The City of Rawlins is working on multiple fronts to address the fencing situation as discussed in the Council meeting on June 1, 2021 pertaining to Title 19.40.050: Fences.
We have met with our Urban Orchard partner, the UW Extension Office, and they are going to temporarily plant the additional 12 orchard trees in pots. These additional trees were purchased with the remaining funds from the Wyoming State Forestry grant after the installation of the first orchard at the Rawlins Cemetery. These trees will then be transplanted to their permanent homes at Bolton and Martinez Parks this fall. The Urban Orchard project is a great resource for our community, and we are grateful for the UW Extension Office’s flexibility and partnership.
We are also presenting an ordinance for consideration at our next council meeting on June 8th to create an exception for livestock fencing for use around landscaping such as trees and bushes. If it passes, this ordinance will allow both residential and city properties to use livestock fencing such chicken wire, hog fence and other types of livestock fencing to be used “landscape protection fencing”. Although the issue of fencing materials was discussed at the March 16, 2021 City Council meeting, staff’s understanding was that Title 19.40.050: Fences did not apply to barriers around specific landscaping such as trees. There was no intentional violation on the part of staff, and we apologize for the misunderstanding.
Separately, we are also researching the labor requirements and availability of materials to change the fencing which is currently installed on city properties to something clearly allowed under the current code. We will report this to council at the meeting on June 8th. We will also begin the process of removing livestock fencing from any trees on city property which no longer require protection from deer and report progress at each council meeting.
The City of Rawlins appreciates the time allowed to come into compliance and modify the ordinance. Our desire is to proceed in a way that both follows city laws and respects the use of taxpayers’ money in materials and time.
For more information, please contact Mira Miller, City of Rawlins Community Relations Coordinator, at 307-328-4500 ext. 1022.
