Cody City Council adopts new public-records policy, contractor-license changes and waterline change orders

At a Sept. 2025 meeting, the Cody City Council approved a revised public records policy and fee schedule, adopted an amendment to the city—s open-container rules on second reading, advanced three contractor-licensing ordinances on first reading, and authorized two change orders for the Tree Streets waterline replacement project.

The council adopted Resolution 2025-14 to standardize public-records procedures and fees and to designate NextRequest as the primary portal for public-records requests. "The change in the policy established NextRequest software as the primary portal for public records requests," staff member Leslie Bermich said, adding the revision also "standardizes request closure and denial procedures with documented reasons, provides a simplified fee schedule with deposit requirements for large requests and rules for administrative closures, and streamline[s] staff responsibilities." Council member McIsaac moved to approve the resolution; Council member Tamlin seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote.

On ordinance business, Chief Stafford introduced the second reading of Ordinance 2025-23, an amendment to the Cody City Code addressing open containers in vehicles and public places. "This is the second reading of the ordinance that...clarifies, takes away any gray areas as it pertains to open containers and motor vehicles in the city of Cody," Chief Stafford said. Council member Shreve moved approval on second reading; Council member Lang seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote.

The council also considered a set of contractor-licensing ordinances. Staff member Etana Dye summarized changes in Ordinance 2025-24 (contractor certificates and experience requirements), Ordinance 2025-25 (application and review process), and Ordinance 2025-26 (term of license and renewal deadlines). Dye said the amendments tailor experience and education allowances to license types, provide for reciprocal recognition of comparable out-of-jurisdiction licenses consistent with Wyoming statute 16-6-1101, clarify the contractor board—s authority to approve limited or conditional licenses, and set the renewal deadline to the end of the calendar year with a defined late-fee period.

Council member Sweat moved to approve Ordinance 2025-24; Council member Lang seconded. Council member McIsaac moved to approve Ordinance 2025-25; Council member Shreve seconded. Council member Sweat moved to approve Ordinance 2025-26 on first reading; Council member Tamlin seconded. Each motion carried on a voice vote.

On capital-project matters, the council approved two change orders for the Tree Streets waterline replacement project. City engineer Jake Moyer said Change Order No. 1 for Phase 2 "would increase the current contract value of phase 2 by approximately $45,000; this will cover 15 sanitary sewer service line repairs at a cost of $3,000 each." Council member Shreve moved approval; Council member McIsaac seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote.

Change Order No. 3 for Phase 1 will extend the project schedule into calendar year 2026. Moyer said the order "will formally modify the substantial completion date to July 31 and the final completion date to August 28, 2026." When a council member asked whether the change was "necessary to avoid the liquidated damages provision of this contract," Moyer replied, "Correct." Council member Centenary moved approval of Change Order No. 3; Council member Shreve seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote.

Council members also approved the consent calendar after an amendment to correct dates and street ranges for planned street closures related to local events. Council member Sweat moved the amendment; Council member Shreve seconded. The amended consent calendar was then approved on a voice vote.

In staff reports, a city staff member identified as Tony described an agenda-management software rollout. Tony said staff training is underway and the city expects to go live with the new system in October; the software will provide an approval workflow, public email notices and an audit trail for agenda edits.

No formal roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript; each item above was approved after a motion and second and carried on a voice vote unless otherwise noted.

The council adjourned after brief member remarks about community events and local school athletics.