City Council

EVANSTON CITY COUNCIL First Regular Meeting September 2nd, 2025 The official record of proceedings of the first meeting of the Evanston City Council for the month of September was held in the Council Chambers of City Hall on the above date. These proceedings were video recorded and streamed live. Mayor Williams led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The roll was called and with a quorum being present, Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and welcomed everyone present. Those present from the governing body at the start of the meeting were: Mayor Williams; Council members, Henry Schmidt, Jesse Lind, Dave Welling, Mike Sellers and Jen Hegeman. Evan Perkes was excused. Staff members present at the start of the meeting were: City Attorney/Prosecutor, Mark Harris; Police Chief, Mike Vranish; City Engineer, Damon Newsome; City Treasurer, Trudy Lym; Community Development Director, Rocco O’Neill; Public Works Director, Gordon Robinson; City Clerk, Diane Harris; Director of Parks and Recreation, Kim Larson; and Information Technology Coordinator, Preston Sheets. A group of interested citizens was also present. Approve Agenda Council member Welling moved, Council member Lind seconded, to approve the agenda. The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Willliams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. Approve Minutes The official record of proceedings for the City Council Meeting held August 19th, 2025, and City Council Work Session held August 26th, 2025 was approved as presented. Bills Council member Sellers moved, Council member Lind seconded, to approve the following bills for payment: Aug 20, 2025 to Sept 02, 2025 VENDOR FOR AMOUNT AXA Equivest Payroll 188.00 Beneficial Life Payroll 150.00 Delta Dental Payroll 8,644.55 Evanston Peace Officers Payroll 240.00 Health Equity Payroll 2,883.81 IRS Payroll 58,346.86 NCPERS Payroll 96.00 Orchard Trust Payroll 3,343.32 Parks & Recreation Payroll 226.94 The Hartford Payroll 228.40 Washington National Insurance Payroll 472.60 WEBT Payroll 227,011.02 Wyoming Child Support Payroll 264.92 Payroll 07/27/25 – 08/09/25 Payroll 183,744.28 Cemetery Refunds Refund 500.00 Adidas America Supplies 4093.81 ALSCO Laundry Services 800.59 Ameri Tech Equipment Parts 1518.12 AT&T MOBILITY Cell Phones/Internet 3573.26 Badge & Wallet Supplies 1924.40 BH Inc. Contract 1958.40 Callaway Golf Supplies 227.67 Caselle, Inc Support and Maintenance 4450.00 Cassidy’s Weed & Pest Control Services 325.00 Cazin’s Parts 255.65 CD’s Electric Services 1587.47 Cellebrite Inc. Equipment 21169.00 Charles Kissling Foundation Refund 6767.40 City Employees Reimbursement 176.03 Cleveland Golf Supplies 989.11 Continental Western Group Insurance 54.00 Court Bonds Refund 450.00 D&L Supply Parts 1881.00 Deposit Refunds (Water) Refund 100.00 Diamedical USA Equipment, LLC Supplies 252.86 1 DLL Public Finance LLC Contract 3038.67 E. Dean Stout Contract 4000.00 Easy Picker Golf Product Contract 7871.49 Education & Training Services Registration 549.00 Energy Laboratories, Inc Testing 313.00 Evanston Parks & Rec District City Subsidy 116445.13 Fastenal Company Parts 20.77 Ferguson Waterworks Parts 2405.86 Foster & Foster Services 1000.00 Geneva Rock Asphalt 1285.52 Gladiator Materials Concrete 7987.90 Hach Company Supplies 483.10 Highland Golf Parts 114.95 Holland Equipment Company Parts 487.73 Integrity Garage Doors Services 6355.00 Ivory & Iron – Greenhorn Supplies 78.75 Jasper Engines and Transmissions Parts 3420.00 JUB Engineers Contract 4337.75 Kallas Automotive Parts 4430.16 Lexis Nexis Matthew Bender Books 865.97 Matthew Bender & CO Books 319.31 Maxfield Construction Contract 107209.97 Morcon Industrial Spec, Inc Supplies 1740.35 Mountainland Supply Co Parts 315.60 Mtn West Business Solutions Service Agreement 783.08 Prestige Flags Supplies 253.07 Rocky Mountain Power Utility Billing 31492.68 Rocky Mountain Turf & Ind Equip Parts 226.61 S Bar S Trucking, Inc Services 962.50 Sage Electrical Solutions, LLC Services 85.00 Shred-It USA Services 272.32 Skaggs Companies, Inc. Supplies 151.10 Smith’s Food & Drug Center Inc Supplies 40.86 Staker Parson Companies Contract 214451.79 Taylor Made Golf Company Supplies 705.81 Thatcher Company, Inc. Supplies 8195.40 The ARTS Inc. Contract 10000.00 The Lumberyard Parts 1053.33 Titleist Supplies 1058.73 Triple H Company Supplies 277.87 Uinta County Jail Fees 4440.00 Uinta Recycling, Inc. Round Up Fund 2075.61 USA Blue Book Supplies 2595.65 Walmart Supplies/Restitution 2269.45 WAMCAT Dues 150.00 Western Wyo Beverages Services 164.80 Wild Bill’s Tree Service Services 4840.00 Wilkinson Supply Parts 1841.83 Wyoming Crime Victims Comp Fund Contract 6900.00 XO Xtreme Marketing Group Contract 21083.33 Yamaha Motor Corp USA Contract 4900.49 