Laramie City Council Responses

View: WARD ONE | WARD TWO | WARD THREE

Ward One:

General Election Candidates

William Bowling, Ward One

1. For starters, a big picture question:

What do you see as the major issues affecting the city’s water supply, now and in the future, and how would you address them?

Bowling: Council and Commission have done a good work in addressing the major problems through the CAPP. As recommended by the plan, we need to minimize development in the aquifer protection area, full stop. And water recognizes no political boundaries, so city-county cooperation to keep pollutants out of the aquifer is essential, as well as working with neighboring counties to do the same. The aquifer is big, the areas of contamination are small, and if we stop developments now, it’s likely our city wells will be safe.

2. There are a number of businesses in the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone (APOZ – East Grand area) that would not be permitted under the current regulations, but that existed prior to the enactment of the APOZ.

What are your views on any expansions of these “non-conforming uses”? Are there actions you would support to encourage location of future commercial, industrial and residential development in areas less vulnerable to degradation of our water supply?

Bowling: Development in the aquifer protection area needs to be extremely minimized, and the city needs to be directing new development, be it residential, industrial or commercial, to the south, west and north. Any considered expansions of non-conforming uses would need to be under extraordinary circumstances. The small portion of the APOZ that lies inside city limits, East Grand and Imperial Heights, needs to be monitored to ensure contamination isn’t happening.

3. Most of the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone (APOZ) lies outside the Laramie city limits in the county, and includes private domestic wells east of town, but most of the water drinkers live within the city limits (Laramie municipal system and South of Laramie Water & Sewer District).

What do you see as the ideal working relationship between the Laramie City Council and the Albany County Commission on aquifer protection issues, and what actions would you take to further such a relationship?

Bowling: The CAPP is already the best example of this. The City Council and County Commission did excellent work in adopting a joint proposal, and that relationship needs to be fostered and strengthened. The two governing bodies should look for ways to collaborate as the implementation and enforcement of the plan moves forward.

4. The Laramie City Council relies on appointed boards to help make decisions (for example, the Laramie Planning Commission and the Environmental Advisory Committee).

In evaluating applicants to serve on these boards, how would you balance technical expertise, practical experience, political philosophy, and temperament? Which of these is most important to you in deciding among applicants?

Bowling: I am not a hydrologist or an ecologist. I’m not an engineer. I think it’s important to listen to the opinions and research of experts using scientific methodologies, not political philosophies, to direct policy about environmental protection. Water protection is a matter of public health and safety, and crucial for the viability of our community. I would look for those with temperaments that lead policy discussion from the standpoint of public health and longevity, and not special interests.

Sharon Cumbie, Ward One

1. For starters, a big picture question:

What do you see as the major issues affecting the city’s water supply, now and in the future, and how would you address them?

Cumbie: Laramie faces several water supply challenges, both presently and in the future. I consider issues of protection and conservation to be of utmost importance.

Ground Water Protection: A major issue regarding the city’s drinking water is the ongoing and consistent protection of our nearly pristine water supply – better than most communities in the country. The Casper Aquifer supplies at least half the drinking water of Laramie, with the Laramie River providing the remainder, and is a major asset of our community. I served on the Intergovernmental City-County Committee for the revision and unification of The Casper Aquifer Protection Plan (CAPP), which aims to safeguard the Casper Aquifer drinking water. The plan addresses concerns related to future development and potential contamination from septic systems. With the Revised and Unified CAPP now completed and approved by both governmental bodies, the next phase of work will require implementation and enforcement of regulations.
Climate Change and Drought: Rising temperatures and increasing drought affect both the aquifer and the river. The impact of population growth in the Front Range presents a major challenge; the demand for water in our region is exceeding the current supply, especially in the Colorado River Basin. I believe we need to promote conservation of our water through sustainable practices such as xeriscaping, conservation plumbing methods, and community education. We need to combine careful and diligent protection with water conservation to ensure a healthy future for Laramie.

Addressing these issues requires a holistic approach, based on community engagement and scientific research. By working together, Laramie and Albany County can ensure a sustainable water supply for the future.

Cumbie: Expansion of non-conforming uses is just asking for trouble in the future. We currently have some “engineering solutions” that work – for example, filters in parking lot drains – but these require attention and maintenance over time that will be difficult to sustain. It makes more sense to encourage development in business-ready areas to the north, south and west areas of our city. I advocated for the unification and revision of the Casper Aquifer Protection Plan (CAPP) to include current state of the science regarding hydrogeology, water quality and engineering into a unified guide for the protection of our water supply. I subsequently supported passage of the CAPP and am committed to working with implementation of the plan through sensible and clear regulations that will protect our future.

