OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Rock Springs City Council Meeting - April 22, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, April 22, 2026
BodyRock Springs, Wyoming
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, April 22, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:30:19

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

States of America Republic for which it stands under with that I would ask we have to do a roll call, I guess will be the first order counselor Thompson here.

0:23

Melonis here Demas here Hickerson here Zadie here Hansen here Pedri here Bingham here Mayor Mickelson after that I would accept a motion to accept the revised agenda for tonight's city council meeting.

0:40

So moved.

0:42

Thank you for moving, Councilor Demas.

0:45

Can I get a second?

0:47

All right.

0:48

All those in favor say aye.

0:50

Aye.

0:50

Aye.

0:51

Opposed, same sign.

0:53

Abstaining.

0:55

And then I would accept nominations for tonight's temporary city council president.

1:01

Since the mayor decided other things take precedence.

1:06

Your honor.

1:09

Councilman Hansen.

1:10

We'd like to recommend Councilor Pedrie.

1:14

Pedry?

1:16

Is there a second?

1:17

Second.

1:18

All right.

1:18

All those in favor say aye.

1:21

Any opposed?

1:22

Anybody else, I guess, want nominate?

1:24

No.

1:25

Good.

1:26

I guess Councilman Pedrie is our president for tonight.

1:31

You want me to come sit over there?

1:32

That's up to you.

1:33

We got a lot of bid openings.

1:34

Yeah, better.

1:36

You can sit in the mayor's chair.

1:38

Come back.

1:40

So the mayor's there you go.

1:42

Um while he's moving down here, I guess we will start with council updates and where did we start last time?

1:48

Let's start with Councilman Zani.

1:52

If you would sure.

1:54

I um last two weeks attended uh Old Timer Civic Center meeting.

2:00

Uh we had a budget meeting on the 15th.

2:03

Uh task force on uh recruit accruals for employees we're working on.

2:09

Uh did an interview with the mayor on how council worked.

2:12

You'll see that online shortly, with I believe another series of videos that have been done from various councilmen um about city function and that.

2:21

And then the legislative update that the chamber put on.

2:24

Um believe was about two weeks ago as well.

2:27

So that's my update for this meeting.

2:35

All right, thank you.

2:36

Um Councillor Hansen.

2:39

Uh thank you, sir.

2:40

Um, on April 8th, I attended a historic uh museum board meeting.

2:44

Um on April 9th, the next day.

2:47

Uh I I also attended the legislative meeting out at Young at Heart where they discussed um the recent state legislation and how it affects our county.

2:57

Uh April 16th, I went to the county commissioner's update also, uh, where they talked about the budget challenges and other issues concerning the county.

3:06

Uh I've had several other meetings at Young at Heart.

3:08

Uh, they're currently providing over 130 home delivered meals every day and 50 meals, 50 to 100 meals to everybody coming in.

3:16

Uh they do that every day, Monday through Fridays.

3:19

Um, I also wanted to congratulate Whiskey Goats Outdoor Company down on South Maine for being the first recipient of business of the month uh presented by downtown URA.

3:32

Thank you.

3:33

Thank you.

3:34

Council Bingham.

3:36

Yes, thank you, Your Honor.

3:37

So good evening, everybody.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████18%
Economic Development████████████████16%
Procedural██████████████14%
Community Engagement██████████████14%
Public Engagement████████8%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Youth Programs█████5%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Rock Springs City Council Meeting - April 22, 2026

The Rock Springs City Council met on April 22, 2026, with Councilor Pedrie serving as temporary president. The meeting covered council updates, bid openings, proclamations, a presentation from Scouting America Troop 3070, updates on the Bunning Park mine subsidence project, public hearings on the sale of the First Security Bank and a justice assistance grant, citizen petitions, and multiple resolutions. Key decisions included tabling the bank sale resolution, approving several other resolutions, and adopting two proclamations.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from the April 7, 2026 city council meeting.
  • Accepted officer of staff reports: health insurance fund recap (March 2026), parks and recreation monthly report (March 2026), Rock Springs Renewal Fund Financial Statements (July 2025 – February 2026).
  • Approved minutes from the Rock Springs Historical Museum Board (Nov 12, 2025), Specific Purpose Tax Joint Powers Board (March 9, 2026), and Joint Powers Telecommunication Board (March 26, 2026).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Philip Stanton (Green River resident): Questioned the proposed sale of the First Security Bank (502-504 S Main) for $75,000, noting the building had been on the market for a long time and the low offer raised concerns about transparency and missed opportunities. He suggested advertising the property or seeking other offers.
  • Mark Pedrie (entrepreneur, Rock Springs resident): Expressed support for a positive vision for the bank building, encouraging the council to consider local dreams and ideas, and advocated for giving other potential buyers a fair chance if the current offer was low.
  • Unidentified citizen (petitions): Spoke on flood risks, fire hazards, and mosquito control related to Bitter Creek and other floodways. Praised the city's use of goats for vegetation management but urged follow-up clearing of woody debris. Suggested the city purchase its own goat herd to reduce herbicide use and generate revenue through rentals.

