Members of the public applauded after Councilman Steve Wilcoxson read from two letters at the Saratoga Town Council meeting Tuesday.
The first was one he had written to the Planning Commission to apologize for his behavior at its Dec. 11 meeting.
In that letter, Wilcoxson also said the board was not equally enforcing the zoning regulations of the town of Saratoga and the zoning ordinances should be changed to reflect what has long been allowed.
Wilcoxson wanted to read his letter publicly at the Jan. 8 planning commission meeting to apologize for his behavior at the Dec. 11 meeting, but said he was prevented from doing so by Chairperson of the Planning Commission, Bev Hempel.
According to Wilcoxson, Hempel refused to allow him on the agenda to read his letter and requested an executive session in which she told Wilcoxson he could not read his letter because it was critical of the planning commission.
Instead, Hempel read Wilcoxson’s letter during the regular session of the planning commission.
Wilcoxson’s second letter was addressed to Mayor John Zeiger, the town council and Ms. Hempel. The letter claimed Hempel, in her capacity as chairperson of the commission, had done a disservice to the community and should be replaced.
Wilcoxson questioned the legality of the called executive session since the only reasons for them are to discuss litigation, personnel or real estate transactions.
The planning commission is only an advisory board and cannot adopt policy.
Since his actions were in public, Wilcoxson said he should have been allowed to apologize to the public in his own words.
Wilcoxson said it was the second time Hempel refused to put him on the agenda and questioned why Hempel refused Saratoga resident Royce Kelley’s request to be put on the agenda, but allowed the addition of an executive session not more than two hours before the regularly scheduled meeting.
“In my mind, this just goes to support that as Chairperson of this Planning Commission, you are more than willing to go out of your way to stop any form of criticism of this board,” Wilcoxson wrote.
Wilcoxson also complained that Hempel allowed the planning commission to vote at its Jan. 8 meeting on whether or not Saratoga resident, David Worthington, could film the meeting, an act Wilcoxson said was not up to the board.
The board initially voted to allow Worthington to film, but reversed the decision after board member Greg Cooksey changed his vote.
“My complaint is that Chairperson Hempel acted outside the scope of her authority, by overruling a unanimous vote to stop Mr. Worthington from recording a public meeting,” Wilcoxson wrote. “With all due respect, Ms. Hempel violated the Wyoming State Law that allows the recording of any public hearing except for a court proceeding.”
Wyoming state law does not explicitly allow or prohibit filming public meetings, but Jim Angell, executive director for the Wyoming Press Association, said no one has successfully challenged the right of an individual to film or record public meetings.
Wilcoxson also said in his letter there were non-compliant board members on the planning commission voting to cite others in town who are also non-compliant and said he believed Hempel was not aware of the laws of the town.
“If ignorance of the law is not a defense in violating these laws, then ignorance of the law should never be an excuse or reason for someone that is elected or appointed to make sure that these laws are enforced equally,” he wrote.
Even though there was no space on the town council agenda for “Items from the Public” at the council meeting Tuesday, Mayor Pro-Tem Judy Welton gave the public ample time to weigh in on a new policy regarding the agenda.
Welton said in the future people could present their comments or issues to the town clerk on the Thursday before the meeting so the council would have time to research it and come to the meeting prepared to address it.
Several members of the public spoke up against the new policy saying it restricted public participation and suggested it should have been voted on.
Wilcoxson and Councilman Mike McWain said they were unaware of the change prior to the meeting.
“We value public opinion ... I’m not saying you can’t comment on anything the council does but a little forewarning would help us be educated,” Welton said.
Wilcoxson conceded prior notice of public items would be helpful, and admitted he doesn’t have all the answers, but said he relies on public comment to help his decision making process.
“They are giving me questions to look at, they are giving me things to research and at the next council meeting I can respond to those,” Wilcoxson said.
The council unanimously approved a motion made by councilman McWain to leave the “Items from the Public” section on the agenda without requiring notification the Thursday prior to the council meeting.
Saratoga resident Glee Johnson said she had no problem submitting a topic for discussion prior to the council meeting, but wanted to make sure there was a place for public discussion during the meetings.
“I want to thank you all for being honest about this and going ahead and voting this motion positively,” Johnson said.
The council approved a motion to submit a $2,500 grant request to Wyoming Community Gas to construct a walk path from the Saratoga Cemetery Road around the south end of Saratoga Lake to Sandy Beach recreation area.
Stephanie Vines, executive director of the Platte Valley Community Center, is bringing another minifilm festival to Saratoga that will showcase work from producers and filmmakers across Wyoming.
“It should be a fun screening for all of these different filmmakers we have around the state,” Vines said.
The festival will be March 9 and is free of charge.
Mayor John Zeiger was out of town and unable to attend the council meeting.
The next town council meeting will be Feb. 5, at 5 p.m.
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