A busy first full week of August at Star Valley Ranch. Here’s a summary of goings on:
Monday, August 7th at 1pm the Town of Star Valley Ranch (TSVR) Water Utility Board (WUB) conducted their monthly meeting at Town Hall. The primary topic was the next update of Town water rates. Two additional meetings are scheduled for the WUB to discuss this subject further, the first on August 23rd and the second on September 11th. There was also discussion as to whether or not any new rates changes should be aligned with the next Town budget cycle rather than being implemented before the end of the calendar year. More to follow on this topic. And, in the meantime, you can find the WUB meeting minutes and agendas here.
Tuesday, August 8th at 9am “Coffee with the Mayor” was held at Town Hall. My understanding is that a good bit of conversation was had on the subject of short-term-rental (STR) properties on the Ranch.
Tuesday, August 8th at 2pm the Star Valley Ranch Town Council conducted a work session at Town Hall. Key items from the work session were as follows:
The TSVR Financial Advisory Board (FAB) Chair reviewed the new monthly financial report format with the Council; monthly financial reports can be found here on the Town website.
The Council discussed options to augment winter snow-plowing operations within the Town with the Town Public Works Director. The Council currently plans to obtain quotes from local companies for discrete snow removal operations in designated areas of Town before making a final decision on whether or not contracted winter snow removal services are value-added for the Town.
Work session meeting minutes and agendas can be found here.
Tuesday, August 8th at 7pm the Council conducted their monthly Town Council meeting. A number of residents participated during the public comment period of the agenda with new complaints being voiced about STR properties within the Town. Video of the entire meeting is available on YouTube at this link. [Note that the Lincoln County Sheriff is scheduled to attend the Town Council meeting in September and will be available for questions.]
Wednesday, August 9th at 3pm the Town Council conducted a joint meeting with the TSVR Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Board. The primary purpose of the joint meeting was to review ordinance changes pertaining to driveways, garages, and accessory buildings. Several ordinance changes will be proposed as an outcome of the meeting. All proposed ordinance changes are posted 10 days prior to the next regularly scheduled Town Council meeting and can be found on this page of the Town website.
On Thursday, August 10th at 10am representatives from the TSVR Natural Resources Board (NRB), Town Council, U.S. Forest Service, and Friends of the Bridger-Teton National Forest (FTBNF) met to discuss issues and potential collaboration opportunities related to the trail system that originates from the Ranch and is maintained by the TSVR NRB Trail Crew. The group also conducted a survey of portions of the Cedar Creek Trail and Prater-Murphy Trail.
Saturday, August 12th from 8am to 11am the fifth event of the TSVR Farmers Market series was held across from Town Hall at the First Response Center on Vista Drive. New offerings at this past weekend’s market included homemade pesto and Abondance cheese from Squire Farms (a local dairy in Star Valley). Only two more TSVR Farmers Market dates before the end of the season so be sure to catch one on either August 26th or September 2nd if you haven’t visited already!
Calendar items for next week include:
Tuesday, August 15th at 6pm the Star Valley Ranch Association (SVRA) will conduct a Board of Directors Workshop at Cedar Creek Center.
Thursday, August 17th at 7pm the SVRA will conduct their monthly Board of Directors meeting at Cedar Creek Center.
Friday August 18th (12 noon to 4pm) and Saturday August 19th (8am to 2pm) the TSVR NRB will hold their annual “Garage Sale for Trails and Parks” at the First Response Center on Vista Drive.
Saturday August 19th the SVRA will sponsor at Community Garage Sale for Ranch residents; maps will be available showing participating addresses on the Ranch.
Thanks for reading and please share the Close to Home 307 website with your Ranch friends and neighbors. And, I welcome your thoughts, comments, and tips about Ranch happenings as potential future content on Close to Home 307. Email me at: close2home307@gmail.com