Cheyenne City Council Meeting – January 8, 2024

The Cheyenne City Council held a regular meeting on January 8, 2024, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered leadership elections, multiple ordinance readings (including two UDC amendments and a major rewrite of the animal code), public hearings on two annexations, approval of a lawsuit settlement, and other business. Councilman Ken Escobel was elected as Council President and Dr. Rennie as Vice President for 2024.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from December 21, 2023 meeting approved.
• Items 24 (flooding settlement resolution) and 29A (Horse Palace liquor license extension) were removed from the consent agenda and considered separately.
• All other consent items were approved by a single motion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Amber Ash (Director of Strategic Initiatives, Cheyenne Animal Shelter) spoke on the animal code rewrite (Item 11), expressing support for the substitute but raising concerns about stray hold times and requesting a final amendment. She also provided data: 398 community cat surgeries performed at the shelter in 2023, plus additional surgeries by private groups.
• Janet Stevens (Cheyenne Kennel Club) requested an exemption for AKC/UKC dog shows from slaughter restrictions, but it was clarified that those shows are not covered by the livestock/bird provisions.
• Caitlin Wilson (public) asked about restrictions on slaughtering female chickens and neighbor consent requirements. Council explained these were compromises from the original chicken ordinance.
• Steve Lomenez (General Manager, Wyoming Horse Racing) requested a second-year extension for the Horse Palace retail liquor license, citing construction delays due to weather. He reported the building is technically enclosed.

Discussion Items

• Expression of Appreciation to Richard Johnson – Mayor presented a token for Johnson’s 2023 service as Council President.
• Election of Council President (2024) – Councilman Ken Escobel was nominated and elected unanimously.
• Election of Vice President (2024) – Dr. Rennie was nominated and elected unanimously.
• Public Hearings – Annexations (Items 9a & 9b):
  • 9a: 9.39 acres at 5419 Ridge Road. Staff confirmed 100% contiguity, services available, and required notifications sent. No public comment. Hearing closed.
  • 9b: 29.61 acres east of Converse Avenue/south of Storey Boulevard. Staff noted 94.82% contiguity, with southernmost line not contiguous. Notifications compliant. No public comment. Hearing closed.
• Item 10 – UDC Amendment (Urban Loft Windows): Third reading. Substitute amendment (dated Dec 21, 2023) was introduced by Dr. Rennie and adopted (8-2, with Layborn and Seagrave opposed). Main motion then approved on third reading as amended (8-2, same opposed).
• Item 11 – Animal Code Rewrite (Title 6): Second reading. Substitute amendment (dated Jan 2, 2024) was adopted. Extensive discussion on community cat program, stray hold times, and enforcement. The substitute was adopted; main motion approved on second reading (7-2, with Layborn and Aldridge opposed). Item will return for third reading.
• Item 12 – Police Employment Terms: Third reading. Finance committee recommendation to approve. Approved unanimously.
• Items 13-16 – Annexation and Zoning (Polk/Pershing area): Third readings. All approved unanimously.
• Items 17-23 – First Readings: Annexation and zoning map amendments for Ridge Road and Converse/Storey areas, plus zone changes from NB to CB and MUB to CB. All referred to Public Services Committee.
• Item 24 – Flooding Settlement Resolution: Removed from consent. Councilman Layborn spoke in favor, noting lesson learned about HOA-maintained detention facilities and expressing concern over cost. City engineer estimated $350,000 from General Fund Reserves for corrective design. Resolution adopted unanimously.
• Item 29A – Horse Palace Liquor License Extension: Removed from consent. Second-year park status requested. Council approved (8-1, with Cook opposed), with understanding that state statute allows no further extensions.
• Other Business:
  • Dr. Aldridge announced Council & Coffee on Jan 20, 9-11 AM at Dosbog.
  • Councilman Layborn raised concerns about DDA’s qualified audit for FY2022, noting 10 undocumented items. Planning Director Bloom stated auditors identified deficiencies but no evidence of fraud. Layborn called for further review.
  • Councilman Johnson publicized a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity at Railspur on Jan 17.

Key Outcomes

• Council Leadership: Ken Escobel elected President; Dr. Rennie elected Vice President.
• Ordinance Approvals:
  • UDC urban loft window amendment (Item 10) passed on third reading (8-2).
  • Animal code rewrite (Item 11) passed on second reading (7-2); one final amendment to be considered at Public Services Committee.
  • Police employment terms (Item 12) approved unanimously.
  • Three annexation/zoning ordinances (Items 13-15) approved unanimously.
  • Multifamily facade UDC amendment (Item 16) approved unanimously.
• Settlement: Resolution authorizing lawsuit settlement with Stone and Fertig families for Thomas Heights flooding adopted unanimously.
• Liquor License: Horse Palace extension approved (8-1).
• Referrals: Six first-reading ordinances (Items 17-23) referred to Public Services Committee.
• Appointment: Scott Roybal appointed to Downtown Development Authority Board.
• Announcement: Finance Committee (Jan 16, noon) and Public Services Committee (Jan 17, noon) rescheduled due to MLK holiday.