The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Willliams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. Council Comments Council members spoke about Labor Day, Farmers Market, Pancake Breakfast and all the fun summer activities that have been going on. Recognition was given to the Cowboy Days Committee for their hard work. Dustin Matthews was remembered with gratitude for his dedication to Cowboy Days for years. Mayor Williams was presented with a belt buckle for the City being named Sponsor of the Year. Comments were made about remembering our Service members, enjoying the community and supporting kids. Public Hearing/Liquor License Renewals A public hearing was conducted by City Attorney Mark Harris for all the applicants that filed for the renewal of their liquor licenses within the City of Evanston. Mr. Harris stated that all the applications have been reviewed by the City Clerk and the Wyoming Liquor Division. Notice about the hearing has been advertised for two consecutive weeks in the local newspaper. Mr. Harris asked if there was any opposition or comments regarding any of the liquor license renewals. There being no comments, Mr. Harris closed the hearing. Liquor License Renewals Council member Sellers moved, Councilmember Hegeman seconded, to renew the following Liquor Licenses within the City of Evanston: 2  Applicant Doing Business As Applicant Doing Business As License Rachel’s, LLC Kate’s Retail Wyoming Horse Racing, LLC Horse Palace Retail La Tia Mexican Eats, Inc. Don Pedro Family Mexican Restaurant Retail Yellow Creek Liquor, Inc. Discount Liquor Retail Wyoming Downs OTB 8, LLC Wyoming Downs OTB Retail Spanky’s Bar, LLC Spanky’s Bar Retail Smith’s Food & Drug Centers Inc. Smith’s #86 Retail Guru Harkrishan, LLC Shell Gas Station & Truckstop Retail Echelon 221 10th Pony Express Retail Fraternal Order of Eagles #2359 FOE #2359 Limited Dunmar Inn, LLC Legal Tender Lounge Retail Sumo WY, Inc. Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse Retail VFW Post 4280 VFW Post 4280 Limited SG Ventures Fairway Restaurant and Bar Retail WHR Gateway, LLC Gateway Liquor Retail Jalisco Mexican Grill, LLC Jalisco Mexican Grill Restaurant Five-K, LLC The Lincoln Highway Tavern Retail Clemente Brs Enterprise, LLC El Paso All American & Mexican Rest. Restaurant H.N.A., Inc. Cowboy Joe’s Retail Fast Stop 1138, Inc. Fast Stop Retail OB5, LLC Border Beverage Retail Maverik, Inc. Maverik #162 Retail Spirits of Red Mountain, Inc. Spirits of Red Mountain Retail Bon Rico, Inc. Bon Rico Retail Suds Brothers, Inc. Suds Brothers Brewery Bar & Grill 339 Wasatch, LLC The Depot on Wasatch Resort The Bakery, LLC The Bakery Restaurant Paff’s, LLC Paff’s Restaurant Black and Jones, LLC Gigi’s Coffee House Restaurant The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Willliams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. Consent Agenda Council member Lind moved, Council member Welling seconded, to approve the following Consent Agenda Item: Parade Route requested by Evanston High School Student Council for the annual Homecoming Parade. The parade will begin at Davis Middle School at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Friday September 19th, 2025. The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Willliams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. ORDINANCE 25-06 Council member Lind moved, Council member Welling seconded, to pass Ordinance 25-06 on third and final reading. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, WYOMING REPEALING SECTION 4-8 B., THE CODE OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, WYOMING RELATING TO LIMITING ISSUANCE OF MORE THAN ONE LIQUOR LICENSE OR PERMIT TO ANY ONE PERSON. WHEREAS, Section 4-8 B. of the City Code currently prohibits issuance of more than one liquor license or permit to any one person; and WHEREAS, Section 4-8 B. was based on a mirror provision contained in the Wyoming Statutes governing liquor licenses and permits, which provision was repealed by action of the Wyoming Legislature in 2021; and WHEREAS, there is a need to repeal Section 4-8 B. of the City Code in order for the city regulation of liquor licenses and permits mirror the provisions of the Wyoming Statutes to foster uniformity in regulation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, WYOMING THAT: Section 1:Section 4-8 B. of the Evanston City Code is repealed. Section 2:This ordinance shall be effective on passage on third and final reading. PASSED AND APPROVED on First Reading this 5th day of August 2025. PASSED AND APPROVED on Second Reading this 19th day of August 2025. 