PINEDALE – A set of ordinances proposed by the Town of Pinedale moved forward at the Town Council meeting on Nov. 22.

Ordinance 693, amending town code related to the Travel and Tourism Commission, passed on third and final reading with no discussion.

The new ordinance updates sections of the code to broaden certain definitions and make the commission more dynamic to promote growth in the tourism sector and at the visitor center.

The revisions eliminate the seat reserved for the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce, opening the commission to any community members involved in town business. The ordinance also removed language on term limits for the five-member commission, allowing qualified people to serve more than two terms.

Ordinance 694, concerning obstructions in public rights-of-way, passed unanimously on second reading with no public comment or discussion.

Town staff drafted the ordinance to improve pedestrian and traffic safety in Pinedale. The amendments prohibit building a fence, placing merchandise, seating, tables or other objects on thoroughfares that might “hinder the normal and free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic,” according to language in the proposed ordinance.

The ordinance makes an exception for items placed on sidewalks along Pine Street with the requirement that 4 feet of sidewalk space remains open for pedestrians.

Violating the code is a separate misdemeanor for each day the obstruction is left in place.

Additional town news

• The council heard presentations from local nonprofits receiving contract for services with the town. The information provided during this portion of the meeting allowed councilmembers to gain a picture of services and activities that enhance the community's quality of life. A full writeup will appear in a later edition of the Roundup.
• Brian Woody, chief customer relations officer at Union Wireless, appeared before the town council. He requested the town's participation in a working group to obtain federal grant money to speed up construction on the project to expand high-speed fiber optic broadband internet across the county.

Mayor Matt Murdock emphasized including Big Piney, Marbleton and other communities in the discussions. Murdock also stressed the need for Union to organize the working group quickly because the town only has one council meeting scheduled for December to consider partnering on grants.

• Abram Pearce, Pinedale director for public works, reported that most construction work on town projects was coming to a close as the winter season approaches.

The airport updated its snow removal plan, Pearce said, and added town staff were tying up loose ends with T-O Engineers on the runway, apron and fuel farm projects.

Mayor Murdock stressed that the improvements at the Pinedale Airport were intended for private planes. The town expects an influx of private planes while the Jackson Hole Airport beginning on April 2022. Murdock stated Pinedale will not host commercial airline operations during the closure.