Jess Oaks
TORRINGTON – Mayor Herb Doby called the Tuesday, Nov. 18 meeting of the Torrington City Council to order at 5:30 p.m. In attendance were council members Rick Warren, Shane Viktorin, Dennis Kelly and Wayne Deahl. Various city employees were also present at the meeting.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Doby moved on to the mayor’s items.
Doby reminded residents of the foundational principles of self-governance, noting sovereignty rests with the people under God. He explained the people delegate a portion of this sovereignty to government through the U.S. Constitution and Wyoming State Constitution, which serve as fundamental law. The Wyoming constitution and statutes charge Doby and the council with protecting and responsibly managing the city budget while safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of Torrington’s citizens. The Open Meetings Act prohibits the council from meeting privately, ensuring all meetings remain open and transparent, Doby explained.
Public work sessions allow discussion of issues the council must address. Doby noted increasing citizen attendance at sessions where city ordinances and other matters are debated before being enacted into law or rejected. Tuesday evening’s agenda includes the e-bike/e-scooter ordinance on its second reading. The ordinance requires one additional reading before passage. The council will vote tonight to pass or reject it, Doby stated. If passed, the ordinance will undergo a third reading at the Dec. 2 council meeting.
Doby emphasized the council conducts city business openly and transparently, striving to act legally and responsibly while remaining mindful of their fiduciary duty to the City of Torrington.
Looking ahead to the holidays, Doby announced city offices will be closed Nov.27 and 28 for Thanksgiving. He encouraged residents to recognize their blessings and give thanks to God.
Doby also reminded residents to shop at local businesses for Christmas needs and attend the annual Christmas parade celebration on Main Street from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5.
Next, Doby moved and called for a motion to approve the consent agenda, which included the minutes from the Nov. 4 regular council meeting as presented. Deahl made a motion to approve the consent agenda, which was seconded by Kelly. The motion then carried by majority vote. Next, a motion was made by Viktorin to approve the evening’s agenda as presented, which was seconded by Kelly. The motion then carried by vote.
The council then moved on to the public forum portion of the council meeting.
“This is a spot on the agenda, this is for non-agenda items. There’s a time limit of two minutes and the speaker must sign up before the meeting. This is a time for the council to listen. No action will be taken,” Doby explained. “So, if you want to take advantage of that, you may do so at upcoming meetings.”
With no participants, Doby moved on to the action items of the agenda.
Under action item one, Go Goshen requested a special event permit for the 2025 Christmas Parade, which will be held on Dec. 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The applicant also requested approval to close the public street on Main Street between 19th and 25th Avenue and to have the special event permit fee and associated costs waived. Doby called on Torrington Police Chief Matt Johnson.
Johnson discussed the annual Christmas parade, noting it draws strong community attendance. The parade route is available in the building reference room. The event will take place December 5 at 6 p.m. and run until approximately 6:45 p.m. Main Street will close at 5 p.m. after businesses close and remain closed for an hour to allow parking to clear and ensure a safe parade route.
Johnson said the event has maintained a strong safety record and organizers will use the same management plan employed successfully in previous years. Similar to the fair parade, he explained it is difficult to break down expenses and determine responsibility for various costs. Consequently, he did not include a cost breakdown in the parade proposal.
Johnson offered to attempt creating a cost breakdown if requested but expressed uncertainty about producing an accurate assessment. He concluded by offering to answer any questions from the council.
Doby called on Leann Mattis from Go Goshen who added the event was great for the community. She echoed Johnson who stated it was a well-attended event for the community. Mattis also stated a special guest, Santa Claus, will also be in attendance during the parade.
Viktorin noted he checked last year’s records and he noted the city waived the special permit fee and associated costs. Doby noted the police and fire department enjoy the parade.
Doby called for a motion to approve the special event permit and to waive the costs and fees, to which Deahl provided. Kelly seconded the motion and the motion then carried by majority vote.
Next, the council moved on to action item two, the second reading of an ordinance relating to human powered scooters/skateboards, electric bicycles, powered scooters. Doby called on city attorney Jim Eddington to read the ordinance aloud and following the reading, Doby called on Johnson for additional detail.
Johnson acknowledged significant time had passed since he made adaptations to the ordinance but said he tried to incorporate all council discussion immediately after the meeting. He believes he accomplished this goal and welcomed any comments or feedback. Johnson said he has not received concerns but has had several conversations with supporters of the ordinance. He expects changes will be necessary over the next five years as circumstances evolve but feels the ordinance comprehensively addresses current issues after working with School Resource Officers and other officers.
Doby pointed out the yellow highlighting in the agenda copy indicates additions and changes to the ordinance.
Johnson explained Councilman Viktorin found several corrections requiring repair. The council added a requirement for headlights and taillights between sunset and sunrise. They also adapted section five for clarity to avoid double prohibition.
Doby said he personally received many calls about children’s safety but few recently and no one has contacted him in opposition to the ordinance. He noted Johnson made extra efforts to publicize the issue through a work session and Facebook posts, providing ample notice for anyone following the ordinance development.
Johnson said he received positive feedback about efforts to establish lower-level accountability for children focused on teaching rather than punishment. The helmet requirement also drew support. He is not receiving negative feedback at this time.
Doby noted the city wants children to use walking paths and signage is essential.
