The Powell City Council approved an agreement with the City of Cody, in which Powell Electrical Superintendent Steve Franck will work in Cody a few hours a week, as needed. 

“It’s going to help Cody out and won’t hurt us,” said Mayor John Wetzel.

Franck will be performing electrical inspections on commercial and residential properties in Cody. State law requires anyone doing such inspections to be licensed by the state and hold proper certifications. 

Cody’s Building Department hasn’t had an employee who meets those requirements for a few months, and state law requires the department go no longer than 120 days without; Cody community development director Todd Stowell said the time limit had passed as of mid-December.

With Franck having the licenses and certifications to perform such inspections, the two cities worked out an agreement. 

Franck will drive to Cody on Wednesdays from noon until 5 p.m. — or at other times arranged between the two cities — to perform electrical inspections. 

“We’re basically going to loan Steve [Franck] out to the City of Cody once a week,” Powell City Administrator Zack Thorington explained. 

The City of Cody will reimburse the City of Powell at the rate of $80 per hour for the work Franck performs, in addition to $0.56 per mile driven. Franck will use a City of Powell vehicle for transportation. 

In addition to the contract for the work itself, the Powell City Council had to approve a standard waiver of conflict of interest, as the contract was drawn up by the law firm of Copenhaver, Kitchen & Kolpitcke, which represents and provides legal counsel to both cities. If any disputes arise as a result of the contract, the two cities will need to retain independent legal counsel. 

Powell Councilor Tim Sapp asked about the city’s protections if lawsuits arise as a result of Franck’s work. Powell City Attorney Sandra Kitchen explained there was nothing that would prevent Powell from being sued for the work Franck performs. 

“When your employees are doing things, there’s exposure,” Kitchen said. 

Powell participates in the Wyoming Local Government Liability Pool, which provides the city with its liability insurance.

The Cody City Council had approved the waiver of conflict of interest and the contract at its Dec. 21 meeting. Stowell said Cody expects to utilize the agreement for no more than six months.