Cumbie: An ideal working relationship between the Laramie City Council and the Albany County Commission on aquifer protection issues involves collaboration, transparency, and shared goals. Actions to foster such a relationship include regular communication; joint planning and decision-making; shared research efforts; and public engagement.

A number of strategies for intergovernmental cooperation will facilitate the City-County working relationship.

Establish regular meetings or joint sessions where both entities can discuss aquifer-related matters.
Collaborate on aquifer protection strategies, policies, and regulations to maintain a unified approach to aquifer protection.
Combine resources to conduct scientific studies and monitor water quality.
Incorporate community input through joint public forums, workshops, and educational sessions to raise awareness about aquifer protection.
Present a unified voice when advocating for stronger aquifer protection regulations at the state level.

4. The Laramie City Council relies on appointed boards to help make decisions (for example, the Laramie Planning Commission and the Environmental Advisory Committee).

Cumbie: A well-functioning board or commission contributes significantly to effective governance and community development. A clear definition of the board’s purpose, objectives, and scope of authority are essential to let a potential member know what is expected. Ensuring a diverse representation of the community’s demographics, including age, gender, ethnicity, and professional backgrounds can be a challenge, but is crucial to the workability and accomplishments of a board or commission. Finally, consideration of expertise, with a balance between subject matter experts and community members, will help ensure the functionality of a board or commission.

Roxie Hensley, Ward One

NO RESPONSE

Paul Montoya, Ward One

1. For starters, a big picture question:

What do you see as the major issues affecting the city’s water supply, now and in the future, and how would you address them?

Montoya: I feel the city has done a good job in securing water for our future, especially in securing water rights from the Bath ranch.

We need to work to ensure that we provide secure ways to protect these waters through proper planning and engineering in new construction projects. We also need to continue to ensure we are providing proper and up-to-date treatment of our expended water for better efficiency.

Water conservation is important. Information should be made available to residents to best use water especially during summer months. While I am not a supporter of water restrictions, I feel good informational campaigns can go a long way. I feel that most residents want to be water responsible.

Montoya: I feel the rules put into place in the Aquifer Protection Plan need to be enforced. This would mean that any businesses looking to upgrade their facilities would need to conform to the new standards.

Whether businesses locate near the Casper Aquifer, Monolith Ranch, or the Laramie River we need to consider the engineering of the project so as not to have a negative effect on Laramie and Albany counties future water needs.

Montoya: There are certain items in Albany County that affect both Laramie and county residents. Law enforcement and safety, tourism, wildlife, and air and water quality are some of the more important ones. Laramie has a long history of working with the county on many of these items. For example, there has been a long-standing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning working together for fire and EMS care.

Water and air quality are another example of shared responsibility. As you note much of the APOZ lies outside of the Laramie city limits, however I feel that most residents who live in the county take water quality very seriously.

I know for a fact that one of the big concerns of county residents in pushing against the Rail Tie wind project has been how blasting will affect the water supply.

Septic tanks are also a big issue. I feel more research into ways to mitigate the impact of septic tanks needs to be addressed while realizing that we don’t want to put a huge financial burden on residents choosing to live in the county.

4. The Laramie City Council relies on appointed boards to help make decisions (for example, the Laramie Planning Commission and the Environmental Advisory Committee).

Montoya: I have strong opinions on the makeup of Laramie’s boards and commissions. While I feel that people with expertise are very important to these boards, I feel we have been lacking on members that represent the “stakeholders”, i.e. those that are affected by new rules and regulations. I feel we need to find common sense recommendations utilizing the science of the experts with the needs and vision of those affected. Technical expertise, practical experience, temperament and being a stakeholder are very important. Political philosophy should never be considered.

Primary Election Candidates (not moving forward to General Election)

Norbert Kriebel, Ward One

NO RESPONSE

Ward Two:

General Election Candidates

Jim Fried, Ward Two

1. For starters, a big picture question:

What do you see as the major issues affecting the city’s water supply, now and in the future, and how would you address them?

