City Council - Regular Meeting

To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you and welcome. We need to start with a roll call. Miss Harris, will you help us with that? Sure. Everyone is present, so we do have a quorum. Thank you very much. We have the city council minutes for February 17th. Your agenda, Mr. Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you. We have trying to show

I was think we got this before us. We don't need to We have an agenda before us. Any changes to that agenda we need to consider before we before we move on? If there are not, I'll entertain a motion to approve the agenda. I'll make that motion, your honor. Mr. Welling, I'll second. Mr. Perks seconding. Any discussion? There's no discussion. All in favor say I. I.

I. Are there any opposed? Now we have an agenda. Thank you for catching that. Now we've got the city council minutes for uh February 17th. Any concerns or questions about those minutes? If not, we will acknowledge those as they've been written and we will go to the bills. Questions on the bills? These might

I'm sorry a little discombobulated at the moment but I wanted to know about the um I don't know what that is service the road service was that in the bills or the financial statement the road service before I look it all up ro u ge service 73,000 just says rogue service is that in the bills or in the I don't see in the bills it must be in the financials Is that ringing any bells with you, Trudy? The what? SKA. Oh, okay.

SKA contract. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? If there are none, I'll entertain a motion to approve the bills. I'll make that motion. Mr. Sers, I'll second it here. Mr. Schmidt seconding. Any discussion

discussion? There's none. All in favor say I. I. I. Are there any opposed? That takes care of the bills. We'll now uh consider the revenue and expenditure report for January.

Same thing there. Questions? I have some questions. Please go ahead, sir.

I don't know if these should be directed to Trudy or to Chief Brandish, but I'm looking over the expenditures on our county fees and county grants. Um, I see that under the one uh I believe it's under dispatch fees that we're at 112%. I believe that's what the figure is and we're at 59% of the year. Um, so if I'm reading it right, we're roughly $33,000 over expended. Soy's not sure if it's on this one. Sorry, Mayor Williams. TR's not sure it's on here. The uh been trying to have any sheriff's officers and speed changes and they're not communicating with us. They basically the last 30 minutes last week. It wasn't long enough. Uh they keep kicking the camp down the road. I'm currently going to meet with the chiefs, the county. Apparently, they're both the same issues right now and we're trying to get to the bottom to figure out exactly what kind of fees we're talking about and what number we're trying to right now as far as I know some number that I understand the meeting of why they're charging that amount.

But that brought up some other questions that I have. Uh how many some of the questions and maybe you can answer them. How many calls um do our officers take when there's no deputies out? Do you know? Do you have a number on that? Mayor Williams, Council Member Schmid. Top of my head, I don't know right now. Okay. Um another one. What What are we being charged for for prisoners at this time?

That's Mayor Williams, Council Member Smith, that's correct. It's at $120 a day. It was originally 85 or $95 a day and they're now like in a new kind of billing cycle where the individual comes in the afternoon gets released the next morning. They consider that to be two days where traditionally that was just one day. So it's in a lot of ways it's gone up from like the original $85 price to $240 per day. And we're trying to to make up word of justice and figure everything out. They kind of threw this one at us. did approach the sheriff and he agreed he's going to fix it, but it hasn't happened. And then he since pulled back. He said, "No, that was the price and we're going to stay." But like I said, they're trying to set up the meeting with them and they limit us to 30 minutes and I'm still trying to work things through, but it's just not our department experiencing these problems. It's also our department in the county. I will also check that um dispatch line item to make sure that's correctly.

So we we haven't agreed on this uh cost increase and I mean it's just been an increase they passed on to us. Right. Yes. That's right. I'm not sure how they figured out I don't know the figured by number call load or population. I don't even know how they came up with these members.

Um, one other quick question if I may. Um, on our on our under public safety, our dog pound fees and so on, do they participate in co in the cost for the county? Do they participate in a cost for we taking in their animals? Mayor Williams, council member, no, they do not. We don't we have never finished that bill and we always try to operate from a uh standpoint of we're a neighboring agency and it kind of benefits I mean it benefits everybody but we're reviewing that right now too. Thank you.

We do need to hold a we need need to have a meeting. Those increases have happened here recently and without a lot of explanation or understanding on our part. So we need to we've been trying to facilitate a meeting to discuss that issue. No. No. I had a question. No, please. Um, for you, Chief Rish, uh, the patrol overtime is over budget, 67366 versus 65,000. And so we're at 104% for the remaining five months. Um, it

Yes. Mayor Williams, Council Member Hegman, you're absolutely correct. I was actually meeting with the community today about this very subject and we're still working out some numbers. There's uh when we do when we do overtime for like state compliance or highway safety as part of the grant, we pay out the overtime, then we have to wait for the the reimbursement check to come in from the state. So, you're seeing some monies right there. You're also seeing some uh officers working overtime because we are down three officers. I got one officer at the academy and I got two vacancies. And the overall number uh considering when I get I'm not paying officers right now, so I'm have to pay them overtime to be out. I can pull funds out of our regular wage to cover the overtime. So, as far as the uh as far as my department budget is extremely healthy, but yes, the overtime budget does look upside down right now.

