Colby City Council Hears Golf Cart Shed Proposals, Sets Public Hearings and Approves Infrastructure Projects

The Colby City Council met Monday evening at 585 N Franklin Ave, where a packed agenda featured spirited debate on expanding golf cart storage at Meadow Lake Golf Course, public hearing preparations for two hotel bond increases, and infrastructure project approvals.

The main focus of the evening came early in the meeting as two competing proposals were presented for the use of a parcel of city-owned land adjacent to Meadow Lake Golf Course.

Tylon Mengel and Kaleb Brzon approached the council with separate ideas for expanding golf cart storage to meet growing demand from course members. Mingle, speaking first, proposed leasing a portion of city land to build a privately owned shed with a small group of investors. Each investor would pay into the cost and manage their own cart storage under a cooperative-style structure.

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Brzon presented a different concept on behalf of Meadow Lake. His group proposed that the city deed the land to the golf course, allowing them to construct and manage an additional six- to eight-stall cart shed under their current operational model. The shed would be funded by members, then become a Meadow Lake asset after 10 years, similar to prior arrangements.

While both proposals shared the goal of increasing storage to support growing golf course membership, councilmembers raised questions about maintenance expectations, land ownership, and fairness. Some members expressed concern about the current condition of Meadow Lake’s facilities, citing weeds and clutter around existing sheds. Others noted the city’s long-standing practice of opening land proposals to public bidding and questioned whether this exception should be made.

Ultimately, the council voted to authorize City Manager Ron Alexander and City Attorney John Gatz to work with Meadow Lake on a proposal for deeding the land, with the possibility of negotiating a right of first refusal should Meadow Lake ever sell.

The council approved two motions to set public hearings for August 5 at 5:30 p.m. regarding increases in taxable industrial revenue bonds for hotel developments.

The Wooden Hotel project saw its principal bond request raised to $14 million, and the WWS Hotel project requested an increase to $11 million. City officials attributed the adjustments to rising post-COVID construction costs.

The council approved sending a letter of intent to Thomas County indicating the city’s plan to exceed the revenue neutral rate for 2026.

A memorandum of understanding was approved with Sheridan County for the transfer and use of a 24-foot emergency management trailer, emphasizing regional cooperation in disaster response.

Additionally, the council approved a $641,845 bid from Midlands Contracting Inc. for the Webster Waterline Improvements Project, which is expected to begin before April 6, 2026.

The council also approved a change order for Bettis Asphalt & Construction in the amount of $42,634.50 to extend paving to the northbound lanes from 14th to I-70, citing access needs for adjacent properties and overall road improvement.