Council narrows scope of proposed Clean Air resolution and delays fence ordinance revisions

Mayor Rok introduced a drafted Clean Air Resolution recommended by the Roads Advisory Board that expresses the town's intent to pursue improved air quality through dust-control measures aligned with Wyoming DEQ best-management practices. Councilman Merrill said the draft was too broad and lacked specific measures, timelines or policy commitments that would make it enforceable.

Councilman Ellis said enforcement is the core challenge and described the draft as an intentional statement of community intent rather than a regulatory instrument. Several council members noted the town already uses DEQ-recommended dust-mitigation products; Merrill suggested strengthening the resolution by referencing concrete abatement measures or including a policy component that holds the town to its commitments. The council generally agreed the resolution was worthwhile and asked Councilman Merrill to submit proposed language revisions before the next meeting.

On zoning matters, the fence ordinance (Ordinance 2026-06) remains off final action while staff coordinate with the Star Valley Ranch Association; the Mayor said she will meet with SVRA representative Carolyn Thacker and that staff will prepare a revised draft to address identified conflicts (height limits and front-yard fencing provisions). The septic ordinance (Ordinance 2026-04), tabled at second reading, had a proposed Section C that would have required all town property owners to connect to any future sewer system; Finance Advisory Board member Rand Bitter urged the council to strike that sentence because of higher costs for steep properties, and the council agreed to remove it.

No enforceable deadlines or new penalties were adopted; next steps are staff-led drafting of revised resolution language and ordinance edits for future consideration.