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Residents press city on Hillcrest Motel demolition and downtown parking; visiting senator briefs council on state bills
Summary
Multiple residents criticized slow progress on demolition and blight at the Hillcrest Motel and urged solutions for downtown parking; Senator Schueller provided a legislative update on bills affecting local revenue and gaming, and urged the council to monitor state proposals through WAM.
During public participation residents raised several issues for the council's attention, most prominently the condition of the Hillcrest Motel property and downtown parking enforcement.
A resident asked what the city is doing about the Hillcrest Motel, saying demolition looked stalled and that the site is an eyesore for visitors. City staff and the mayor said demolition work had occurred and that the building caught fire after earlier staff intervention; the city attorney and staff said they would follow up and provide information, noting options that include nuisance enforcement and, as a last resort, city-funded demolition with a lien placed on the property.
Other commenters urged better enforcement or management of downtown parking, suggested using underutilized lots behind businesses (for example behind Mother Maze), and proposed a community-led pilot to provide employee parking during summer months. Council members noted existing ordinances and two-hour parking in some locations and suggested enforcement as one possible step.
Senator Schueller, recognized in the audience, briefed the council on state-level developments to watch: roughly 200 bills already filed with more expected, items on direct distribution and gaming/simulcast that could affect local control, and broader revenue pressures such as a 25% property tax implication for counties and local governments. Schueller encouraged council members to track bills through the Wyoming Association of Municipalities and offered to be available for follow-up.
Council committed to following up on the Hillcrest property and ordered staff to revisit enforcement options; staff said they would provide information to the public.