3  PASSED AND APPROVED on Third and Final Reading this 2nd day of September 2025. ____________________________________ Kent H. Williams, Mayor ATTEST: Diane Harris, City Clerk The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Willliams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. Seasonal Position Council member Schmidt moved, and Council member Sellers seconded to extend a Seasonal Position for twelve additional weeks The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Willliams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. RESOLUTION 25 – 54 Council member Welling introduced Resolution 25-54. Council member Welling moved, Council member Sellers seconded, to adopt Resolution 25-54. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, WYOMING, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, FOR THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A STREAM GAUGE STATION ON THE BEAR RIVER. WHEREAS, the City of Evanston obtains useful water flow information regarding the Bear River from a stream gauge station located on the Bear River near County Road; and WHEREAS, the U.S. Geological Survey has requested the City assist in funding the maintenance and operation of the Bear River stream gauge for 2025-2026 fiscal year; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, WYOMING THAT: Section 1: The Mayor or Director of Public Works is hereby authorized to execute, and the City Clerk attest, on behalf of the City of Evanston, the Joint Funding Agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior, for the operation and maintenance of a stream gauge station on the Bear River, a copy of which is attached hereto. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of September 2025. ____________________________________ Kent H. Williams, Mayor ATTEST: Diane Harris, City Clerk The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Willliams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. Request to Sell Real Property Council member Lind moved, and Council member Sellers seconded to sell real property of the City of Evanston located on West Cheyenne Drive in the City of Evanston, Wyoming. Two acres of land would be sold and the process would be by sealed bid. The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Willliams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. Resolution 25-55 Council member Lind introduced Resolution 25-55. Council member Lind moved, Council member Welling seconded, to adopt Resolution 25-55. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, WYOMING AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE EVANSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES PERTAINING TO PAPERLESS FIREARM TRACE SUBMISSION AND TRACE ANALYSIS. WHEREAS, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is a law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice with unique responsibilities dedicated to reducing violent crime and protecting the public. ATF enforces the Federal laws and regulations relating to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives and arson by working directly and in cooperation with others to suppress and prevent crime, support and assist federal, state and local law 4 enforcement, and provide training for the same; and WHEREAS, the ATF’s enforcement role involves the investigation of crimes involving firearms and firearm possession; and WHEREAS, ATF has proposed the Evanston Police Department enter into a MOU governing access and utilization of its eTrace system which includes communication protocols and designating a point of contact for such purposes; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the citizens of the City the Wyoming to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with ATF regarding the services to be provided; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, WYOMING THAT: Section 1: The City of Evanston, Wyoming Police Department is hereby authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives regarding paperless firearm trace submission and analysis service. Section 2: The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to execute, on behalf of the City of Evanston, the Memorandum of Understanding, a copy of which is attached hereto. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of September 2025. ____________________________________ Kent H. Williams, Mayor ATTEST: Diane Harris, City Clerk The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Willliams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. Resolution 25-56 Council member Welling introduced Resolution 25-56. Council member Welling moved, Council member Schmidt seconded, to adopt Resolution 25-56. