[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6683433,"mediaKeyId","2336577-0d843ef48b1e7181677ab38c5118104f","parentId",2336577,"title","Council weighs user‑fee options as town expands public EV charging infrastructure","audioSeconds",3525,"startMs",6331000,"endMs",9856000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2336577-0d843ef48b1e7181677ab38c5118104f&start=6331&end=9856","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2336577-0d843ef48b1e7181677ab38c5118104f/thumbnail_6331000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6683433/Wyoming/Council-weighs-userfee-options-as-town-expands-public-EV-charging-infrastructure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6683433-467c11f786d9c9ece5da49a95ce65647/orig.mp4?Expires=1776390444&Signature=eBUh4WCybOYAJybMhk0Vx6D8eXovSv2-Qud9ozRWjaOWtcai47Uyhr9LHVsqJ9B-6E59p5ivrScOI5nd6a~DOZgSC2YZB4grdU7MoFAsKE91zY~-DR7q7gyPg88onpzlE5V6wKDKUi4mq3YCD7s-Zwzvz-NyW2fnE8Yt3q7KFVUGv78cSlhX3J6bjOkUr5NUJOw2OZr9CBIokpSVeWjhsWpS-fT4ZuaUB3o-Kyd4x7c-P~15p41lypLq8y06AQCoXL-Vcs3PkPH5hSu6C4exv9q1VyxM7tg9yx~AVJPTQfk8Q0qXy7x55AZJ26J4edbQIxkjSmD0nDimcYR0B6PP4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Jackson","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Town staff presented a two‑part discussion on Feb. 8 about electric‑vehicle (EV) charging: (1) whether the council wants to initiate user fees for existing and planned town‑owned chargers and (2) whether the town should keep ownership and operation in‑house or seek a third‑party operator/lessor.

Tanya Anderson (Ecosystem Stewardship Administrator) and Johnny Zemas (Public Works) explained the current inventory and projected expansion: the town currently owns 10 level‑2 ports and two DC fast‑charge ports; a regional Department of Transportation grant would add roughly 16 level‑2 ports and four DC fast‑charge ports in town. Staff estimated basic annual operational costs (electricity, cloud software, maintenance) at about $40,000 for existing units and roughly $115,000 after the grant‑funded expansion (estimates vary with contract lengths and electricity rates). Staff emphasized that DC fast chargers account for roughly two‑thirds of ongoing costs because they use more energy and have higher maintenance and software costs.

Staff framed the policy choices and recommended guardrails: staff recommended initiating user fees for both station types but charging more for DC fast charging than for level‑2 charging, with a suggested ceiling of roughly $0.36 per kilowatt hour for DC fast chargers and a target at or below $0.20/kWh for level‑2 to keep EV fueling comparable with gasoline costs for most users. Staff also suggested implementing turnover incentives (hour‑free windows, idle fees after a grace period) and local‑discount programs for residents who cannot charge at home (multi‑unit dwellers). Staff recommended pursuing a hybrid model that preserves town control over policy but uses a vendor to lease and manage equipment (vendor would handle payments, maintenance and potentially replace equipment under a ground‑lease model).

Council voiced several themes and questions: several councilmembers asked about the town's policy goals (encouraging EV adoption, supporting residents without home charging, serving tourists and commercial users) and asked staff to pull usage data (number of charges, kWh, level‑2 vs fast‑charge utilization) to better understand who the town's stations serve. Staff reported they can track number of charges and energy consumed but cannot reliably distinguish whether a user is a resident or a visitor from vendor data; ChargePoint (the town's vendor) provides per‑port utilization and energy reports. Councilmembers asked about demand charges that increase building electricity costs when fast chargers produce large surges; staff confirmed demand charges are a factor in overall cost.

Public comment: Alicia Cox, executive director of Yellowstone Teton Clean Cities, spoke in support of the staff approach and suggested local discount programs and targeted rebate programs for multi‑unit dwellings to provide equitable access.

Outcome: Council agreed to continue the discussion to a future available meeting to allow staff to return with clarified data on usage patterns, options for targeted discounts, and a refined pricing model and vendor arrangements. Councilman Schechter made a motion to continue; Councilwoman Beeman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Key points for next meeting (requested by council):