Okay. Are we going to are you expecting a budget amendment on this at all? I was you think it's going to rectify I was actually talking with Trudy today about this. We will be getting in some of the grant monies for some of that that we process with unless the total bottom line of that department budget goes over. We don't have to do an amendment if one line item is over. The bottom line is still under the budget. Now, we don't have to

um Mayor Williams, Council Member Hegman, I will tell you this. In order for us to meet the requirements of the having the manpower in the city, uh we're actually doing it at less cost than if we were fully staffed, uh because with our overlap and everything, the amount the amount of overtime the officers is working is not equivalent to the amount we'd be paying if we're fully staffed. So, we're actually overall doing it for less right now. But that's why that line item is like that because of those situations. And just to be clear, I don't like you understaffed. I don't like you tired. I want you safe. And I want all the officers to be performing rested and safe and and not understaffed and overworked.

You, Mayor Williams, Council Member Hegman, I appreciate that. after being with the agency this morning discussing that very issue and it's uh there's just a lot of factors into it um and recruitment and everything. I mean it's not really easy to find employees that are able to meet all the physical fitness standards and the background and the desire to get in the profession everything. Uh but like I said earlier, it's not a wage issue. It's just a matter of finding the right person issue. And I think the wages by the city right now are fair and reasonable for our area. Uh, I just something we got to work through. Thank you, Chief. Any other questions?

I'll entertain a motion to approve the report for January. I'll make that motion, your honor. Mr. Schmidt, I'll second it. Mr. Welling. Seconding. Any discussion? Discussion. There's none. All in favor say I. I. I. Are there any opposed? That is approved. Council comments. Miss Hegman, let's start down this end of the table. Oh, I knew tonight. What's on your mind?

Well, considering the certain circumstances of the world we live in right now, I thought I I prepared a little something. Um, as we convene tonight, I ask this body to pause and hold in our hearts the men and women of our armed forces. For the soldiers on the ground, the sailors at sea, the airmen in the skies, the marines on the front lines, the guardians watching from above, and the Coast Guard defending our shores. We stand with you. For the sick service members who gave their lives this weekend and for those who will be asked to give more in the days ahead, we stand with you. For the families and towns just like Evston sitting at kitchen tables tonight, waiting for a phone call or dreading a knock on the door. God, do I know how that feels. We stand with you. These are our sons and daughters, our neighbors children, our community's best, our nation's finest. They did not choose the politics of this moment they chose to serve. May they be granted courage when they are afraid, clarity when the path is uncertain, and the knowledge that their hometown and their nation stands with them. May those who lead them be worthy of what they offer. And may we as a governing body never forget that the freedoms that allow us to sit in these chambers tonight are underwritten by their willingness to stand in harm's way.

Make sure my mic's on so Kane can hear me. Um I Right before I came in, I saw the faces of six of the nine people who had been killed this weekend. And I was thinking about their families and having taken care of veterans for so long. I I know a lot of the backstories have come come to me. So that was, you know, heartfelt to me and I worry about those who worry. My big thing is I had somebody plow parking lot for me today. I have no idea who did it. Um I have them on camera, but I can't see a face. But somebody to go out of their way and do something for others, it just made my day. And so if somebody's out there, thank you. And I think a little kindness goes a long way in this world. That's all I have.

Thank you, Mr. Willing.

Uh just a couple things. Congratulate Sydney Licky. She was the first girl Evston High School girl to win a state championship wrestling. That's huge. Uh I've kind of watched her since she started the program. And girls wrestling is the fastest growing sport in the nation right now. I think the middle school had 98 girls go out for wrestling this year. So, good things for coming. Evson's got a pretty solid girls wrestling team right now. And I'm not going to steal Jesse's thunder, but we're hosting the 4A West regional basketball tournaments here. Go out and support the Red Devils. Um, I think they play Thursday at the high school. I'll let you take care of that, but good luck to that them. And and we'll have how many teams? Six, eight

of nine. Uh, eight girls, eight boys. So, 16 total. 16. So, be a lot of new pe faces in town. Be friendly. Welcome them and be nice to the refs. Jesse, no. That's why I said far enough away. They don't hear me. That's all I have here. Thank you, Mr. Perks. I have nothing to make. Mr. L,