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, WYOMING AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN ALCOHOL INSPECTION CONTRACT WITH THE WYOMING ASSOCIATION OF SHERIFFS AND CHIEFS OF POLICE TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE EVANSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS. WHEREAS, the City of Evanston Police Department has found that inspections of alcohol retailers can help reduce underage drinking of alcohol within the community; and WHEREAS, funds are available from the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police to help fund alcohol compliance inspections; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, WYOMING THAT: Section 1. The Mayor, City Clerk and Evanston Police Department are authorized to sign the Alcohol Inspection Contract with the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police to provide funds for alcohol compliance inspections, a copy of which is attached hereto. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of September 2025. ____________________________________ Kent H. Williams, Mayor ATTEST: Diane Harris, City Clerk The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Willliams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. Resolution 25-57 Council member Sellers introduced Resolution 25-57. Council member Sellers moved, Council member Lind seconded, to adopt Resolution 25-57. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, WYOMING AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A 5  TOBACCO INSPECTION CONTRACT WITH THE WYOMING ASSOCIATION OF SHERIFFS AND CHIEFS OF POLICE TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE EVANSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT TOBACCO COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS. WHEREAS, the City of Evanston Police Department has found that inspections of tobacco retailers can help reduce underage smoking within the community; and WHEREAS, money is available from the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police to assist with funding tobacco compliance inspections; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, WYOMING THAT: Section 1. The Mayor, City Clerk and Police Department are authorized to sign the Tobacco Inspection Contract with the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police to assist with funding tobacco compliance inspections, a copy of which is attached hereto. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of September 2025. ____________________________________ Kent H. Williams, Mayor ATTEST: Diane Harris, City Clerk The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Willliams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. Sale of Handgun Council member Lind moved, and Council member Schmidt seconded to authorize the sale of a handgun to resigning Police Officer Colton Welling for the price of $470.00 The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Willliams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. Resolution 25-58 Council member Sellers introduced Resolution 25-58. Council member Sellers moved, Council member Hegeman seconded, to adopt Resolution 25-58. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, WYOMING AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH WESTERN WATER CONSULTANTS, INC. dba WWC ENGINEERING, TO PROVIDE SERVICES RELATING TO THE EVANSTON 2050 COMPREHENSIVE MATER PLAN. WHEREAS, in 1997, the City of Evanston adopted the “Evanston 2010 Plan” regarding the physical development of the City and outlying areas; and WHEREAS, the 2010 Plan was developed in cooperation with other governmental agencies and City of Evanston agencies, boards and commissions, including the Evanston Planning and Zoning Commission; and WHEREAS, the Plan has provided a valuable tool for planning of development the City, including the following: • general location, character and extent of streets, bridges, viaducts, parks, parkways, waterway and waterfront development, playgrounds, airports, and other public ways, grounds, places and spaces. • The general location of public buildings and other public property; the general location and extent of public utilities and terminals, whether publicly or privately owned, for light, water, power, heat, sanitation, transportation, communication and other purposes. • The acceptance, widening, removal, extension, relocation, narrowing, vacating, abandonment or change of use of any public ways, grounds, places, spaces, buildings, properties, utilities or terminals. • A Zoning Plan for the regulation of the height, area, bulk, location and use of private and public structures and premises and of population density. • The general location, character, layout and extent of community centers and neighborhood units. • The general character, extent and layout for the development of blighted districts and slum areas. WHEREAS, the 2010 Plan has been in place for 28 years, and the City has solicited and received grants from the Wyoming Department of Transportation and Wyoming Business Council to assist in the cost of adopting a new plan; and