- Provide per‑port utilization and energy usage (kWh) for level‑2 and DC fast ports and a summary showing seasonal peaks and turnover rates.
- Model pricing scenarios (examples: free for first hour then $/kWh; idle fees after charge completes; tiered pricing by port type) and estimate revenue vs operational costs under several adoption assumptions.
- Describe equity safeguards (local discount program, discounted access for renters/multi‑unit dwellers, employee discount options) and administrative approaches for applying discounts.
- Provide vendor models and contract options (town ownership with vendor management; vendor ownership and long‑term ground lease; hybrid approaches) and sample contract terms (revenue share, maintenance responsibilities).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Jackson - Town Council Workshop - Feb 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff outlined costs and options for user fees and third‑party management of town‑owned electric vehicle charging stations; council continued the discussion to a future meeting after questions about policy goals, equity for residents who cannot charge at home, and pricing guardrails.","taxTitle","Jackson Town Council, Jackson, Teton County, Wyoming","taxId",68752,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6683435,"Council reviews comprehensive policy manual update; adoption planned by resolution",481,3230000,3711000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2336577-0d843ef48b1e7181677ab38c5118104f&start=3230&end=3711","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2336577-0d843ef48b1e7181677ab38c5118104f/thumbnail_3230000.jpg","/articles/6683435/Wyoming/Council-reviews-comprehensive-policy-manual-update-adoption-planned-by-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6683435-21003a0b21b4cf00f29b7d552503fff5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776390444&Signature=lNGkzXI7gjCgYCWBQJ619-Sak~ih-cpfIgQsXXFynxYR5MyhpK-AmFFOnqJbPoBYGF5PUVgBkTThPbUKbN3PNSBzo3~3fqBuoOHvXEXq0KpR0eynqZ4M4yVnIJTBoE-uTpbFwX4VMNQ1e0i4bxvMNT0woSRzAG0-QTUzdDhNEbBsU4krbG6nJHxDS9sBQuc23QmSbudGxX8DdjIbwbnn4gSwAF78KHBzKtHpgfQwqkuu9E-BDEXduUWD-lIXAPJs9-DkzGhpN0j4nL7aq~iXjVV-sn8XI0SAkf8YyWxnxw2EYUTYaCOA4gWhpYjsOhQQ2wqUwxW2teS2QGal1sP5CA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff presented a comprehensive update to the municipal policy manual at the Feb. 8 workshop and asked council for feedback ahead of a future adoption by resolution.

Leah Robinson (Human Resources) summarized the project: the manual had not had a major update since about 2006, and staff sought to streamline language, separate high‑level policies from operational guidelines, incorporate supplemental policies (for example social media rules), update leave and PTO provisions, improve parity for partners in leave definitions, and tighten disciplinary and operational procedures. She said staff engaged outside counsel (Mountain States Employers Council), met with department directors and conducted department‑level listening sessions to gather input.

Notable changes Robinson highlighted include revised PTO rules (more flexibility for alternate schedules), modified performance‑review scheduling (annual reviews tied to hire‑date anniversary for larger departments), additional leave categories for civic duties, inclusion of partners in definitions used across policies, and procedural flexibility for disciplinary matters. Robinson also said staff planned to separate out operational guidelines for manager approval and to conduct extensive staff training after council adoption.

Robinson noted statutory and administrative follow ups: staff found the statutes require an ordinance addressing conflicts of interest for staff; a draft ordinance will be brought back to council for consideration. For adoption, staff recommended council adopt the policy manual and associated documents (versions for general employees, transit employees, and victim‑services employees where federal grant rules require different language) by resolution; operational guidelines would be finalized by the town manager.

Council members thanked staff for the extensive outreach and requested clarity about fiscal impacts and follow‑up steps. Robinson said the updated manual itself has no direct printing or publication cost, though some policy changes could carry fiscal or operational implications (for example, leave definitions or expanded partner eligibility could affect staffing or productivity marginally). Councilmembers emphasized inclusivity for partner definitions and asked staff to expect to present a series of documents (hundreds of pages) on a future agenda for formal adoption.

Next steps: staff will finalize operational guidelines, produce department‑level policy manuals where needed (notably police), draft a conflicts‑of‑interest ordinance for council consideration, and present the policy manual and attachments to council on the consent agenda for adoption by resolution. Staff also committed to a program of training and periodic review.

