Cheyenne City Council Meeting - January 27, 2025

The Cheyenne City Council convened at 6:00 p.m. on January 27, 2025, in the Council Chambers at 2101 O'Neil Avenue. All 10 council members were present, and the meeting addressed consent agenda items, three first-reading ordinances, a human services agreement, a vehicle purchase, a board appointment, and a public hearing announcement. The session lasted approximately 45 minutes.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the January 13, 2025, regular meeting – Approved.
• Resolution re-appropriating the Fiscal Year 2025 budget – Adopted.
• Resolution authorizing the Final Plat for Holliday Park (northeast of East Lincolnway and Morrie Avenue) – Adopted.
• Lease agreement with Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming for 45.93 acres near the former Roundtop Water Treatment Facility – Referred to Finance Committee.
• Human Services Agreement with United Way of Laramie County – Item 11a was removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion (see Discussion Items).
• Contract Modification #1 with Wyoming Department of Health, Aging Division for transportation support services – Referred to Finance Committee.
• Bid #S-10-25 for Kiwanis Community House Hardwood Floor Replacement (not to exceed $85,950) – Accepted.
• Bid #E-10-25 for one front load refuse truck and three dual arm refuse trucks ($2,038,492) – Accepted.
• Bid #E-11-25 for two solid waste transfer trailers ($275,968.22) – Accepted.
• Bid #S-11-25 for Pioneer Park Baseball Field Synthetic Turf Replacement – Referred to Finance Committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brandon Swain expressed gratitude for the Holliday Park project, praised recent UDC regulations, and welcomed Michael O'Donnell's return to the Board of Adjustment. He noted that O'Donnell had chaired the board in 2014 and handled four variances at once.

Discussion Items

• Item 11a – Human Services Agreement with United Way of Laramie County: $100,000 (removed from consent due to a scrivener's error in the agenda).
  • Mayor Collins noted that the City Clerk's office had identified an incorrect entity name on the front door of the agenda. Dr. Aldridge confirmed after checking the Secretary of State's website that the correct entity is the Wyoming Family Home Ownership Program (established by Terry Williams in 2018).
  • Motion by Mr. Labourne, seconded by Dr. Aldridge. The agreement was approved with no public comment and no council opposition.
• Item 13b – Bid #E-8-25 for a 15,000 GVWR gasoline-powered, 4-wheel drive regular cab chassis truck with a 14-foot stake bed for the Sanitation Division.
  • Mr. Escobel explained he had previously voted no in committee because only two bidders participated (a mandatory pre-bid meeting had two attendees; TJ Bartleboard stated the bid was widely advertised via known bidders, OpenGov, and newspaper).
  • The bid amount was corrected from $85,950 to $75,924. The motion (Labourne) and second (Aldridge) accepted the corrected amount. The bid was approved by voice vote.
• Item 14a – Appointment of Michael O'Donnell to the Board of Adjustment.
  • Dr. Aldridge acknowledged receiving a request to consider the appointment based on O'Donnell's Facebook posts, but emphasized that the council is nonpartisan and that O'Donnell had served well as former city attorney, demonstrating reliability and fairness. She argued that diversity of thought strengthens boards.
  • Mr. Labourne noted the Board of Adjustment handles controversial issues and that O'Donnell's legal experience will benefit decision-making.
  • Dr. Emmons said he had worked with O'Donnell for nearly 20 years and called him a valuable volunteer.
  • Motion by Mr. Royble, seconded by Mr. White. Approved with one dissenting vote (Mr. Moody).
• Item 14b – Voucher Report (November 22 to December 25, 2024, and January 8 to January 15, 2025).
  • Mr. Moody asked about a $624 charge for "Hype Subscription" (an email marketing platform used by the Civic Center to notify approximately 30,000 subscribers about shows, changes, and inclement weather). Jason Sanchez (Community Recreation Events) explained it is paid from the Civic Center budget.
  • Mr. Moody also asked about a $687 charge to "Prior Learning" (a one-year subscription enabling three transit employees to take classes in computer skills, business writing, management, and customer service). Vicky Nemichek (Public Works) detailed usage: Erin Johnson (new transit director) registered for 9 classes, completed 2; Kim Sarumgard (manager) registered for 19, completed 6; Keith Asbill (operations coordinator) had not completed any due to driving shifts to cover a shortage of 6 part-time drivers.
  • Mr. Moody further queried a $250,000 charge for contract 7986 (Johnson Pool Evaluation Design Project), which Jason Sanchez confirmed was funding from the 2021 taxpayer-approved $250,000 design allocation, paying for 65% design and construction plans.
• Public Hearing Announcement: A public hearing will be held on February 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers and via electronic conference, in accordance with Wyo. Stat. §15-9-208(c), on the Plan of Development for the Downtown Development Area.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved (with item 11a removed).
• Three ordinances (Building Code update, Fire Code update, Above-ground tank regulations) each introduced on first reading and referred to the Public Services Committee.
• Human Services Agreement with United Way approved ($100,000).
• Truck purchase approved in the corrected amount of $75,924.
• Michael O'Donnell appointed to the Board of Adjustment (vote: 9-1, with Mr. Moody dissenting).
• Voucher and Revenue Reports accepted without objection.
• Public hearing set for February 10, 2025, on the Downtown Development Area Plan of Development.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:45 p.m.