During the Kemmerer City Council meeting held on Monday, Jan. 27, Caleb Ellis was appointed as the newest council member following a series of candidate interviews. A seat was open after Robert Bowen was elected mayor.
During the meeting, Kemmerer City Administrator Brian Muir discussed a recommendation from the zoning board to amend an ordinance to permit RV parks, which are currently excluded.
Earlier this year, the board received an application from Foothills RV Park, seeking a permit to expand its capacity by 82 units, incorporating both manufactured homes and RV park areas. However, the zoning regulations for the proposed project area presently allow only manufactured homes, not RV parks.
Muir explained that the proposed amendment would ensure orderly development by clustering manufactured homes in one area and RV parks in another. He noted that, after discussions with the property owner, there was a shared interest in developing the land in an organized manner rather than having scattered properties.
Additionally, the council discussed the formation of a Lincoln County Travel and Tourism Committee. Director of Events and Recreation Trista Gordon assured the council that this committee would work alongside the Fossil Basin Promotion Board rather than replace it.
She clarified that funding amounts had not yet been determined and that discussions were still in the early stages. However, she said additional county funding beyond the current lodging tax would be necessary to support tourism initiatives.
Another topic of discussion was the staging for the Oyster Ridge Music Festival. While a permanent stage structure had been proposed, concerns were raised about the possibility of relocating the venue in the future due to community growth. As a result, it was recommended that the festival continue using a tent structure rather than investing in a permanent stage that might need future modifications.
ORMF staff gathered quotes for a tent canopy similar to those used in previous years, estimating a cost of $36,000. The council suggested that Gordon continue discussions with the ORMF committee to explore matching fund options.
The council also reviewed a proposal for an ice rink at Archie Neil Park to support a hockey program managed by the recreation center. Staff requested authorization to apply for a grant to fund the construction of the rink, which would also include resurfacing the ice. The council approved the grant application for $12,875, moving the project one step closer to realization.
The meeting concluded with board members welcoming Ellis to the team. Kemmerer Mayor Robert Bowen also congratulated Ellis.
“We had a lot of good applicants, it was a hard decision to make,” Bowen said, adding that the board is well-positioned for the future.
