Cheyenne City Council Meeting - April 22, 2024

On April 22, 2024, the Cheyenne City Council convened at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting covered a public hearing on the CDBG Annual Action Plan, numerous second-reading ordinances (zoning changes and annexations), first-reading ordinance referrals, final plat approvals, a professional services contract for the 15th Street Master Plan, a liquor license transfer, and council member announcements. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of the April 8, 2024, regular meeting approved.
• Resolution adopting the Cheyenne/Laramie County Emergency Operations Plan adopted.
• Resolution approving water/sewer outside user agreement for Robert GrandPre referred to Public Services Committee.
• Improvement Agreement with DB Cheyenne, LLC (cash-in-lieu for turn lane) referred to Finance Committee.
• Professional Services Agreement with Univerus, Inc. for Sanitation Rerouting and Optimization referred to Finance Committee.
• Contract Modification #2 (Sunrise Engineering, 7th Street Drainage) referred to Finance Committee.
• Contract Modification #1 (Richardson Construction, Gymnastics Facility) referred to Finance Committee.
• Purchase for Atmos Technologies daily cover at Happy Jack Landfill approved ($270,000).
• Bid #S-2-24 Surface Seal Project #1 with Asphalt Preservation, LLC approved ($1,791,141).
• Bid #E-14-24 dumpsters with Kois Brothers Equipment approved ($78,360).
• Bid #E-15-24 hot mix/tack oil/cold mix with JTL Group and Simon Contractors approved ($453,150).
• Bid #S-12-24 Overlay #1 with JTL Group referred to Finance Committee.
• Bid #S-13-24 Overlay #2 with Simon Contractors referred to Finance Committee.
• Bid #S-15-24 Surface Seal #2 with Asphalt Preservation, LLC referred to Finance Committee.
• Retail liquor license transfer (location) for Scooters Scoreboard Bar approved (507 E. Lincolnway to 619 E. Lincolnway).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing – CDBG Annual Action Plan (Program Year 2024): Amy Gorby (Community Development Manager) presented the plan. Recommended allocations: Public Service — $18,000 Equal Justice Wyoming Foundation (legal services), $10,000 Safe House Services (victims assistance), $17,000 Safe House Services (utility assistance), $20,000 Needs Inc. (food pantry); General Service — $88,000 Habitat for Humanity (home rehabilitation), $299,029 (acquisition/rehabilitation); Administration — $89,602. Three public speakers expressed support:

  • Dan Dorsch (Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Laramie County) thanked the council and noted prior CDBG funding had helped low-income homeowners; he described a current rehab project on E. 10th Street for a single mother and her daughter.
  • Angie Dorsch (Executive Director, Equal Justice Wyoming Foundation) explained the program provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals, including domestic violence victims and housing stability.
  • Kristen Aaron Balderis (Executive Director, Needs Inc. Food Pantry) reported that demand for food assistance is at an all-time high and thanked the council for critical support.

• Final Plat – Sunrise Hills North Subdivision, 3rd Filing: Two residents voiced concerns:

  • Elizabeth Stabel (Thomas Road) requested assurances that proper drainage would prevent water seepage into homes; she referenced a prior discussion about a geophysical study and asked about the depth of a planned retention pond.
  • Rebecca Murchy (Thomas Road) objected to increasing from 7 to 12 lots, arguing the resulting home prices ($450,000–$475,000) did not constitute affordable housing; she also raised drainage concerns and noted the original plan for seven lots was more appropriate.
  • Mark Christensen (applicant representative) explained that the replat would use the same infrastructure for more homes, and that drainage plans include a detention pond designed for twice the 100-year event capacity; an engineering plan review is underway.
  • Dan Dorsch (Vice Chair, Affordable Housing Task Force) spoke in support, citing recent zoning changes enabling increased housing supply.

• Final Plat – Carey Cottages:

  • Brandon Swain (developer) described dividing one infill lot into four cottage-style townhome lots, noting the project requires administrative relief for attached garages and parking.
  • Dan Dorsch spoke in support, highlighting creative infill to address housing needs.

• Professional Services Agreement – 15th Street Master Plan: No public speakers.

• Retail Liquor License Transfer (ownership) – Lamp Lounge:

  • John Coverdale (representing Wyoming Pipe Dreams, Inc.) stated the goal is a bar and package store serving food, not a dance club; he projected increased sales of about $500,000 in the first year, planned to retain existing staff, and noted extensive renovations to bring the building up to code. He answered council questions about economic development, insurance, and future patio plans.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance – 2nd Reading (Items 7–13): All passed unanimously:

  • Item 7: Zone change from MUB to CB (auto repair business).
  • Item 8: Annexation of High Plains Road (servicing High Plains Business Park and Cosmo Data Center).
  • Item 9: Annexation of 9.23 acres east of Saratoga St.
  • Item 10: Zoning of annexed land as AR Agricultural Residential.
  • Item 11: Annexation of 1.6 acres at 4204 Dell Range Blvd.
  • Item 12: Zoning of annexed land at 4204 Dell Range Blvd. as MR Medium Density Residential.
  • Item 13: Zone change for Cheyenne Ice & Events Center (1530 W. Lincolnway) from CB to P Public District. Councilmember Johnson noted that other city properties may need similar rezonings.

• Ordinances – 1st Reading (Items 14–19): All referred to committees:

  • Item 14: Define/revise accessory building regulations → Public Services.
  • Item 15: Zone change to Light Industrial west of Burlington Trail → Public Services.
  • Item 16: Sign incentives and creative sign program elimination → Public Services.
  • Item 17: Allow up to three stories for dwellings → Public Services.
  • Item 18: Solid waste fee schedule update → Finance.
  • Item 19: Dockless vehicle license terms → Finance.

• Resolution – Final Plat Carey Cottages (Item 21): Motion to adopt with staff recommendations (including relief for street access and setback, utility easement, and sidewalk). Approved unanimously.

• Resolution – Final Plat Sunrise Hills North Subdivision, 3rd Filing (Item 22): Discussion focused on drainage concerns, lot sizes (averaging ~6,600 sq ft, larger than adjacent lots), and phased development. City Engineer Seth Cobb clarified that only 10 of 12 lots can be developed initially due to detention requirements until a regional facility is completed (expected fall 2024). Motion to adopt with exception for maximum block size; passed 8-1 (Mr. Labourne opposed).

• Professional Services Agreement – 15th Street Master Plan (Item 25A): The original motion proposed funding from the 2019-2022 Optional 1% Sales Tax. Councilmember White moved to amend the funding source to General Reserves ($153,005). Debate ensued over prior planning costs and whether sixth-penny downtown funds could be used; City Attorney Boster opined the plan could fit under proposition 10 but council chose reserves. The amendment passed 8-2? Actually counted: ayes on amendment: