Council finalizes semi-truck parking ordinances

The Lovell Town Council ran through a busy agenda in about 40 minutes last Tuesday, June 9, passing three ordinances, considering agreements and hearing public comments.

Ali and Dustin Wagner reported to the council on the successful Lovell Paintball Day held at the high school football practice field. Ali said she had been preparing for the community event for many months and obtained both local and national sponsorships to hold the free event designed to spread awareness about the sport she has grown to love in recent years.

“It was great on the football field,” she said. “Over 250 people showed up, and there were no injuries. It was an awesome day. Everyone had so much fun. We want to keep pushing forward.”

Added Dustin, “We’ve had really good feedback from our friends in Gillette (who provided air, equipment and safety sessions). They said people here are so nice. They gave glowing reviews for the community.”

Ali said the event cost around $5,000, but most of the funds were donated. She said the next step to establish a local paintball facility is to establish a non-profit corporation that can obtain grants and set up a field, initially at the Lovell Rodeo Grounds.

“We want to develop a regulation-size field,” she said.

In one other public comment, Lovell resident Dennis Marchant spoke in favor of Ordinance 1035, which was on the agenda for third reading later in the meeting. The ordinance amends the town code to prohibit semi-trucks and semi-trailers from being parked in a marked school zone or on a street in front of a residential dwelling not owned or rented by the truck owner/operator without written permission from the property owner or dweller.

Marchant said large semi-trucks have parked beside his house and that he has lived with the noise and exhaust for 25 years at all hours of the day, adding, “I welcome you to pass it.”

Ordinances

The council passed on third and final reading Ordinance 1033, which establishes the tax levy for the 2026-27 fiscal year, but the council tabled Ordinance 1034, the annual appropriation (budget) for the FY’26-27. Town administrator Jed Nebel said the council needed one more work and special meeting to finalize and vote on the budget. That meeting is to take place at noon tomorrow (Friday, June 19).

The council also passed on third reading the aforementioned Ordinance 1035 with a change in dates. The original ordinance also included a year-round ban for trailer parking in school zones, but the ordinance was amended to limit the ban to weeks when school is in session: August 15 through June 1. Mayor Tom Newman reminded the council and citizens that the ordinance was passed to protect children in school zones who might run out from behind a trailer and into traffic.

After Ordinance 1035 passed, the council passed Ordinance 1036, which states the definition of commercial trailers, semi-trailers, semi-trucks and eighteen-wheelers.

Councilman Dan Anderson stated his disagreement with Ordinance 1035 at the May council meeting but said last week he could “live with it” as written. He did not appear to vote on either Ordinance 1035 or 1036, remaining silent when Mayor Newman called for the question in each case.

Both ordinances are printed in this week’s Lovell Chronicle.

Cottonwood Canyon project

Nebel brought the council up to date on the Cottonwood Canyon Mountain Bike Trail project. He provided estimates of $63,861.80 from Lithos for a paleontological and cultural resources survey and $1,472.50 from High Country Consulting to manage the project National Environmental Policy Act process. The council voted to approve both expenditures, which came in well under budget.

In other action June 9:

• The council approved a beverage catering permit for Aud’s 4 Corners to cater a wedding on August 14 at the community center.

• The council renewed the annual dispatching agreement with Fire District No.5, the Deaver-Frannie Fire Department.

• Addressing a simple subdivision request from Cheri Hoffman, the council voted to send a letter of response to the Big Horn County Land Planning office. The council then voted to send a similar letter to the county land planner for a Hopkin Livestock LLC simple subdivision.

• The council voted to renew the lease agreement with the Lovell-Kane Area Museum for Lovell Area Chamber of Commerce office building, now owned by the museum and subleased to the chamber by the town.

• Under final comments, Nebel noted the formal internship program being offered through Lovell High School. Mayor Newman expressed his support, noting, “It’s a great program. I’m super excited about it.” Nebel also noted the recent visit and community tour by Wyoming Office of Tourism Executive Director Domenic Bravo.