Cheyenne City Council Meeting – May 22, 2023

This regular meeting of the Cheyenne City Council began at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The Council approved the consent agenda, conducted second readings of the FY2024 budget and ordinances on water/sewer rates, a zoning change, and the Major Street Plan update, handled an emergency sewer service agreement, and made appointments to city boards. The meeting also featured recognition of the 2022-2023 Mayor’s Youth Council.

Recognition

• The Council expressed appreciation for the 2022-2023 Mayor’s Youth Council (21 members). Chair Elizabeth Stump delivered the State of the Youth Address, highlighting activities including a ropes course, a holiday event at Cheyenne Children’s Village, tours of the water treatment plant and public safety building, volunteering at Youth Day of Giving, and a scavenger hunt. The mayor and council members presented certificates to each youth council participant.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (all items marked [CA]):
  • Minutes of the May 8, 2023 regular meeting.
  • Resolution for final plat of Stadium View Addition, 4th Filing.
  • Resolution approving the FY2024 budget for the Cheyenne Regional Airport Board.
  • Resolution to join Wyoming CLASS for pooled fund investment.
  • Resolution supporting the Airport Board’s federal grant application for a passenger boarding bridge.
  • Resolution approving the FY2024 budget for the Cheyenne Downtown Development Authority (referred to Finance Committee).
  • Resolution approving water service outside user agreement for Ironhorse 3rd Filing (referred to Public Services Committee).
  • Memorandum of Understanding with Cheyenne Regional Medical Center and American Medical Response for community paramedicine.
  • Professional Services Agreement with Terracon Consultants for landfill leachate system design.
  • Contract Modification #1 with Waste Management for recycling services (extended to April 15, 2024).
  • Renewal of contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming for third-party administrator and health insurance.
  • Renewal of contract with Granular Insurance for stop-loss insurance.
  • Bid acceptances for asphalt and aggregates (Knife River), greenway repair (Reiman Corp.), Lifepak 15 monitor/defibrillator (Stryker), paving machine repair (Power Equipment Company).
  • Referrals to Finance Committee for crack seal project, paint striper unit, trucks, and copier purchases.
  • Approvals of restaurant liquor license for L’Osteria Mondello and extension of operational time for Westby Edge LLC.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Budget (Item 7): No public comments.
• Water/Sewer Rate Increase (Item 8): Brad Brooks, Director of the Board of Public Utilities (BOPU), and Brad Bowen, Administration Manager, presented the need for an 8% water rate increase and 10% sewer rate increase, citing rising costs: 37% increase in chemical costs, 7–20% increase in utility costs, and 10% increase in maintenance costs. The increases are based on annual review by rate consultant FCS.
• Zoning Change (Item 9): Shane Hanson, agent for the owner, explained the request to rezone Lot 29 Block 1 Eastridge from MR (Medium-Density Residential) to MUB (Mixed-Use Business Emphasis) to match adjacent lots. The owner plans to use the property as a rental office for a handicapped-accessible vehicle rental service.
• Emergency Sewer Service (Item 19): Chelsea Myers, property owner at 3730 Rawlins Street, described that the neighbor cut her septic pipes, requiring three pumpings at ~$600 each. She has three children, a significant other, and her grandfather living in the home, and requested immediate relief to connect to city sewer.

Discussion Items

• Budget (Item 7) – Second Reading: The Council considered a package of four amendments. After debate, the following amendments were approved:
  1. Decrease mayor’s capital improvement by $105,000 and increase miscellaneous department capital improvement by the same amount, plus increase state distribution revenue by $23,000 and allocate to capital improvement (total $128,000 for fire station exhaust system).
  2. Increase state distribution revenue by $50,000 and increase nuisance abatement budget by $50,000.
  3. Increase state distribution revenue by $127,280 and increase parks projects budget by $127,280 for parking lot repairs.
  4. A motion to amend (creating ward contingency funds) was amended by an amendment to increase amounts. The amendment to the amendment (raising each ward’s contingency from $20,000 to $61,485) failed 4-4 (Councilmembers Seagrave, Roybal, Rainey, and President Johnson opposed; Mayor Collins did not vote). The original amendment (creating $20,000 per ward contingency) then passed (Councilmember Aldrich voted no). The budget as amended was approved on second reading.
• Water/Sewer Rates (Item 8) – Second Reading: Councilmember Escobel noted the city still has about 140 miles of clay pipe and 600–800 lead service lines, justifying the rate increases. The ordinance was approved.
• Zoning Change (Item 9) – Second Reading: Councilmember Seagrave noted that although some neighbors expressed concern at the Planning Commission, no one appeared at the Public Services Committee or the Council meeting. The ordinance was approved.
• Major Street Plan Update (Item 10) – Second Reading: Approved without discussion.
• First Readings (Items 11, 12): Ordinance to amend alcoholic liquor license types referred to Finance Committee; Ordinance creating ethical obligations for public officials referred to Public Services Committee.
• Emergency Sewer Service (Item 19): Mayor Collins referred the resolution to the Public Services Committee for an emergency meeting. The committee heard from staff (Seth Lloyd) and the property owner, then recommended approval. The Council subsequently approved the outside user agreement, allowing immediate connection to city sewer.

Key Outcomes

• Budget approved on second reading as amended (4 amendments adopted; amendment to increase ward contingency to $61,485 failed; $20,000 per ward contingency established).
• Water and sewer rate increases approved (8% water, 10% sewer) effective January 1, 2024.
• Zoning change approved from MR to MUB for Lot 29 Block 1 Eastridge.
• Major Street Plan Official Map updated approved.
• Emergency sewer service outside user agreement approved for property at 3730 Rawlins Street.
• Pipeline easement with Samson Exploration LLC postponed to June 12, 2023 meeting.
• Appointments confirmed: John Edwards reappointed to Board of Public Utilities; Merle Smith appointed to Public Transit Board; Heather Foster and Anthony Ortiz appointed to Tourism Promotion Joint Powers Board.
• Public hearings announced for June 12, 2023: retail liquor license for Cloud Nine Restaurant & Bar at Cheyenne Regional Airport; two annexation compliance hearings (2.06 acres at Thomas Road & Ridge Road; 1.69 acres at 4512 Rawlins Street).