Laramie City Council Meeting Update from Aug. 15

Laramie City Council held a regular meeting last Tuesday, Aug. 15. Here are the recent happenings to keep you updated about the Gem City. 

The meeting began with a speech regarding August 18 as “Never Give Up Day.” One hundred cities designated the day to celebrate people’s resilience in the face of hardship. Organizer Alain Horowitz gave a speech via Zoom to the council, proclaiming the day and stating “You are your biggest source of inspiration.”

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Announcements
After the speech, Mayor Brian Harrington reminded the council of the special meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 16 for municipal judge interviews. 

Assistant City Manager Todd Feezer gave an update about the money-saving light upgrades at the Laramie Recreation Center and the Ice and Events Center. The fluorescent lights will be replaced with LED’s, and will save the city almost $10,000 in electrical costs annually. For full details on those projects, see the story here. 

Laramie Police Chief Brian Browne announced the LPD’s swearing-in of two officers on Wednesday, Aug. 16: Payden Bear from Calif. and Matthew Peckerman from N.J. More on those officers here. 

Another officer will be sworn in and life-saving awards will be given to officers on this Wednesday, Aug. 23. 

City Clerk Nancy Bartholomew was recognized by Feezer and City Manager Janine Jordan for achieving her Certified Municipal Clerk designation. More on Bartholomew here. 

Recreation Center lifeguards Madison Campbell, Mischa Yurista, Taylor Saunders, Hank Shaver, Kevin Montez, and David Phillips were recognized by Jordan for their work at the pool this summer. 

Agenda Items

Jay Smith, City of Laramie Natural Resources Administrator, gave an update about the Dowlin Diversion Rehabilitation and Fish Passage Project. Council voted to approve the application to the Wyoming Water Development Commission for Level III construction grant and loan funding for the $2.36 million project. Half of the money will be grant funding; the other half a loan. For more on the Dowlin Project, see the story here.

Laramie Regional Airport Director Amy Terrell received the Council’s approval for the submission of a grant agreement for the Federal Aviation Association’s Airport Improvement grant to purchase an Airport Rescue Fire FightingTruck by Laramie Regional Airport in the amount of $927,963.

LPD Chief Browne presented the amendment to the agreement between Albany County School District and the LPD to split the $150,000 cost of the School Resource Officer program, which places officers in the school district. Normally, ACSD1 pays for the program. The cost-splitting amendment is for one year; council approved. 

Judy Snoke provided public comment regarding how long the program has existed, and which schools participated. Browne said Laramie High School and Laramie Middle School each had an officer, and a third officer rotated elementary schools. The program has been in effect for over a decade.

City Council then adjourned to executive session to discuss ongoing litigation involving the City of Laramie.