","Staff presented a comprehensive update to the town's personnel policy manual, consolidating supplemental policies, tightening leave and PTO language, adding partner definitions, and proposing separation of policies from operational guidelines; council was asked to adopt the manual by resolution in a future meeting.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6683440,"Town staff reports progress, ongoing compliance gaps in bear‑resistant trash rollout",260,2026000,2286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2336577-0d843ef48b1e7181677ab38c5118104f&start=2026&end=2286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2336577-0d843ef48b1e7181677ab38c5118104f/thumbnail_2026000.jpg","/articles/6683440/Wyoming/Town-staff-reports-progress-ongoing-compliance-gaps-in-bearresistant-trash-rollout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6683440-270db7479294faadcbfd6ca244787a3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776390444&Signature=ZMfGcAFxp-3iXXNeNpNC9HjZwEmqXIhTRSFIzAutYynfOgM8g9~NKex~FUIurA~nM27qw8vAPRUjdseyfiZTobjALoauWwzQYSB~KIKQMgP17UTB7dToOkWOExpjMCm~r3ZkLqWgwmc5r7h8AHmnVua3kbppD5WeKkPP-1EO~5uxYi5bAhQl8FjrnUJppyB13~7E2hMlV6cEaujk3ZUgYVK-7IG1OtasCYsBIEoyqDyqrV4VhuNWQ-i5iYR8sbzPqqfEb04d3wCVhX~qVQbSBSYgm6mu33tKtbgcSD6KBf~BLBVmYBQVQ7uWKd3C2L6M3oDPZWe30xCCFFWAaHdZKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff briefed Jackson Town Council on Feb. 8 about implementation progress and challenges since the town's supplemental wildlife feeding and bear‑resistant trash ordinances took effect on April 1, 2023.

Tanya Anderson, the town's ecosystem stewardship administrator, told council that the ordinances target several types of wildlife attractants (trash, bird feeders, fruit trees, etc.) and require bear‑resistant trash containers within a mapped \"bear conflict zone.\" Anderson said the zone was drawn using 2011–2021 conflict data and that the town started the rollout in the most heavily impacted neighborhoods because haulers and vendors had limited capacity to swap containers county‑wide all at once.

Staff reported the following key metrics and findings for 2023–2024:

- Bear conflicts in town: 2023 had four black‑bear conflicts and 0 grizzly conflicts; 2024 had two black‑bear conflicts. Two of the 2023 incidents occurred outside the designated zone.
- Primary attractant: Roughly 127 of 168 regional conflicts tracked by Game and Fish were related to trash; town conflicts track that pattern.
- Compliance: Staff estimated about a 73% compliance rate among households required to have bear‑resistant containers (an increase from last year but short of the town's target). Complaints filed with code enforcement rose from five last year to 24 this year; some reports covered multiple addresses.
- Supply and cost issues: Smaller household roll‑out cans are largely available now, but certified dumpsters remain in short supply. Anderson said buying a truckload of 300 cans can approach six figures for a hauler, and smaller monthly service charges spread that cost over years. She also said damaged locking mechanisms and misuse/overfilling remain operational problems.

Anderson highlighted several program elements and partnerships: Bearwise Jackson Hole and the nonprofit Jackson Hole Bear Solutions (which has distributed about 1,300 bear‑resistant cans in the town and county, roughly 15% within the town) provide education and some direct can distribution; the Teton Conservation District and the Travel and Tourism Board provided funding to convert downtown public cans and bins. Last year the town installed 11 bear‑resistant cans and two recycling bins downtown with Traveler/Tourism funding; Anderson said an additional $80,000 in funding is secured to continue downtown conversion.

Among enforcement and outreach challenges, staff said vacation rentals, partial‑year residents and employee housing create difficulty in identifying the responsible party for compliance; turnover and new residents can result in newly noncompliant locations. Anderson said Cache Creek had the highest compliance after targeted outreach in that neighborhood and cited a positive anecdote: a grizzly sow and cub that entered town in the fall left without obtaining food after encountering a bear‑resistant container, which staff called a success case.

Policy and next steps: Anderson said staff does not recommend immediate expansion of the bear conflict zone this year; instead, the town will continue the current rollout, complete conversion of town‑owned public cans, expand education and consider attractants beyond trash (ornamental fruit trees, bird feeders). Waste‑hauler franchise agreements now require haulers to provide certified bear‑resistant containers to properties inside the conflict zone. Anderson also noted the town could phase future zone expansions over years (e.g., a study‑and‑rollout plan that provides months or years of notice to affected households).

Council discussion covered metrics of success (reducing human‑wildlife conflicts and avoiding human injury), comparisons to other mountain towns (Durango was cited as an earlier adopter of similar measures) and operational details (availability of certified 65‑ and 95‑gallon cans and the nonprofit role in repairs). Councilmembers asked staff to explore GIS visibility for the zone and to consider realtor outreach so prospective buyers and renters know whether a property lies inside the zone.

Public comment: Alicia Cox, executive director of Yellowstone Teton Clean Cities, spoke online and told council the coalition supports staff recommendations and noted that equitable price ranges for level‑2 charging and programs targeting multi‑unit dwellings can complement public charging and other sustainability efforts.

