Cheyenne City Council Meeting: Oversized Vehicles, Stormwater Fees, and More – December 9, 2024
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Cheyenne City Council Meeting – December 9, 2024
The Cheyenne City Council met on December 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The agenda included numerous ordinances, resolutions, public hearings, and a contentious third reading on an oversized vehicle parking ordinance. Key outcomes included approval of several annexations, adoption of a stormwater management system and fee, approval of an employee bonus, and passage of an amended oversized vehicle ordinance after extensive public testimony and multiple amendments.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes from the regular meeting of November 25, 2024, were approved.
- CA Items: Routine items approved en bloc included:
- Resolution amending the 2024 Annual Action Plan (refer to Finance Committee).
- Resolution authorizing final plats for 5th Street Towns and Edgar Subdivision (refer to Public Services Committee).
- Resolution designating local banks as depositories (refer to Finance Committee).
- Resolution regarding easement corrections on Belvoir Ranch (refer to Public Services Committee).
- Memoranda of Understanding: transit services with Laramie County (refer to Finance Committee) and LEAD Program Policy Coordinating Group (refer to Finance Committee).
- Contract Modification #4 for sale of surplus land at Morrie Ave & Lincolnway (approved).
- Bid #S-7-25 for Belvoir Ranch Trailhead and Access Roads ($672,507.50 accepted).
- Purchase of gymnastics equipment for new facility (refer to Finance Committee).
Public Comments & Testimony
Public Hearing – Bar & Grill Liquor License (Nellie's Grub and Pub):
- Kathy and John Brandt, applicants, said they are opening at 4020 Airport Parkway on December 10, 2024, serving sandwiches, flatbreads, pastas, and seeking beer and alcohol. Hours: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday–Saturday; Sunday 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Dr. Aldrich asked for update on remaining bar & grill licenses. Staff confirmed this would be the 17th awarded out of 21.
Public Hearing – Annexation Condition Compliance (0.13 acres north of Cheyenne St & Ridge Rd):
- Connor White (Planning) gave staff report: property ~75% contiguous, petition filed Oct 25, 2024, certified Oct 28. All services will be provided; area is inside urban service boundary. Notice sent Nov 1, 20 business days before hearing.
- Mayor clarified this is for water/sewer access; property is in a county pocket.
- No public speakers; hearing concluded.
Public Testimony – Oversized Vehicle Ordinance (Item 15):
- Many residents spoke against the original ordinance (banning oversized vehicles on streets) and offered alternatives. Key points:
- Donald Jones: supports enforcement of existing laws; concerned about permit costs and time limits (Memorial Day–Labor Day too short).
- Joe McCord: opposes, argues utility trailers are also a safety issue; claims discrimination against travel trailers.
- Gary Everett: existing ordinances not enforced; creating more rules won't help.
- Caitlin Wilson: proposed annual parking permit ($100–$150) as compromise.
- Steve Manning: announced I-25 RV Storage facility opening March 2025 with 650 spaces.
- Ed Belco: surveyed his block – 23 vehicles, only 3 RVs; permit system costly; hunting season extends beyond Labor Day.
- Alisa Kristall: presented petition with 322 signatures; warned ordinance would affect trucks and create economic hardship.
- Tom Fuller: bought property specifically for RV parking; changing rules after purchase.
- Daryl Frank: calls nuisance designation unfair; permit process vague.
- Gregory Barrow: moved west for outdoor lifestyle; prefers compromise.
- James Windsinger: owns over 30 vehicles, including work trucks; says legally parked vehicles should not be restricted.
- Therese Johnston: surveyed 15 RV storage facilities – few spots available, average $150/month.
- Wayne Gazinski: opposes size limits.
- Georgia Broyles: former councilmember, spoke in favor – safety and snow plowing reasons; notes this is third attempt in 25 years.
- John Poles: opposition – existing ordinances not enforced; feels targeted by Councilman Roybal.
- Alan Sheldon (online): opposes, asks for enforcement of existing code.
- Others echoed similar concerns.
Public Testimony – Stormwater Fee (Items 16 & 17):
- Tim Bradshaw (airport): announced $320,000 annual fee impact; asked for postponement to discuss formula.
- Kevin Paintner (airport board chair): learned of impact only hours before; asks for delay.
- Seth Lloyd: resident, spoke in favor due to flooding experience in Idaho.
- Ken Richardson (Trails End Mobile Home Park): represents 65 homes, many elderly/disabled; additional fee would be unaffordable.
- Kathy (HOA VP): asked if fee would manage existing culverts; prefers vote of people.
- Alan Sheldon (online): opposes without voter approval.
Public Testimony – UDC Amendment (Item 18):
- Dan Dorsch (Affordable Housing Task Force chair): supports amendment to remove 30% brick/stone mandate; says it lowers costs and still allows quality design.
Public Testimony – Camping on Public Property (Item 20):
- Kathy (District 1): questioned permit locations and 48-hour retention of property.
- Mark Moody (Ward 3): supports ban but raised concerns about trespass vs. camping, slippery slope, penalty language, and needle cleanup.
Public Testimony – Employee Bonus (Item 27):
- Seth Lloyd (employee): grateful but asks for COLA to address inflation.
- Bill Gonzalez (Public Works): thanks council on behalf of employees.
Public Testimony – Sanitation Rerouting Resolution (Item 28):
- Mark Moody: supports transparency.
- Carrie Anson: opposed sudden change from alley to street pickup; wants public discussion on hardship for elderly.
Public Testimony – MOU with County on Permits (Item 34a):
- Lee Filer: raised issue of temporary land use permits not covered by MOU; affects his project.
Discussion Items
Oversized Vehicle Ordinance (Item 15) – Extensive Discussion & Amendments:
- Councilman Escobel moved to approve the substitute dated Dec 4, 2024 (summer allowance plus permit system).
- After further debate, Dr. Aldrich proposed an amendment to remove the summer exception and make the ban year-round (effective July 1, 2025). That amendment failed 5-5 (Dr. Aldrich, Mr. Layborn, Mr. Seagrave, Mr. Cook, Mr. Johnson opposed? Actually vote: aye 5? Need to count. Transcript shows hands:
Meeting Transcript
Governing body. Madam Clerk, would you take the roll? Mr. Layborn. Dr. Rennie. Present. Mr. Royble. Present. Mr. Seagrave? Present. Mr. White. Present. Dr. Aldrich? Present. Mayor Collins. Present. Mr. Cook. Mr. Escobel. Here. Mr. Johnson. Present. One member is absent. We do have a quorum. Great. Would you all join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? 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. Well, is anybody on this governing body wish to take an item off the consent agenda? Hearing none, I would entertain a motion. So move second. Moved by Mr. Escobel and seconded by Mr. White. All those in the favor of the consent agenda, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. And those opposed. The consent agenda is approved. 6A public hearing for a bar and grill liquor license application. File with the city clerk's office for Rock Ranch LLC, doing business as Nelly's 4020 Airport Parkway, Cheyenne, Wyoming.
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