Cheyenne City Council Meeting - July 9, 2024
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Cheyenne City Council Meeting - July 9, 2024
Note: The meeting agenda and raw transcript indicate a meeting date of July 8, 2024, but the user-provided date for the summary is July 9, 2024. This summary uses the user-provided date as instructed.
The Cheyenne City Council met on July 9, 2024, to handle routine consent items, hear public comments, advance zoning and parking ordinances, make appointments, receive an update on the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) plan, and discuss community events. Councilmember Johnson voted against the consent agenda. The meeting adjourned after miscellaneous announcements.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes from the June 24, 2024 regular meeting.
- Approved a resolution to apply for federal Transportation Alternatives Program funding for a Greenway path from Sun Valley Open Space to Kiwanis Community Park.
- Adopted a resolution supporting the Cheyenne Regional Airport Board’s application for FAA funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for air traffic control tower rehabilitation.
- Referred (to Public Services Committee) a resolution certifying compliance for the annexation of the "North Range Business Park" and a resolution supporting inclusion of property in the Downtown Development District.
- Approved a utility easement to Black Hills Energy, a Memorandum of Understanding with Cheyenne Frontier Days for 2024 activities, and referred to Finance Committee a Minimum Revenue Guarantee Payment Agreement with CRAFT, Juvenile Housing Agreement with Laramie County, a prisoner housing contract, an improvement agreement with Brakes Plus, and a land lease with Swan Ranch Cheyenne Rail.
- Approved Contract Modification #1 for the Cheyenne Transmission, Pump Station and Tank 2020 Project.
- Approved Bid #S-25-24 for Norris Viaduct Lighting Modifications & I-180 Pedestrian Bridge Lighting Project (not to exceed $181,249.20).
- Referred to Finance Committee bids for Miscellaneous Concrete Project, Epoxy Striping, and two waste handling dozers for the Landfill.
- Councilmember Johnson voted "no" on the consent agenda (all other members voted "aye").
Public Comments & Testimony
- Matt Hanger (owner/manager, Netford apartment complex on 18th Street) expressed concern about the potential loss of seven on-street parking spaces in front of his building. He stated these spots are valuable to tenants and asked about the process for business outreach when a paid parking district is established.
- Marin Stahl (Cheyenne resident) requested the city support creation of a bronze statue of Steamboat, the iconic horse associated with Cheyenne Frontier Days. She noted no statue exists despite many others in the city, and she offered to help form a fundraising committee. The Mayor noted that past statues were donor-funded and suggested raising $35,000–$40,000; Councilmember Johnson recommended contacting Harvey DeSelms for cost estimates and referenced the ongoing Vernon Baker statue fundraising ($30,817 raised so far).
Discussion Items
Ordinance #6 (3rd Reading) – Zoning Map Amendment
- Owner‑initiated zone change for 4.07 acres at Cheyenne Street and Ridge Road from Mixed-Use Business (MUB) to Community Business (CB) for a car wash. No public comment. Approved unanimously on third and final reading.
Ordinance #7 (2nd Reading) – Parking Violation Appeal Procedures
- Amend code to modify administrative review of parking citations. No public comment. Approved on second reading.
Ordinance #8 (2nd Reading) – Paid On-Street Parking Districts
- Establishes a framework for paid on-street parking districts. Public comment from Matt Hanger (see above). Council discussion included:
- Councilmember Laybourn emphasized the need to maximize space, accommodate downtown residents, and ensure proper delineation of parking spaces. He asked Police Captain David James about funding for maintaining markings. Captain James replied that paid parking revenues could fund such maintenance.
- Councilmember Aldridge proposed an amendment to change the central business district boundaries (defined in code) from 20th Street to 24th Street north and from Evans Avenue to Warren Avenue east. After debate, the amendment failed (only Councilmember Aldridge voted yes).
- The main motion to approve the ordinance on second reading passed.
DDA Plan of Development Update
- Kylie Doram, DDA Administrator (in role three months), reported on the $108,000 contract with Logan Simpson to consolidate prior DDA plans. Three public questionnaires have been deployed, with over 700 online responses and hundreds at outreach events. Upcoming work sessions: August 9 (property/business owners) and August 13 (planning commission/DDA board). Adoption hearings are scheduled January to March 2025.
- Councilmembers asked about sidewalk committee progress (pilot program for three priority areas) and requested regular briefings. Councilmember Laybourn indicated he would circulate a memo about the DDA board‑consultant relationship and stressed the need for specific, actionable deliverables.
Appointments & Other Business
- Jennifer Godonis appointed to Cheyenne Housing Authority Board.
- Scott Homar, Jason Wasserburger, and Nate Nicholas appointed as municipal court magistrate hearing judges.
- Voucher report was accepted.
- Council announced the July 22, 2024 meeting will be held at noon (instead of 6 p.m.) in Council Chambers.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved (Mr. Johnson dissenting).
- Ordinance #6 (zone change) approved on third reading (unanimous).
- Ordinance #7 (parking appeals) approved on second reading (voice vote).
- Ordinance #8 (paid parking framework) approved on second reading after an amendment failed. The amendment to narrow the central business district boundaries (24th St north, Warren Ave east) was rejected (1‑8).
- Appointments of Godonis and the three magistrate judges approved (voice votes).
- DDA update received; staff to provide council with timeline and summaries of upcoming work sessions.
- Councilmember Laybourn’s memo regarding the DDA board‑consultant relationship to be circulated.
- Announcement: July 22 meeting rescheduled to noon.
- No further actions taken on the Steamboat statue request; Mayor advised resident to form a fundraising committee.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to call the July 8th meeting of the governing body to order. Madam Clerk, would you take the roll? Mr. White. Present. Dr. Aldridge. Present. Mayor Collins. Present. Mr. Cook. Here. Mr. Escobel. Here. Mr. Johnson. Present. Mr. Layborn. Dr. Rinney. Present. Mr. Royble. And Mr. Seagrave. Present. One member is absent, Mayor. We do have a quorum. Would you all join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic Court, which is standard one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Next item is number four, consent agenda. All agenda items listed with the designation of CA are considered to be routine items by the governing body and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a member of the governing body so request and support by two other members is received. Any item removed from the consent agenda will be considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. All right. Is there any item a member of this governing body would like to remove from the consent agenda? Hearing none, I would entertain a motion. So second. Mr. Seagrave, seconded by Mr. Escobel. All those in favor of the consent agenda, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed.
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