Randy Buyers, the architect for the botanic gardens addition, explained the project to the Albin council last Thursday.

Albin’s regular council meeting Thursday saw a frugal council cutting down their comparatively small Sixth Penny ballot list.

“With this economy I think removing the ballot cap is a risk. There are a lot of wants rather than needs on the  ballot,” councilwoman Jerrie Gehrman said.

While Pine Bluffs and Burns are looking at $5 million and $3 million, Albin worked to whittle down their $2 million list. Councilman William Rooney spoke out to have their sewer project placed as their highest priority. With necessity as their focus, the Albin list was prioritized to the sewer project first, rolling stock second, community center upgrades third, the booster pump fourth and the RV park project fifth.

The sewer project and RV/mobile home park have both been broken into phases in case Albin does not get enough money to complete both projects. Gehrman said the sewer project could qualify for State Land and Investment Board money. Mayor Kelly Krakow agreed, but reminded council SLIB funds are not set in stone.

“Last time we thought we were getting $300,000 and we only got $100,000,” Krakow said.

The sewer project review and recommendations were presented by Erin Gates, of Benchmark Engineers. The video from within the sewer lines revealed at least four sections must be removed and replaced because of roots growing through cracks and other deficiencies deforming the pipes. There are other, cheaper methods of fixing the lines, like lining, that can be used in areas where deterioration is not as severe. Of all the lines in Albin, 29 percent were from the 1950’s. An area was found with a bend and no manhole above it, Gates said “DEQ would frown on that.”

The cost is estimated at $1 million to complete in two phases.

Krakow said he hopes to bid out the project by March. The ideal start-up date would be May, to have warm weather to get the work done in.

Gates also presented a “nuts and bolts design” for the booster station project and a three-block town addition for the proposed RV/mobile home park. Two blocks are planned for mobile homes and one for Rvs, Gates explained, accounting for the 9-acre subdivision.

As council reviewed the presented plans, some costs were found to be too high. Signage for the new subdivision was found to be several thousand over what it should be. The council discussed possible changes to the proposed park set up, like angling the lots.

The meeting started with a Sixth Penny presentation by members of the fund raising committee for the botanic gardens in Cheyenne. Shane Smith, who has run the botanic gardens for 35 years, explained it has won several awards and earned a writeup in the New York Times. He emphasized these points as he explained how rare it is for a county so small to have a botanic garden. An actual navy periscope has been donated to the botanic gardens, Smith said adding, the addition has been planned around it because of it’s size.

Randy Buyers, the architect hired to create the new building that will connect to the original green house, pointed out key project plans. Buyers explained the addition and maintenance plans will bring the botanic gardens up to ADA codes, which they would likely be required to do soon. The new building will allow for classroom space for field trips, a room for events and even weddings, and a gift shop to help bring money into the free attraction.

“We plan to get on the ballot and will support Albin’s projects,” Lynn Simmons, president of the botanic gardens fund raising committee, said. “If we don’t end up on the ballot, we’ll still support your projects.”

Highlighting the marketing expertise of the gardens fundraisers was Wendy Madsen.

“We paid off the last ballot in the recession,” Madsen said. “Let’s sell the ballot.”

The recreation department computer is on the fritz, freezing up and crashing. Rooney presented council with a new computer option from Dell and another option for computer pieces he would put together for a new computer. Rooney noted with his creation the town would get a new monitor and and a back up hard drive. Kriz currently uses a computer Rooney built and said it works great. The custom computer was approved by council.

Maintenance man Bill Hill got some technology updates during the meeting, a new black and white printer for $119 was approved and a trail of maintenance software online. Rooney said he, “scoured the web” looking for comparable software, but agreed with Hill’s requested iWorQ software being the best deal.

The software will track fuel, tools and equipment. Hill’s intention is to present better budget forecasts, as the software tracks when things need to be replaced and will better project spending.

Since the company offered to drop the sign up cost and there is only a 30-day notification requirement for canceling, the council approved a six-month trial at $100 a month.

The town recreation board will begin reporting updates from their meetings and events to the council each meeting. The New Years party at the community center was called a success. Krakow said $560 was brought in from liquor and $1,100 from food. A basketball tournament, play and casino night are all being planned as upcoming events.

Snow removal issues were brought forward to Hill, who explained he tries to get the main street and school’s street first and starts plowing at 5 a.m. Hill noted he plows even if just 2 inches of snow fall.

During the fire inspection for the kitchen hood, a problem with the fire alarm system at the community center was discovered, Hill told council.

“It didn’t go off when it should of …” Hill said. “The error light is on. There is a flaw in the system.”

Hill also informed council an insurance adjuster would be out soon to look at the roof damage from the severe winds on Dec. 29. A panel was torn off and made holes as it bounced along the other panels, Hill explained. An option to alter that half of the roof will be discussed. Hill also praised the speed of Capitol Roofing for repairs made the next day.

When reviewing the lunch program being down, Gehrman asked about the hood grant reporting procedures. Secretary Jillian Kriz said she would check in with county grants director Sandra Newland to ensure they meet all the requirements to be reimbursed for the kitchen hood costs. Gehrman noted the town may have to send quarterly reports for a five-year-period.

Benefits and holiday pay could be awarded to Albin town employees who work 20 hours or more. The changes have not been made to personnel policy yet, but three employees may qualify.

Albin’s community assessment meeting will be held in April for two days, council will decide which two between the 17 to 19. Assessment is done through the Wyoming Development Council and helps assess town priorities and get community input.

The next regular meeting of the Albin Town Council is Thursday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. in the community center.