Atwood City Council Recap – April 8, 2025 (Special Meeting)

The Atwood City Council held a special meeting on April 8, 2025, at City Hall, called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Mayor Janet Stice. Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Dietrich Kastens, Sandy Mulligan, Dakota Dunker, and Diana Tongish, with Councilman Mark Vrbas attending remotely. Also present were City Attorney Charles Peckham, City Clerk Dana Philpott, and City Superintendent Rick Kramer. Guests included Rawlins County High School Principal Jeff Samson, School Superintendent Eric Stoddard, and Matt Finley.

School Construction Prompts Parking Changes

The meeting centered on a request from Rawlins County USD #105 to implement no parking on 8th Street from State Street to Vine Street due to safety concerns related to construction of the new K-12 school building. Superintendent Stoddard and Principal Samson explained that parked vehicles along 8th Street posed visibility and safety risks during student drop-off and pick-up, particularly with construction traffic in the area.

Chief Withington had recommended extending the no-parking zone to Plumb Street. Councilman Dunker suggested extending the restriction even further to Logan Street, where curbs and gutters begin, to ensure better traffic flow and pedestrian safety.

After discussion, the council unanimously approved a motion by Councilman Kastens to implement 24-hour no parking on 8th Street from State to Logan Street for the duration of the school construction phase. Signage will be installed as soon as possible.

Temporary Ordinance Change for Heavy Truck Access

In addition, the council unanimously approved Ordinance #910, temporarily amending Section 5 of Ordinance #714, which prohibits heavy trucks (24,000 pounds or more) from operating on 8th Street between State and Grant Streets. The amendment allows construction-related heavy truck access along that stretch of 8th Street for the duration of the project to support ongoing school development.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

These temporary measures aim to balance student safety and construction needs as Atwood moves forward with its new school building project.