Cheyenne City Council Meeting - July 22, 2024

The Cheyenne City Council met on July 22, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting covered routine consent items, two ordinances on third reading, several contracts and leases, and public comments. Key actions included approval of a framework for paid on-street parking districts and a pedestrian improvement agreement with Brakes Plus. A member of the public raised concerns about code enforcement procedures.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the July 8, 2024 regular meeting were approved.
• Ordinance (3rd Reading) amending Section 10.16.150 (Parking Violation Hearings) was approved.
• Resolution certifying compliance for annexation of North Range Business Park (I-80/Roundtop Road) was adopted.
• Resolution supporting submission of a petition to the Downtown Development Authority for property inclusion was adopted.
• Resolution supporting the Clean Crow Creek Initiative was referred to the Public Services Committee.
• Resolution amending the 2023 Program Year Annual Action Plan was referred to the Finance Committee.
• Resolution authorizing a $4 million loan application (Wyoming Drinking Water State Revolving Fund) for the Hypochlorite Generation Project was referred to the Finance Committee.
• Leases/Contracts:
  • Minimum Revenue Guaranteed Payment Agreement with CRAFT (FY2025) approved at $400,000.
  • Juvenile Housing Agreement with Laramie County approved.
  • Prisoner Housing Contract with Laramie County Sheriff’s Department approved.
  • Contract for probation/diversion services (Office of Youth Alternatives) referred to Finance Committee.
  • Contract for Juvenile Crisis Shelter services referred to Finance Committee.
• Contract Modification #1 for the Cheyenne Transmission, Pump Station and Tank 2020 Project approved.
• Bids:
  • Bid #S-17-24 (2024 Miscellaneous Concrete Project) to Miller & Sons Construction, Inc. accepted at $835,089.40.
  • Bid #S-23-24 (2024 Epoxy Striping Project) to Streamline Markings accepted at $198,921.00.
  • Bid #E-21-24 (Low Ground Pressure Dozer, 42,000 lb) to Wyoming Machinery Company accepted at $593,506.00.
  • Bid #E-22-24 (Low Ground Pressure Dozer, 50,000 lb) to Wyoming Machinery Company accepted at $820,267.00.
  • Bid #E-18-24 (SCBA Compressors) referred to Finance Committee.
  • Bid #S-29-24 (Vandehei Repair and Restoration) referred to Finance Committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jared Schaefer (Taft Avenue, speaking as a community member, not as media) expressed opposition to the paid on-street parking ordinance (Item 7). He argued that employees would be penalized by having to pay for parking while working downtown. He estimated that at $1/hour for three hours per day, he would pay $720 per year, reducing his ability to spend on local businesses. He urged the council to develop a plan that does not penalize employees.
• Dan Brown (4100 Rio Verde) spoke on behalf of Cheryl Perkins, who received a nuisance violation for vehicles with expired tags. He alleged that Code Enforcement Officer Denton towed a vehicle without a warrant and without due process, despite the homeowner having removed the offending vehicles. He requested that the city review the definition of nuisance (specifically the seven-day expiration rule) and provide a pre-towing hearing or referee process.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 7 (Paid On-Street Parking Districts): The council considered a substitute motion (dated July 10, 2024) to add a violation section. Councilmember Escobel expressed hope that a permit system would be developed so downtown businesses could provide permits for employees, avoiding penalties. Councilmember Cook agreed, noting the potential impact on employees. Dr. Aldrich clarified that the ordinance only creates an administrative framework; no decisions have been made on cost, zones, or eliminating free two-hour parking. Mr. Seagrave argued that street parking is intended for customers, not employees, and that long-term parking should be in garages. The ordinance passed on third reading as amended.
• Item 13d (Improvement Agreement with Brakes Plus): City Engineer Tom Cobb explained that the agreement allows Brakes Plus to install a pedestrian access (cash-in-lieu of road improvements) to connect the north neighborhood to King Soopers, rather than building half a road. The city will hold the funds for future street paving (planned after 2028). Councilmember Rennie confirmed that the pedestrian access provides a safe route. The agreement was approved.
• Item 13e (Land Lease with Swan Ranch Cheyenne Rail): Mayor Collins explained that the lease replaces a prior railcar storage agreement after the property was sold. The city stores donated railcars for the 15th Street project while they are being remediated. The lease was approved.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 6 (Parking Violation Hearings) approved on third reading (unanimous voice vote).
• Ordinance 7 (Paid On-Street Parking Districts) approved on third reading as amended (unanimous voice vote on the substitute and main motion).
• Improvement Agreement with Brakes Plus approved (unanimous voice vote).
• Land Lease with Swan Ranch Cheyenne Rail approved (unanimous voice vote, with Dr. Aldridge noted as voting no).
• Public Hearings Announced: August 12, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. for a liquor license transfer (307 Racing Management) and two annexation compliance hearings (8.80 acres west of Converse Ave/north of Dell Range Blvd; 0.035 acres east of US 30/north of E. Pershing Blvd).
• Councilmembers expressed thanks to departments for street improvements (Frontier Day, Heinz Blvd, VA cemetery road) and to staff for the community picnic.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 12:30 p.m. (noted as "Military Monday" with a rodeo event).