just add to Dave's point. regionals is Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Um, girls and boys play on Thursday. They would really like community support. I mean, when they fill that and pack that gym, it makes the home team a little easier. Gives them a little better chance of winning. So, come pack the gym if you can. Come watch the boys and girls this weekend. Um, and don't forget to wear green on St. Patty's Day. Somebody might pinch you. Well, I just I agree with what everybody said and um support our troops and our kids and uh they're doing a great job. Also, I'd like to thank our uh road crew today for the great job they did in snow removal. U they cleaned up really well and did it fast. So, good job. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll just say amen to to to all of that. And I I the snow looks good. We certainly need it. Mr. Robinson has asked to be excused tonight, so he isn't here to to tell him thanks, but our public works guys, as always, help us out. And and I appreciate Miss Hegman's comments. I I I don't think that there's anybody in this room that has not been affected in some fashion by uh by war and the history of of war across the globe. I know my own family that is is certainly the case. And so our thoughts and prayers are absolutely with all those who are in harm's way across the globe and our protecting our our freedoms and our ability to to live the way that we live and and extend that service to a variety of other people. So I I uh I agree wholeheartedly with all that. So with that we will move on. We do have some appointments to uh consider. Um it's come to our attention that we need to reconstruct our golf uh course advisory board and after some discussion we thought the best way to do that maybe would be to enlist the help of of members of this council this body to uh to reconstruct or re uh uh rebuild that board. And so I'd like you to consider David Welling, Mike Sers, and Jesse Lind to uh each serve a three-year term on the golf course advisory board. those terms would end January 2029. If there's someone who'd like to make a motion to that effect,

I'll make a motion to that effect because my name's not there. Thank you. I'll second it, your honor. Got a motion in a second. Any discussion? I'm rather offended you didn't ask me. Well, you weren't in the meeting, so and that's kind of what uh that's kind of where it evolved. So, but u sure you don't want me instead? Well, we've already got this printed up. When we had a scajoring out there, we're going to You can take my place. Got it. So, any further discussion? If there is none, all in favor say I. I.

All right. Any opposed? That is approved. And we appreciate uh appreciate the three of you for uh being willing to serve on that uh on that board. Our next item is a public hearing uh regarding a liquor license for Food Almighty, Inc. Mr. Harris, will you be our hearing officer, I suspect?

Yes, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. My name is Mark Harris. I will be conducting hearing tonight. The purpose of the hearing is for the city council to receive input regarding the following. The issuance of a restaurant license, liquor license, excuse me, for Food Almighty, Inc., DBA Food Almighty at 1969 Harrison Drive in Evston, Euini County, Wyoming. The application for the license has been reviewed by the city's clerk's office and the staff of the Wyoming Liquor Commission. No application approval by the city council will be issued till all requirements of the liquor commission have been met. The application has been published in a newspaper or local circulation once a week for two consecutive weeks and will be kept uh in the record of this matter. Anyone present who wishes to speak to the council regarding the application can approach the podium, state their name and mailing address and present any comments to the council. No one will be cross-examined, but all those who approach the podium may be asked questions by members of the council. The issues for the hearing are set forth in section 4-9 of the city code which provides as follows. A license or permit shall not be issued if the council finds from the evidence presented at the hearing. One, the welfare of the people residing in the vicinity of their proposed license or permit premises shall be adversely and seriously affected. Two, the purpose of this chapter shall not be carried out by the issuance of the permit. Three, the number, type, or location of existing licenses or permit meets the need of the vicinity under consideration. Four, the desires that the residents of the city will not be met or satisfied by the issuance, renewal, or transfer of the

license. Five, any other reasonable restriction or standards imposed by the city would not be carried out by the issuance of the license or permit. Uh, is there anyone present who wishes to testify regarding this application? Is there anyone who would like to profer any comments? I am sensing none. Well, that makes it quick. Does any member of the council have any questions for

just a comment? I um I appreciate the hard work that that they have put into that building. I mean what they had to go through and I've talked to him a couple times. He showed me pictures of the plumbing and all the plumbing issues and what they had to do to put it together and to get it ready to go. And I makes me just feel good that somebody take that much time and effort to think it makes our community better and it takes kind of a eyesore place that was not being used and puts it to to good use. So I'm really grateful for him. Yes. You have comments, questions? I'm good.

This is that old JB's building, right? Yep. Right. Yes. Yep. And it's a restaurant license, so there aren't limits on the number. Yeah. And the food's good. It is good. I've been there a couple times. It's really good. There nothing further hearing in this matter will be closed. And Mr. Mayor, the next item is a motion to consider that license. Thank you, Mr. Harris. Uh with his with that closure, I'll entertain a motion to approve the restaurant liquor license for Food Almighty, Inc. I'll make that motion. Mr. Sellers, I'll second. take him and seconding. Any discussion? Wish him the best of luck. Absolutely.

