Laramie city budget amendments, trash enclosure codes approved; Monolith Ranch lease discussed

The City Council already approved $467,314 for various projects and was being asked to approve the remaining $2,454,873 for new appropriations. But $1,443,181 of the remaining amount is in capital project support transfers that were missed during the previous year and needed to be addressed.

“Staff is recommending a $1,500 increase to the engineering division to replace essential utility locator equipment that has failed,” Wade said. “This equipment was originally scheduled for replacement in 2025, but it didn’t make it that extra year. In facilities management, staff is recommending a reduction of $10,392 to move appropriations for the wireless door lock upgrade project to the recreation center fund.”

The budget amendment will be funded by available cash reserves, specific purpose tax collections and grant revenue with the purpose to increase appropriations to cover unscheduled expenditures and adjust budgets for amounts that have already been approved.

Amendments increase appropriations:

• General Fund by $726,198;

• Recreation Center Fund by $299,442;

• Park and Recreation Development Fund by $500;

• Specific Purpose Tax 2018 Fund by $1,161,456;

• Water Fund by $373,795;

• Wastewater Fund by $180,398; and

• Solid Waste Fund by $180,398.

There were comments from the public or council and the resolution for the amendments passed unanimously.

Monolith Ranch lease

The Monolith Ranch is an 11,000-acre plot of land purchased by the city of Laramie in 1981 from which the city has gained access to Dowlin Ditch water rights. The ranch is currently leased to Baer Livestock, which utilizes the land for its commercial cattle operation.

The lease is currently being evaluated with the discussion of potential leasing options on the table. The evaluation is based on council and Ranch Advisory Commissions’ adopted goals.

The lease of the Monolith Ranch will expire on Dec. 31, hence the city is bringing together a lease working group that will have about three months to complete its work. The working group will take the lead of examining the lease, potential leasing options and providing recommendation to the city’s Ranch Committee for consideration.

The lease working group will consist of City Manager Janine Jordan, City Attorney Robert Southard, Public Works Director Brooks Webb, Monolith Ranch Supervisor Zach Iddings, Ranch Advisory Committee member Amy Nagler and two council members.

“What is the reasoning behind having two?” Councilmember Micah Richardson asked.

Natural Resources Administrator Jay Smith responded: “We were just looking at numbers, I don’t think there was a hard fact to having two. I think it’s completely up to the council’s discretion.”

Councilmember Brandon Newman made the amendment to include the addition of one councilmember to the committee rather than two. The amendment passed unanimously and Monolith liaison Councilmember Jayne Pearce also was voted unanimously.

The first meeting of the working group will occur from 9–11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 12.

Trash enclosure update

City staff has worked on changing the code regarding trash enclosures for several months and the downtown exemption had its final reading. Changes that were made to the code since its previous reading were minimal and made primarily for clarification.

There were no questions or comments made by council and the changes passed unanimously.

For more information, visit cityoflaramie.org or youtube.com/@cityoflaramie to watch previous meetings.