved because of the Sixth Penny meeting that Monday.