No further discussion. All in favor say I. I. I. There. Any opposed? That is approved. Our next is a another public hearing regarding visionary communications. Mr. Harris, please.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, the purpose of this hearing is for the city council to receive public comment and concerns regarding the application of Visionary Communications LLC for a franchise to construct, maintain, operate, use, and furnish a telecommunications system within all streets, alleys, and utility easements granted or dedicated to or by the city of Evston. The applicant seeks to enter into a franchise agreement with the city of Evston according to the terms of ordinance 2602 currently pending before the council. Notice of this hearing has been published in a newspaper of local circulation once a week for three consecutive weeks commencing February 12th, 2026 and was posted on the city's website. Anyone present who wishes to speak to the council regarding the application should state their name and mailing address and then present their comments. Comments may be asked clarifying questions by the council but no examination of or anyone making comments will be permitted. Is there anyone present who wishes to provide any comment to the council? Anyone present? just for the council's edification line and appearing virtually uh is Mr. Kyle Farley. Kyle, can you hear me?

Um, can you guys hear me? Okay. Yes. Do you have anything you'd like to add uh at this point? Uh, no. I'll just make a quick comment. I just want to say I appreciate the feedback that was provided to us uh at the first reading uh opportunity there. I apologize we did not have someone present to respond to that. Um but as you'll see Mark, myself and uh your consultant provided some comments on that and I just wanted to say a quick thank you for the feedback. Um and hopefully we were able to address uh those comments and and provide the feedback that was needed on that. Anybody else want any comment? Any questions from council?

I don't think I have any. I think we've discussed it quite a bit. If somebody else got a question, I just have one question, your honor. Go ahead. Um, you know, we talked about the 3% again franchise fees and I' I've brought this up before and I just have the question, is there still any consideration uh for the 2% and then 1% back to the not being charged to the consumers?

Mr. Please uh councelor um that may be a question for Mr. Farley. Um that was brought up in our negotiations and uh we did discuss that and um during that phone call uh it was decided to recommend the 3% over the two with one. Yeah, I can add a quick comment that uh to that uh Mr. Mayor, council members, the uh I think the 3% was was agreed upon. Ultimately, um visionary is not opposed to splitting those fee 1% and waving the other 1% if that is the choice of the council. We're not opposed to that, but the negotiations did uh end at the 3% flat fee. Okay.

Thank you. Anything any further? I have nothing.

I have questions. Um, I'm not liking this at all. We said, you know, I agreed. I voted yes with the understanding that we were supposed to discuss this in depths between all of us on the work session, but we cancelled the work session and the contract is is basically identical, if not identical, um to what was put before us. Um, I appreciate the response to um the proposed um language that I provided, but we all sat here and agreed we were going to discuss it at the work session and go over it. And now we're having the exact same thing. Um, and what's really concerning is did the the language used by River Oaks because in it it's referencing visionary. No offense to you, Kyle. Not not um but we hired a consultant at $105 over the highest price I could find. We have paid him $5,04525 and he's represented Visionary, not us. Now, this is a negotiation between Visionary, who I like very much. I must state that. But that's not my job. My job is to

represent Evston and the taxpayers and that is what this contract is all about. And to bulldoze right through on a second reading without going to the uh work session which we all agreed on that we were going to discuss and then we don't. It's negligent. And I'd also like to find out what is Mr. douch doing for us for that money because if he keeps going, you know, we have a cap at 15,000, but it also says that it can be um with overages approved only through our city attorney and then we're stuck with a bill. The whole point of the work session was to get a hold of this beforehand, discuss it, but we did not. Mr. Mayor, if I may, uh, a couple points. Uh, River Oaks does not represent visionary and I take great offense to an implication otherwise. Second, um, I'm confused and I think staff is too. Uh, there was no request for a work session. You counselor made a comment about a work session. No work session was called to discuss this issue. So I don't understand where we're coming from that we agreed that there was going to be this work session called. That is simply not the case. If you look at the last meeting and the record uh and finally the overages, if there are any has to be approved by the council, not me,

right? So I think that just needs to be clarified. take great offense to those comments, by the way. Well, I'd like to clarify that. So, the overages before they're ever issued and agreed upon, before any work gets tallied out, must come before us first. So, if he's if he needs another seven hours or another 20 hours, we need to approve those hours before we get a bill. I just want that on the record, M. Mr. Mayor, that is crazy. Thank you. And of course this on the hearing. I have no other questions. Of course, this is the hearing. We'll discuss the actual decision here in a bit. But

okay, the hearing on this matter will be closed. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. We'll now move on to our consent agenda item. We only have one item there, a street closure. Mr. Reynolds is here representing the Evston car show. I think we're familiar with the car show. That's historically that's been kind of ramrotted by uh Mr. Pence, but I understand that he talked you into doing that. Do you want us to know anything about the car show? Anything changed? If you you don't have to, but I just want to give you an opportunity to tell us about uh about the car show. And I think we're all fairly familiar with it. It's a good deal. So, tell us what you'd have us know. And since you're the only one on this agenda, uh everyone enjoyed it last year and they wanted us to do it again. So, we're doing it again. Here we are.

