Outgoing Wheatland councilmen cast final votes; Evans, Mixson sworn in
Sarah Rosendahl
Posted 1/22/25
WHEATLAND – The Wheatland Town Council met Jan. 13 for their monthly council meeting. Council members Tony Montoya, Willie Allison, Alan Madsen, Josh Kaufman, and Mayor Josh Graves …
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Outgoing Wheatland councilmen cast final votes; Evans, Mixson sworn in
Posted
Sarah Rosendahl
WHEATLAND – The Wheatland Town Council met Jan. 13 for their monthly council meeting. Council members Tony Montoya, Willie Allison, Alan Madsen, Josh Kaufman, and Mayor Josh Graves were in attendance. Prior to roll call, Mayor Graves asked those in attendance to observe a moment of silence for the victims and first responders currently battling the wildfires in Los Angeles County, California.
Mayor Graves began the approval of the agenda by stating they could strike action item number eight, an executive session, based on the fact that there was no information or need for it. The agenda was amended and approved 5-0. The council moved on to the consent agenda and entered into a brief discussion, begun by councilman Madsen, who recommended Wheatland give fire engine unit four, to one of the smaller fire departments in the county when the town of Wheatland’s new ladder truck arrives back in town after repairs. Council agreed that this could be discussed as an option if one of the other departments showed interest.
Councilman Madsen was asked to give a short speech before giving his final vote on the Wheatland town council. The meeting was the last for both Madsen and Montoya following the 2024 election.
Madsen thanked the townspeople for all the years he has served, as well as the mayors and city employees. He thanked them for their help and support. He also thanked his family for putting up with the meetings, workshops, and missed events over the years he served the town. “I’ve enjoyed it, it’s been an honor. I think I wouldn’t change anything; I’d do it all the same,” he said.
Councilman Montoya thanked Madsen for his years of service to the council and the town. “It’s not an easy job,” Montoya said. “For him to do it as long as he did – he should be commended.” Montoya continued by saying he learned a lot from Madsen. He also said he wouldn’t change a thing. “What I voted for and what I felt strong about, I feel good about that. I really do.”
He gave his opinion that the new council members are going to do a great job.
The council approved the consent agenda 5-0. The mayor thanked both Montoya and Madsen for their commitment, dedication, and time spent in public service to the community. Montoya served the council for four years; Madsen served for 18. Following their approval of the agenda they formally turned their seats on the council over to the newly elected councilmen, Jason Evans and Kelly Mixson, who were sworn in.
Getting back to the town’s business, Mayor Graves made a motion to confirm the appointment of Doug Dumont to the role of municipal judge. He has been serving the role in an interim capacity for several months. The motion carried, 5-0.
Willie Deglman was appointed to the role of Wheatland fire chief, 5-0.
Chelsea Olsen and Daryl Tiltrum were appointed to the planning and zoning board, 5-0. Mayor Graves clarified they had not interviewed either applicant because they had two openings and two applicants. Council members were given the opportunity to ask any questions they had or raise any concerns about the applicants, of which there were none. Graves also told those in attendance that Tiltrum was leaving the board of adjustments to serve on the Planning and Zoning Board, leaving two openings on the board of adjustments for anyone who might be interested.
The council also reappointed Clint Butler to the Board of Adjustments.
Following the appointments, the mayor mentioned several letters received from citizens showing appreciation for the town’s amenities during the winter, including the parks and dry camping options.
Graves said the construction company working on the Black Mountain water tower had asked to do night work due to the wind. He said they were being careful to aim their lights away from residential areas and so far, there had been no complaints. He said they had permission to work at night until there was a complaint or reason for the town to disallow it.
Platte County Economic Development director Tracy deRyk said she provides an economic report every month to the council through the Town Clerk, Candy Wright. It includes information on housing, employment/unemployment rates for the state and county, construction reports, and sales tax collections. deRyk also gave a Business Activity Report, in which she had outlined all the new businesses which have opened in the area over the last 15 months. There were 20 businesses on that list.
deRky also informed the council about the upcoming town hall meeting being hosted by the Twin Pines Ranch, and shared she has written for several grants and will be hearing more soon on what the town will receive for the first part of this year. Mayor Graves thanked deRyk for her diligence and work on her reports and said the information and comparisons she provides the council does help guide them with their decisions.
Platte County Economic Development also posed concerns about the upcoming 16th Street construction project and how it will affect traffic flow and business access on 16th Street. There is currently very little information on full logistics, but councilman Allison and mayor Graves said there will be a meeting in the coming months that will provide more information. The contract is with the State of Wyoming through the Wyoming Department of Transportation, not the town, so details are not readily available. As things stand now, the project is slated to start in April and be completed by the summer of 2026. The project to completely re-surface 16th Street will also include sidewalks and re-structuring of underground utilities along the length of one of the main avenues of traffic in town.
During public comments the Platte County Chamber of Commerce CEO, Tresha Cancino announced they are seeking a new executive assistant, should anyone be interested in applying.
The council then moved on to unfinished business, the second reading of two new ordinances. The first item was ordinance 853, which updates the municipal code concerning special use permits. Changes were made from the last reading and a motion to approve passed unanimously. The second item was ordinance 854, rezoning multiple properties in Wheatland. The second reading passed 5-0.
A conversation was then had about three Certificate of Deposit accounts held for the Wheatland Fire Department. A motion was made to cash those accounts out on maturity, which passed 5-0.
The first item of new business was an ARPA grant, WS1837, amending the 16th Street project. Mayor Graves had signed off on the grant already, and the council was asked to ratify his signature. A motion was made to do so and passed 5-0. The same motion was made for amendment for ARPA grant LG1352, and passed 5-0.
The council agreed to approve the solid waste transfer station agreement with Superior Contracting, which has not changed from last year.
The council moved on to resolution number one, the first resolution of 2025, setting the building permit fee schedule for the calendar year. The resolution was approved 5-0.
Resolution number two was adopting the record fee request schedule for 2025, passing 5-0.
First State Bank, Rolling Hills Bank, and Platte Valley Bank were approved as bank depositories for the Town of Wheatland.
The Platte County Record-Times was approved to be the newspaper of record for the town.
At the end of the meeting, Platte County Extension Office health community vitality and health educator Mary Evans told the council the new ordinance on the town permitting required for food service, is impacting nonprofits such as 4-H. The money they are having to use to pay for the permitting is having to come out of camp costs and scholarship funds for the 4-H program. The council said that non-profits might have been overlooked, and the extension office could petition the town to waive the fees in the future. 4-H events that serve food could classify under “town sanctioned events” in the language of the ordinance, and as such, would not have to pay the fee.