Discussion Items

  • Council Updates: All councilors reported on recent meetings, including budget sessions, legislative updates, ribbon cuttings, and committee work. Councilor Malonas noted the budget deficit of approximately $10.7 million and ongoing efforts to cut costs.
  • Scouting America Troop 3070 Presentation: Scouts asked questions about city government, leadership, and attracting jobs. Senior Patrol Leader Chloe Hager presented her Eagle Scout project proposal to install seating at Arthur Park near the goggle ball pit. Council referred her to Parks Director JJ for approval and guidance.
  • Bunning Park Mine Subsidence Project Update: Richard McPeak and Ryan Reid of the Wyoming DEQ AML Division reported that drill-and-grout mitigation is nearly complete. Out of 111 drill holes, 46 were voids that took grout, with the largest single hole taking 431 cubic yards. The project is on track for completion by Memorial Day (May 22, 2026). Work will continue on surrounding streets (Elk, Noble, J, K, and Pilot View) through summer. A new project on the Central Cone Coke mine will begin in mid-May, affecting residents on Wyoming, Vermont, Connecticut, and New Hampshire streets. The free subsidence insurance program (WIMSIP) was promoted.
  • First Security Bank Sale (Resolution 2026-32): The council discussed an offer of $75,000 for the building, which had been appraised at $695,000. Councilor Zotti moved to table the resolution to allow consideration of other potential buyers, including one who expressed interest that day. The motion passed with a voice vote (no roll call recorded).
  • Ward Redistricting (Ordinance 2026-05, first reading): Councilors debated the redistricting map, which adjusts ward boundaries to equalize population. Councilor Demas expressed concern about losing voters in her ward, while others noted the need to comply with state statute for equal representation. No vote was taken; the ordinance remains on first reading.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 2026-32 (First Security Bank sale): Tabled to the next meeting to review other potential offers.
  • Resolution 2026-33 (Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant 2025): Approved unanimously, accepting $11,002 in grant funds.
  • Resolution 2026-34 & 2026-35 (FAA entitlement transfers): Approved unanimously, transferring funds to Laramie and Sheridan airports as part of a cooperative program.
  • Resolution 2026-36 (Weed management contract with Weed Management Solutions, LLC): Approved (Councilor Zotti abstained due to conflict of interest). Total contract amount: $148,000.52.
  • Resolution 2026-37 (Vehicle purchase from Fremont Motor Company, Lander): Approved unanimously. Total: $63,329.
  • Resolution 2026-38 (Amended collective labor agreement with Firefighters Local 1499 IAF): Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 2026-39 (Housing Authority capital fund amendment for federal fiscal year 2026): Approved (Councilors Thompson and Pedrie abstained). Federal grant amount: $393,849.
  • Proclamations: Declared April 19–25, 2026 as Library Week and April 26–May 2, 2026 as National Apprenticeship Week in Rock Springs.
  • Bid Openings: Heard bids for the 2026 crack seal project, overlay project, concrete replacement, and Century West Splash Pad Park project. No action taken; bids will be considered for award at a future meeting.
  • New Business: Approved the annual drinking water quality report, authorized filling a vacant police records supervisor position, and approved the Fourth of July parade route (July 4, 2026, 10:00–11:30 a.m. on Gateway Boulevard).
  • Bills and Claims: Approved for April 21, 2026 (Rock Springs Housing Authority and city bills). Councilors Thompson and Pedrie abstained on Housing Authority bills; Thompson abstained on city salaries.

Additional Notes

  • The meeting began with the election of Councilor Pedrie as temporary president due to the mayor's absence.
  • Councilor Malonas reported that the city's budget deficit is being addressed through reconciliation meetings with outside agencies.
  • The citizen petition highlighted the need for ongoing floodway maintenance and proposed a city-owned goat herd as a cost-effective vegetation management tool.

Meeting Transcript

States of America Republic for which it stands under with that I would ask we have to do a roll call, I guess will be the first order counselor Thompson here. Melonis here Demas here Hickerson here Zadie here Hansen here Pedri here Bingham here Mayor Mickelson after that I would accept a motion to accept the revised agenda for tonight's city council meeting. So moved. Thank you for moving, Councilor Demas. Can I get a second? All right. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed, same sign. Abstaining. And then I would accept nominations for tonight's temporary city council president. Since the mayor decided other things take precedence. Your honor. Councilman Hansen. We'd like to recommend Councilor Pedrie. Pedry? Is there a second? Second. All right. All those in favor say aye. Any opposed? Anybody else, I guess, want nominate? No. Good. I guess Councilman Pedrie is our president for tonight. You want me to come sit over there? That's up to you. We got a lot of bid openings. Yeah, better. You can sit in the mayor's chair. Come back. So the mayor's there you go. Um while he's moving down here, I guess we will start with council updates and where did we start last time? Let's start with Councilman Zani. If you would sure. I um last two weeks attended uh Old Timer Civic Center meeting. Uh we had a budget meeting on the 15th. Uh task force on uh recruit accruals for employees we're working on. Uh did an interview with the mayor on how council worked. You'll see that online shortly, with I believe another series of videos that have been done from various councilmen um about city function and that. And then the legislative update that the chamber put on. Um believe was about two weeks ago as well. So that's my update for this meeting. All right, thank you. Um Councillor Hansen. Uh thank you, sir. Um, on April 8th, I attended a historic uh museum board meeting. Um on April 9th, the next day. Uh I I also attended the legislative meeting out at Young at Heart where they discussed um the recent state legislation and how it affects our county.

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