Pretty much it. Good for you. Good for you. Any questions for Mr. Reynolds, what how many cars do you anticipate this year? Do you know yet? Uh, we don't know how many, but we have a few more confirmed that they were coming from farther away. So, that's cool. And we had about uh three or 283, I think, last year. Nice. Good job. Nice.

Did it I guess did it go off without a hitch last year? Have any issues? Things we need to improve or do differently? Yes, we are going to try to do something, but that was our first year, so it was uh it was mostly like learning pains, I think. But uh everyone said it was the best one they've been to, and they want us to keep putting it on. So, we're just going to keep on learning and getting better at it. Well, thank you for putting it on. Thank you. I'll uh entertain a motion to approve our consent agenda. I'll make that motion, your honor. Mr. Willing, I'll second it, your honor. Mr. Schmidt seconding. Any discussion? No discussion. All in favor say I.

I. I. Are there any opposed? There you go, sir. Thank you. We'll go now to unfinished business. And we'll start there with ordinance 2601. Mr. Harris, please. Thank you, mayor. Ordinance 2601 is an ordinance of the city of Evston, Wyoming relating to zoning, amending and adopting provisions of chapter 24 of the code of the city of Evston, Wyoming relating to accessory dwelling units. This is on third and final reading. Thank you, sir. Mr. Jacobson.

Uh yes, uh mayor and councel, at second reading, there were some changes uh that were made to item number 13, uh occupancy limitation. I'll read the uh change as included in your council packets. An accessory dwelling shall be occupied by no more than one family. Family is defined as a person or persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption living together in a dwelling unit. Nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed to pro prohibit an employed non-family member from occupying the accessory dwelling unit on a temporary or intermittent basis. so as to provide caretaking services for a member of the occupant's family.

And that's other than that uh change uh made from second reading u I have nothing else. Thank you sir. Any questions on this before we move on. Seems like a good order. Looks good. No, I think we don't have any other recommended changes or anything. Right. Not that I'm aware of. that that was the only change. That was changed that last time, but I mean, we don't have any other recommended amendments or anything like that from anybody. I'll entertain a motion to approve ordinance 2601 on third and final reading. I'll make that motion, your honor. Mr. Welling, is there a second?

I'll second it, your honor. Mr. Perks seconding discussion. I think this will work out well. I don't think we can ever do anything perfect, but I think the discussion and uh everything that's went into this ordinance has been nice. Yeah, I also like the changes that we did in that one section. So, I think that covers everything I was concerned about. Excellent. There's no further discussion. All in favor say I. I. I. Are there any opposed? That is approved on third reading. Thank you. Thank you. Ordinance 2602. Mr. Harris, please.

Mr. Mayor, Ordinance 2602, an ordinance granting a franchise to Visionary Communications LLC on behalf of itself and its affiliates to operate and maintain a telecommunications system in the city of Evston, Wyoming. This matter is currently on second reading. Thank you, sir. Any any questions or things we talk about on second reading? I'd like to motion to table it so we can discuss it at the work session. We have a motion to table.

Your honor, this is only second reading. If we needed to discuss this at the next uh work session meeting work session, I don't see a problem in that. But I don't see table it. I need to where it's only second reading. I will say that motion dies for lack of second and we'll move on. I'll I'll enter for discussion purposes I'll entertain a motion to approve ordinance 2602 on second reading. I'll make that motion, your honor. Mr. Welling, with a motion. Is there a second? I'll second.

