Torrington council approves special-event permits, airport engineering addendum and moves forward on pond cleanup

The Torrington City Council on May 6 approved a package of routine and project-related items including four special-event permits for the Go Goshen summer concert series, authorization to seek a contractor to clean Pond No. 1 at the city wastewater lagoon, and addendum No. 3 to the MC Schaff & Associates engineering contract for airport apron and taxiway rehabilitation.

The council also approved mayoral appointments and three proclamations — designating May 4–10, 2025, as Drinking Water Week; designating May 2025 as National Public Works Week; and designating one week in May 2025 as Emergency Medical Services Week — and voted to enter an executive session to discuss potential litigation.

The special-event permits authorize four concerts at the intersection of East A and 20 First Avenue on dates in late May through July. Staff recommended Go Goshen reimburse any city overtime or other costs above routine on-duty staffing. The event organizer has paid a $40 application fee; the special-event fee is $200 per event for a total of $800, according to city staff and the event organizer, Leanne Mattis.

Chris Powell, water/wastewater foreman, told council the city needs to move up cleaning of Pond No. 1 after recent repairs revealed sludge depths between about 18 and 24 inches that are beginning to affect aeration equipment and treatment performance. Powell said one contractor estimated roughly $278,000; he cautioned total cost could reach about $300,000 and said the work is normally scheduled months in advance. Council approved a motion allowing water/wastewater staff to seek a contract; Powell said a formal budget amendment and resolution will follow when a final bid is available. The city plans to drain the cell and use a second cell for treatment while cleaning proceeds; sludge will be removed and land-applied, Powell said.

Public works director Harkins presented addendum No. 3 to the MC Schaff & Associates engineering agreement for design, bidding, construction oversight and closeout of the airport apron and Taxiway C rehabilitation. The addendum covers engineering services not to exceed $135,015, with estimated material testing costs of $13,717 during design and $8,880 during inspection, for a total of $157,612. Harkins said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will reimburse 95% of project costs, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (YDOT) 2.5%, and the city 2.5%; the city's engineering share is about $3,940. City staff estimated construction at about $1.4 million, similarly 97.5% reimbursable. Council approved the addendum as recommended by staff.

Council moved and approved an ordinance on second reading enacting updates to chapter 2.38 of the Torrington Municipal Code concerning the employee compensation management process; city clerk/treasurer Lynette Strecker said the changes clean up outdated references to a 2010 personnel study.

Mayor Herb Dobie read the three proclamations and announced he would sign them; council voted to authorize the mayor’s signature on each. Mayor Dobie also noted the passing of former county commissioner John Ellis and provided the date and location of Ellis’s memorial service as stated in the meeting.

Council approved routine business including the consent agenda, approval of the agenda as amended to include additional material-testing costs in item 8, mayoral committee appointments (replacing Chris Nickel with Bobbie Dawkins as deputy treasurer and associated committee placements) and appointments of the mayor as voting delegate and Councilman Wayne Deal as alternate for the Wyoming Association of Municipalities summer convention in Cheyenne on June 12, 2025.

During the meeting, police chief Matt Johnson, fire chief Luis Correa and other department leaders gave updates: Johnson praised volunteer firefighters and noted their role in keeping insurance costs down through ISO considerations; Correa said the fire department is preparing for the state fire convention to be held in Torrington in mid-June.

Votes at a glance: • Consent agenda — motion by Councilman Kelly; second Councilman Deal; approved by voice vote. • Amended agenda (add material testing costs to item 8) — motion by Councilman Victorin; second Kelly; approved by voice vote. • WAM delegate appointments (Mayor Herb Dobie voting delegate; Councilman Wayne Deal alternate) — motion by Councilman Victorin; second Councilman Warren; approved by voice vote. • Mayor’s appointments (Bobbie Dawkins as deputy treasurer and committee assignments) — motion by Councilman Deal; second Councilman Kelly; approved by voice vote. • Special-event permits (Go Goshen summer concerts; fee $200 per event, $800 total; $40 application fee paid) — motion by Councilman Victorin; second Councilman Kelly; approved by voice vote. • Proclamation: Drinking Water Week (May 4–10, 2025) — motion by Councilman Deal; second Councilman Kelly; approved. • Proclamation: National Public Works Week (May 2025) — motion by Councilman Victorin; second Councilman Kelly; approved. • Proclamation: Emergency Medical Services Week (May 2025) — motion by Councilman Deal; second Councilman Warren; approved. • Pond No. 1 cleaning (authorize water/wastewater to seek contract; estimated cost ~$278,000–$300,000) — motion by Councilman Deal; second Councilman Kelly; approved to seek contract; formal budget amendment to follow. • Addendum No. 3 to MC Schaff & Associates (airport engineering; total estimated $157,612; city engineering share ~$3,940) — motion by Councilman Victorin; second Councilman Deal; approved. • Ordinance (second reading, code revisions re: employee compensation, Chapter 2.38) — motion by Councilman Deal; second Councilman Victorin; approved on second reading. • Approval of bills (04/16/2025–05/06/2025) — motion by Councilman Kelly; second Councilman Deal; approved. • Enter executive session (potential litigation) — motion by Councilman Victorin; second Councilman Warren; approved.

Council members and staff said they expect follow-up actions: a contract and resolution for the pond cleaning and budget adjustments in a future meeting; bidding and construction scheduling for the airport project in 2025–26; and routine reporting on grants and invoices tied to the bills approved tonight.

“Please slow down. Please drive carefully,” Mayor Herb Dobie said in opening remarks, urging caution around pedestrians and cyclists in town. The council adjourned its regular session to enter executive session on potential litigation.