Torrington council waives event fees, confirms airport board appointment, advances park-hours ordinance and authorizes SLIB loan

Torrington City Council on July 15 approved a package of routine and policy items including the confirmation of Douglas White to the local airport board, the approval and fee waivers for three summer special events, adoption of an ordinance on first reading setting hours for lit pickleball courts and a resolution authorizing loan transaction CCL23015-GO through the Wyoming Loan and Investment Board.

The actions affect events and parks use this summer, short-term city revenues and the financing of a street project tied to an ongoing East D Street reconstruction. Council also approved the regular bills and consent agenda during the roughly one-hour meeting.

Mayor Herb Dobie confirmed the appointment of Douglas (Doug) White to the Torrington Airport Board to complete the term ending Dec. 31, 2026, replacing John Ellis, who died in May. The mayor said White has attended board meetings and is a pilot who moved to the area from southern Illinois; White was present in the chamber when the appointment was confirmed by voice vote.

Council approved three special-event permits and waived fees: the Goshen County Fair Parade on July 31 (request from the Torrington Volunteer Fire Department), a Sunrise Church summer worship and barbecue at Pioneer Park on Aug. 17 (applicant asked for a refund of a previously paid $200 permit fee), and the Christian Motorcyclists Association Wyoming state rally at Jordan Park on Aug. 22. Police Chief (Chief) Johnson told council the parade and park events followed prior plans, that organizers provided required indemnification agreements and, for the CMA rally, a certificate of insurance was provided.

Council also waived an estimated city cost of about $53 for barricade delivery and handling for the CMA rally and approved the refund request for Sunrise Church. The permit fees and estimated-cost waivers were handled on voice votes with no nays recorded.

On parks hours, the council approved an ordinance on first reading to set hours for the municipal pickleball courts at roughly 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily when lights are installed. Dennis Estes (city staff), who presented the change, said staff can install poles and timers so lights will shut off around 10 p.m. to reduce noise impacts on nearby residences. Councilman Kelly moved the ordinance on first reading and the motion passed by voice vote.

On municipal financing, Clerk-Treasurer Lynette Strecker said she received the loan documents from the Wyoming Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) late last week and asked council to adopt the SLIB-prescribed resolution (Resolution No. 2025-10) so the city can execute loan documents and submit the first payment request for the street portion of the East D Street project. Strecker said SLIB approved the loan at its Feb. 6, 2025 meeting and that the documents had been delayed in review at the attorney general’s office. Council discussed the loan’s 5% interest rate and staff noted urban-systems funding of roughly $1,280,000 and fuel-tax revenues also fund the street work; council approved the resolution by voice vote and the mayor signed it.

Council approved the consent agenda and the published minutes of the July 1 meeting, the amended meeting agenda (added item 5a for the SLIB loan resolution), and the city’s bills for July 2–15 following staff presentation. Bills and handout lists were approved by voice vote with no nays recorded.

Public-safety and operations reports during the public-comment section included updates from Fire Chief Luis Correa (grass fires, fire-alarm calls, and a residential-sprinkler trailer for National Night Out) and Police Chief Johnson (active-threat training July 22–23 at EWC ATEC and the Cops & Cones community event July 28). Public-works staff reported foundation work and RO-unit commissioning at Well 16 and progress on the headworks building.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (minutes of July 1 and other consent items): motion to approve by Councilman Bridal; approved by voice vote, no nays recorded. - Amended agenda to add item 5a (SLIB loan resolution): motion to approve by Councilman Viktron/Victorin; approved by voice vote, no nays recorded. - Appointment — Douglas White to Airport Board (term to Dec. 31, 2026): motion to confirm by Councilman Victorin; second by Councilman Kelly; confirmed by voice vote, no nays recorded. - Item 2 — Goshen County Fair Parade special-event permit (Torrington Volunteer Fire Department), waive $200 permit fee: motion by Councilman Victorin; second by Councilman Warren; approved by voice vote, fee waived. - Item 3 — Sunrise Church worship/barbecue special-event permit (Pioneer Park) and refund of $200 permit fee: motion by Councilman Victorin; second by Councilman Kelly; approved by voice vote, refund/waiver granted. - Item 4 — Christian Motorcyclists Association state rally (Jordan Park), waive $200 permit fee and estimated city cost (~$53): motion by Councilman Deal; second by Councilman Kelly; approved by voice vote; fee and estimated cost waived. - Item 5 — Ordinance on first reading amending parks hours (pickleball lights/hours): motion by Councilman Kelly; second by Councilman Victorin; ordinance approved on first reading by voice vote. - Item 5a — Resolution No. 2025-10 authorizing SLIB loan transaction CCL23015-GO (to fund street portion of East D Street project): motion by Councilman Deal; second by Councilman Warren; approved by voice vote; mayor to sign. - Item 6 — Approval of city bills (07/02/2025–07/15/2025): motion by Councilman Kelly; second by Councilman Deal; approved by voice vote.

What the council did not decide: the parks-hours ordinance was approved on first reading only; a final (second) reading or adoption was not recorded at this meeting. The SLIB loan was approved by the state board in February, and council’s action at this meeting authorized city execution of the state-provided resolution and signature to access funds; Strecker noted the documents had been delayed in the attorney general’s office and that the loan carries a higher interest rate (about 5%) than other state loan categories.

Next meeting: council announced that the Aug. 5 meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Jordan Park picnic shelter in conjunction with the Torrington Police Department’s National Night Out event.

Ending: Council adjourned after routine business and reports; no additional public comments were offered.