Mr. Lynn seconding discussion. I do think we need to at least before the final reading go through it with whatever discussion we need to go through. Um whether that be work session, whatever. But just make sure we get it right before we have last and final approval. Absolutely. When's when would be the best time to have that discussion? Do you think Mr. Harris? Next week. Um Bill, if a work session's called, we could do it next Tuesday. Let's let's plan on that just shall we do that just to have that? Okay. So, one way or another, we'll have a work session. Is there anything on else on that agenda currently? Probably. Oh, there is there. Yes. Okay. Excellent. I think the all west Oh,

will be on there. Okay. What else? I think we've had differing views, I think, on that 3% just to kind of maybe nail that down with all of us so that we I'd like to see us all agree to say, "Hey, yet I like this." because I think we've brought up differencing of opinions throughout the council and I don't know if we've ever really sat on and said I think we all like this, you know, I think we all like that number. I think that would be worth a discussion. So,

I think whatever we end up here is going to go out through all all these franchises. And I think we got to have it right. And I think if we can get it right, we need to maybe even go to another table it and the third reading and go to another even if it takes a couple work sessions to get it right where we're all in agreement. I think important. Well, we still have the opportunity to table it before third reading. So yeah, I I think moving along right now is just fine, but I think we definitely need to discuss further. I agree. We we need to discuss it and then because if it's going to affect all of the companies that we're going to deal with in the future.

Excellent. Well, with that in mind, I'll uh I'd like to say Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. I'd like to put in one thing. Um, while we're discussing it, can we have our consultant available that we've paid for? Yes, sir. Look into that, mayor. I'd be glad to get a hold of him. He has I've asked him. I believe Mr. Farley was was on that call. I think maybe uh Mr. Newsome and Miss Lim, I'd asked him if he wanted to be present via video link and he said, "Well, I'd like to hold the cost down." So, no, but I'll ask him to be there.

Sounds great. Okay. Well, with that planning, I'll uh the motion in a second, I'll uh all in favor of approval of ordinance 2602 on second reading. Uh say I I I. Are there any opposed? I there one one negative. We'll go on to uh new business resolution 2607. Mr. Harris, you read that title for us, please. Mr. Mayor, resolution 2607 is a resolution of the city of Evston, Wyoming, authorizing the execution of an agreement with Forsrint Associates, Inc. Engineing Engineering Services for the Evston Pedestrian sidewalk improvement project 2026.

Thank you, sir. Mr. N. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Uh back in November um I brought forth an agreement with Y dot to pursue the uh TAP project um out by Aspen uh that was approved. So what this is is the actual engineering service component of that project um with Forestrin to do the design and and uh start the process. Excellent. Mr. is that's the sidewalk that kind of goes from Aspen down to the rec center.

The intent of the location that we're trying to do is basically from 150 Wyoming 150 up uh South Ridge towards the rec center with a little spur uh to better complete uh some of the work that was done around the Aspen Elementary. I think that this perfect. I like I like that idea. A lot of people walk around there. They're walking down the street. I think it'd be good. Is there a introduction on this resolution? I'll introduce with a motion to pass and I'll second. We'll end with Mr. Sellers seconding. Discussion.

I'll agree with Mr. Sellers. This is a really good program and we've worked with Ford and Street before and they're they're a good outfit to work with. So yeah, they are um and and to build on that, they were the ones who did the safe routes to school similar type project just under a different name back in 18 or 19. Um, so, uh, definitely know what we have to do to get her done. And we'll see this in what did you say? 2028. The unfortunate part, the physical work is probably 2028. Yeah. Got a nice lesson in how fast government.

Yeah, exactly. Nice lesson in patience. If there's no further discussion, all in favor say I. I. I. I. There. Any opposed? That's approved. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. Resolution 2608. Mr. Harris, please. Mr. Mayor, resolution 2608's a resolution of the governing body of the city of Evston, Wyoming, supporting the submission of an application for an AARP community challenge grant from the AARP community challenge grant program by the city of Evston to obtain funds to create a more dynamic and active downtown through the purchase and placement of decorative bicycle racks. Miss Madrid, good morning, mayor and council.

Good morning. I'm sorry. Good evening. I'm tired. I'm ready to go to bed.

I'll take home. Let's cut to the chase and so you can go home. Go ahead. Uh so the AARP community challenge grant program is part of the nationwide AARP livable communities initiative that helps communities become great places to live for residents of all ages and abilities. It's intended to help communities make immediate improvements and jumpstart long-term progress. Applicants may apply for funds to create vibrant and active public spaces, improve housing or transportation efforts, or support civic engagement. The city of Evston will generate a more dynamic and active downtown uh with the purchase and placement of four to six decorative bike bicycle racks. As part of downtown Evston's transformation strategy, these bike racks will have a western theme and be placed at various public locations in the downtown business district and nearby uh recreational sites, including the Bear River Greenway and the Overthrust Ball Fields and Skate Park. The city will implore the support of local groups, including the Evston Chamber of Commerce, youth club, and our own city facilities, public works, and parks and recreation teams to assist with transportation, assembly, installation, and project promotion. The cost of the entire project is estimated to be between 17 and 18,000. We will request 15,000 uh which is the maximum amount from AARP. We are respectfully requesting the city provide an estimated 2,000 to help with shipping costs. Evston Parks and Recreation has generously agreed to purchase one of the racks that will be placed at one of the aforementioned recreational areas. The deadline for the application is March 4th, so tomorrow.

