Rock Springs City Council on Jan. 6 elected a council president during its organizational portion of the meeting and moved quickly through routine business, approving grants, leases and personnel agreements.

Council members nominated and approved Councillor Hickerson as council president by voice vote after a floor nomination and second. Councillor Thompson then moved to approve a revised meeting agenda, a motion that passed unanimously.

The council approved a consent agenda that included meeting minutes, an appointment to the Police Civil Service Commission (Josh Bellamy), and notice from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission about an uncontested hearing for the Kemmer Power Station Unit 1 construction permit. Councilor Dimas moved to approve the consent items; the motion passed by voice vote.

On finance items, the council approved the Rock Springs Housing Authority bills and claims for Jan. 6, 2026; the record shows at least one abstention. Councilor Demas moved the item. The council also approved general city bills and claims for Jan. 6 and salaries for Dec. 22, 2025; the salaries vote recorded an abstention by Councilor Thompson.

In new business, the council approved a personnel policy described in the meeting as a "no tax on overtime and compensatory time allocation" policy. Councillor Zoddy moved for approval and Councillor Thompson seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

The council approved three resolutions by unanimous voice votes:

- Resolution 2026-02: Accepting a Wyoming Community Foundation competitive grant award of $69,000 for the Blair Town Park playground replacement and authorizing JJ Seabrut, director of Parks and Recreation, to execute the online grant agreement. Councillor Thompson moved the resolution and Councillor Bingham seconded. During discussion Councillor Hickerson asked whether the $69,000 could be applied to larger pool renovations; staff replied the grant is for specific park improvements and would not cover major pool refurbishment.

- Resolution 2026-03: Approving an amended lease between the City of Rock Springs and Rock Springs Renewal Fund, Inc. for the Broadway Theater main lobby and authorizing Mayor Max Mickelson and City Clerk Matthew L. McBurna to execute the lease. Councilor Dimas moved; motion carried unanimously.

- Resolution 2026-04: Approving a temporary employment agreement with Jeffrey A. Tuttle and authorizing the mayor to execute the agreement. Councilor Henson moved to approve; the council estimated training to occur in mid-February and approved the resolution unanimously.

Council members opened one construction bid: a single bid from Cheney Landscaping (Pinedale) for the Century West splash pad project with a total bid of $1,447,248. The mayor read the bid bond and staff said they will return with a recommendation.

The meeting included a proclamation designating Jan. 9, 2026, as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in Rock Springs. The police chief thanked the council for support and said, "Our staff works 247365 to ensure a quick response to nearly 25,000 calls for service each year."