REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 8, 2022
MINUTES
The First Regular Meeting of the Dinosaur Town Council was brought to order at 6:00 p.m. Those present were Mayor Richard A. Blakley, Trustees Jeremiah Gray, Marshelle Gray, Michael Taylor, Robert Essex. Absent were Trustees Darcie Rocque, and LeRoy Trujillo.
Trustee Essex made a motion, seconded by Trustee M. Gray to approve the accounts payable as presented. Ayes: 5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Trustee Essex made a motion, seconded by Trustee Taylor to approve the minutes from October 11 and 25th as presented. Ayes: 5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Mr. Jeff Harrington said that he was here to see if he could get a variance to live in his house that he is building on Third Street. He said that he has water, sewer, and electricity. It is heated and insulated. He said that he would like to get a variance to move into the property. He said that there is some electricity that needs to be put in. He said that he has the rough electrical, but he has not got the final. Trustee M. Gray made a motion, seconded by Trustee Taylor to approve a variance with Mr. Harrington for six months. Ayes: 5. Nays: 0. Motion carried.
Ms. Nicole Ratcliff said that she is the owner of Stone Age Stay and T Rex Bedrock Inn. She said that she has a surplus of hunters and workers that are occupying the spaces at the Motels. She said that they are working on the rooms, but they do not have many rooms to rent. She said that their concern is the Mr. Joe called and mentioned that there are companies that are sending workers and subcontractors to Dinosaur. She said that she is needing about seven rooms for one and 12 to 20 for the other. She said that they have RV that they can stay in, but they are staying in surrounding towns. Those guys fill their gas somewhere else, and Dinosaur is losing that revenue. She asked if they could put something in place so that they can stay in town.
Mayor Blakley asked if they have tried the local RV Park. She said that they do not have RVs and she would like to get them connected. She said that this would just be temporary.
Trustee Essex said that he thinks they should concentrate on building permanent structures, rather than dragging in campers. He asked if they are going to put in water and wastewater lines.
Mr. Elarton said that she is looking at two different deals. He said that one is for overnight stays and then the RV park. Trustee Essex said that she would have to build an RV Park. Mr. Elarton said that it would be for the temporary lodging of the RVs. He said that she would bring in her own trailers and that is different than renting an RV spot.
Mayor Blakley asked if the trailers are for her workers. She said that a lot of these guys do not have their own trailers. She said that the Motel can only occupy ten rooms. But she would like to keep the revenue here.
Mr. Elarton said that she is looking at two different parts. one he said would be using her own trailers as temporary lodging at the motel. And then putting in RV places where they could hook up and stay. He said that there is an ordinance on RV park requirements. And if someone wanted to put an RV Park in there are new codes and the one on Antrodemus and Triceratops would have to go by those since it had been abandoned. He mentioned that the only RV Park that has not been abandoned is Longs and they are Grandfathered in for the old rules.
Trustee Essex said that he fills that if they want to put in a temporary park, they should have to go by the codes just like a new park. Mr. Elarton said that she wants to take out the trailer and expand. She just wants the temporary lodging while she gets that done. He said that it is not different then giving a variance to someone on a house for six months.
Mayor Blakley asked how many trailer spaces they are looking at. Ms. Ratcliff said maybe 5-8 on each property. She said that she does not have the space behind the motel. Trustee Essex said that he would like to see her plans on paper. Mayor Blakley asked if this is over at the casitas? She said that there will be a couple at the motel and the rest by the casitas.
Ms. Ratcliff said that it will take three weeks to a month to finish the house. She said that she would like to do two or three of the casitas at the same time. She said that she didn’t think it would take more than a couple of months or less. Mayor Blakley said that there is the lot by the park behind the casitas. He said that would give them an idea of what she is looking at.
Trustee M. Gray asked if this is for their workers. Ms. Ratcliff said for the workers that are coming through Dinosaur. She said that she has seven to twenty-seven workers that will be coming, and the motel is booked.
Trustee J. Gray asked what is preventing her from doing this? Mr. Elarton said that they would have to allow a variance for temporary lodging for the motel business.
He said that the RV part is nonstarter right now, he said that they would have to adjust the code. Trustee Essex said that they are not supposed to let individuals do that, at their homes. Trustee Taylor said that it is like giving residents six months while they build their house. Trustee Essex said that is if they are building a house. He said that if an individual wants to shut their business down to remodel that is one thing.
Mr. Elarton said she did talk about temporary housing on the RVs for the motel if they are not being used. He said that there are a lot of codes to put in an RV Park. Trustee J. Gray asked how temporary it would be, and how much time does she need? Ms. Ratcliff said that she is plaining on bringing her kids down for the next semester. She said that she is hoping to be done by May. Ms. Devonna Wilczek asked if there is room for water and electricity. Trustee Essex said that he would like to see it on paper. Trustee Taylor asked about easements or utilities that they will have to maintain, and that they will not interfere with. Mayor Blakley said that the water and sanitation is in front or the motels. He said that the casitas have new PVC pipe going down to the Highway 40 and they could hook up in the rod outs. He said that there are 3-4 going out. He said that they could temporarily tie into that.
Mr. Elarton said that they are pending a contract with KLJ for the natural gas for the feasibility study.
Mr. Elarton mentioned that he is working on an employee manual with the Attorney, and it is almost done. He said that he would get it to the council for their review.
Mr. Elarton said the new Christmas decorations are in. He said that there are some old ones that he would like to get rid of. He said that he would give them to citizens in town if they would put them up. Trustee Taylor said that they should mention it to someone in Blue Mountain. Mr. Elarton said that they would need new lights. Trustee Essex asked if anything needs to be done with the new ones. Mr. Elarton said that they may have to put up new mounts. Trustee J. Gray said that they could talk to some of the local businesses to see if they would like some of the Christmas decorations.
Ms. Devonna Wilczek asked if there has been any luck on officers. Mr. Elarton said no.
Mayor Blakley said that the tourism board sent an invitation and would like to know by November 18 for that rafting trip. Trustee Essex asked when it was. Mayor Blakley said that it is May 16-19. Trustee M. Gray asked who else would be going on the trip. Mayor Blakley said that there will be representatives from the Nation Park Service, BLM, SWS, State Park, OED, IT Tourism and Recreation and the City of Craig. Mayor Blakey said that if anyone wants to go. The trip would start at Deer Lodge Park and go to Split Mountain. Trustee Essex said that they need to accept the seat for someone. Mayor Blakley said that he would let them know.
Trustee M. Gray asked what it would take to get someone here to do the law enforcement job. Mr. Elarton said that he would investigate salaries. He said that we are on the low end, but we also are bringing up housing, and full employee benefits. He said everyone is looking for people. He said that he would probably know more in a week or so. Trustee J. Gray asked what is required to become an officer? Mr. Elarton said POST Certification and all the testing. He said that they could put someone through it, but it would put us 4-6 months out.
Trustee Essex made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 p.m. all were in favor.
TOWN OF DINOSAUR
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Richard A. Blakley, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tamara Long, Town Clerk