Plans to expand downtown lighting

Mayor Mike Chimenti was not present at the Tuesday meeting of the Thermopolis Town Council, vice-chairman Bill Malloy acted as Mayor Pro Temp for the evening.

During the citizen participation, Howie Samelson, first gave thanks to the city for their efforts and success in helping the downtown area and the rest of the town for their snow removal.  

Additionally, he came to present an expansion plan to the existing lighting project for the downtown area. His proposal is to continue to improve the atmospheric lighting in several phases and add more lighting to other streets, he seeks the council’s permission to do so.  

Samelson said that many businesses and others were generous and gave funds to do the first phase and he hopes to gain other monies through other grants and fundraisers.  

 County Attorney Mike Messenger suggested that Samelson follow up by providing a Google Map to visually describe which streets will reflect his stages of progression.

Messenger also presented for its first reading an amendment for the city ordinance 822 to add the definition of “game bird” and “migratory game bird” as defined by the Wyoming statutes. This allows these birds in a general definition to be included under the law that makes feeding them illegal.  

In a previous council meeting, City Animal Control Officer Ame Longwell reported about the nuisance issues of residents feeding turkeys within the city neighborhoods. There were reported approximately 100 turkeys congregating in the areas and defecating on properties and damaging them. 

The amendment to the ordinance passed on first reading and will go through a second reading and then approved on the third and final reading if there are no further changes or objections. Mayor Mike Chimenti is expected to sign at that time.