Rock Springs council approves routine business, grants and permits; ordinance on backyard chickens moved to committee

The Rock Springs City Council on March 4, 2025, approved routine city business including the consent agenda, bills and claims, salaries, several permits and a series of resolutions. Separately, the council held a first reading and extensive public comment on a proposed ordinance to allow backyard chickens and directed a committee to refine the ordinance language.

Votes at a glance (summary of motions and final outcomes from the March 4 meeting):

- Revised agenda: Motion to approve revised agenda — motion carried (voice vote).

- Consent agenda (minutes 02/18/2025; appointments of Mark Cott to the Board of Adjustment and Alex Visser to the Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport Board; Rock Springs Renewal Fund financial statements; Parks and Recreation proposed outdoor fee schedule adjustments; revised acknowledgment of receipt of financial disclosure statements; Joint Powers Telecom and Combined Communications Board minutes; thank-you notes): Motion to approve consent agenda — motion carried unanimously (voice vote).

- Bills and claims (03/04/2025): Motion to approve bills and claims — motion carried; Councilors PG and Thompson recorded as abstaining.

- Salaries (02/21/2025): Motion to approve salaries — motion carried; Councilors Thompson and Pedri recorded as abstaining.

- Engineering request to reject bid and rebid Rock Springs miscellaneous utility project, Phase 1: Motion to approve request to reject bid and rebid (to split into smaller packages) — motion carried unanimously.

- Urban Renewal Agency request to apply for Creative West 2025 Accessibility Mini Grant for Broadway Theatre chairlift replacement: Motion to approve grant application — motion carried unanimously (staff said pricing is pending; grant would help defer replacement cost).

- Rock Springs Liquor Dealers Association: approval of 2025 all-night bar dates — motion carried unanimously.

- Square State Brewing: six malt-beverage permits for Rock Springs Grizzly hockey games (dates listed in agenda) — motion carried unanimously.

- Ponderosa Bar: three liquor-catering permits for Mule Deer Days Expo (requires Green River approval as well) — motion carried unanimously.

- Resolutions approved (each by voice vote, motion carried unanimously unless noted): - Resolution 2025-524: Accepting and approving a revised job description (motion carried unanimously). - Resolution 2025-525: Addendum to the collective labor agreement with the International Union, United Mine Workers of America (motion carried unanimously). - Resolution 2025-526: Concession stand rental agreement with Jerry's Concessions (motion carried unanimously). - Resolution 2025-527: Amended cooperative agreement concerning the Joint Powers Water Board (motion carried unanimously). - Resolution 2025-528: Amendment to the professional services agreement with Forsgren Associates Inc. (motion carried unanimously).

- Ordinances: First reading held for an amendment to Article 35 (humane control and regulation of animals) to allow backyard chickens (no final vote). A duplicate ordinance item on the agenda was removed from the record by motion and the item was deleted from the agenda.

Meeting notes and clarifications provided by staff and council:

- Fees and permitting: staff and council discussed a proposed permit fee (draft included $25; some discussion referenced $50) and noted that revenue from fees would be deposited to the general fund.

- Building and zoning: city staff clarified that a coop is treated as a structure under zoning and requires a site plan; structures under 250 square feet typically do not require a building permit.

- Vendor rules: eggs for personal use do not require a vendor permit; selling eggs as a business would require a home-occupation/business license and applicable vendor rules.

The council adjourned after routine reports and council updates.