Green River City Council adopts 2024 building codes, approves subdivision change and several appointments

GREEN RIVER — The Green River City Council on Jan. 21 adopted updates to local building code regulations, approved a modification to the final plat for Pipeline Estates that removes one lot, confirmed multiple board appointments and approved a consulting contract to manage the city's Flaming Gorge Days celebration.

The ordinance adopting the 2024 International Code Council building codes passed on its third and final reading after a motion from Councilwoman Bushman. The council took the action to align the city's Chapter 7 building and building regulations with the state-recommended code updates. "For anybody in the audience that hasn't been here, it's the state periodically updates and proposes these changes in codes, and we're just going along with that recommendation," a councilmember said during the meeting.

The council also approved a resolution modifying the previously approved final plat for Pipeline Estates to remove Lot 4 and convert that parcel to an easement. Mark West, public works director, told the council that work for the three lower lots has been completed and that "the water and sewer... have been installed for that, but they've not done any work for lot 4," explaining the developer's decision to eliminate the lot. The resolution passed with four members voting yes and one abstention; a councilmember recused before discussion.

Several mayoral appointments were confirmed by the council. The council confirmed Ashley Sweatt to the Green River Arts Council for a two-year term beginning Jan. 21, 2025, and expiring Jan. 21, 2027; Jesse Bartlett to the Green River Arts Council for a two-year term beginning Jan. 21, 2025, and expiring Jan. 21, 2027; Ashley Sweatt to the Tree Board for a three-year term beginning Jan. 21, 2025, and expiring Jan. 21, 2028; and Dan Kowalski to the Greener Retri Board for a three-year term beginning Jan. 21, 2025, and expiring Jan. 21, 2028. Each appointment was moved and seconded on the record and carried by voice vote.

The council approved a consulting contract structure and outline of work with Adelska LLC to provide services for the 2025 Flaming Gorge Days, subject to legal review. The motion to approve the contract structure was moved, seconded and passed unanimously.

Earlier on the agenda the council opened a public hearing on a retail liquor license transfer application from Full Circle Realty LLC d/b/a Full Circle Realty to 307 Horse Racing LLC d/b/a 307 Horse Racing. No members of the public addressed the council on the item at that time. During council reports later in the meeting, Tara Smith, deputy clerk, said the license "has only been parked for a year, and that's why they're not gonna be renewing. So the transfer took place before, the renewal year. Okay. So that's why we had to do it now instead of waiting. So they'll still be parked, but they plan to be open in July. July or August."

The council also approved the consent agenda and closed the meeting with a motion to adjourn.

Why this matters: Adopting the 2024 ICC building codes changes local construction, permitting and inspection standards. Removing Lot 4 from Pipeline Estates alters the subdivision's lot configuration and may affect future development plans for that parcel. Confirmed appointments place residents on advisory boards that shape local arts, tree management and whatever body is referenced as the "Greener Retri Board." The Flaming Gorge Days contract sets the structure for a major community event this summer.

The council did not take final action on the liquor license transfer at the time of the hearing; the deputy clerk indicated the transferred license timeline was tied to the renewal year and that the new licensee expects to open in July or August.