Cheyenne City Council Meeting - February 12, 2024

The Cheyenne City Council met on February 12, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at 2101 O'Neil Avenue. Mayor Collins presided, with all council members present. The meeting covered multiple third-readings, a second-reading, and other items, including annexations, zone changes, a final plat, contracts, and bids. The council approved a consent agenda with two removals, passed several ordinances, postponed a final plat and a contract modification, and approved a restroom renovation bid.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the January 22, 2024 regular meeting.
• Adopted Resolution supporting the Cheyenne Soccer Club's indoor soccer complex at North Cheyenne Community Park.
• Approved Resolution sponsoring Bison Beverage for Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo events (2024 and 2025).
• Approved Resolution requesting Wyoming State Legislature consider legislation allowing sale of alcoholic beverages with 5% ABV at grocery and convenience stores.
• Approved Resolution regarding the Cowboy Solar Project, authorizing the Mayor to pursue impact assistance funds.
• Approved Resolution for the Wyoming Division of Victim Services Funding Application for SFY 2025 and 2026.
• Approved Contract Modification #1 to Contract #7717 (TDSi) for Gymnastics Facility Site Development, adding $109,500.
• Approved Contract Modification #1 to Contract #7728 (AVI) for Dell Range Design Services, adding $38,515.
• Referred Contract Modification #3 to Contract #6798 (Trihydro Corporation) for Happy Jack Landfill monitoring to the Finance Committee.
• Referred Bid #S-7-24 (JTL Group d/b/a Knife River) for the Airport Parkway Project to the Finance Committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jim Ridgeway (3615 Moore Avenue) addressed the council under Other Business. He questioned the parking debt collection process, suggesting that license plate readers could be used in parking lots of hospitals, schools, and other public facilities. He also asked about water debt owed by the South Side Water District, noting that usage had increased by 100 million gallons over a decade. He expressed concern about the city's water conservation efforts versus the installation of sod at the new fire station on Converse Avenue. He discussed the issue of veteran banners on city property, arguing that the city's reluctance due to potential First Amendment challenges was inconsistent with other public art and naming policies (e.g., the Du Bois Park naming and the bronze statue at 23rd and Carey). He also raised concerns about a promotion at 307 Hatchet House involving alcohol and a hatchet-throwing event targeting ex-spouses. Mayor Collins and Police Chief responded to the parking debt and banner questions, explaining liability concerns and the city's approach.

Discussion Items

• Ordinances on Third Reading (Items 6-12): All annexations and zone changes were approved unanimously. These included:
  • Annexation of 9.39 acres northeast of Douglas Street and Ridge Road (Item 6) and zoning AR Agricultural Residential (Item 7).
  • Annexation of 29.61 acres east of Converse Avenue and south of Storey Boulevard (Item 8) and zoning AG and LR (Item 9).
  • Zone change from AG and LR to CB and MR for land east of Converse Avenue and south of Storey Boulevard (Item 10).
  • Zone change from NB to CB for land southeast of Dell Range Boulevard and Bluegrass Circle (Item 11) to accommodate a drive-through coffee shop.
  • Zone change from MUB to CB for land north of Pershing Boulevard between McCann Avenue and College Drive (Item 12) to accommodate a new auto repair business.
• Ordinance on Second Reading (Item 13): Amended Ordinance No. 4431 regarding council compensation. Councilman Escobel explained the changes were cleanup to align terminology with state statute (e.g., changing "per diem" to "pro rata" for partial month payments). Councilman Johnson asked about the ordinance's non-codified status. The council approved the second reading on a voice vote.
• Ordinances on First Reading (Items 14 & 15): Both were referred to the Finance Committee without discussion. Item 14 would eliminate jail sentences for certain code violations; Item 15 would create a public defender appointment procedure.
• Final Plat for The Bluffs, 12th Filing (Item 16): This was for property annexed earlier. Staff presented a new condition (Condition B) requiring an auxiliary lane on the south side of Storey Boulevard west of Ogden Road, based on a revised traffic study showing 47 right-turn vehicles per peak hour (exceeding the 25-vehicle threshold in the UDC). The developer, Randy Will, objected to the late notification (4:20 p.m. that day) and requested more time to analyze the cost. The council voted to postpone the plat for two weeks, sending it back to the Public Services Committee.
• Professional Services Agreement (Item 22a): Approved a $122,433 agreement with TDSi for design services for the Cheyenne Depot Museum Improvements Project, funded by the 2021 Specific Purpose Option Tax. Councilman White recused himself. The vote was unanimous.
• Contract Modification #1 (Item 23b): This modification concerned street improvements adjacent to 3618 Charles Street, with a private developer. Councilman Rainey moved to postpone for two weeks, noting that the amendment was not ready at the Public Services Committee meeting. The council voted to postpone.
• Bid for Spiker Parking Garage Restroom Renovation (Item 24a): Accepted the bid from Construction Specialists, Inc. for $269,000, funded by the 2021 Specific Purpose Option Tax. Jason Sanchez (Community Recreation Events) detailed the renovations: ADA-compliant stalls, stainless steel fixtures, new flooring, HVAC, LED lighting, and motion sensors. Councilman Laybourn and others spoke in favor, noting the history of vandalism and the need for downtown improvements. The vote was unanimous.
• Appointments (Items 25a and 25b): Appointed Travis Shaffer to the Contractors Licensing Board and James Fraley to the Laramie County Community Juvenile Services Joint Powers Board. Appointed Pat Crank and Bill Hibbler as Administrative Hearing Officers. Both were approved unanimously.
• Emergency Procurement: Mayor Collins announced an emergency procurement of $215,292 for the Municipal Building boiler replacement, authorized to Ameri-Tech HVAC Services, Inc., due to carbon monoxide issues. Councilman Laybourn expressed concern about the lack of competition and the ongoing investment in the building, questioning whether a decision on the building's future had been made. The Mayor replied that the city is awaiting a spatial analysis and that the boiler replacement was necessary for safety.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved with removals of Items 23b and 24a.
• Annexations and Zone Changes (Items 6-12): All six ordinances passed unanimously on third reading.
• Council Compensation Ordinance (Item 13): Approved on second reading (voice vote).
• First Reading Ordinances (Items 14 & 15): Referred to Finance Committee.
• Final Plat (Item 16): Postponed for two weeks to allow developer and staff to resolve the auxiliary lane condition.
• Professional Services Agreement (Item 22a): Approved ($122,433).
• Contract Modification (Item 23b): Postponed to February 26, 2024.
• Spiker Garage Restroom Bid (Item 24a): Approved ($269,000).
• Appointments: Approved.
• Next Meetings: Finance Committee meets Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at noon; Public Services Committee meets Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at noon, both in Room 104, due to the President's Day holiday.
• Public Hearings: A public hearing for liquor license renewals is scheduled for February 26, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.