WHEREAS, the Engineering and Planning and Community Facilities Departments have requested 6 proposals from qualified engineers/planning professionals to assist in developing a new master plan, commonly entitled the 2025 Comprehensive Plan, and have conducted interviews to secure an agreement for such services; and WHEREAS, the Departments have recommended that Western Water Consultants, Inc. dba WWC Engineering, of Casper, Wyoming, be retained to provide the professional services, and it would be in the best interests of the City of Evanston to accept the proposal and enter an agreement with Western Water Consultants, Inc. dba WWC Engineering for such purpose, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, WYOMING THAT: Section 1: The Mayor is hereby authorized to execute, and the City Clerk attest, on behalf of the City of Evanston, a Professional Services Agreement between the City of Evanston and Western Water Consultants, Inc. dba WWC Engineering, a copy of which is attached hereto in accordance with language acceptable to the City Engineer and City Attorney. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of September 2025. ____________________________________ Kent H. Williams, Mayor ATTEST: Diane Harris, City Clerk The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Willliams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. Executive Session Council member Welling moved, and Council member Sellers seconded a motion to convene in executive session to discuss the appointment of a Special Prosecutor for a City of Evanston Municipal Court case (Wyo. Stat. §16-4-405(a)(ii)). The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Willliams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. Council member Welling moved. Council member Lind seconded, to adjourn from Executive Session. The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Williams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. Resolution 25-59 Council member Welling introduced Resolution 25-59. Council member Welling moved, Council member Lind seconded, to adopt Resolution 25-59. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, WYOMING AUTHORIZING THE APPOINTMENT OF A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR FOR EVANSTON MUNICIPAL COURT CASE DOCKET NO. 25-0096. WHEREAS, the City prosecutes criminal cases through Evanston Municipal Court; and WHEREAS, the City and Prosecuting Attorney has filed a Motion with the Municipal Court to withdraw from representation of the City in prosecuting a criminal charge in Evanston Municipal Court Case Docket No. 25-0096; and WHEREAS, the withdrawal of representation requires the case to be prosecuted by a Special Prosecutor; and WHEREAS, Loretta Kallas, the Uinta County and Prosecuting Attorney, and her designated deputies, have agreed to represent the City in Docket No. 25-0096 as a Special Prosecutor; and WHEREAS, the City will not be required to compensate Ms. Kallas or her deputies for their services as Uinta County has agreed to provide the legal services to the City of Evanston without fee, charge or payment for the legal services, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, WYOMING THAT: Section 1: The Mayor is hereby authorized to execute, and the City Clerk attest, on behalf of the City of Evanston, the appointment of Loretta Kallas, the Uinta County and Prosecuting Attorney, and her designated deputies, as a Special Prosecutor for Evanston Municipal Court Case Docket No. 25-0096. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of September 2025. 7  ____________________________________ Kent H. Williams, Mayor ATTEST: Diane Harris, City Clerk The motion passed with 5 yes votes: Willliams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers. 1 no vote: Hegeman. Executive Session Council member Hegeman moved, and Council member Lind seconded to convene in executive session to consider the appointment, employment, right to practice or dismissal of a public officer, professional person or employee. The motion passed with 4 yes votes: Schmidt, Lind, Sellers, Hegeman. 2 no votes: Williams, Welling. Council member Welling moved, Council member Lind seconded, to adjourn from Executive Session. The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Williams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. No action was taken regarding the executive session. Public Comments Citizens spoke about Life Flight coming to Evanston, the Hall of Fame Banquet on September 20th at 6 pm. and the Brewery moving in. Adjournment Council member Lind moved, Council member Sellers seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:21 pm. The motion passed unanimously with 6 yes votes: Williams, Schmidt, Lind, Welling, Sellers, Hegeman. Kent H. Williams, Mayor Diane Harris, City Clerk 8