Ordinances pass during short August Lovell council meeting

The Lovell Town Council burned through the agenda in short order on Tuesday, Aug. 12, completing the 11 items in 21 minutes before adjournment.

The council passed on third and final reading Ordinance 1023, which lowers the time by which minors age 18-21 must vacate certain liquor establishments. The town code currently allows minors age 18-21 accompanied by an adult to be in an establishment that operates a commercial kitchen until 11 p.m. The ordinance lowers that time to 9 p.m.

Also under old business, the council passed on second reading Ordinance 1024, which supports the posting of certain signs in town, especially in parks, such as “no smoking” or “no trespassing” by giving the stated prohibition “some teeth so we have something to enforce them with (in the form of a citation),” town administrator Jed Nebel said at the July meeting.

Lovell clerk/treasurer Colleen Tippetts presented to the council the agreement for Mineral Royalty Grant 25027, which will provide funding for the town hall remodel project. The council voted to enter into the agreement pending review by legal counsel.

The council tabled a decision on whether to allow the purchase of Clay Housing Lot 2 on Richardson Drive, which has a land drain running through the middle of it. The council said more information is needed and suggested that the town planning and zoning commission and the building inspector need to weigh in on the matter.

The council did, however, approve a warranty deed for the lot, which includes language for an easement for the land drain. The council approved the warranty deed pending review by legal counsel.

Scooter talk

Councilman Bob Mangus once again brought up the issue of kids riding scooters in town and putting themselves in danger through their driving habits. He said he has heard from several people on the issue and asked if training could be provided at the schools.

“You don’t want to be mean, but somebody’s going to get killed,” he said, noting that scooters will suddenly pop out from behind parked cars or run through stop signs.

Mayor Tom Newman said Chief of Police Roger Haney is working on the issue with Town Administrator Jed Nebel.

In other business August 12:

• Clerk/treasurer Tippetts presented the council with a copy of a study to prioritize streets for chip sealing performed by Pryor Mountain Engineering.

•  The council voted to approve a catering permit for the Bull Pub for a wedding reception at the community center on Saturday, Aug. 16.

• The annual special use permit for the Mountain Construction building was approved unanimously.

• Tippetts presented the council with a request from Stephanie May of the Big Horn County Land Planning Department regarding a simple subdivision on Road 11 for Gary Jolley. Tippetts said May asked if the town provides services to the location, and she said the town does not provide services. The town will send a letter to the county stating that fact.

• Tippetts notified the council that she transferred money from the savings account to the checking account for some budgeted purchases the town made recently.

Councilmen Dan Anderson and Mike Grant and Town Administrator Nebel were unable to attend the meeting.

The next regular council meeting is scheduled for September 9.