Powell City Council approves appointments, subdivision final plat and HDR contract extension

Powell City Council on a regular meeting approved a set of routine appointments, a subdivision final plat and a two‑year extension of an engineering agreement.

Mayor Russell presided as the council approved the minutes from Dec. 16, 2024, ratified the bills and claims as read at the meeting, and completed several personnel and contract approvals that the mayor said were necessary to authorize signatures.

The council appointed Copenhagen Kolkhicke and Kitchen as city attorney and approved the associated contract; members discussed that the mayoral appointment is for two years while the contract term described by staff was one year. The council also approved a municipal judge contract with Brett Allred, who has served as the city’s municipal judge since 2017, and authorized signatures for that contract.

Council members approved the final plat for Cottonwood Village Subdivision Phase 2. Chad Hallock, identified himself as the owner of Cognizant Vision and Haul Construction, introduced the project and said the development had cleared the city’s development review committee and planning and zoning review. “My name is Chad Hallock. I’m the owner of Cognizant Vision and Haul Construction,” Hallock said while describing plans and phases for the subdivision. City staff noted the plat shows temporary cul‑de‑sacs that are platted to be extended as later phases are built; Hallock said there will likely be two additional phases (Phase 3 and Phase 4).

The council approved a waiver of conflict of interest between the city and the local school district related to a work‑shadow program and authorized signatures.

Zack (staff member) presented a contract amendment and extension with HDR, the engineering firm that provides substation and relay support to the city’s electric department. Zack described the agreement as a retainer: “It is kind of a retainer. I mean, there’s no charge unless we use them or ask a question, and they put their time in,” he said. Council approved the HDR contract amendment and authorized signatures; the extension was described in the meeting as continuing through 2026.

In committee updates, the Powell Valley recycling program reported that a glass crusher has been built and delivery is expected in February or early March; staff said electrical work and concrete are largely complete and additional weather‑proofing will be done before operation.

The meeting included a brief announcement that the city attorney’s office will offer a council orientation work session in January at 4:30 p.m., and that several council members are signed up to attend the Wyoming Association of Municipalities convention. The council adjourned following the routine votes.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes (Dec. 16, 2024): motion moved and seconded; outcome — approved (motion carried). - Approve bills and claims (amount read during meeting): motion moved and seconded; outcome — approved (motion carried). - Appoint city attorney (Copenhagen Kolkhicke and Kitchen) and approve contract; authorize signatures: motion moved and seconded; outcome — approved (motion carried). Council discussion noted appointment term and contract term differed in length as presented. - Approve municipal judge contract (Brett Allred) and authorize signatures: motion moved and seconded; outcome — approved (motion carried). The meeting record notes Allred has served as municipal judge since 2017. - Approve final plat, Cottonwood Village Subdivision Phase 2; authorize signatures: motion moved and seconded; outcome — approved (motion carried). Staff and the applicant indicated additional phases are planned; temporary cul‑de‑sacs are platted to be extended in later phases. - Approve waiver of conflict of interest with the school district related to a work‑shadow program; authorize signatures: motion moved and seconded; outcome — approved (motion carried). - Approve HDR contract amendment and extension (engineering retainer for substation support) and authorize signatures: motion moved and seconded; outcome — approved (motion carried). The extension was described in the meeting as running through 2026.

(Where the roll call or individual vote tallies were not read in the transcript, the meeting record states motions passed with the vote call “Aye” and “Motion carried.”)