City of Sheridan Regular Council Meeting - April 6, 2026

The City of Sheridan held its regular council meeting on April 6, 2026, with Mayor Pro Tem Weitzel presiding (Mayor Bridger absent). The meeting included a proclamation for Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, staff updates on the Hume Draw water assessment and the FY2025 audit, public comments, and approvals of two professional service contracts.

Proclamation: Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

• Police Chief Travis Kultiska and dispatcher Bella Ewan presented a proclamation recognizing April 12–18, 2026 as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
• Chief Kultiska highlighted that the city’s communications center is staffed with 10 full-time telecommunicators and will be fully staffed as of April 15, 2026. In 2025, the center answered 8,183 911 calls, 27,704 administrative calls, ran 2,721 criminal histories, entered 25,210 CAD entries, and provided emergency medical dispatching 2,775 times.
• Council members expressed gratitude and asked questions about multitasking and headset technology.

Staff Updates

Hume Draw Water Assessment

• Parks Director Steve Gage presented findings from the 2023–2024 assessment conducted by WET. The 12 reservoirs in Hume Draw (9 holding water, 3 dry) suffer from restricted flow, failing infrastructure (gate valves tilting/collapsing), dense vegetation, and noxious weeds. Estimated repair costs were about $450,000 in 2024, likely higher for more durable replacements.
• Council discussion:
  • Councilmember Wood confirmed the system can accommodate 50–100 year floods; failure of one pond would not cause cascading breaches.
  • Councilmember Lightnum raised concerns about fish safety in stagnant water, but staff noted fish exist only in Rotary Pond and the pond near the Haven.
  • Councilmember Patzang questioned the impetus for repairs—primarily aesthetics and flow—and noted the project would be a low priority on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), possibly 5–7 years out.
  • Councilmember Lumen emphasized that the dams are city-owned and outlet control structures should be prioritized for safety, not just aesthetics. She suggested a funding source.
• Public comment: Ron Patterson offered to personally fund student workers from high school for cleanup and maintenance in Hume Draw and proposed phasing repairs over five years.

2025 Audit Review

• City Treasurer Darla Hawkins presented the FY2025 audit. Governmental net worth grew by $8.6 million (down from $10.2 million in FY2024). Enterprise funds showed a slight increase after a $3.4 million loss in FY2024. Revenue remained strong, expenses decreased.
• Six financial statement findings were reported: (1) preparation of financial statements, (2) material audit adjustments, (3) improper revenue recognition (all interrelated); (4) missed one federal grant in the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA); (5) budget violation (to be addressed with a budget amendment); (6) procurement suspension debarment oversight (Sam.gov changes).
• Corrective actions include mandatory GASB training, year-round reconciliations, cross-training, and process improvements. No penalties were incurred. Councilmember Lumen praised the team’s efforts.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ronnie LeBlanc: Expressed concern that two nonprofit entities (Compass and Food Bank) participated in a “No Kings” protest rally on March 29, 2026, which he characterized as seditious. He requested that publicly funded nonprofits avoid being identified with anti-government protests.
• Maggie Wisneski: Questioned the award of the Safe Streets for All plan to Stantec (Canadian-based) rather than local firms (Engineering Associates in Wyoming, KLJ in Gillette). She noted Ayers Associates has a Sheridan office but headquarters in Colorado/Wisconsin.
• Ron Patterson (as above under Hume Draw).

Consent Calendar

• Items: A. Award to Stantec for Safe Streets plan ($249,922.73); B. New city attorney contract; C. Trail license agreement with Sheridan Memorial Hospital; D. March 16, 2026 minutes; E. Claims.
• Councilmember Lightnum pulled item A for discussion and recused himself from items 7, 234, and claims due to conflicts. The remaining consent items were approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

Award: 5th Street and Valvista Street Signal Intersection Design

• City Engineer Thomas Morneau recommended awarding the design contract to Engineering Associates for $65,000 (funded by general purpose excise tax). The design includes dedicated left-turn lanes, enhanced pedestrian/ADA crossings, improved truck turning radii, and signal coordination with WYDOT.
• Councilmember Lumen recused himself. Motion to approve carried unanimously.

Award: Safe Streets for All Comprehensive Safety Action Plan

• The $249,922.73 contract with Stantec Consulting Services (federal grant $200,000, city match $50,000) was discussed. Staff noted Stantec has a local Sheridan office (acquired WINC in 2020) and extensive experience (35 prior projects). The plan will address multimodal transportation safety, not just vehicular traffic.
• Motion to approve carried unanimously.

Council Comments & Committee Reports

• Councilmember Wood: WAM virtual meeting April 15; in-person in Gillette May 18.
• Councilmember Brantz: SAWS meeting April 8; finalizing operations/ownership agreement, paving way for cost-of-service analysis.
• Councilmember Lumen: SPAC preparing for rodeo, purchasing sculptures (Stretching Cat stays, Stack Frogs to Mill Park, Anthem to Brundage & Gould). DSA preparing for Winefest.
• Councilmember Weitzel: Joint Powers Board (probation) – admin change; services steady.
• Councilmember Brantz: Thanked city staff for updating public arts database.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Consent agenda (with item A pulled; others passed).
• Approved: Award to Engineering Associates for 5th & Valvista signal design ($65,000).
• Approved: Award to Stantec for Safe Streets for All plan ($249,922.73).
• No formal action on public comment requests regarding nonprofit participation in protests or the specific selection of Stantec.
• The Hume Draw assessment will be considered for low-priority CIP funding; Council will rely on public works and engineering recommendations for dam safety priorities.
• Audit findings are being addressed with corrective action plans; no penalties incurred.