Conferences
EXTENDED FALL CONFERENCE
VIRTUAL TRAININGS EACH MONTH
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WYOPASS has decided to host virtual trainings each month in lieu of an in-person Fall conference. The tenative schedule is as follows:
Zoom Meet & Greet for New Planners -- September 30th @ 4pm
Jeopardy Game - Ethics & More (1 cm)-- October 22nd @ Noon
Demystifying Brownfields in 4 Easy Points (1 cm) -- November 10th @ Noon
Fast & Funny Presentations -- November
GIS Boundaries & Accuracy -- December
Legislative Update -- January
We look forward to your participation in each of these events. Look for more information forthcoming in the newsletters and wyopass.org.
SPRING CONFERENCE CANCELLED
STAY TUNED FOR VIRTUAL TRAININGS
Sadly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WYOPASS has cancelled the in-person Spring Conference. However, WYOPASS is working on providing video training. We will release videos covering the legislative update, advice during this pandemic, and more. Stay tuned!
2019 Fall Conference| Gillette, WY - October 9-11, 2019
Fast & Funny Presentations -- November
GIS Boundaries & Accuracy -- December
Legislative Update -- January
We look forward to your participation in each of these events. Look for more information forthcoming in the newsletters and wyopass.org.
SPRING CONFERENCE CANCELLED
STAY TUNED FOR VIRTUAL TRAININGS
Sadly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WYOPASS has cancelled the in-person Spring Conference. However, WYOPASS is working on providing video training. We will release videos covering the legislative update, advice during this pandemic, and more. Stay tuned!
2019 Fall Conference| Gillette, WY - October 9-11, 2019
Thank you to all who attended, sponsored, supported, and planned the 2019 Fall Conference!
2019 WYOPASS Conference Summary

Legislative issues have been a highlighted topic in many
western states recently, and Wyoming is no 
exception. We were pleased to welcome Jeremiah Reiman of the Wyoming County Commissioners Association and Dave Fraser from the Wyoming Association of Municipalities. They joined a panel discussion with Sweetwater County Civil Attorney Jon Deleon and Planner Eric Bingham to discuss upcoming planning related legislation. The Panel also gave an update on where topics left off at the end of the last legislative session have gone with interim committees. WYOPASS will be sure to keep an

exception. We were pleased to welcome Jeremiah Reiman of the Wyoming County Commissioners Association and Dave Fraser from the Wyoming Association of Municipalities. They joined a panel discussion with Sweetwater County Civil Attorney Jon Deleon and Planner Eric Bingham to discuss upcoming planning related legislation. The Panel also gave an update on where topics left off at the end of the last legislative session have gone with interim committees. WYOPASS will be sure to keep an
eye on these topics and more as the legislative season ramps up.
Natural Resource management was also a focus at this year’s conference. Many planners in the state are working on individual county Natural Resource Management Plans, as money has been allocated by the State to assist counties in development of their plans. GIS also plays a role in this, as natural resource database management, mapping and other technologies can aide counties in creating better plans.
Plenary speaker, Campbell County Commissioner Mark A. Christensen gave an excellent presentation about planning in Wyoming and the challenges he has faced as a policy maker. With increasing pushback from the public across the State and the new realm of social media, the struggle for public officials to combat and address false information has become a key issue. Mark discussed how municipalities and counties in Wyoming must work together to find the balance between private property rights and property values while simultaneously building an ecosystem that supports new businesses and economic diversification. Mark gave examples of how Gillette and Campbell County have addressed some of these issues, from public listening sessions to utilizing innovative zoning applications and streamlined permitting processes and regulations.
WYOPASS also presented their 2019 state planning awards at the conference. Planner of the Year went to Joy Hill of Park County. New Planner of the Year went to Sarah Hutchins of Carbon County. Planning Commissioner of the Year was awarded to two Planning Commissioners, Bob Jordan and Todd Hildebrand of the Campbell County Planning Commission. Finally, the City of Laramie’s North 4th Street Redevelopment Project was awarded the 2019 Wyoming Planning Project of the Year.
Overall, this year’s WYOPASS conference was full of learning and networking with fellow planners from around the state. We look forward to our Spring conference in Riverton, with dates to be announced soon!
Pictures (top to bottom):
Natural Resource management was also a focus at this year’s conference. Many planners in the state are working on individual county Natural Resource Management Plans, as money has been allocated by the State to assist counties in development of their plans. GIS also plays a role in this, as natural resource database management, mapping and other technologies can aide counties in creating better plans.


Overall, this year’s WYOPASS conference was full of learning and networking with fellow planners from around the state. We look forward to our Spring conference in Riverton, with dates to be announced soon!
Pictures (top to bottom):
Conference attendees enjoy the opening reception at The Railyard in historic Downtown Gillette.
WYOPASS President Sid Fox welcomes attendees at the opening session.
Campbell County Commissioner Mark A. Christensen gives the awards dinner plenary speech.
WYOPASS Treasurer Megan Nelms with two up-and-coming planners and conference helpers.
2019 Spring Conference Documents
Building Productive Relationships with Legislators, Committees, WAM and WCCA
Keith Gingery, Teton County, Deputy County & Prosecuting Attorney
Legislative Update Panel: Changes, Effects and Where Do We Go From Here?
Facilitator: Keith Gingery, Teton County, Deputy County & Prosecuting Attorney
Panel Discussion: Joy Hill, Director of Planning and Zoning, Par k County, Eric Bingham, AICP, Sweetwater County Land Use Director, Steve Baumann, Fremont County Director of Planning, and Mark Reid, Sheridan County Planner
Comprehensive Plan for Riverton & Master Plan for Sinks Canyon State Park
Barbara Kloth, AICP, Ayres Associates
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Panel & Update
Sid Fox, AICP, Carbon County Planning Director and WYOPASS President
Mark Reid, Sheridan County Planner
Panel: Mark Reid, Sheridan County Planner, Sid Fox, AICP, Carbon County Planning Director, Joy Hill, Director of Planning and Zoning, Park County
Planning Commission 101
Clara Chaffin, City of Douglas Community Development Director and Derek T. Teini, AICP, Planning Manager, City of Laramie
