The old guard took a bow, the new guard took an oath, and the 2017 Casper City Council took to the business at hand Tuesday.

Four council members -- Mayor Daniel Sandoval, Vice Mayor Steve Cathey, Wayne Heili and Scott Miller -- who lost re-election bids in November, were awarded plaques for their service and thanked city staff and the community for their support.

Municipal Court Judge Keith Nachbar gave the oath of office to the four new members of council -- Amanda Huckabay, Todd Murphy, Jesse Morgan and Chris Walsh -- and two members who were re-elected -- Bob Hopkins and Charlie Powell.

Hopkins, briefly serving as mayor pro tem, oversaw the nominations and elections of Mayor Kenyne Schlager and Vice Mayor Ray Pacheco. Council informally selected them last week in a straw poll. Nachbar then administered the oath of office to them.

Morgan, 30, is among the new members and wants to bring new ideas to improve Casper for future generations.

"This is a city we're choosing to grow old in," Morgan said.

"This is a city I'm choosing to raise my son in," he said. "So I want to make it something that's actually appealing to the younger generation to stay here and work here, live here. It's a great place and don't take it for granted. So we need to keep them around."

Morgan and the other council members introduced themselves and their families, then got down to business.

They set Jan. 17 for a public hearing for the vacation and replat of for the 6.6-acre Raven Crest Addition near Tranquility Way and Yesness Park; and for the annexation and replat of the 20.1-acre Wolf Creek Nine Addition at the west end of Talon Road.

They also set Feb. 17 for the hearing date for the annual renewal of all liquor licenses in the city; and set March 7 for the annexation compliance hearing for the Wolf Creek Nine Addition.

Council authorized an agreement with Knife River Inc., for $290,000 for the construction of the Lower Eastdale Creek Channel improvements, and a request for the governor to create a committee to evaluate the economic impact of the current structure of liquor licensing.

Most of the discussion, though, involved a proposed residential development on Fairgrounds Road.

Developer Steve Grimshaw wants to build an apartment complex for people over 55 years old, and 32 twin homes.

But council member Chris Walsh asked why there were only two entrances to the subdivision.

Grimshaw responded he has considered a lot of ways to add another street, but the topography and nearby properties won't allow it.

Council voted to approve the project on its second reading, and it will conduct the final reading and vote later.

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