Cheyenne City Council Meeting – June 10, 2024

The Cheyenne City Council held its regular meeting on June 10, 2024, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. All ten council members were present (Mayor Collins, Mr. Seagrave, Mr. White, Dr. Aldridge, Mr. Cook, Mr. Escabel, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Leborne, Dr. Rennie, Mr. Royble). The council addressed a full agenda including public hearings, multiple ordinances on second and third readings, resolutions, and other business.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved with three items removed for separate discussion: Item 17 (Jolly Rogers Urban Renewal Plan resolution, removed by Dr. Aldridge), Item 16 (Vision Zero resolution, removed by Mr. Leborne), and Item 20F (Three Alleyway design contract, removed by Mr. Royble). All other routine items were approved en bloc, including minutes, the discharge of uncollectible debts, several professional services agreements (FTA transit grant, passenger rail station study, Johnson Pool design, Saddle Ridge playground, and the Three Alleyway project), grant agreements, contract modifications, bids, and various resolutions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jolly Rogers Urban Renewal Plan (Item 6B): Kathy Schaefer, a resident of College and Dell Range, expressed strong concern about increased school crowding and traffic dangers, particularly at the College/Dell Range intersection, citing multiple accidents. Mark Christianson (agent for applicant, AVIPC) stated the plan would develop 194 residential units in two four-story buildings on 11 acres, using tax increment financing to cover a financial gap. He noted that a neighborhood meeting was planned to address neighbor concerns. Council members answered questions about school capacity and traffic.
• Towing Ordinance (Item 8): Nick Winkler (Winkler Brothers Towing) spoke in favor of the ordinance but urged raising the required acceptance rate from 50% to 75-80% for safety reasons and suggested adding a one-year-in-business requirement for rotation list eligibility.
• Critical Traffic Control Areas (Item 13): Bonnie Cruz and Cheryl Steele (residents of the Point twin homes on Gardenia) presented a petition with 31 signatures calling for Gardenia Avenue to be designated a critical traffic control area to address speeding and safety. Kathy Schaefer again spoke about the dangerous intersection of College and Dell Range, asking for jurisdictional clarity and citing increased development.
• Other Business: Rod Stone, a plaintiff in the Thomas Heights flooding lawsuit, voiced frustration over delays in implementing drainage improvements promised in a settlement. He stated the plans were supposed to be finalized by January 2024 but were not yet out for bid. City Engineering Director Tom Cobb assured him that all approvals (Wyoming DOT right-of-way, Laramie County) were secured, final plan adjustments were imminent, and construction would begin in the fall with the pipeline installed first, meeting the settlement deadline.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 7 – Water and Sewer Rate Increase (3rd Reading): Finance committee recommended approval. Dr. Rennie explained the need for rates to fund pipe replacement (120 miles of clay pipe, 8,000 lead services) and maintained water quality. Mr. Seagrave noted annual reviews prevent large spikes. The ordinance passed 9-1 (Dr. Aldridge dissenting).
• Ordinance 8 – Towing and Wrecker Operations (3rd Reading): Public Services committee recommended approval with an amendment (substitute dated June 3, 2024) requiring a review every four years. The amendment passed on a voice vote (Dr. Rennie opposed). Captain James answered questions about licensing and police chief approval. The main ordinance passed 9-1 (Mr. Cook dissenting).
• Ordinance 9 – City Budget Appropriation (3rd Reading): Unanimously approved (10-0) for fiscal year July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
• Ordinance 10 – Police Department Employment Terms (2nd Reading): Unanimously approved on second reading.
• Ordinance 11 – Temporary Use Permit Minimum (2nd Reading): Unanimously approved.
• Ordinance 12 – Child Care Requirements (2nd Reading): Mr. Leborne recused himself due to a perceived conflict of interest. The ordinance passed unanimously on second reading.
• Ordinance 13 – Critical Traffic Control Areas (2nd Reading): Council members praised the citywide approach. Mr. Seagrave, Dr. Aldridge, Mr. Leborne, Mr. Cook, and Mr. Johnson spoke in support, noting it would help address speeding issues in all wards, especially near schools. Unanimously approved on second reading.
• Item 14 – Zoning Map Amendment (1st Reading): The item (changing from Mixed-Use Business to Community Business on Cheyenne Street and Ridge Road) was referred to the Public Services Committee.
• Item 16 – Vision Zero Resolution: Mr. Leborne spoke of it as a serious commitment, not just aspirational. Dr. Rennie noted it qualifies the city for federal grants (~$200,000) requiring a local match (city $37,500, county ~$17,500). Mr. Cook agreed it is a necessary step for funding. Adopted unanimously.
• Item 20E – Land Purchase for Fire Station: Approved with an amendment to correct the legal description (substitute dated May 23, 2024). Mr. White inquired about financing; Mayor Collins explained the Public Safety Infrastructure Fee fund holds $1.5 million for such purchases. Approved unanimously.
• Item 20F – Cheyenne Three Alleyway Project Design Contract: Dr. Aldridge requested removal to discuss adding a fourth alley (16th-17th between Central and Warren). Engineering Director Cobb stated he would assess costs via a change order, preferring to add rather than replace. The contract was approved, with the understanding that the fourth alley would be brought back for council approval.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Water/Sewer rates passed 9-1.
  • Towing ordinance passed 9-1.
  • Budget, Police pay, Temporary use, Child care, Critical traffic control all passed unanimously (with one recusal on child care).
  • Vision Zero resolution adopted unanimously.
  • Land purchase approved unanimously.
  • Alleyway design contract approved.
• Public hearings were held for the FY2025 budgets and the Jolly Rogers urban renewal plan; no further action was required on these hearings.
• Referrals: The Jolly Rogers Urban Renewal Plan (Item 17) and the zoning map amendment (Item 14) were referred to the Public Services Committee; the Vision Zero resolution (Item 16) was adopted without referral.
• Next Steps: City staff committed to completing final adjustments on the Thomas Heights drainage plans within weeks, bidding the project, and beginning construction by fall 2024. The DDA sidewalk program will move forward with a performance contract and a collaborative outreach letter. A subcommittee meeting is scheduled within two weeks to finalize the program.