TOWN OF CHEYENNE WELLS

COUNCIL CHAMBERS

151 SOUTH 1ST

REGULAR MEETING

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2026

6:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Pro Tem Carleton Pelton called meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Councilwoman Sherry Jones led the group in prayer.

Council Present: Carleton Pelton, Sherry Jones, Mark Galli, Karen Gregg, Rex Hyle and Zach Anderson.

Staff Present: Rex Hyle, Town Manager, Debbie Knudsen Town Clerk Administrator, and Karen Miller Deputy Clerk.

Visitors: Jim Lengel, Kevin & Clarissa Millsap.

AGENDA

The agenda was approved upon motion from Councilman Anderson and seconded by Councilman Galli. All voting for motion carried.

SPECIAL EVENTS LIQUOR CC TUMBLEWEED FAIR & ST JOHN KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HEARING

No public was present for the hearing for special event’s liquor license applications for the Cheyenne County Tumbleweed Fair and the St John Knights of Columbus submitted by Fair Manager Lengel who was present to answer any questions.

The sponsorship tent will be handled by Cheyenne County and the enclosed beer garden location east of the main restrooms will be handled by St John Knights of Columbus. Discussion followed.

Council approved both special events liquor licenses upon motion from Council Anderson and seconded by Councilman Galli. Voting for: Anderson, Gregg, Hyle, Pelton, and Galli. Voting against: Jones. Mayor Pro Tem Pelton declared the motion carried.

KEEFE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Clarissa Millshap, CEO of Keefe Memorial Hospital, presented information on the plans of the hospital. They recently received a $2 million federal grant to expand their parking area, kitchen, and specialty rooms to expand an end-of-life area. They will be using local contractors to construct this project. Once they receive the funds, they will begin marketing their plans through community letters and advertising. The town would like a copy of the building plans when they receive them. Council thanked Clarissa and Kevin for coming to give them an update of this great project for the community.

SHERIFF’S JUNE MONTHLY REPORT

Council reviewed the monthly report. No department staff were present.

MINUTES

Council reviewed and approved the minutes for June 9 upon motion from Councilman Hyle and seconded by Councilman Galli. All voting for, motion carried.

BILLS FOR ALL FUNDS

Council reviewed and approved the bills for all funds upon motion from Councilman Galli and seconded by Councilwoman Jones. Voting for: Anderson, Gregg, Pelton, Jones and Galli. Abstain: Hyle. Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.

BUILDING & PEDDLER PERMITS

Town of CW Picnic Pad

Joseph Nestor Wood Fence

Ron & Diane Smith Decorative Fence

Brandt Electric Sign

Viaero Fiber Optic

Kyler Schalberg Garage

Luanne Gaschler Sidewalk

Council approved the building permit and waived the town of Cheyenne Wells fees upon motion from Councilman Anderson and seconded by Councilman Galli. All voting for, motion carried.

2025 AUDIT

Council reviewed and approved the 2025 Audit that was submitted by David Kauffman of Liittjohan, Kauffman and Pederson CPA upon motion from Councilman Anderson and seconded by Councilwoman Jones. All voting for, motion carried.

USG 250 TANK MIXER & MURAL

The town’s 250k water tank is due for complete cleaning later this year, once emptied the mural will be painted on and mixer will be installed inside for the agitation need within the water tank. We will know more next month when the painter will be here to determine when the tank will be emptied to install the mixer. The town will have a down payment of $8500 for the mixer with the remaining installments will be added into the next five years of the USG maintenance plan.

2026 CAPITAL WATER IMPROVEMENT

Council reviewed the Capital Water Improvement Plans for the water infrastructure presented by Town Manager Hyle and Town Clerk Administrator Knudsen.

ORDINANCE #263 “MARIJUANA” (APPROVED 3/12/13)

Council reviewed the past approved Ordinance #263 “Prohibiting Marijuana” within the city limits. The sheriff’s office and the commissioners. They were addressing the complaints at their commissioner meeting last week.

MUNICIPAL JUDGE UPDATE

The Cheyenne County Judicial Committee has selected two top candidates for the Cheyenne County Judge position. They will be announcing soon.

TOWN TUMBLEWEED FESTIVAL SATURDAY, JULY 25TH UPDATE

Staff will be serving free hot dog feed from 11 until they run out. Councilwoman Gregg will supply the condiments, and the remaining supplies will be purchased with local business.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Public works had community service students completing their court ordered hours with task of painting fence, trees, and parking areas. Along with cleanup at the old school and other various areas. They all should be done with their hours by July 20th.

Viaero is in town working on fiber optics along South 2nd street. There may be traffic congestion from time to time during construction.

The South 2nd Canal Project is planned for mid-September. The estimated cost from local contractors along with a concrete Trench system will be about $165,000. The council approved the estimated cost of $165,000 to complete the South 2nd Canal Project upon motion from Councilman Anderson and seconded by Councilman Galli. All voting for, motion carried.

Karley Hill picked up conditional use application for her dog grooming business and. Jake Unruh inquired on rezoning and picked up an application to possibly have a trailer park on the empty lots he purchased from Marie Unruh Estate.

Wells Rural Development property deeded to them was discussed.

We will be having our monthly meeting with RESPEC later this week. The SRF loan forgiveness application and water treatment plans have all been submitted.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Council and Administrative Staff went into executive session-personnel at 6:57 pm upon motion from Councilman Anderson and seconded by Councilwoman Gregg. All voting for, motion carried.

Council and Administrative Staff came out of executive session at 7:08 pm upon motion from Councilman Galli and seconded by Councilman Anderson. All voting for, motion carried.

COUNCIL REPORTS

CWHA-Councilman Hyle

Everything is going well. One unit will take some time to renovate.

ECCOG & ECCLD-Councilwoman Jones

ECCOG meeting was via zoom and Councilwoman Jones was unable to attend due to an appointment. Discussion followed on the Sr. Citizen’s meals and facility. Council reviewed and approved the 10-year lease agreement with the Senior Citizen’s for the use of the building facility upon motion from Councilman Hyle and seconded by Councilman Galli. All voting for, motion carried.

ECCLD meeting was held and the board decided to decline the library board project for the park as it will end up being too costly.

Parks & Downtown-Councilpersons Greg & Anderson

Update was given about the GOCO workshop in Cheraw this past month. Councilwoman Jones wanted to give kudos on Ellette Eiring and the incredible job she does at the parks.

Water-Councilman Pelton and Councilwoman Jones

Council reviewed the simplified water rate sheet.

Streets-Councilman Hyle and Councilman Galli

Street patching needs were discussed.

OTHER COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Regular meeting Monday, August 10th

Town Offices Closed July 24

ADJOURN

Mayor Pro Tem declared the meeting was adjourned at 7:16 pm upon motion from Councilwoman Gregg and seconded by Councilman Galli. All voting for, motion carried.

Carleton Pelton Mayor Pro Tem

Debbie Knudsen Town Clerk Administrator