WHEATLAND — After a string of car burglaries, the Wheatland police department led by Chief of Police Doug Willadsen solved the case in a matter of five hours, and councilmember Tony Montoya praised the department for their diligence. “The man responsible for the burglaries was also wanted for homicide in Colorado and was ultimately apprehended near Lusk. Good job to all the officers.”

P&Z Committee Members Appointed

The Planning & Zoning Committee recently had three vacancies and three new members were approved on Monday, December 11. Jarvis Windom, a longtime alternate member was approved as well as Phantom Holt and Alyssa Martin. Laron Eller was added as the alternate committee member. These positions bring with them a three-year term. 

Economic Development, Promotion

Platte County Economic Development director Tracy DeRyk announced that the county is reporting a current 2.5 percent unemployment rate, which is the lowest in the state. “Lots of people are working right now, which is a good thing.” DeRyk also reported that school enrollment dropped from 904 to 890 in the district, likely affected by families moving out of the area.

In a brief report from the Platte County Chamber of Commerce, Assistant Director Kathi Anderson stated the county has been bustling with activities and events. The Chamber will be hosting a Lunch & Learn program which will feature a legislative update with Representative Jeremy Haroldson and Ashley Harpstreith of the Wyoming Tax Payers Association on January 30 at noon at Platte Valley Bank. Additionally, the Ag Appreciation Banquet will be held on February 3. Anderson also noted that herself and Chamber Director Shawna Reichert were recently certified as Public Notaries.

“The Platte County Lodging Tax Board has shown great success in the past year with a 9.5 percent increase in revenue,” Anderson reported. “Due to our effective strategies and initiatives, we are continuing to promote tourism and hospitality. Our visitor demographics hail from Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, and South Dakota. Our highest number of visitors come from Colorado,” Anderson said. “More than 60 percent of visitors engaged in day trips to Platte County and over 37 percent were here overnight.”

The PCLTB has hired West Edge Collective marketing to handle further tourism and hospitality promotions and will focus on winter hiking over the winter months and family-oriented activities for the summer campaign, according to Anderson.

Requirements Outlined in Liquor License Ordinance

An ordinance was established citing minimum requirements for Bar and Grill Liquor Licenses and subsequent annual reviews. After a few months of discussion on the topic, the council and city attorney Doug Weaver outlined requirements that must include a dedicated and separate area for a kitchen where food is prepared; distinct from the dining and bar area. In addition, the establishment must have a menu that includes full course meals that cannot be conveniently consumed while walking or standing around the establishment. Furthermore, the establishment may only be open during the time when food is prepared and served with 50 percent or more of the revenue from operation and/or gross sales generated from food. According to the ordinance, the aforementioned requirements shall be applicable to all existing Bar and Grill Liquor Licenses. It will be compulsory for existing Bar and Grill Liquor License holders to meet the requirements of the ordinance before their renewal application in 2025. The third consecutive reading of the ordinance will occur in January 2024.

Mineral Royalty Grant Resolution

Resolution #13-2023 was approved in support of a mineral royalty grant that would demolish and replace the existing Black Mountain water tower, which has been a source of long-standing issues.

A question from the floor regarding quality control and management of construction was answered by Town Clerk Candy Wright, who said, “Part of the agreement includes construction management, so they should be on site along with certified engineering professionals.”

With questions of who will be responsible for enforcing management, attorney Weaver explained the water department will also oversee the project. There are also engineers getting paid to be on site, as well as representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the grant organization itself.

Mayor Graves expressed his deep sympathy in the sudden passing of city employee Karen Owens, a dedicated and selfless employee of 25 years. “Her presence has made an indelible mark on the community, and she will be sorely missed by many,” he said as he encouraged the community to give condolences to her family members.