TORRINGTON – The Torrington City Council met on April 16 at 5:30 p.m. for its regularly scheduled meeting. In attendance were mayor Herb Doby and council members Wayne Deahl, Dennis Kelly, Shane Viktorin and Rick Warren. Mayor Doby called the meeting to order, and Deahl led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Doby focused his information items on upcoming events in the city and surrounding communities, including three egg hunts this Saturday – 10 a.m. in Hawk Springs, 1 p.m. in Fort Laramie, and 1 p.m. in Torrington – as well as the spring city clean-up, scheduled from May 3 through May 10. 

During clean-up week, Torrington residents with a sanitation charge on their utility bill may drop off items at the baler facility for free, including up to five non-commercial tires. Hazardous materials will not be accepted. 

The baler facility will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the clean-up period. He also reminded residents who have received a gas choice ballot to return it by April 23. Finally, as more residents move to outdoor activities with the nicer weather, Doby urged drivers to remain vigilant for pedestrians and to avoid cell phone use while driving.

Kelly moved to approve the consent agenda. Deahl seconded the motion and it passed. Viktorin then made a motion to approve the agenda; Kelly seconded and the motion passed. No comments were made during the public forum.

Next, the council heard an informational presentation from Deb Grandy of the Torrington Learning Center. She provided updates on early education and screening programs and requested a contribution from the city to the Developmental Disabilities Local Match Program through Wyoming Child and Family Development. Grandy reported 140 children had been screened using tests for hearing, vision, and developmental milestones. Sixty of these children have received some form of intervention. She also informed the council the Torrington Learning Center has three head start preschool classes, with many students being local residents. Both the Torrington Learning Center and the Lincoln Infant and Toddler Center also provide early education services for children aged 0–3. Grandy noted each dollar invested in early intervention returns $7.00 in long-term cost savings, factoring in potential medical or law enforcement expenses. She requested a $2,000 contribution from the city, which would be matched for developmental intervention in the area.

Moving on to action items, the council first heard from Paul Stille of Leo Riley & Co. regarding the recent audit of the city’s fiscal year 2024 financial statements. Although the audit had already been completed and presented at a prior meeting, a reporting change related to American Rescue Plan Act grant funding was discovered when preparing the final submission. While the change did not materially affect the report, it required city council approval. Deahl moved to accept the amended audited financial statements. Viktorin seconded and the motion passed.

The second action item involved a waiver to the existing policy requiring employees at the Dale Jones Municipal Pool to be at least sixteen years old. The policy exists due to labor regulations limiting the hours and availability of employees under sixteen. Jennifer Brummell, pool manager, informed the council a lifeguard had been hired who will turn sixteen in late May – just before the projected pool opening date of June 1 – but will still be fifteen while completing required training. A waiver is required to pay the employee for training completed while underage. Kelly moved to approve the age waiver for the lifeguard; Viktorin seconded, and the motion passed.

Next, the council accepted a resolution allowing city staff to apply for grant funding through the Post-Fire Mitigation Grant Program via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Torrington Well 16 Emergency Backup Generator Project. The generator would ensure a backup power source for continued water supply during emergencies. The program requires a 25% city contribution, with the remaining cost covered by FEMA. Deahl moved to accept the resolution to submit the grant application. Warren seconded and the motion passed.

The final action item was a first reading of an ordinance update regarding the Employee Compensation Management Process. The current ordinance references a wage survey from 2010. City staff recommended removing references to specific surveys and instead referring more generally to city policy, which incorporates updated wage survey data as it becomes available. Viktorin moved to approve the ordinance on first reading; Kelly seconded and the motion passed.

The council then reviewed recent bills. Kelly noted an increase in expenses related to new hires and highlighted the success of staffing seasonal positions at the golf course, pool, cemetery and city offices. After a motion from Kelly and a second from Viktorin, the council approved payment of the bills.

The public comment period was then opened. Torrington Fire Chief Luis Correa reported the fire department had responded to ten calls since the last council meeting. The higher call volume was attributed to control burns. He reminded residents to call the non-emergency line before and after any control burn to prevent unnecessary mobilization of fire crews. Torrington Police Chief Matt Johnson announced this week is designated for the recognition of the Communications Team, who manage the emergency 911 line and coordinate responses from four law enforcement agencies, nine fire departments, and four EMS agencies. The communications office averages seven calls per day.

The meeting then entered an executive session to discuss potential litigation and personnel. The next Torrington City Council meeting is scheduled for May 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers.