Sheridan City Council Regular Meeting - August 3, 2026

The Sheridan City Council held its regular meeting on August 3, 2026, starting at 5:30 PM. The council approved two ordinances on first reading, a rezone on second reading, a bid award for a pavement project, and a property transfer from Sheridan County. The meeting included a community update from Forge Makerspace and concluded with council committee reports.

Consent Calendar

• Council approved the meeting agenda, consent agenda, and the minutes of the July 20, 2026 regular meeting.
• The consent agenda included selection of MDF Technologies for the Sheridan pavement condition assessment and approval of claims.
• One councilmember recused from item 114 on the consent agenda due to a conflict of interest; the remaining items passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public signed up to speak; no public comments were made.

Community Update: Forge Makerspace

• Penny Waller, Executive Director of Forge Makerspace, presented an overview of the organization. In 2025, the makerspace served over 350 kids and 235 adults took classes, with 75 members. So far in 2026, they have seen 250 kids, 184 adults, and 90 members.
• Waller highlighted collaborations with school districts, veterans' groups, the Land Trust, Sage Community Arts, the Downtown Sheridan Association, and others. She noted that a large grant from the Wyoming Innovation Partnership that initially funded the space has ended, so the organization is increasing membership fees in the fall.
• Councilmembers thanked Waller for the makerspace's community contributions; one councilmember noted that his children had benefited from programs, and another praised a metal horse created for the Museum of the Bighorns.

Discussion Items

Public Hearing: Ordinance 2304-26 (First Reading)

• City Attorney Brad Timmish presented the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapters 4, 16, and 19 of the Sheridan Municipal Code. Changes include making it unlawful for adults to provide alcohol to minors (aligned with state statute), updating the careless driving title, expanding the controlled substance definition to include drug paraphernalia, adding new camping regulations (prohibiting camping on public property and limiting camping on private property to 7 consecutive days and 14 total days per year, with exceptions in Chapter 25), and adding an exception to weapons regulations for nuisance/invasive animal control with approval from the Chief of Police and City Administrator.
• Councilmember Patzig initially moved to double the camping time limits but withdrew the motion after learning that Chapter 25 already allows RVs on private property for 14 days. He also asked about self-defense exemptions for firearm discharge; the Chief of Police clarified that state law already covers self-defense.
• The ordinance passed unanimously on a roll call vote (all aye). Second reading is scheduled for August 17, 2026.

Public Hearing: Ordinance 2305-26 (First Reading)

• City Attorney Timmish presented the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 20 regarding pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers. The changes add a definition of secondhand dealers, require record-keeping of transactions (description, date, amount paid, and name/address of seller), allow the Chief of Police to exempt businesses deemed less likely to receive stolen goods, and grant police discretion in inspecting records and goods.
• Councilmember Patzig expressed concerns about the broad definition, the exemption process relying on staff discretion, and potential burdens on businesses. He asked who initiated the change, and the City Administrator noted it originated from the Chief of Police for language cleanup. Councilmember Patzig voted no, stating he did not see the necessity.
• The ordinance passed 5-1, with Councilmember Patzig opposed. Second reading is scheduled for August 17, 2026.

Old Business: Ordinance 2303-26 (Second Reading) – Rezone Cloud Peak Ranch

• City Planner Kelly Schroeder presented the second reading of a rezone for property at 940 Covey Run Road (Lots 1A, Outlaw A, and Outlaw B, totaling 3.44 acres) from B1 Business to PUD to allow outdoor covered storage of boats, RVs, and other vehicles. The planning commission unanimously recommended approval, and no public comments were received.
• The council approved the second reading unanimously; the third reading will be August 17, 2026.

New Business: Bid Award – Terra Turner Road Mill and Overlay

• Public Works Director Thomas presented a bid award for the Terra Turner Road Mill and Overlay project to Simon Contractors in the amount of $2,567,044.50. The project includes roughly 6,000 linear feet of road rehabilitation with cement-treated base, 7,000 linear feet of curb and gutter replacement, sidewalk and ADA improvements, and storm drain work on Riverside and Terra Avenue. Two bids were received; the engineer's estimate was $2.37 million. Funding comes from Cap Tax, optional one-cent funds, water utility funds, and public benefits.
• Councilmembers asked about the project timeline; Thomas responded that work would begin later this month and continue into the fall. The bid award passed unanimously.

New Business: Transfer of East Coy Street Interest

• Public Works Director Hans Mercer presented a proposal to transfer all of Sheridan County's interest in the real property of East Coy Street to the City of Sheridan. The county owns fragmented lots from quick claims in the 1960s. The transfer would allow the city to vacate the lots, dedicate the area as public right-of-way, and grant a 15-foot easement to MDU for relocating power lines to support EMIT Technologies' expansion.
• Councilmembers thanked the county for cooperation and commended EMIT. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Ordinance 2304-26 on first reading (unanimous).
• Approved Ordinance 2305-26 on first reading (5-1, Councilmember Patzig opposed).
• Approved Ordinance 2303-26 rezone on second reading (unanimous).
• Awarded bid to Simon Contractors for Terra Turner Road Mill and Overlay in the amount of $2,567,044.50 (unanimous).
• Approved transfer of East Coy Street property from Sheridan County to the City (unanimous).
• Tentative next regular city council meeting dates for second/third readings: August 17, 2026 and September 8, 2026.

The meeting adjourned following council committee reports, including an update on the Safe Streets for All open house (August 19, 2026) and a reminder of the Congressional Representative Forum on August 4, 2026.