GLENDO – Plans for a new community center was the main topic of discussion at last week’s Glendo council meeting.
Councilmember Heather Schoning thanked Greg Burke and Robynn Hill for working together on the Wyoming Intertie Grant to obtain funding for the center. The committee plans to meet Dec. 4 to finalize the grant, with a presentation to the town at the Dec. 11 council meeting for approval prior to the grant application deadline of Dec. 17. The committee also hopes in their next report to the council to include a preliminary report of the building’s condition, and the result of Jay Collins’ meeting with the fire marshal.
Schoning recommended getting the community center property surveyed, “...We definitely need to have a distinct property line between us [and Bull Frog Grill] so that there’s never any discrepancies if [the owner] goes to sell.”
A location for community gatherings has been discussed by the town for many years. A 2018 special use tax resolution for the community center states, “$413,000 to the Town of Glendo to where it is to be used for the planning, design, construction, and renovations to convert the old town shop into a community center.”
At last week’s meeting, concerns were brought to the council about the building’s stability, and the cost to stabilize and renovate could exceed the allocated funds. Schoning asked the Town of Glendo’s attorney, Eric Jones, if he could speak to county attorney Doug Weaver about what happens if the building isn’t salvageable, and whether the town would have permission to bulldoze and rebuild, or would they have to renovate to comply with the special tax resolution? Jones said that he would talk with Weaver.
Schoning also asked about bonding, and if it would be a good idea to get both the community center and the shop done at the same time. “We could possibly get a lot of things done for cheaper,” Schoning said.

The community center committee would like to know if they should pursue this to see how much it will cost [the town] over the four- or five-year period. Schoning asked the council for permission to ask contractors to estimate the cost to do both buildings, “...that would help us make the better decision.” The council agreed, the more information they have the better. 
A new grant opportunity with
Wyoming Business Council
Schoning brought up a new grant opportunity through the Wyoming Business Council, called the Business Ready Community (BRC) grant. This grant has a $500,000 option with a 20-percent match, and another option of $750,000 with a 10 percent match. Schoning suggested the town should pursue this grant through the Wyoming Grant Assistance Program (WYGAP), the state’s newly created program to provide technical assistance in finding, pursuing and managing grants for local governments, non-profits, and small businesses.
“We can use it for infrastructure, recreational facilities, and the airport,” Schoning said.
In other business, Schoning also reported the Town of Glendo had its sewer lines jetted last week. It has been almost 25 years since the town jetted the lines. “Badger is a great company to work with. I think they got done in less time than what they originally figured,” said Schoning. “We should be good for another four years.”
Councilmember Kelly Jones mentioned the town had prepared the park, cemetery, and airport for winter. Mayor Susan Juschka thanked those who went to the cemetery and decorated for Veterans Day, “It really looked nice with all of the flags.”
In old business, a building permit for Tipsword was declined. The council said the application to build a carport shows the location of the proposed building in the town’s easement, and is also over the town’s water meter, which could cause problems if it ever needed to be fixed.
Norbert Shultz came back to the council again about his lack of water pressure. Schultz has been experiencing low water pressure problems since WyoDak replaced the water main on Warren Avenue and dug up a portion of his yard for one of the connections. Last month the town did move the meter from Shultz’s basement to the town’s easement outside of the house. Schultz had a discussion with Jones about who was responsible for the line going to the house. It was confirmed, municipalities are only responsible for the line going to the water meter; property owners are responsible for maintenance and repair of all lines going from the meter to their home. 
In new business, Justin Bekelja brought forth some suggestions concerning the town’s Level I water study conducted by the Wyoming Water Development Office and AVI and subsequent recommendations. Bekelja suggested the town put in a submersible water pump into the water tank to prevent stagnation, instead of a potentially more expensive tank mixer. Mayor Juschka thanked him for his suggestions and interest in helping the town.
The meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m. The next town council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 11; Anyone desiring to speak during public comments must sign up at town hall before 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 to be included on the agenda.