City Council convened for their first meeting of August Tuesday evening in Jirdon Park. The change of location was due to the National Night Out event taking place, an event which works to enhance community-policing efforts by building and strengthening relationships between the community and local law enforcement and emergency response agencies. 

Families gathered in Jirdon Park around 6 p.m. on Tuesday as vendors provided a host of games, displays and hand-outs. Vendors and participants included WYOHelp, Bloedorn Lumber, Goshen Economic Development, Waggin’ Tails Animal Shelter, SONRise Church, Torrington Community Hospital, Sources of Strength, PRMI, Diversified Services, Inc., Delta Waterfowl, Mama’s Krafty Korner, Jessica Loren Cakes, Number 34, Boy Scouts of America Troop 26, Viaero/Torrington Office Supply, Goulart for Sheriff, Goshen County Sheriff Search and Rescue, Wyoming Child and Family Development, Christian Motorcyclists Association, Mike Mackey for County Commissioner, Scottsbluff Valley Street Rods, Vyve Broadband, 307 Realty Professionals, Goshen County Library, Goshen County Public Health, Pinnacle Bank, WYO Dance Force, Wesley Anderson Farmers insurance and AT&T/FirstNet.

“It was a great time for everybody,” Police Chief Matt Johnson said. “When we look at public safety, it is really all about relationships. When we can get together and build relationships with fire, EMS and law enforcement, it helps to prevent crimes and build a safer community.”

Johnson told the Telegram they served 600 burgers and hot dogs. He estimated they fed around 500 people with even more attending the event who didn’t eat. 

“We owe a huge amount of appreciation to the fire department,” Johnson added. “They serve with honor and professionalism, and we are really grateful for them helping us out. They are great partners for us in all things we do. We would also like to extend a huge thanks to Goshen Economic Development as they paid for the food. We are very grateful for our community partnerships and all that attended.”

At 7 p.m., the Torrington City Council held their first regular meeting of August in the park shelter. 

Mayor Randy Adams reminded attendees of the high fire danger in the area and noted the current Goshen County fire ban which remains in effect. 

Adams reported COVID positive cases numbered at 34, an improvement over the 166 two weeks ago. Adams asked drivers to be cautious of children playing and encouraged safe driving practices, such as not texting or using a phone while driving, slowing down and eliminating distractions while driving.

The council unanimously approved six ordinances on their third and final reading: an ordinance pertaining to the repealing of an existing ordinance governing the carrying of concealed weapons and switchblade knives, an ordinance pertaining to revisions of the existing penalties and jail ordinance, an ordinance pertaining to revisions of the existing possession of a controlled substance ordinance, an ordinance annexing the A-B Estates Addition, an ordinance annexing the Hill Irrigation District and an ordinance pertaining to the revision of an existing ordinance governing city-recognized holidays.

The council heard the first reading of an ordinance which would annex the proposed “Rutt Second Addition” into Torrington’s city limits. 

James Eddington, attorney for the City of Torrington, said there were some questions regarding the final plat of the Rutt Subdivision filed in 2012. He said the proposed annexation property is 83.7% surrounded by the City of Torrington and recommended moving forward with the annexation. 

Alyssa Coulson, attorney for Kirk and Shelly Rutt, spoke on behalf of the Rutt family concerning the proposed annexation.

“We do still have concerns in regard to moving forward on this annexation,” Coulson said. “In regard to the 2010 annexation as not being a valid annexation as to the plots that were provided and filed with the county. We also have concerns in regard to having this meeting today.”

Coulson said she and Eddington had briefly discussed the concerns but did not agree on the interpretation of the statutes governing the matter of annexation. 

The council approved the ordinance on its first reading with Councilmember Dennis Kelly abstaining from the vote due to a conflict of interest. Kelly told the council he has property adjacent to the city which could potentially be discussed for annexation in the future. 

During the later public comment section, Dave Cronk, chairman of the city’s planning commission, provided input to the council regarding the annexation. Cronk noted the planning commission had not been involved in any of the annexation proposals heard by the city council as of late.

He said the commission had “mediated stick situations” in the past and they would have never had the headline like appeared in a recent edition of the Torrington newspaper as they found ways to work through issues such as these. 

“Under the present administration, not one annexation or subdivision has been brought through the planning board,” Cronk said. 

Coulson, Shelly Rutt and Suzanne Keller detailed further issues with the annexation proposal before the city during the public comment period. More information on this can be read in next week’s Torrington Telegram.

A concerned citizen, Valerie Burris, presented a complaint for the city’s dog park. Burris said the park was in disarray and had been overgrown with “sticky weeds.” She asked the city look into the matter.

Dennis Estes, parks caretaker for the city, said the city was actively working with the people responsible for the establishment of the dog park to determine who would be responsible for caring for the dog park, despite the city having already been maintain much of the dog park’s mowing and weed/pest control needs. 

The next meeting of the Torrington City Council will be Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. at Torrington City Hall.