The Kemmerer City Council held its regular meeting on June 23, where members approved routine items including the payment of bills, payroll, and other financial obligations. The Council then authorized the mayor to sign an agreement between the City of Kemmerer — one of the managing members of the Kemmerer Municipal Airport — and World Fuel Services.

Kemmerer City Administrator Brian Muir was also authorized to sign an electronic acceptance agreement with the Wyoming Community Foundation for the Kemmerer Foundation Grant in the amount of $67,950. In addition, the council approved liquor license renewals for 2025.

Among new business items was an agreement for planning services with JUB Engineers.

Muir said, “I continue to be pleased with their work” and added that the firm is becoming more aware of what is going on in Wyoming.

Council members also gave city staff authorization to write off bad debt. It was noted during discussion that most of the unpaid debts were tied to foreclosures or individuals who are now deceased. The council determined that pursuing collections in such cases would not be an effective use of staff time.

A Kemmerer Planning and Zoning Commission meeting took place on June 17. The meeting focused on a conditional use permit for a proposed gravel pit within city limits. Owned by Bob Fox, the 700-acre pit is located just south of town in a heavy industrial zone.

This was the second meeting to address the proposal. The initial meeting, held on May 20, was open to the public and raised concerns about dust potentially affecting surrounding neighborhoods. In response, the zoning board requested that a dust mitigation plan be developed before proceeding.

An engineering firm out of Rock Springs is working on behalf of Searle Brothers, the company that would operate the pit. The project is described as a light mining operation designed to process and sell gravel.

City Administrator Brian Muir stated, “The plan looked good to the staff and zoning board. They have complied with everything we have asked them to.” He added, “Their dust mitigation plan was very thorough,” noting that the strategy includes scheduled water applications to reduce airborne dust.

“This kind of mining operation is very light compared to other operations like coal mining,” Muir said.

Though the gravel pit is located in a relatively remote part of town, some residents expressed concern that wind could carry dust into residential neighborhoods. Muir said the zoning board was very aware of the concerns of the neighbors as they made their decision.

After the first meeting, the board tabled the proposal until a complete plan and all necessary applications were submitted to the city. Bechtel may be a future client of the gravel operation.

“There are positives about this, and it will help the local economy,” Muir said. He also expressed his appreciation for community feedback, stating, “I appreciate the work the neighbors did to express their concerns,” and added, “It’s great that we have the process that we have in our city.”