","Council received an update on the town's wildlife feeding and bear‑resistant trash ordinances (effective 04/01/2023). Staff reported a reduction in bear conflicts inside town, a roughly 73% compliance rate in required areas, supply issues for dumpsters, and ongoing outreach and funding to convert public cans downtown.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6683446,"Jackson council appoints Cheryl Newton to Housing Authority Board after interviews",2245,898000,3143000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2336577-0d843ef48b1e7181677ab38c5118104f&start=898&end=3143","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2336577-0d843ef48b1e7181677ab38c5118104f/thumbnail_898000.jpg","/articles/6683446/Wyoming/Jackson-council-appoints-Cheryl-Newton-to-Housing-Authority-Board-after-interviews","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6683446-6b7a1b688d361db7c77b0f9d00937a60/orig.mp4?Expires=1776390444&Signature=O4GDe8Cjw1Av-4eHTVM-PCSJGXvP-ZWjVKuIPReFY8luMOuXH58ipBMZMT205Z43jEk4tqAD-N7qFOItduUg1KrBy9mK4JDnFP8HsWtqz~cwSdADrUIp8xGPnwny5OtySZyVqfdVRMDe4u43ItPHys~pSuYGk-zIo0fyb~8TlFUCymdGsy9AooSA2nR2hxxHZLJDx45927jNnkJJlTK7GwMqXctXKSaCc1MOTyUMJIF3kUPF1xc9iiNjQ1L5HcEm3QoiJ4saqmWKfDLw097dW2outow4lNzyJw0Xu9FvLYsZBDpHSuUCz3mz5KMh-2UdvCG4e3E4VBNWZLr1QUz-gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jackson Town Council on Feb. 8 appointed Cheryl Newton to the town's three‑person Housing Authority Board following a series of short public interviews and an executive session deliberation.

The council interviewed five candidates earlier in the workshop: Arishka (Eliska) Garcia, Tim Koski, Megan Lance, Cheryl Newton and Brian (Richard) Tavi. After the interviews councilmembers moved into executive session under Wyoming statute 16-4-405 to deliberate volunteer board appointments, then returned to the public meeting and voted to appoint Newton to a five‑year term ending Feb. 1, 2030.

The Housing Authority Board hears appeals of housing management decisions, makes recommendations on rules and regulations that govern town housing programs, and may hold property and debt. As April Norton, the town's housing director, explained in the meeting, \"The housing authority is 1 of 2 housing boards we have. It is a 3 person board. 1 person is appointed by the county. 1 person is appointed by the town, and then the county and town appointees appoint the third person.\" Norton said the board meets monthly for about an hour and can provide appellate review and recommendations on rules that are updated every two years.

Applicants emphasized lived experience in restricted housing, professional backgrounds and a desire to serve. Arishka Garcia told the council she has firsthand experience using local affordable rentals and said, \"I just want to give back to the community.\" Tim Koski, who said he lives in a town workforce unit and works in construction accounting, said he could represent unit residents and small business perspectives. Megan Lance, a local realtor, and the other applicants spoke about interest in supporting local housing options and learning the board's procedures.

Council discussion before the vote highlighted selection criteria posted in the job ad: real estate, banking or finance experience, residence in deed‑restricted housing, and experience working with underserved populations. Councilmembers said they were impressed by the pooled strength of the applicant group and that the chosen candidate fit the board's existing composition and needs. Councilwoman Veman noted she valued applicants who had experience with deed‑restricted housing and could collaborate on a decision‑making body.

Motion & outcome: Councilwoman Beeman moved to appoint Cheryl Newton to the Housing Authority Board for a five‑year term through 02/01/2030; Councilman Schechter seconded. The motion passed unanimously (recorded in the meeting as \"aye\" by all present). The staff report accompanying the appointment included the suggested five‑year term; council asked staff to confirm whether the term length was set in the enabling resolution or another document.

What happens next: Staff said they will follow up with the new appointee and will confirm term details and any outstanding questions about the board's enabling resolution. Newton will join the existing two board members and begin attending the board's monthly meetings.

Votes at a glance

- Appointment: Cheryl Newton to Housing Authority Board (term to 02/01/2030) — Motion: appoint Cheryl Newton; Mover: Councilwoman Beeman; Second: Councilman Schechter; Outcome: approved unanimously (all in favor; roll‑call names not read into record).

","After interviewing five applicants for a three-member Housing Authority Board seat, Jackson Town Council moved in executive session and unanimously appointed Cheryl Newton to a five‑year term; councilors said they weighed lived experience with deed‑restricted housing and collaborative board experience.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council weighs user‑fee options as town expands public EV charging infrastructure

Council reviews comprehensive policy manual update; adoption planned by resolution

Town staff reports progress, ongoing compliance gaps in bear‑resistant trash rollout

Jackson council appoints Cheryl Newton to Housing Authority Board after interviews