EVANSTON — Prior to its scheduled work session, the Evanston City Council held a very short special meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12, in order to meet the Nov. 14 deadline for approval of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the board of commissioners of Lincoln, Sweetwater and Uinta counties. The MOU is in regards to impact assistance funds associated with the construction of the proposed Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1 project located outside Kemmerer.

“The total cost of this project will be $1.4 billion with $500 million in material costs,” Evanston City Attorney Mark Harris said. He said the total assessed amount of impact funds is $10 million, with Lincoln County to receive about $5.9 million; Sweetwater County to receive $390,000 and Uinta County to receive about $3.6 million.”

Councilmember Mike Sellers asked Harris if there would be any limitations on how the funds would be used and Harris said the monies would go into the general fund. The expectation, Harris said, is that there would be a need for expanded emergency services, medical services and for more employees for local law enforcement.

The MOU among the three counties was approved by the council.

Councilmember Evan Perkes, presiding over the council because Mayor Kent Williams was absent, then closed the special meeting and moved to the work session.

Evanston Cowboy Days committee chair Dustin Matthews and treasurer Karen Robben addressed the council concerning the annual event.

“We had a good year,” Matthews said. “We averaged 3,000 rodeo attendees counting the sponsors. We received a second-place award from Wyoming Professional Rodeo Association (WPRCA) for the safe and consistent grounds. However, we lost $3,000 on ticket sales. We had some people who bought tickets, blocked their credit card charges for the tickets and then attempted to sell the tickets online. This resulted in a loss for us. We had to get a loan from First Bank to pay our bills. Our question now is, ‘How do we move forward with a loss on this year’s event?’ We are asking the city for any ideas or help. We received $17,500 this year from the city and may have to ask for an increase up to $25,000 next year.”

Matthews said it is hard to keep up the motivation when the event keeps losing money each year. They lost $6,000 in 2023 due to bad weather and low attendance. He said they always have a parking problem, which contributes to low attendance. Matthews said the committee is in the process of applying for grants with the help of the Governor’s Office and he asked the council to consider writing a letter of support.

The council members in attendance — Perkes, Sellers, Tim Lynch and Jesse Lind — expressed support for the Cowboy Days events and said they would bring it up in a next regular meeting.

The Wild Cannabis store was next on the agenda, and owner Shane England told the council they were at the meeting just to provide information and education regarding the cannabis business.

“We attract a lot of visitors to Evanston, especially from Utah,” England said. “We provide health care alternatives and pain remedies.”

England and store manager Juan Hernandez answered questions from the council members and encouraged them to visit the store. England gave a short history of hemp/cannabis to wrap up his comments.

Jared Rex was the last speaker on the agenda. Rex reminded the council of his ongoing plans to build a major subdivision — for both commercial and residential buildings — on land off Yellow Creek Road and across from the Yellow Creek strip mall. He said there are five partners in on the project currently. They have run into complications and are questioning if outlot “A,” which belongs to the city, within the Uinta Meadows Addition subdivision might be utilized as part of their development plans.

Evanston Director of Engineering and Planning Damon Newsome and Public Works Director Gordon Robinson said there is also an issue of creating a storm water runoff into the canal that runs along the south portion of that property.

Cathy Cook then addressed the council and asked if the city could do anything about the hospital cutting off labor and delivery services.

Harris told the council that, since the subject wasn’t on the agenda, they should not discuss it, and the meeting was adjourned.