If awarded, the funding will be notified. We will be notified in May and the project must be completed by December 15th of this year. That's right. If they have a western theme, does that mean you can tie a horse to one of them, too? Maybe we could do a hitching post. Good. I wholly recommend the hitching post. I support that a thousand%. I just want to I'm the only one that don't have an AAP card up here. Hey, speak for yourself. I don't have one. So, what are these the western themed bike racks?

Um, trying to picture that in my head. I know one of the uh tours we went on in Georgia, the bike stands also had tools where if somebody broke down, they could actually change a tire or and it had a pump invol included with that bike status. Yeah. And we've talked about that before. Um, these won't have that. They'll just be tracks. Okay. All right. But they can make them shaped into anything. So, yeah. Cowboy hats. Permanently borrow them. Yeah. But do do you have any kind of particular design or idea on what they look like? Like wagon wheels on the side or something like that or

Well, there's all different kinds. There's There's some that are shaped like bison. There's shape I mean, you can shape them like anything. Um, there's some that are shaped like moose. Do you want? Yeah. And how many, ma? Uh, four to six depending. I mean, they kind of range in price depending on it. Depends on what we choose as far as the design relative to the cost, I assume. Correct. Yep. We doing a bunch of different ones. Is that what the Yeah, those are just examples. Examples. Interesting. Sweet. I like that. But they're also public art.

Yeah, I was say there's a little art to them. That's cool. Well, while we're looking at the picture, I'll Is there an introduction on this resolution? I'll introduce the motion to pass. Mr. Welling with a motion. Is there a second? I'll second. Mr. Sering. Any discussion? Thank Thanks for all your hard work as always. We appreciate you a lot. Thank you. especially everything you do for downtown. Work really hard at that. Thank you. Okay, nice. There's no further discussion. All in favor say I. I. I. I. Are there any opposed? That is approved. Thank you. Thank you.

Appreciate that very much. Now go home. Yeah. Now go home and get some ramp. Uh departments, let's see. Mr. O'Neal, you have anything for us tonight, sir? Okay. Mr. Newsome. Nothing tonight. Okay. Miss Lim, no. Chief Rish. No, sir. M Harris. No, your honor. Mr. Harris, the legislature is about at its end, so the pain and suffering will cease. That's good. Not to interrupt, do you know where they're at on that vote for the approving the mill for parks and wreck? It was on general file. Mr. Mayor, sorry. Please go ahead. I may not be there.

It was on general file in the Senate today. If it didn't get off the general file um today, it will die second house. So, I'll getting in public comment. I will look and see if there's any update. Okay. Thank you. Sorry to through that whole process. I'm sorry. Did I Did I see Oh, I didn't see Kim. I thought you Preston had your head. You were you were perfectly behind Preston. I'm sorry. Please.

Excellent. Thank you. See you. See you Thursday. Tomorrow. Tomorrow. Wednesday. 5:30 rec center. We've got a meeting tomorrow. Yes. I apologize, Kim. You were you were perfectly uh hid behind Preston. I don't know what that means for Preston. I just know that you were I could not see you at all. I thought you were were absent. I'm sorry. Public participation. Is there any anyone here that'd like to address the council for any reason?

Please come up, sir. Uh good evening. Thanks for uh all you do. Um Roco asked me to stop in and give you an update on the brewery and where we're at and what's going on. Excellent. Thank you, sir.

So, um I want to give a a brief update uh of what uh we've been doing and where we're at so that everybody can ask questions and I can try to answer them. Uh right now we are in the due diligence process with a private equity firm and they are uh pouring over our data room. Our data room contains about 75 documents or so that range anywhere from one page up to about 75 and they started that process earlier in the week uh and into and end of last week. Uh that's ongoing and when they get through that then that's when they'll make a decision whether we move forward to the next phase or not. And right now the people who are helping us with the with the round are saying it's looking very positive. the e equity fund is is very interested in what's going on, very interested in Evston. Um they see that there is a lot of possibility for growth here in in the city. Uh and how willing the city is to work with us and um work with them. So, not only are they looking at our project, they're actually looking at other projects that um I don't have the wherewithal to discuss right now because of confidentiality, but note that there are things um going on behind the scenes in Evston is now on the radar in terms of uh some high-powered folks that have money. uh they're looking at other opportunities to bring things to Evston that will uh be around the roundhouse and encompass that kind of look and feel as well uh to hopefully enhance what's going on down there. Um I don't have a time frame on when that's going to complete in terms of the round. It could be this week. It could be another three, four weeks. I just don't know. Uh it just depends on how fast they get through all the documentation. Uh it's an extensive process. We started working just in the data room to get