Fried: The major issues affecting the city’s water supply are the risk of current infrastructure causing damage to the aquifer, septic and other contamination, future developments on the aquifer, and the increased use of the aquifer. Addressing these issues requires a deep dive into the problems and coordinating with the county to properly ensure the future of clean, accessible water for Laramie. As someone with a background in geology and environmental science, I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue protecting Laramie’s water.

Fried: I would fully support using informed decision-making to find suitable locations for development in areas with less impact to the aquifer. The current ordinance (17.82.120) on pre-existing non-conforming use provides good safety and control measures for aquifer protections. I would support expanding the current ordinance if engineers and other relevant experts provide compelling data on the topic. As for promotion of development in less vulnerable areas, the goal for Laramie is to develop appropriately with the potential population growth and take issues like conservation and aquifer protections into consideration when making those development decisions. As the Clean Water Advocates know, the Casper Aquifer is a sponge and it absolutely matters what is situated above, on, and near the aquifer.

Fried: I support continued collaboration between the County and the City. I will build on the success of the intergovernmental communication that resulted in the updated Casper Aquifer Protection Plan in 2023. I am fully aware that the aquifer doesn’t recognize city and county boundaries, and it is the responsibility of elected officials to ensure cooperation continues to provide clean and safe drinking water to Albany County and City of Laramie residents regardless of where they reside in those boundaries.

4. The Laramie City Council relies on appointed boards to help make decisions (for example, the Laramie Planning Commission and the Environmental Advisory Committee).

Fried: Providing clean and safe drinking water to the public is a non-partisan issue; everyone deserves clean and safe drinking water. The needs for our community should rise above political philosophy and, of those options, technical expertise and temperament are the most important to remain collaborative and to move forward in protecting the aquifer. The applicants chosen for those boards need to have a desire and passion to learn about the Aquifer, and be willing to act accordingly when new information presents itself from trusted scientists.

Brett Glass, Ward Two

1. For starters, a big picture question:

What do you see as the major issues affecting the city’s water supply, now and in the future, and how would you address them?

Glass: Laramie’s growth may ultimately be limited by water rights. The city will need to prepare for growth by obtaining more water rights along the river and maintaining the quality of water in the aquifer.

Glass: The extent of city and county regulation of land use is a point of contention at the state level. Several bills affecting it are now under consideration. Those seeking to limit potentially polluting development within the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone should be involved in the activities of the Wyoming Legislature’s Regulatory Reduction Task Force (which next meets on July 18, 2024 – the day after I am writing this response) to ensure that the authority of cities and counties to protect their water supplies is not reduced. This is especially important because, in the aftermath of the Loper Bright decision, the future extent of Federally granted authority is uncertain.

Glass: The relationship between City and County has been particularly positive and productive of late, especially with respect to the aquifer. This should continue, perhaps supplemented by a jointly appointed commission or joint powers board which deals specifically with water issues. (At the same time, boards and commissions which are inactive or redundant should be eliminated or combined with others. This will help to avoid multiplying boards and commissions beyond necessity or heaping excessive “liaison” duties upon elected officials.)

4. The Laramie City Council relies on appointed boards to help make decisions (for example, the Laramie Planning Commission and the Environmental Advisory Committee).

Glass: All of these factors are important, but above all the most important (and hardest to find in practice) is unbiased scientific expertise. Therefore, credentials in this area should be required of one or two members.

Brett Kahler, Ward Two

1. For starters, a big picture question:

What do you see as the major issues affecting the city’s water supply, now and in the future, and how would you address them?

Kahler: Just as we see across the entire region, the issue that is of most concern when it comes to water supply is how to gain and maintain healthy drinking water that we can count on. Not being a trained environmental scientist, I would seek information from qualified individuals, whether those be city or county employees or consulting groups, to get the best advice for the city council to make informed decisions. Taking time to consult with folks who have an understanding of this field is critical to making good decisions that will benefit the residents of the City of Laramie now and into the future.

Kahler: I would absolutely support strategic location of future commercial, industrial, and residential development that conforms with policies that exist to protect Laramie’s water supply. I understand that with the implementation of many new policies, there is generally a provision for grandfathered exemptions. I support these exemptions while maintaining that new developments should fit within the regulations that are imposed. I would also support opportunities to incentivize moving grandfathered establishments if possible. I don’t expect existing businesses to move, but if there are attractive alternatives that protect the business and our water supply, I would be in support of those options. I am extremely supportive of business and economic development, so long as basic, common-sense steps are taken to protect our natural resources. In protecting our water supply, we will work towards creating an environment where our new and existing businesses can thrive in the long term.

