Cheyenne City Council Meeting – November 12, 2024

The Cheyenne City Council met on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers (Municipal Building, 2101 O’Neil Avenue). The 10‑member council (two absent) acted on four public hearings, several ordinances (including third‑readings), a series of annexation and zoning items, resolutions, and multiple contracts. The meeting lasted approximately three hours and included an executive session near the end.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (with three items pulled for separate discussion):
  • Minutes of October 28, 2024
  • Resolutions (Nos. 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28) – acknowledging Rotary Park Master Plan, repealing/replacing Innovation Council rules, discharging uncollectible debts, certifying a land‑use map change, directing a drainage study, and designating a paid on‑street parking district for downtown.
  • Contract modifications (Nos. 30a, 30b) – hazardous waste disposal (Veolia, $200,000) and electronics recycling (I.T. Refresh, $200,000).
  • Leases/contracts/legal items (Nos. 29b, 29c, 29d, 29h, 29k, 29l) – utility easements, memoranda of understanding with National Forest Foundation ($110,000) and World Resources Institute ($45,000), telecommunications license with Viaero Fiber Networks, homeland security grant, and easement with Magic City Enterprises.
  • Bid acceptances (Nos. 31a, 31b, 31c) – laptops ($78,997.44 from ClearConnect), three fire apparatus (referred to Finance), and Flock Safety license plate readers (referred to Finance).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brian Durlow (Frog Creek Partners) – Expressed strong support for the proposed stormwater runoff management system and user fee (Items 18‑19), citing examples of municipalities that improved flood control and avoided costly consent decrees after adopting similar utilities.
• Alan Sheldon (Ward 2 resident) – Spoke in opposition to the oversized‑vehicles nuisance ordinance (Item 17), arguing it would restrict street parking, and also voiced concerns about the Flock Safety license plate reader purchase (Item 31c), characterising it as a potential warrantless mass‑surveillance system. He noted an ongoing lawsuit in Norfolk, Virginia over similar cameras.
• Lynn Story Hiler (Safe Harbor Director, by phone) – Thanked the council for the $20,000 contract supporting forensic interviews of child abuse victims.
• Aaron LeBlanc (Laramie County Senior Activities Center) – Described the program’s services (40,000 meals/year, medical equipment loaning, social activities) and expressed appreciation for the $100,000 agreement.
• Heidi McNeil (Vice President, Volunteers of America Northern Rockies) – Thanked the council for $136,875 to fund alcohol/drug detox services.
• Brandon Swain (Board member, Volunteers of America) – Publicly supported the organization’s work.
• Elizabeth Valverde Bartlett (property owner) – Spoke in favor of the UU overlay for her building on Warren Avenue.

