ROCK SPRINGS — In a 5-1 vote, the Rock Springs City Council approved a request to provide a $425,000 grant match to help fund the Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport’s Commercial Terminal Modernization Project.
Councilors Rob Zotti, David Tate, Billy Shalata, Jeannie Demas and Mayor Tim Kaumo voted in favor of the motion, while Councilor Tim Savage voted against the motion stating it was a great project, but the timing of it wasn’t right.
Councilors Keaton West, David Halter and Ryan Greene were absent from the meeting. Mayor Kaumo said a couple of the Councilors were still waiting in line to vote and that’s why they might be late to the meeting.
Prior to the vote, Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport Director Devon Brubaker spoke to the Council about grant funding that’s available for the Commercial Terminal Modernization Program.
The project is an $18.5 million expansion, which is primarily being funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT). The FAA is contributing just under $13 million, while WYDOT is providing $1.5 million.
The airport board is applying for a $3 million grant from the Wyoming Business Council and is asking the city for $425,000 to help pay for the grant’s match.
After listening to Brubaker’s request, the Council approved a resolution supporting the submission of an application to the Wyoming Business Council under the Business Ready Community Grant and Loan Program.
Earlier today, the Sweetwater County Commissioners voted unanimously to provide a $222,222 grant match for a Wyoming Business Council grant to go toward the Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport’s Commercial Terminal Modernization Project. They also wrote a letter in support of the project.
Other Business
Also during the meeting, the Council read and approved the third reading of the ordinance called “Offenses Concerning Public Morals and Decencies,” for a third time. The city will amend age restrictions from 18 to 21 years of age for the possession, gift, sale, and use of tobacco, to be consistent with federal and state laws.
Prior to the approval of this reading, public comments were made in favor of the change by Sweetwater County Prevention Coalition prevention specialists Shelby Gordon and Delaney Wells.
Wells said 80 percent of youth who started using tobacco started with flavored tobacco products. Gordon said for the age group 18-24 year olds Wyoming has a 30 percent higher average tobacco usage than the national average.
Gordon said if the age to purchase and use tobacco products is increased it will decrease the amount of high school students using them because they won’t have an 18-year-old peer who can buy it for them.
Once the third reading is complete, the city will amend age restrictions from 18 to 21 years of age for the possession, gift, sale, and use of tobacco, to be consistent with federal and state laws.
For new business, the Council approved a request from the Sweetwater County Republican Party for permission to “Bury 2020” by burying a time capsule at Veterans Park after December 31, 2020.
Also under new business, the Council approved a request from Encore Cinemas, Inc., for six malt beverage permits for the Wyoming Cowboys Football Games on November 5, 14, 19, and 27 and December 5 and 12, 2020, with varying times at the Star Stadium Movie Theater in Rock Springs.