Kahler: The relationship that exists now between the City and County is critical, and I applaud the work that was done in 2023 to create a plan that is consistent between the two entities. The reality is that both city and county residents benefit from shared water sources, and the interest in maintaining the safe drinking water that we have should also be shared. Moving forward, it is important to maintain a strong relationship with open lines of communication, as well as, providing shared resources such as consultants and research that both entities use to inform future iterations of any aquifer protection plans. I see positive outcomes if the city and county continue to work together towards a shared goal. I view myself as someone who can continue to foster and grow positive, respectful, and friendly relationships around this issue. Although I don’t have a specific course of action that I would take, I know that my decisions would be based on balancing issues that need solving in a way that maintains a strong relationship with the county.

4. The Laramie City Council relies on appointed boards to help make decisions (for example, the Laramie Planning Commission and the Environmental Advisory Committee).

Kahler: To me, the most important factor in determining members to serve on boards that require technical expertise is that the members should have that technical expertise, whether that be through their research and education or hands-on experiences. I understand that passions and interests are also important, but those who understand water conservation and the elements that are involved in maintaining conservation policies when developing new projects are critical in ensuring that policies that are crafted are done so in a way that protects the water sources that our community relies on. With those that have the technical expertise, it’s also important to have those who will be impacted by the decisions that are made. Ranchers and land-owners also understand how certain policies will impact their livelihood, and those voices are important to have in a room. I believe that there is a space where, through real and tough conversations, a decision can be reached that takes multiple perspectives into account and comes forward with a reasonable path that is worth considering.

Melanie Vigil, Ward Two

1. For starters, a big picture question:

What do you see as the major issues affecting the city’s water supply, now and in the future, and how would you address them?

Vigil: While I’ve lived in Laramie most of my adult life, I spent 2017-2018 living in Phoenix, Arizona. Experiencing bad tap water and having to obtain drinking water at fill up dispensers throughout the city was distressing after having had the yearslong privilege of not having to think about where our water comes from in Laramie. Good, clean water was always a given for me. My Phoenix experience taught me that clean and fresh water is never a guarantee, and when you have it, that water needs to be protected now and for generations to come. As our city continues to grow and develop, one of the main issues I would like to lend focus to is the continued development of our city and how we can avoid building on top of our greatest and most needed natural resource.

Vigil: Laramie continues to be a growing and changing community. My great grandparents immigrated here from Mexico and wouldn’t recognize our city today. We’ve been able to help grow our community in creative ways, and I think we can continue to do so with future commercial, industrial, and residential development without compromising our water supply. I support growing our local economy, particularly through small businesses, and believe there are areas to the north, west, and south of APOZ that have opportunities that wouldn’t diminish what community advocates for water protection have worked so hard for through the Casper Aquifer Protection Plan.

Vigil: During the League of Women Voters forum for Ward 2 last week, I referenced the Casper Aquifer Protection Plan as a good example of how Laramie City Council and the Albany County Commissioners can work together to do right by the communities they serve. I’d like to see continued partnership between the two, particularly on aquifer protection issues. This issue in particular is a great opportunity to show city and county wide what strong communication looks like, and I feel that I am well equipped to continue relationship building between the two entities.

4. The Laramie City Council relies on appointed boards to help make decisions (for example, the Laramie Planning Commission and the Environmental Advisory Committee).

Vigil: I’ve spent the majority of my career as a higher education professional, most recently as an Assistant Dean of Students at UW. I interact with STEM students on an almost daily basis and have deep respect for the fields they’re studying – it’s hard work. I value science and I respect professionals in these fields who can lend us their best knowledge to get the job done. When making decisions regarding board membership, I would look to knowledge/expertise, but also how applicants have been involved in the community. I come from a strong community building background and I value a willingness to listen, relate, and have meaningful conversations. I would value candidates who understand that clean water is a basic need for everyone in our community, and communities thrive when basic needs are met.

Primary Election Candidates (not moving forward to General Election)

Jayne Pearce, Ward Two

1. For starters, a big picture question:

What do you see as the major issues affecting the city’s water supply, now and in the future, and how would you address them?

