Public commenter questions ice-arena funding and nondiscrimination ordinance; council outlines upcoming work sessions and community events

During public comment, Mr. Shriffman raised three items: a reported rent dispute involving an Uber owner and whether any revenue gap was written off or settled; the status of a planned expansion for the ice arena tied to the hockey club's fundraising (and whether $3.2 million would be reallocated if fundraising fell short); and the absence of "age" from the city's 2022 nondiscrimination ordinance. He asked how many complaints or prosecutions have been filed under that ordinance and said, "so in a sense, the anti discrimination ordinance has some discrimination in it." (Mr. Shriffman).

Councilor Gamroth responded that the council scheduled a Dec. 30 work session to discuss the second sheet of ice and that he would attempt to locate notes or earlier legal guidance explaining why age was not included in the ordinance. Other councilors provided community updates: Councillor Sweeney and Bond reported strong turnout at the senior center and noted funds becoming available from the recently passed senior district; Gamroth described a citizen-led lighting ceremony and volunteer support that raised about $21,000 from roughly 30 businesses for tree sponsorships; he also cited a newsletter report by Brad Hopkins at the Central Wyoming Rescue Mission saying the mission served 10,734 meals last month and expects to serve 21,468 hot meals during the holiday season, a 43% increase over budgeted expectations.

The vice mayor noted she administered oaths to five new firefighters the previous day and reminded the council that an executive session would follow to discuss personnel and land matters.