Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Worland City Attorney Kent Richins administers the oath of office to newly elected council members Bill Glanz, Wendy Fredricks (reelected), Mandy Horath, William Worley (reelected) and Sheryl Ley at the City Council Jan. 7 meeting.
Worland Mayor Rebecca George (right) gets a congratulatory handshake from City Attorney Kent Richins after he administered the oath of office at Tuesday's council meeting.
Commissioneer Tom Schmeltzer (right) gives a thumbs up after being sworn in and getting a congratulatory handshake from Fifth Judicial District Circuit Court Judge Ed Luhm Monday morning, Jan. 6, in the Circuit Court courtroom. Family and friends, and fellow coimmissioner Morgan Martinez were in attendance.
Three new council members were sworn in, along with a new mayor at the Jan. 7 Worland City Council meeting.
Former council member Rebecca George presided over her first meeting Tuesday night while three new members joined the nine-member council - Sheryl Ley, Mandy Horath and Bill Glanz. George noted it was the the first time in a while that there was a full council in session.
The council has been short one member since the resignation of Pete Calderon in late May.
George made several appointments that were unanimously approved by the council. The appointments were as follows: golf course liaison, Public Works Director Nick Kruger; ADA/504 coordinator and floodplain administrator, building official representative Jesse Frisbee; Washakie Development Association board member, Rebecca George; Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission board member Mike Dykman bringing the BAPC to full seven members; Worland Community Center Joint Powers Board, Kent Lamm (reappointment).
George and the council also approved annual designations including official depository banks - Pinnacle, ANB, Big Horn Federal, Security State Bank, Wyoming Government Investment Fund, WY CLASS; official newspaper, Northern Wyoming News; and official radio station, KWOR AM and KKLX FM.
The council elected Mike Neufer as president of the council and Wendy Fredricks as acting president of the council.
The council had only one other item of actionable business in the first meeting of 2025.
Kruger asked the council for permission to work with Groathouse Construction on closure of the alley behind the library and city hall for the library expansion project. The closure would be from January through July.
REPORTS
During department head reports, Chief of Police Gabe Elliott reported that during the past weekend there were multiple theft attempts and thefts from vehicles, including a firearm. All vehicles were unlocked. He said through investigation the department was able to stop the burglaries. He noted multiple juveniles were involved.
"This is a safe place to live but please lock your doors," Elliott reminded residents.
He also reported that last week they interviewed an officer from Alaska with five years experience. They made a conditional offer knowing he also had other offers but reported that the officer accepted the position just prior to the council meeting.
He said following a background check he hopes to have the officer begin in March.
During other reports, Kruger reported a 16-inch water main line break on South Road 11. The leak was repaired the same day.
He also reported that all but one spot is filled on the city crew.
When asked about why some of the dumpsters in town are still full, Kruger said they were delayed by the holidays and the fact that they did not realize that the landfill was closing early on both Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 as well as closed all day Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
Council member Mike Neufer and one audience member said the dumpsters in their respective alleys were still full.
Engineering representative Mike Donnell reported that he received the draft plan on Washakie Avenue design and he was working on comments to the consultant including the fact that it is best to have one standard base for the street, curb and sidewalk to prevent uneven heaving and freezing.
