Cheyenne City Council Meeting - October 23, 2023

The Cheyenne City Council met on October 23, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting covered a range of legislative items including ordinances, resolutions, and a contentious memorandum of understanding regarding land donation. Key actions included approval of a wastewater ordinance update, postponement of several items, adoption of a downtown parking study resolution, and rejection of a parkland donation agreement.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda was approved with the removal of Items 11 (annexation resolution) and 12 (downtown parking study) at the request of Councilmembers Seagrave and Labourne. Items approved under consent included:

• Minutes of October 9, 2023
• Resolution certifying Van Buren Corridor Plan and Powderhouse Road Corridor Study as amendments to the Connect 2045 Transportation Plan (referred to Public Services Committee)
• Resolution declaring parts of Ridge and Holland area as blight and authorizing redevelopment (referred to Public Services)
• Various resolutions, contracts, and bid awards as listed in the agenda (Items 14-19, 20a-b, 20d-h, 21b-c, 22a-e)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brad Brooks, Director of the Board of Public Utilities, spoke in support of the wastewater ordinance update (Item 6), thanking the council for clarifying language and noting a substitute was provided dated October 13, 2023.
• Mike White (member of public, not council) asked about the status of the Air Force Base annexation (Item 11). Mayor Collins responded that the base requested a two-week postponement to meet their timeline.
• Mitch Daly, Project Director for NextEra Energy Resources, explained the wind energy lease assignment (Item 13), stating it does not change underlying terms and that a similar exercise was done with the state.
• Jean Vetter, City Parks Planner, expressed concerns about the Saddle Ridge land donation (Item 20c), noting the land does not meet park standards and that maintenance would be a burden. She recommended accepting only the completed greenway portion (Lot 11, Block 3, 16th Filing).
• John Edwards, developer of Saddle Ridge, urged acceptance of the open space parcels (Tracts 1, 2, 3 of 18th Filing), highlighting unique features (sledding, mountain bike trails, views) and stating an HOA with low fees ($12-15/month) would handle maintenance. He acknowledged the city's earlier resolution directed an MOU, not final acceptance.

Discussion Items

• Item 6 – Wastewater Ordinance (3rd Reading): Approved after substituting a clarified version. Councilmember Seagrave noted the substitute addressed concerns raised in committee.
• Item 7 – Mobile Storage Containers (3rd Reading): Postponed to November 13, 2023, at the request of Councilmember White to allow time to communicate with affected business owners.
• Item 8 – Mayor’s Office Staff (2nd Reading): Approved 8-1 (Dr. Aldridge dissenting) clarifying that only the chief of staff is at-will.
• Items 9 & 10 – Zoning Map Change and UDC Facade Design (1st Readings): Referred to Public Services Committee.
• Item 11 – Annexation Resolution: Postponed to November 13, 2023, after the Air Force Base requested a delay.
• Item 12 – Downtown Parking Study Resolution: Adopted after debate. Councilmember Labourne spoke against, calling it a “resolution born of frustration” and noting complexity. Dr. Aldridge supported, citing $250,000 in outstanding parking tickets (32-page list) and a desire to explore privatization. Councilmember Seagrave clarified the resolution simply asks for a study on transitioning to a private contractor. Vote: Ayes – majority; No – Councilmember Labourne.
• Item 13 – Wind Energy Lease Assignment: Adopted unanimously. Councilmember Seagrave noted initial concerns about dual use were resolved.
• Item 20c – Saddle Ridge MOU: After lengthy discussion and staff opposition, the motion failed. Councilmembers White, Dr. Aldridge, Labourne, Cook, and Seagrave voted no. Arguments against included precedent for accepting non-standard park land, difficulty with HOAs (many defunct), and staff recommendations. Councilmember Escobel supported the developer, noting their long history in the community.
• Item 21a – Contract Modification for US 30/Pershing Blvd to Christensen Road: Approved in amount not to exceed $758,206.
• Other Business: Councilmember White praised the Downtown Culinary Experience; Councilmember Seagrave thanked property owners for renewing the DDA mill levy; Dr. Aldridge thanked Councilmember Labourne and others for DDA efforts; Councilmember Labourne announced a public meeting on the Reed Avenue corridor for October 26, 5-7 p.m. at the library.

Key Outcomes

• Wastewater ordinance (Item 6) approved on third reading as amended by substitute dated October 13, 2023. Vote: unanimous.
• Mobile storage container ordinance (Item 7) postponed to November 13, 2023.
• Mayor’s office staff ordinance (Item 8) approved on second reading (8-1).
• Annexation resolution (Item 11) postponed to November 13, 2023.
• Downtown parking study resolution (Item 12) adopted (one vote against).
• Wind energy lease assignment (Item 13) adopted unanimously.
• Saddle Ridge MOU (Item 20c) rejected – motion failed with 5 no votes.
• Contract modification for US 30 project (Item 21a) approved in amount not to exceed $758,206.
• Executive session held for land purchase and legal issues, after which the meeting adjourned.

All votes and next steps are as recorded in the transcript.