Planning Department seeks community input at downtown festival this Thursday

The Sheridan City Council held a study session on July 14, 2025, focusing on community engagement and infrastructure concerns. The meeting began with a brief discussion led by Chief of Police, who announced that the planning department would host a booth at the upcoming Third Thursday Street Festival. This booth aims to gather community input on downtown design standards, encouraging residents to participate and share their feedback.

Following this, council members addressed various topics for future agendas. One member raised concerns regarding the ongoing investigation by the Corps of Engineers related to a multimillion-dollar project, emphasizing the need for clarity on the project's intent and process. The member expressed that recent media coverage may have misrepresented the current status of the investigation, suggesting that further discussion is necessary to ensure public understanding.

Another council member highlighted the condition of the city’s street maintenance equipment, specifically a sweeper truck that is in poor shape. They recommended that the city consider purchasing a new sweeper when funds become available, citing conversations with city workers who operate the equipment.

The discussion then shifted to the challenges faced with alley trash pickup, particularly during winter and spring when alleyways become rutted and may pose risks to underground utilities. The member suggested evaluating the feasibility of transitioning to a system where residents would use trash cans instead of alley pickup, to mitigate property and equipment damage.

Lastly, a council member shared positive feedback from their recent visit to the local rodeo, noting improvements to the rodeo chutes and the overall condition of the fairgrounds, which had not seen significant upgrades in 25 years. They expressed that the fairgrounds are now looking better than they have in a long time, indicating a need for continued investment in local infrastructure.

The meeting concluded with a call for further discussions on these topics in future sessions, highlighting the council's commitment to addressing community concerns and improving local services.