Council approves consent agenda, contracts, liquor licenses and four ordinances; votes at a glance

Rock Springs City Council on Feb. 18 unanimously approved the consent agenda, awarded a $6,586,597 bid for a miscellaneous utility project, authorized liquor-license transfers and renewals, approved personnel and contract actions, and adopted four ordinances on third reading.

The council approved the consent agenda, which included meeting minutes, board appointments, and financial reports, by voice vote.

In a bid-opening the council received one bid for the City of Rock Springs Miscellaneous Utility Project Phase 1 from CNL Water Solutions of South Ogden, Utah, in the amount of $6,586,597. The council proceeded with the other agenda actions after noting the single bid.

The council approved the transfer of a retail liquor license for Poor U2 LLC at 1521 Ninth Street and approved renewal applications for microbrewery, winery, restaurant, retail, limited, bar-and-grill and resort liquor licenses for the period April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026.

Bills and claims for Feb. 18, 2025, and payroll items were approved; the bills-and-claims motion carried with Councilors Thompson and Pedri abstaining, and the salary motion carried with Councilors Pedri and Thompson abstaining.

Other approvals included: filling a vacant Housing Specialist I–II position for the Rock Springs Housing Authority (motion carried with Councilors Thompson and Pedri abstaining), extension of the city fuel contract with Homeax Oil Sales Inc. (approved unanimously), and issuance of three malt-beverage permits for the Bud Cup hockey tournament March 28–30, 2025, at the Family Recreation Center Ice Arena (approved unanimously). The applicant indicated this year's donation would go to Darren Minsky.

Resolutions approved included: - Resolution 2025-18: Authorizing the mayor to accept an amended and restated agreement with the Housing Authority Risk Retention Group (motion carried; Councilors Thompson and Pedri abstained). - Resolution 2025-19: Designating local financial institutions as depositories for public funds (approved unanimously). - Resolution 2025-20: Dissolving the City of Rock Springs Parks and Recreation Board (approved unanimously after council discussion about quorum and advisory role). - Resolution 2025-21: Accepting a grant award agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/FEMA (approved unanimously). - Resolution 2025-22: Approving a fireworks-production contract with Fireworks West International (approved unanimously). - Resolution 2025-23: Approving a professional services contract with HDR Engineering (approved unanimously).

On ordinances the council took final (third-reading) action on four separate code changes: amendments to animal licensing, building-code sections, and standing committees (ordinances 2025-01 through 2025-04). Each ordinance passed on roll-call votes with all members recorded as voting yes.

Several council members and staff briefly discussed related background material during votes. Councilor Eggerson voiced concern on record about removing a standing advisory voice from the parks process before the Parks and Recreation Board was dissolved; the council majority said ad hoc committees and staff reporting will be used for future park issues.

No measures failed at the meeting. The council closed the agenda with community updates and notice that an ordinance on backyard chickens will be on the March 4 agenda.

Ending: The council scheduled its next regular meeting and encouraged public engagement; several agenda items passed with unanimous support and a few with recorded abstentions as noted above.