Public Hearings

1. North Range Business Park Annexation (~640 acres, northwest of I‑80 & Roundtop Road) – Staff report (Seth Lloyd) confirmed statutory compliance: land is 19% contiguous (jumping I‑80), services will be extended, and proper notice was sent (certified October 10; earliest receipt October 11). No public or council opposition. Purpose of hearing met.
2. City‑Initiated Annexation – Phase 3 (38 parcels, 26.67 acres, north of Bevans St, west of College Dr) – Staff (Connor White) noted 100% contiguity and that concerns (street conditions, trash collection) were addressed at an October open house. No public comment. Purpose of hearing met.
3. City‑Initiated Annexation – Phase 4 (26 parcels, 38.37 acres, east of Ridge Road, west of Whitney Road) – Staff reported similar compliance and that about 20 residents attended the October open house; concerns included Dell Range construction and annexation itself. No public comment. Councilmember Johnson noted a constituent had no issues. Councilmember Layborn called the annexations “long overdue” and a success. Purpose of hearing met.
4. Land Exchange with Black Hills Energy (0.77 acre city property on 24th St for 0.85 acre Black Hills property on 18th St) – Staff (Charles Bloom) explained the city would pay $170,000 for the difference in appraised values ($275,000 vs $445,000). Environmental testing indicated minimal cleanup costs. No public comment. Purpose of hearing met.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 7 (3rd reading) – UU Overlay on Warren Avenue – The applicant (Elizabeth Valverde Bartlett) sought the overlay to ease parking requirements for her property. Several council members debated the impact on the residential neighborhood. Councilmember Seagrave opposed, citing parking shortages and harm to neighbors. Councilmember Rennie argued the block is already commercial and the overlay is reasonable. Approved (8‑2; Seagrave, Layborn opposed).
• Ordinance 8 (3rd reading) – Fire Extinguisher Contractor Licensing – Moved licensing authority from city clerk to the contractor licensing board. Councilmember Cook voted no, expressing concern about delegating power to an appointed board. Approved (8‑2; Cook, Johnson opposed).
• Ordinances 9‑16 (1st reading) – Annexation and zoning changes for North Range Business Park (Items 9‑10), a rezoning near Campstool Rd (Item 11), Phase 3 annexation and zoning (Items 12‑13), Phase 4 annexation and zoning (Items 14‑15), and a zoning change at Morrie Ave/E. Lincolnway (Item 16). All referred to Public Services Committee.
• Ordinance 17 (1st reading) – Oversized Vehicles Nuisance – Declares oversized vehicles a nuisance. Referred to Committee of the Whole (meeting Wednesday, November 13 at 6:00 PM).
• Ordinances 18‑19 (1st reading) – Stormwater Runoff Management System & User Fee – Create a new stormwater utility and impose a monthly fee. Referred to Committee of the Whole.
• Resolution 22 – Acknowledge Planning Commission Petition for UU Overlay on Entire Warren Avenue Block Face – The motion to adopt failed after debate. Councilmember Seagrave called it an overreach; others questioned why an appointed board would initiate a rezoning. Failed (5‑5 tie; not enough for adoption).
• Resolution 23 – Pave Birch Place – Councilmember Johnson, the sponsor, encouraged a no vote because engineering staff said the project would be a poor use of resources and the discussion was more about future policy. Failed (unanimous).
• Resolution 24 – Pave Ridge Road – Similar reasons: drainage problems and ownership disputes made paving impractical; council directed staff to look into vacating the road. Failed (unanimous).
• Contract 29a – MPO Long‑Range Transportation Plan Update (Kimley‑Horn, $199,841.82) – Approved despite Councilmember Johnson’s concern about the lack of competitive bidding. Approved (9‑1; Cook opposed).
• Contract 29i – Land Exchange with Black Hills Energy – Amended by substitute to correct the property address (108 W. 18th St to 800 W. 18th St). Approved as amended.
• Contract 30c – Railcar Abatement Contract Modification (Orion Environmental, $91,846) – Amended to use ARPA funds instead of other sources. Councilmember Aldrich voted no, doubting the railcars will ever be usable; Councilmember Layborn voted no after touring the cars and calling the project flawed. Approved as amended (8‑2; Aldrich, Layborn opposed).

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar approved as presented, except items 29e, 29f, and 29g were pulled and later individually approved (Safe Harbor $20,000; Senior Services $100,000; VOA ARC $136,875).
• Four public hearings held; all conditions for annexations and land exchange were found to be met.
• Ordinance 7 (UU overlay) passed on third reading, 8‑2.
• Ordinance 8 (fire extinguisher licensing) passed on third reading, 8‑2.
• Ordinances 9‑16 all referred to Public Services Committee.
• Ordinances 17‑19 referred to Committee of the Whole (November 13, 6 PM).
• Resolution 22 failed (5‑5).
• Resolutions 23 and 24 failed (both unanimously).
• Contract 29a (MPO plan) approved, 9‑1.
• Contract 29i (land exchange) approved as amended.
• Contract 30c (railcar abatement) approved as amended, 8‑2.
• Executive session (Wyoming Statute §16‑4‑405(a)(vii)) moved and approved; meeting adjourned immediately after.

Note: No minutes were available for this meeting; summary is based on the agenda and raw transcript.