Johnson acknowledged both positives and negatives exist with any solution. He cannot accurately assess future outcomes but believes the strategy deserves a trial run. Issues can be addressed as they arise. He identified one potential concern: children could make marked crosswalk crossings quickly, making them difficult for traffic to see. However, the crossings are well-marked and should alert motorists to use caution. When the crossings were redone and fully marked as crosswalks, the city included standoff distances to prevent cars from parking directly against entrances and exits on the route. Johnson expressed hope this will prove a successful solution.
Doby said staff discussed at Tuesday morning’s meeting the need to develop additional signage notifying people of requirements. The city will develop and post signage over time.
After a bit more discussion, a motion was made by Viktorin to approve the ordinance on the second reading, which was seconded by Warren. The motion then carried unanimously by vote.
The council then moved on to the third action item where they considered moving Christmas Eve holiday to Dec. 26. Doby called on clerk/treasurer Lynette Strecker for additional information.
Stecker presented a request from several employees asking to move the Christmas Eve holiday to December 26. Christmas falls on Thursday this year. City ordinance and policy designate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as holidays, meaning employees would return to work Friday if scheduled and then be off for the weekend.
Stecker acknowledged the late notice and said many people may have already finalized Christmas plans. However, the wage committee considered the request at their meeting and approved forwarding it to the council. The county is implementing the same schedule, remaining open all-day Christmas Eve and taking Friday as the holiday instead of Christmas Eve.
Doby asked for clarification: if the council approves the change, Wednesday, December 24 will be a workday from start of business until 4 p.m.
Stecker confirmed this is correct. Johnson noted some of his staff was already scheduled to cover the holiday and they should receive holiday pay since they are already scheduled.
After further discussion, Doby called for a motion to approve moving the Christmas Eve holiday to Dec. 26 and approving those essential employees who will be working both Wednesday and Friday to keep their vacation time. Deahl made the motion, which was seconded by Viktorin. The motion then carried by vote.
Next, the council moved on to action item number four, approval of the bills from Nov. 5 to Nov. 18 are presented.
With no additional discussion, Kelly made a motion to pay the bills which Viktorin seconded. The motion then carried by vote and Doby moved on to the public comment portion of the agenda where Torrington Volunteer Fire Chief, Luis Correa, provided a report to the mayor and council.
Correa reported activity has been slow for the fire department. They responded to several investigation calls, including one for a gas leak and one for smoke in a house. The smoke investigation revealed a furnace blower motor failure causing smoke in the residence. Correa noted this is typical for the season as people start firing up furnaces after they sat idle through summer.
The department responded to several mutual aid calls. One in Nebraska involved a car fire spreading to grass with concerns about reaching a structure. Another call was to Yoder where a train traveling through on tracks threw sparks and started a grass fire. One call turned out to be an unreported controlled burn. Correa emphasized the importance of calling in controlled burns, even small ones like burning trash in a barrel, to prevent unnecessary responses.
Doby confirmed the number to call is 532-7001.
Correa explained people planning controlled burns should call dispatch to get it on the board. Last night they were dispatched just across the state line for a smoking vehicle from a wreck. They responded to ensure no fire would start.
Regarding department activities, Correa said this is a busy time with many events involving Santa Claus and the parade. They conduct annual trips to local schools and daycares. The fire department has been invited to participate in Shop with a Cop, primarily transporting children in fire engines from Bomgaars to the Elks Lodge for Christmas ranking on Friday, December 12 starting at 4:30 p.m.
Kelly reminded Correa about the intersection incident.
Correa recalled spending five hours on Main Street when a semi rolled over. The driver was not transporting anything hazardous. There was minimal spill from fuel tanks. With significant help, they flipped the semi and most of its contents were pumped into another truck and salvaged. The incident drew quite an audience. The only injury was to the truck driver who rolled over. He was treated for a concussion and released the next day, making it miraculous he essentially walked away from the accident.
A council member noted significant public observation across the street with many photographers. The incident made the Cheyenne news. The railroad was shut down for the duration with no train traffic through Torrington. Correa said dispatch reported five trains backed up to Guernsey waiting to come through, including a three-mile mega train. He expressed hope the incident does not repeat itself.
Next, Doby called on Jeff Harkin, director of public works, for an update on the city’s various construction projects.
Harkins reported Well 16 encountered a snag. Specifications revealed several pipe sections were installed incorrectly and must be switched, with the longer pipe orientation changed to allow the mag meter measuring water flow to function correctly. This is the current issue with Well 16. Otherwise, the RO units have been cleared and are running.
On East Street, paving is complete up to 22nd Street. Tomorrow crews will pave between 22nd and 23rd Streets. Curb, gutter and sidewalk construction will proceed from 23rd to 24th Streets next week. Storm sewer is nearly at 24th Street and water lines already reached 24th. When crews reach 24th Street, work will pause until next spring.
At the wastewater treatment plant, the ceiling/floor over the headworks building is complete and currently curing. Backfill around the outside of the headworks is done. Crews are working on installing pumps and other equipment inside the bypass lift station before the coating company applies interior coating. The sewer lining project is underway and making good progress.
Doby asked if the ECD road stretch will reopen for traffic when the construction crew closes for winter until they return.
Harkins confirmed the entire stretch from the highway to 30th Street on ECD will be open once construction shuts down.
Doby noted this is a busy road and staff at the east end of the building will appreciate better office access since the south side paving on the east side of the building will be complete. This will also help parking issues. LITC will be able to park in front of their building on the east side instead of consuming a large portion of the city’s north parking lot.
With no additional public business to discuss, a motion was made at 6:24 p.m. to enter into executive session. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m.
