Sheridan council approves wastewater loan increase, Covey Run parking restriction and MRG grant application for Hub on Smith

Sheridan — At its regular meeting the Sheridan City Council approved three substantive resolutions addressing utility funding, neighborhood traffic safety and a grant application to improve the Hub on Smith parking lot, and it passed claims and several consent items.

Wastewater upgrades: Council approved Resolution 3-25 authorizing staff to request a $6,250,000 increase in the city’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan to cover higher-than-expected construction estimates for the Wyoming Water Transmission Program Upgrades (wastewater treatment plant) project. Utilities director Dan Roberts said the city already has $9,000,000 in loan funding and the increase would bring total loan funding for the project to about $15.25 million after 60% design; he recommended a 30-year, 0% interest loan if available. Roberts estimated the additional funding would add roughly $0.37 per month to an average residential wastewater bill (about $2.22 cumulative over six years under the financial model presented). Council approved the resolution by voice vote.

Covey Run parking restriction: The council approved Resolution 7-25 prohibiting parking on the west side of Covey Run Road from West Fifth Street to Quail Ridge Drive. City engineer Thomas Marnell told council the road was built to a 36-foot width based on earlier traffic assumptions; more recent development and traffic counts indicate a wider design would be preferable. With parked cars on both sides the remaining travel lanes are under the city’s 12-foot standard, complicating plowing, emergency access and bus routing. The staff recommendation was to permit on-street parking only on the east side to enable two 12-foot travel lanes and adequate plow operations; the council approved the restriction by voice vote.

Hub on Smith MRG application: Council approved Resolution 9-25 to authorize submission of a Mineral Royalty Grant (MRG) application for $1,000,000 to fund parking-lot and accessibility improvements at the Hub on Smith. City engineer Thomas Marnell and project consultants described a redesigned lot with new ADA-compliant pedestrian crossings, improved grading, a grease interceptor and a continuous sidewalk linking the Hub to Whitney Commons. The estimated project cost is $3,273,500; the Hub reported it has secured about $1,900,000 in other funds and the city would provide $500,000 in previously-authorized cap tax funds as part of the match. The city designated the Hub application as its second MRG priority (a fire truck application is first). Council approved the MRG-submission authorization by voice vote.

Claims and consent: Council moved claims from the consent agenda into new business and approved them after a member recused on a single reimbursement item; a planning-commission appointment (Lorraine Lehman) and minutes were approved as part of consent.

Why it matters: The loan increase is intended to keep a major infrastructure project on schedule but will affect rate projections; the parking restriction addresses safety and winter maintenance concerns raised by staff and the school district bus operator; the MRG application would improve accessibility for senior- and community services at the Hub on Smith.

What’s next: If the CWSRF increase is approved by the funding agency, staff will proceed with final design and construction procurement for the wastewater upgrades. The Covey Run restriction will be implemented by public-works staff. The Hub on Smith grant application is due Feb. 20; if awarded, construction is expected in spring/summer 2026.