Cheyenne City Council Meeting - July 24, 2023

The Cheyenne City Council met on July 24, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. in Council Chambers to consider a range of ordinances, resolutions, and contracts. Key actions included approving a camping ordinance amendment with a curfew, advancing a zoning change for a data center, and authorizing two ARPA grant applications. The meeting lasted approximately 30 minutes.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda (items designated [CA]) with the exception of Item 20B (Compost Facility Waste Hauling Bid), which was removed at the request of Dr. Rinne. The consent agenda included: minutes of July 10, 2023; resolutions certifying a land use map amendment, expressing support for state reconsideration of animal control district, cannabis decriminalization, and waterwise landscaping; directing staff to report on a detention pond; and several contracts/bids (Summit Engineering for greenway connector, prisoner housing, Safe Routes to School plan, youth crisis shelter, Christmas light design, Harmony Valley development agreement, Rotary Park donation, and bids for transfer station lift station). All were approved by unanimous voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dan Dorse, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Laramie County, expressed support for Item 13 (ARPA grant for land acquisition on 15th Street for low-income housing). He stated that housing is a critical issue and the acquisition would add housing stock to the community.

Discussion Items

Item 6: Camping in Public Places Ordinance (3rd Reading)

• Councilman Cook moved to amend the ordinance by a substitute dated July 17, 2023, which changed the proposed absolute ban on camping to a curfew from midnight to 5:00 a.m. The substitute passed 10-1, with Councilman Johnson voting no. Councilman Laybourn noted the neighborhood’s involvement and that police approved the approach. The main motion was then approved on third reading as amended, with the same vote tally (10-1).

Item 7: Zoning Map Amendment (2nd Reading)

• The ordinance changes zoning from HI Heavy Industrial, AG Agricultural, and County A-2 to LI Light Industrial for land west of Burlington Trail and south of HR Ranch Road, to support a data center development. Approved unanimously on second reading.

Item 8: Police Employment Terms (1st Reading)

• Ordinance defining terms and conditions of employment for sworn officers for FY2023-2024. Referred to the Finance Committee.

Item 9: Conflict of Interest Policy (1st Reading)

• Ordinance creating a conflict of interest policy for city employees. Referred to the Public Services Committee.

Item 10: Neglected Structure Ordinance (1st Reading)

• Ordinance adding a neglected structure section to historic design guidelines. Referred to the Public Services Committee.

Item 12: BPU ARPA Grant for Drinking Water Disinfection

• Resolution supporting the Board of Public Utilities’ application for $4,463,000 from the Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) to convert from chlorine gas to sodium hypochlorite. Approved unanimously.

Item 13: ARPA Grant for Low-Income Housing Land Acquisition

• Resolution authorizing submission of an ARPA grant application to SLIB for $2.7 acres of blighted property on 15th Street, to partner with Habitat for Humanity for affordable housing. Approved unanimously.

Item 14: Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Special Election

• Resolution authorizing a special election on October 18, 2023, for a 20-mill special assessment on non-residential properties within the DDA district for four years. Councilman White moved to amend by substitute dated July 20, 2023, clarifying that the city pays administrative costs and all mill levy dollars stay in the district. The substitute passed unanimously. The main motion as amended was then adopted unanimously.

Item 19B: Intergovernmental Agreement with Laramie County School District #1

• Agreement for joint use of facilities. Councilman White moved to amend by substitute dated July 14, 2023, to standardize a six-month termination clause. The substitute passed unanimously. The main motion as amended was approved.

Item 20B: Compost Facility Waste Hauling Bid

• Bid #E-28-23 from Pine Bluffs Gravel and Excavating (Pine Bluffs, WY) for $112,900 for hauling fire-damaged compost and returning topsoil. Craig Lvoy, Public Works Director, explained that the material from a previous fire cannot be composted and needs to be moved to the landfill, and the returned soil will help with fire suppression. Approved unanimously.

Item 21A: Appointments

• JC Manalo to the Public Transit Board and Justin Huntley to the Housing and Community Development Advisory Council. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Camping ordinance: Approved on third reading as amended (curfew 12 a.m. – 5 a.m.) with a 10-1 vote (Johnson opposed).
• Zoning change: Approved on second reading unanimously.
• BPU ARPA grant: Approved to apply for $4,463,000.
• ARPA housing grant: Approved to apply for land acquisition on 15th Street.
• DDA election: Authorized for October 18, 2023, with a 20-mill assessment for 4 years, as amended.
• School district agreement: Approved with six-month termination clause.
• Compost hauling bid: Accepted at $112,900.
• Appointments: Both approved.
• All items were passed with no recorded opposition except where noted.