Powell council approves roster of appointments, ordinances, contracts and financial interim report

Powell City Council on Jan. 20 approved a series of routine and substantive items: the meeting agenda and minutes, payment of bills, a slate of mayoral and community appointments, an ordinance on a right‑of‑way vacation on first reading, a quick‑claim deed, engineering and construction authorizations for airport and police projects, an amended memorandum of understanding with Northwest College, and internal financial statements for the second quarter.

The council approved payment of bills totaling $636,628.80; one member said they would abstain on item No. 41, the "Pouch Review." The council approved the Jan. 6 meeting minutes and accepted the agenda as presented.

Appointments: The council approved a slate of mayoral appointments and reappointments across boards and committees, including Jeff O'Divian to the airport board, Zane Logan to the WAPA board, and reappointments to the Airport Advisory Committee, Urban Systems Traffic Committee and tree board. The council approved the appointments in grouped votes and carried the motions.

Ordinance: The council approved Ordinance No. 1, 2025 on first reading to vacate a right of way (first reading motion carried). Council members and staff discussed potential impacts to future lot access and utilities; staff noted that utilities do not currently extend to the property in question. Planning and Zoning had recommended approval. The item was approved on first reading; additional research and later readings were mentioned.

Property instruments and deeds: The council approved a quick‑claim deed and authorized necessary signatures to address a long‑standing property anomaly. Staff noted an associated cost of approximately $3,300 for related clean-up work.

Airport and engineering authorizations: The council approved an independent fee estimate from H2 Associates for apron rehabilitation design at a cost of $3,000; the cost is reimbursable by the FAA. The council also authorized the earlier-described RFP to study airport rental rates (see separate article).

Police department projects and agreements: The council approved change order No. 1 on an HVAC project for the Powell Police Department; the change order reduces the contract by about $104,500 because roof insulation did not need replacement. Council approval was contingent on the Office of State Lands and Investments' (OSLI) final approval before signatures are executed. The council also approved a memorandum of understanding with Northwest College — amended to reflect changes in statutes raising the legal age for tobacco possession — and approved training reimbursement agreements intended to recoup some training costs from applicants who leave employment within a specified period. Council members said the reimbursement language will be presented to candidates at hiring.

Development and utilities: The council approved a Wyoming DEQ water‑quality application for phase 2 of the Cottonwood Village subdivision; staff said the city sign the form as part of customary permitting so the developer can receive water service. Council members voted to authorize all necessary signatures.

Finance: Staff presented the second‑quarter internal financial statements. Revenue and expenditures were generally at or near halfway points for the fiscal year, with sales tax receipts running ahead of budget projections and several departments underspent for the year to date because large projects or hires are pending.

Votes at a glance (selected): • Approve agenda — approved • Approve Jan. 6, 2025 minutes — approved • Pay bills totaling $636,628.80 (abstain reported on item No. 41) — approved • Approve mayoral and community appointments — approved • Ordinance No. 1, 2025 (right‑of‑way vacation) — approved on first reading • Approve quick‑claim deed and authorize signatures — approved • Approve H2 Associates independent fee estimate for apron rehab design ($3,000, FAA reimbursed) — approved • Approve HVAC change order No. 1 for Powell Police Department (contingent on OSLI approval; net reduction ≈ $104,500) — approved, contingent • Approve memorandum of understanding with Northwest College (amendments to tobacco/alcohol language) — approved • Approve training reimbursement agreements for Powell Police Department — approved • Approve DEQ water quality application for Cottonwood Village Phase 2 — approved

All formal motions recorded in the meeting were carried or approved as described in the agenda. Several items (the HVAC change order and other contracts) require external approvals or administrative follow-up prior to execution.