them the documentation. We started in in June doing this. So, it's taken us almost four months up through October into December to be able to complete that. And I actually made some updates based on the request last week uh to the documentation. So, it's an extensive data room that we've put together. And um I we're kind of in a waiting game at this point until they get through it. Um, in terms of what we've been doing, uh, behind the scenes, uh, we had a good meeting with, uh, Roco and the folks, uh, last week. We brought Pat Mopy up and we've actually started to discuss some events that we can bring here to Evston to get the ball rolling. Uh, we talked about a Christmas concert series. U, we have in our budget as we move forward, we have two major events every year that we'd like to be able to establish on a repeat basis um, and grow those. Uh we're thinking that we'd start with uh somewhere around 2500 to 3,000 people and then over time that would end up growing larger and larger and larger each year. It would be mainly around music, entertainment. Um and uh we've talked to Roco and some of the other folks about where we could host these things and how many people the city could potentially host. Uh because we don't we can't do something too big that we can't handle, right? So we understand how many hotel rooms there are, how many hotel nights there are and so on so forth. So they they when I mean the people Pat and the group there uh that have built these uh events over over the years into hundreds of thousands to millions of people who show up over that period of time kind of look at it from a standpoint of okay, we can't go too big because we got to do this but we can scale it as we go. So we start small, we scale every year, and then pretty soon you've got a huge event that's you Evston's on the map. So that's kind of our plan at this point. We started doing that. In terms of our licensing, I finally gotten through most

of the red tape with the state and the federal government um about uh 3 weeks ago or so. Now, I received our uh TTB license from the from the federal government and the state licensing uh for the manufacturing side. And last week, I received the distribution license. So, we are now quote unquote legal to be able to do everything that we need to do up here. It's just a matter of now installing all the equipment and and putting everything back together. I have most of the contractors lined up and ready to go. So, as soon as it starts funding, um, we can start pulling those people in and start doing things. Um, my fear at this point, because it's taking a while, is that the as the spring comes around, the contractors get busy, so we get bumped and then we'll just have to wait until they're available to be able to do the work. Um, hopefully we'll be able to do that before they get too busy. uh we've got probably another three three weeks or so before they start taking on other projects for the spring as as the thaw starts um and fit us into their schedules. If not, then we'll just have to work around their schedules. Once we get started, um I think we can probably get up and operational about three maybe 3 to four months is what it's going to take to do the final build. I'm hoping we can do it a little bit faster than that, but uh there's no guarantees that I can I can make it happen. there is a progression that needs to happen and we'll try to do things as much in parallel as we can but there's still things that we can't do because one thing takes and when the contractors get backed up it may just kind of stall everything out. I just don't know. So anyway, that's kind of where we're at with the project. Um it looks like we haven't been doing much but uh we have been actually doing quite a bit of behind the scenes. It's just kind of a you know those corporate things that you've got to take care of.

Excellent. Appreciate the appreciate the update. Yeah, no worries. And we're still looking forward to having you here and operational. So, well, we're definitely committed and and it will get done one way or another. It's just a matter of when. Okay. Any questions? We're excited. So, now you got our support. We're just ready for you to Yeah. I mean, I'm the I'm probably the biggest one that wants to get it going to tell you the truth. I'm sure you are. I'm sure you are. So, yeah. Anyway, okay. Thank Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? I have something to say on behalf of a constituent. Okay.

Um there was a truck that pulled into right by the roundhouse uh behind the dining car and the um other car and they dumped a bunch of trash there like tires and I've got pictures and everything. Do we know anything about that? I'm not sure. Do we know anything about that at all? I'll go look at see why his trash is. There's somewhere I know railroad does a lot of work behind there property begins. I'm not sure if that possibly railroad trash they're just temporarily put in there because they do move stuff in move stuff out pretty regularly. Look

it tires and stuff and I was wondering the same thing if it was the up property or the city of Evston but it's a you know from the photographs it looked like there could be some dangerous items in there. I personally like the the the sign of the car that said there shall be no hump right there. Okay. Thank you. Appreciate that. Anyone else? Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir.

Can I kind of have a privilege uh to answer Councelor Lynn's question? Um that bill is House Bill 127. It is the fourth bill from the bottom of the general file list in the Senate. There are 10 bills ahead of it. So depends on when they quit, right? Good chance that may run out of time. Good chance it doesn't get there. Let's hope. Okay. It's horrible.

Well, if that is it, I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. I'll make that motion. Seconding. All in favor? I I We are journed. Thank you, everyone. Buckle.