Regular City Council Meeting – August 17, 2026

The Sheridan City Council held its regular meeting on August 17, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. The agenda included a Suicide Prevention Month proclamation, a presentation from the Sheridan Community Land Trust, a staff report on mobile vending, public comment regarding disc golf safety, second readings of two ordinances, and approval of a new fire engine purchase.

Consent Calendar

• Approved purchase of one Kubota M7060 HDC tractor from Heartland Kubota LLC for $74,800.
• Approved purchase of one John Deere 2026 H50P dozer from RDO Equipment Company for $356,507.13.
• Approved minutes from the regular city council meeting of August 3, 2026.
• Approved claims for the month (one recusal on item 131 for conflict of interest).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Vicki Taylor expressed safety concerns regarding the disc golf course at North Park. She reported that a disc weighing approximately 1.5 pounds (with the impact of a golf ball) struck her car while she was driving on Real Bird Road. She noted the course is close to parking areas and pedestrian walkways used by mothers with strollers, elderly individuals, and children. She requested the city review the course configuration to prevent potential injuries. The young man who threw the disc agreed to pay half the cost of her windshield replacement. Councilmembers indicated they would discuss the issue with the Parks Department and consider reconfiguring holes away from parking lots.

Discussion Items

• Community Update – Suicide Prevention Month Proclamation: Dr. Ann Perkins read the proclamation, noting that suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. and the second leading cause for individuals aged 10–44. In Wyoming, 168 suicides were reported in 2024, and Sheridan County lost 16 individuals to suicide in 2025. The 2024 Wyoming Prevention Needs Assessment Survey indicated approximately one in seven high school students seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months. The proclamation declared September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month in Sheridan and encouraged use of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
• Community Update – Sheridan Community Land Trust (SCLT): Executive Director Brad Bauer presented summer 2026 activities. Highlights included:
  • Six history tours and three railroad district presentations led by Kevin Knapp; 22 attendees at the most recent tour.
  • Restoration of Streetcar 115 at Big Goose Natural Area, with eight volunteer days and 20 participants.
  • Trail maintenance and rerouting at Soldier Ridge Trail (to improve sustainability) and Hidden Hoot Trail.
  • Conservation: removal of 7,342 feet of fence at Big Goose Natural Area for wildlife-friendly fencing; virtual fence project with seven local ranchers using 364 collars.
  • Community events: 30 events with nearly 600 attendees so far this year; the annual Backyard Barbecue (free) is scheduled with live music.
  • SCLT trails: Soldier Ridge Trail receives 400–1,200 users weekly (25% arriving via city pathway); Green Room Trail 100–200 users; Big Goose Natural Area 50–300+ users.
• Staff Update – Mobile Vending Report: City Administrator Stuart McCray presented findings requested at the May 26 study session. Key points:
  • All mobile food vendors must hold a Wyoming Department of Agriculture food vendor license ($200 initial, $100 annual). Additional fees include sales tax registration ($60 one-time), LLC formation ($100 initial, $60 annual), vehicle registration (~$300/year), and city mobile vending permit ($200). Fire inspections are required (no charge unless corrections needed).
  • Sheridan has 96 total food operations: 88 brick-and-mortar, three delivery, 15 takeout, and 29 mobile food vendors. Of the mobile vendors, 23 are Sheridan County–based, 21 are registered with Sheridan addresses. Ten are semi-permanent; about eight focus on special events.
  • McCray concluded that mobile vendors provide vital economic value, offer variety, create healthy competition, and have financial parity with brick-and-mortar businesses (though mobile property depreciates while brick-and-mortar appreciates). No significant competitive harm was found.
• Old Business – Ordinance 2303-26 (Rezone of Cloud Peak Ranch): Third reading postponed to September 21, 2026, at the applicant’s request to evaluate feasibility.
• Second Reading – Ordinance 2304-26 (Amending Chapters 4, 16, 19): The ordinance makes changes to city code including: making it illegal for individuals to furnish alcohol to persons under 21; renaming “careless and noisy driving” to “careless or noisy driving”; adding state statute language on controlled substance paraphernalia; restricting camping on public property (allowing up to 7 consecutive days or 14 days per calendar year on private property with permission); updating tobacco delivery penalties ($250 fine); and allowing weapons discharge with exceptions for archery (as per existing 2007 program) and for nuisance animals via a permit from the police chief and city administrator. The second reading passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
• Second Reading – Ordinance 2305-26 (Amending Chapter 20 – Pawnbrokers and Second-Hand Dealers): This ordinance updates record-keeping requirements for pawnbrokers and second-hand dealers, requiring digital records accessible to police. The police chief may exempt businesses less likely to receive stolen goods. During discussion, an amendment was added to allow businesses to appeal an exemption determination to the city council. Councilmember Lumen noted concerns about the scope affecting consignment shops and coin dealers. The chief promised outreach before third reading. The amended second reading passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
• New Business – Purchase of Fire Apparatus: Fleet Coordinator Heather Kapinski presented the purchase of one Pierce Enforcer Rescue Engine from Front Range Fire Apparatus for $1,250,609 (option 1 with 100% prepayment discount). Funding includes $250,000 from asset reserves (FY25), $250,000 GPET (FY27), and a mineral royalty grant covering 50% of the final cost (estimated ~$625,000–627,000). The truck will be identical to another engine ordered earlier this year (delivery expected October 2026) and will replace a 2009 Spartan engine with over 5,500 hours and 53,000 miles. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved with one recusal.
• September 2026 proclaimed as Suicide Prevention Month.
• Rezoning of Cloud Peak Ranch postponed to September 21, 2026.
• Ordinance 2304-26 passed second reading; third reading scheduled for September 8, 2026.
• Ordinance 2305-26 passed second reading with an added appeal process; third reading scheduled for September 8, 2026.
• Purchase of a new fire engine approved ($1,250,609) with full prepayment; delivery expected fall 2027.
• Council discussed updates on CEA (business park phase 2, director job description), air service (heat-related weight restrictions, still three flights/day), SPAC Iron Riders sculpture (marketing and location pending), and DSA (Third Thursday events, AED options). Councilmember Jack requested an update on the Double Day project from the Rec District; the mayor will coordinate.
• Councilmember Jack also flagged a desire to fast-track subdivision approvals for pre-planned homes to reduce time and costs.