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“Improving Our Quality of Life” MINUTES MONOLITH RANCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 8, 2012 - 2:30 p.m. 405 Grand Avenue, Laramie, WY Annex Conference Room The regular meeting of the Monolith Ranch Advisory Committee convened on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 2:30pm in the Historic Carnegie Building (405 Grand Avenue), 1st Floor Conference Room. I. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Rich Elliott, Cal Van Zee, Dave Paulekas, Joe Lord, Paul Rechard Staff Present: Dee Moody, Steve Davidson Guests Present: Malea Brown, Administrative Services Director Shawn Garcia, Business Office Manager II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Minutes from February 9, 2012 were amended as follows: Under Old Business, Item C Meteorological Tower, corrections are as follows: change date to data; (first line) change is to are; (first line) remove tower and insert wind. (second line) MOTION BY PAUL RECHARD and seconded by Lord to accept the February 9, 2012 minutes as amended. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. III. NEW BUSINESS Budget Discussion for FY 2012-2013 – Malea Brown, Administrative Services Director, Shawn Garcia, Business Office Manager, were in attendance to discuss the budget process with the committee. Malea explained the budgeting process for the Monolith Ranch Operations (7035) and Water Rights (7040) is underway, but there is nothing ready for review. She strongly suggested that the 6-year capital plan for the Monolith Ranch be reviewed and updated prior to budget process. Dave Paulekas questioned the original purpose of the RAC and it was explained that the purpose for the RAC was to understand the total operation of ranching, protection of the water rights, and for eventual transfer of water rights to municipal use from agricultural use. There was also discussion concerning the improvement of the property for ranching purposes which may include City support. As a working ranch, there will be a continual need of fencing improvements, building repair, pivot repair (until replacement), crop replacement and weed control to document beneficial use of water for agriculture. Also, there is always the unexpected damage due to weather conditions or unforeseen activities. It was noted that the ranch operation is being transitioned from Public Works to City Manager’s Office for collaborative overview of ranch operation and water right protection. Discussion ensued concerning the structural integrity of the Simpson Spring ranch house. Several repairs had to be made prior to the current resident, a ranch hand, could move in with his family. It was understood that the ranch houses are old and in some disrepair due to the age of the houses and lack of continual upkeep. CITY OF LARAMIE Public Works P.O. Box C Laramie, WY 82073 Public Works Department - 721-5230 Solid Waste Division - 721-5279 Street Division - 721-5277 Utility Division - 721-5280 FAX (307) - 721-5286 TDD (307) - 721-5295 ---PAGE BREAK--- “Improving Our Quality of Life” A MOTION BY DAVE PAULEKAS and seconded by Lord, to have a city inspector evaluate the structural integrity of Simpson Springs House on the Monolith Ranch for needed major structural repairs and improvements. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. IV. OLD BUSINESS Standing Report from Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan Ad Hoc Advisory Committee Joe Lord indicated that there was nothing specific to report. The committee is working hard to define the work to be done. Report from Water Resources Specialist Ranch is in full winter operation. Lessee is winter feeding cattle and getting the cattle ready to transport to another location for the remainder of feeding, Steve discussed the possibility of extra stock tanks to spread the cattle over a larger area of the ranch. Meteorological Tower Tower still has not been removed. Jonathan Naughton, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wyoming, is interested in evaluating the collected data. The City will make contact and verify request. Water Rights Transfer Reports Steve indicated that the historical data and reports in one place and is ready for his review. Paul Rechard indicated that there recommendations listed in the reports and that these recommendations are not being observed. It was advised that the reports need to be reread and analyzed by staff, that the recommendations be noted and implemented or verify that the recommendations are being followed. Simpson Springs Wells Consultant contract has been awarded and Notice of Award will be sent to Weston Engineering. Work cannot begin until snow melts and frost is out of the ground. Weston Engineering will evaluate the access road for large equipment travel V. SET DATE FOR NEXT MEETING MOTION BY RECHARD, seconded by Paulekas, to set the next meeting date for Thursday April 26, 2012, 2:00pm. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY VI. SET AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING Standing Report from Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan Ad Hoc Advisory Committee Report from Water Resources Meteorological Tower – John Naughton Water Rights Transfer Reports Simpson Springs Well VII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY VAN ZEE, seconded by Lord, to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY The meeting adjourned at 3:45pm Respectfully Submitted APPROVED BY COMMITTEE Dee Moody, Secretary DATE