Pearce: Issues now and in the future include:

Development over the Aquifer in vulnerable areas
The actual Aquifer itself given the variety of features such as thin soils, shallow depth of ground water, exposed bedrock, faults, fractures, drainages….
The past decades have offered data or studies to the overall understanding of the Aquifer but as technology advances and the need for data at other locations becomes imperative studies and research must continue to understand the hydrogeologic system(s)
The potential for nitrate concentration or nitrate plumes
Accidental or purposeful pollution or contaminants either in the Aquifer or the Big Laramie River
Drought, fire, flood, or other natural disasters or occurrences
Potential wellhead, wellfield or water storage tank issues
A false sense of abundance, lack of conservation or wasteful use
Elected officials reversing sound scientific decisions or policy

Addressing major issues includes:

Rejoining the National Groundwater Foundation
The city and county run lean operations-meaning we have very busy and highly qualified staff wearing many hats who may need professional assistance from time to time. Perhaps additional staff members, a shared staff member, a consultant or contracted position readily available, or masters level intern(s)
Ground water monitoring, wellhead monitoring and potentially drilling new wells in strategic locations to continue to add new data (well & pump) to current findings
Future scientific studies, e.g. underground monitoring technologies similar to the one conducted a few years back that followed I-80-Telephone Canyon water flow patterns underground and research with the end goal of gathering the best science possible
Additional funding allocations shared by county and city
Expansion of current educational programs
Updating the plan on a regular basis
Land acquisition
Working hard to make sure elected officials understand the importance of and are supportive of Casper Aquifer and Laramie River Protection.

Pearce: NO expansion of the non-conforming uses! The recently completed Laramie Growth Area Plan pointed to areas in the community where expansion would be welcome given the needed and very costly utility infrastructure. I would recommend review of this plan with locations mostly located on the north and south sides of town as it discusses commercial, industrial and residential development areas for the community.

Pearce: For approximately 13 years the city had a Casper Aquifer Protection Plan and the county had a slightly different Casper Aquifer Protection Plan. Now, there is one plan!!! This is great news for all citizens in Albany County. We have one plan because elected officials and staff from the city and county worked together on a shared vision. We also obtained the assistance from volunteer community members (boards and commissions), scientists (hydrologists, geologists…), advocacy groups, public comments, many public meetings and a consulting firm to update and pull all the science together. THANK-YOU! This is the type of working relationship that we need to continue. It was a successful community wide effort and the ideal working relationship between Laramie City Council and Albany County Commission. It must continue.

4. The Laramie City Council relies on appointed boards to help make decisions (for example, the Laramie Planning Commission and the Environmental Advisory Committee).

Pearce: Certainly, important to me would be the balancing of technical expertise with practical experience in membership or perhaps different areas of expertise and practical experiences. Differences in political philosophy are okay if they are respectful and perhaps also provide sound science or technical expertise or practical experience with the overall belief that this is good for the community. We can’t all hold the same political philosophy, but we can certainly be professional, respectful, polite, convivial, etc. If political philosophy gets in the way due to temperament or the general temperament of an individual is not appropriate then tools should be available for removal. Council can change the interview process, prompt the changing of by-laws, or invite to resign with the hope of avoiding this type of issue as nothing is perfect and there is always room for improvement. Temperament may actually be the most important as there is nothing worse than a committee member what pushes to derail progress, demeans members, is overbearing, unable to compromise, or not willing to be part of a team.

Andi Summerville, Ward Two

NO RESPONSE

Ward Three:

General Election Candidates

Matt Lockhart, Ward Three

NO RESPONSE

Bryan Shuster, Ward Three

NO RESPONSE

Primary Election Candidates (not moving forward to General Election)

Shelley Peterson, Ward Three

Good evening,

To address your questionnaire on water in Albany County;

I have done my own research and what is most concerning is what is in the City of Laramie’s water. I have had concerns for many years after I moved within the city limits. I noticed the tap water is hardly drinkable. I have also noticed a film in the shower and became growingly concerned. You see I grew up in the country always on a well system. I have also lived in several cities and towns across the nation and have been on city tap water, however Laramie seems to be the worst of what I have experienced, so I started doing my own research. I have attached a report that included all the contaminants of our water system. It’s very concerning to me… to the point I have spoken with water filtration companies to see about installing filtration systems in my household. I am also very concerned about the over-spraying of mosquitoes. What chemicals are they exactly spraying? It must go into our water supply and river and waterways? What is that doing to our water supply? Why has that not been discussed when talking about the overlay? There are alot of questions that have gone unanswered for me. I absolutely feel we need to protect our water supply, but I feel that starts with what our city officials are agreeing to put in our water supply.

Sincerely,

Shelley Peterson

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