ROCK SPRINGS — The Rock Springs City Council approved a capital improvement agreement between the city and the Old Timers Civic Center nonprofit organization for an improvement project at the Civic Center.

The agreement will allow a handrail to be added to the exterior stairs leading to the Civic Center’s roof. The Old Timers organization offered to fund and complete the improvement. Which will bring the stairs and handrail into compliance with OSHA standards. The agreement allows the city to retain oversight and final acceptance of the completed project.

The proposal was approved unanimously without discussion. 

Western Whisk Road Closures

The Western Whisk Cheesecake Co. received permission to close the street in front of their business on C Street for two events the business is hosting. The first closure takes place Sept. 18 from 6-9 p.m. while the second takes place Sunday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mayor Max Mickelson said other area business owners expressed displeasure with the requests, saying such events reduce foot traffic to other downtown businesses. 

“For my part, I am a big believer that the free market is best left out of the hands of government and dissatisfaction with impacts on your business means you should adjust your business model,” Mickelson said.

New Liquor License Ordinance

The Council heard the first reading of an ordnance that will create a new type of liquor license in the city. The ordinance has two more readings before the Council, and will be voted on during the third and final reading. Mickelson said the Sweetwater Events Complex requested the city to adopt the license, saying it cleans up how the city awards 24-hour liquor permits for large events. It would grant the events complex a one-year permit to serve alcohol and no longer require multiple 24-hour liquor permits to be issued by the city for events like the Sweetwater County Fair.

“The intent is to provide clarity to the public around how we authorize these sorts of events with alcohol,” Mickelson said.