Cheyenne City Council Regular Meeting – January 23, 2023

At 6 PM on January 23, 2023, the Cheyenne City Council convened in Council Chambers to address a lengthy agenda covering annexations, zoning changes, a contested Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) resolution, public safety agreements, and other routine business. All ten council members were present (Mayor Collins, Messrs. Cook, Escabel, Johnson, Layborn, Royble, Seagrave, White, Drs. Aldrich and Rennie).

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the January 9, 2023 regular meeting. [CA]
• Approved Ordinance (3rd Reading) updating the Cheyenne Police Department pay plan for FY2022‑2023 (cost‑of‑living adjustment). [CA]
• Adopted resolutions for: (13) Water/sewer services for UMC Properties (outside user agreements); (14) Final plat for Maltese Cross subdivision; (16) Reappropriation of FY2023 budget (referred to Finance); (17) MOU directive for Saddle Ridge open space (referred to Public Services); (18) Support for naming a road segment after USS Cheyenne (referred to Public Services after correction from Finance); (19) SLIB ARPA grant application for flood control at East Dell Range/Van Buren (referred to Finance). [CA]
• Approved Leases/Contracts/Professional Services Agreements: (b) Storey Boulevard Extension design ($175,747.50); (c) Southwest Drive Corridor Plan ($116,480.00); (d) MOU with Dozzer, LLC for platting; (e) Sub‑award for community paramedicine services; (f) Real estate purchase from Keizer Inc. (referred to Finance); (g) Landfill methane mitigation work plan (referred to Finance). [CA]
• Approved Contract Modification #1 for Cheyenne Public Safety Center finishing (referred to Finance). [CA]
• Approved Bids/Purchases: (a) Cemeteries Irrigation System Replacement ($2,068,800 – originally removed for separate vote); (b) 50 trash receptacles (referred to Finance); (c) 17th Street Lighting Phase II (referred to Finance); (d) 2023 City Overlay Part #1 (referred to Finance). [CA]
• Item 22A (cemetery irrigation bid) was removed from consent by Councilmember Layborn and later approved unanimously after discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Annexation/Zoning – Ridge Road & Holland Court (Items 7 & 8): Numerous neighbors spoke in opposition. John Cecil (adjacent resident) questioned drainage planning, parking capacity (1.5 spaces per unit), and school impacts. Peggy Escamilla and Sharon Tuggle raised concerns about traffic, crime, and neighborhood character. Rebecca Murchy read a letter from a neighbor citing safety, pipeline hazards, and loss of trust. Jeanette Wallace spoke in favor of the developer (Jason Stephen/Gateway Construction), emphasizing his local track record and need for middle‑income housing. Christy Barrelman noted traffic already problematic at Ridge/Story. Roger Alexander provided density calculations (207 units on 10.7 acres = 58 people/acre vs. 20 in Crestridge) and argued incompatibility. Multiple others echoed traffic, drainage, and property value worries. Brad Emmons (AVI agent) noted a petition triggered a supermajority requirement (eight votes) for the zoning change on third reading.
• CDBG Resolution (Item 12): Dan Dorrse (Habitat for Humanity) urged keeping the grant, citing lack of local replacement funding. Brenda Burkle (My Front Door) asked for more time to retool the program. Julie Gleam (Cheyenne Landlords Association) provided historical figures ($3.9M+ in early decades) and warned against following Casper’s regretted decision. Pastor Steve Gannison shared a personal story of CDBG help after a sewage flood, stressing the program’s importance. Scott Hoversland (online) clarified allocation formulas.

Discussion Items

• Annexation at Ridge Road & Holland Court (Item 7): After public comment, Councilmember Cook moved to approve on second reading, seconded by Seagrave. Several council members supported the annexation as part of the council’s goal to eliminate 65 county pockets. Mayor Collins noted health/safety benefits. Dr. Aldrich stated she would vote for annexation but would decide on zoning later. The ordinance passed on second reading.
• Zoning Change to NR3 for Same Property (Item 8): The Public Services Committee had no recommendation (motion to approve failed). Councilmember Cook moved to approve; seconded by Royble. Extensive debate followed. City Engineer Cobb reviewed the traffic study (Level of Service D at Story/Ridge) and noted ongoing discussions about limiting Holland Court to fire access only. Developer Jason Stephen offered to cap building heights at two stories within 120 feet of the west property line to mitigate visual impact, but emphasized that single‑family homes were not financially feasible. Dr. Aldrich, Escabel, Rennie, and Layborn opposed the zoning due to density, traffic, and compatibility. The motion passed on second reading (6–4). The final (third) reading will require a supermajority if the petition is certified.
• Annexation and Zoning – Southwest Drive/I‑80 (Items 9 & 10): No public comment. Councilmember Cook moved to approve both on second reading. Passed.
• Street Vacation – West 19th Street (Item 11): No public comment. Moved and approved on second reading.
• CDBG Resolution (Item 12): Councilmember Royble moved to adopt the resolution (i.e., decline the CDBG entitlement). The Finance Committee had no recommendation. Dr. Rennie questioned whether oversight could be improved; Ms. Smith explained HUD’s two‑year review lag and eligibility risks. Councilmember White noted Casper’s city manager said they do not regret relinquishing the grant. Dr. Aldrich urged voting no, arguing the program can be revamped within the current five‑year cycle. Layborn stressed that no public speaker supported ending the grant and warned of lost services. The motion to adopt failed (3–6? Actually the recorded no votes were White, Cook, Aldrich, Rennie, Royble, Layborn – six opposed; the three ayes were likely Johnson, Seagrave, and one other). The resolution was rejected, meaning the city will retain its CDBG entitlement status.
• MOU for Law Enforcement Assistance (Item 20a): Councilmember Royble moved to approve; seconded by White. Dr. Aldrich offered a substitute to ensure compliance with state billing statutes. The substitute was approved, then the main motion carried as amended.
• Cemetery Irrigation Bid (Item 22a): Councilmember Royble moved to approve the $2,068,800 bid from Cheeney Landscaping. Layborn and White spoke in favor, noting the project used voter‑approved funds and included low‑water grass options. Approved.
• Appointments (Items 23a, 23b): Robert Jarosh appointed as Administrative Hearing Officer for a contested‑case hearing. Robin Bocanegra appointed to the Housing and Community Development Advisory Council. Both approved.

Key Outcomes

• Annexation of Ridge Road/Holland Court property approved on second reading (final reading scheduled for three weeks).
• Zoning change to NR3 approved on second reading (6‑4). Third reading will require a supermajority if a petition is certified (29% of adjacent residents signed).
• CDBG entitlement grant retained – the resolution to decline it failed (6 opposed, 3–4 in favor). The city will continue the program for at least the current five‑year cycle.
• Police pay plan update approved on third and final reading.
• MOU with Cheyenne Police Department and Laramie Police Department approved as amended for extraterritorial assistance.
• Cemetery irrigation replacement project awarded to Cheeney Landscaping for $2,068,800.
• Street vacation, Southwest Drive annexation, and related zoning all approved on second reading.
• Two appointments confirmed.
• Council went into executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss union negotiations and property acquisition (no votes taken).