Cheyenne City Council Meeting – February 24, 2025

The City Council of Cheyenne, Wyoming met on Monday, February 24, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting included public hearings, passage of multiple ordinances on third and second readings, adoption of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) 2024 Plan of Development, and approval of several consent agenda items. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the repeal of the paid on‑street parking ordinance, which passed on second reading after extensive public testimony. A contract modification for recycling services was also approved, and staff provided updates on recycling contamination rates.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes from the February 10, 2025 regular meeting.
• Approved a resolution appointing successor trustees to the City of Cheyenne Health Benefit Trust (referred to Finance Committee).
• Approved a resolution certifying the Cheyenne Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2025 (referred to Public Services Committee).
• Approved professional services agreements: with TDSi for Depot/Plaza architecture/engineering (not to exceed $167,539); cooperative agreement with WY DEQ for Kiwanis Park Trail and Wetlands (referred to Finance); with Great Western Installations for Optimist Park playground design (referred to Finance).
• Approved contract modifications: #3 with Waste Management for recycling through April 2026 (this item was removed from consent and considered separately; see below); #2 with HDR Engineering for 5th Street Bridge design ($224,793); Amendment #6 with Joint Powers Board for Frontier Park use; #4 Microsoft Office 365 renewal ($139,617.09).
• Approved bids: Bid #E-6-25 for residential autocarts from Rehrig Pacific ($132,611); purchase from Axon Enterprise for in‑car cameras ($106,998); Bid #E-12-25 for emergency snow control (referred to Finance).
• Removed from consent: Item 16A (Waste Management recycling contract modification) at the request of Councilmember Aldrich.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Liquor License Renewals (Item 6a): City Clerk reported all licenses submitted renewal applications except Dog House (closed). The Green Door’s renewal is tied to a location transfer; those public hearings will occur March 10, 2025. Councilmember Aldrich asked about outstanding fines owed to the city and requested a list to ensure licensees are in good standing.
• Paid On‑Street Parking Repeal (Item 10): Eleven speakers addressed the council, the vast majority supporting repeal. Speakers included downtown business owners, a hotel owner, the DDA liaison, residents, and a representative of a downtown social club. Arguments against paid parking included: difficulty for elderly and out‑of‑town customers using apps; businesses already losing customers; belief that the program would lose money; need for better enforcement rather than paid parking; and calls to improve the Spiker Garage (e.g., lighting, safety). Several speakers referenced a petition with 130 downtown stakeholders and 460 customer letters. The DDA board voted unanimously (6‑0) to support repeal. One speaker, Alan Sheldon (online), spoke briefly in support of repeal. No speaker opposed repeal.
• DDA Plan of Development (Item 12): Several DDA board members and the Planning Director spoke in favor. They emphasized the plan consolidates 50 previous plans, was developed over 18 months with extensive public input, and will serve as a guiding framework. One downtown business owner expressed concern that past surveys did not capture core data. The council discussed substituting an amended version to incorporate parking, walkability, a work plan, and grant references.
• Work Camps Prohibition (Item 11): One online speaker, Alan Sheldon, voiced support for the ordinance.
• Other Business: Richard Johnson, ex‑officio board member for Habitat for Humanity, reported on his trip to Washington, D.C. for “Habitat on the Hill.” He praised the city’s past actions on affordable housing and asked the council to continue advocating for WCDA funding in the 2026 federal budget. He also thanked the council and firefighter’s union for donations to “Rooted in Cheyenne.”

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 3rd Reading – Building Code Update (Item 7): Public Services Committee recommendation to approve. Adopted unanimously (9‑0).
• Ordinance 3rd Reading – International Fire Code Update (Item 8): A substitute amendment was introduced to grandfather existing solar panel installations. Adopted unanimously with amendment (9‑0).
• Ordinance 3rd Reading – Above‑Ground Tanks (Item 9): Councilmember Aldrich raised concern about propane use in annexed areas. Fire Chief Mason noted the issue is being addressed. Adopted unanimously (9‑0).
• Ordinance 2nd Reading – Repeal Paid On‑Street Parking (Item 10): After public testimony, Councilmember Seagrave moved to approve on second reading, seconded by Aldrich. Councilmember Aldrich thanked the public and noted the repeal also changes the “block face” rule. Councilmember Segrave expressed disappointment, stating he will introduce an amendment on third reading to eliminate all paid parking in the city (including meter maids) and let the private sector handle downtown parking. Approved on second reading 8‑1 (Seagrave opposed).
• Ordinance 2nd Reading – Prohibit Work Camps (Item 11): Councilmember Aldrich and Moody explained the ordinance resulted from a development proposal near schools and that several zoning districts allowed such uses. Approved unanimously (9‑0).
• Resolution – DDA 2024 Plan of Development (Item 12): Councilmember Seagrave moved to amend the resolution to incorporate a 14‑page memo from Planning Director Bloom, including work plan, parking, walkability, snow management, etc. The substitute was adopted. The main motion then passed unanimously (9‑0). Councilmembers stressed the need for implementation and accountability.
• Contract Modification #3 – Waste Management Recycling (Item 16a): Removed from consent and considered separately. Councilmember Aldrich asked about contamination rates. Public Works Director Vicky Nemichek reported contamination had been reduced from ~30% to ~5% after a three‑strikes warning and fine system ($25.33 per violation) was implemented. She reminded residents to keep recyclables clean, dry, and unbagged. Approved unanimously (9‑0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved as amended (item 16A removed and later approved separately).
• Liquor license renewals public hearing closed; matter referred to Finance Committee.
• Building code update (3rd reading) – Adopted.
• Fire code update (3rd reading) – Adopted as amended (with solar grandfather clause).
• Above‑ground tanks ordinance (3rd reading) – Adopted.
• Paid parking repeal (2nd reading) – Approved 8‑1. Third reading scheduled for March 10, 2025; Councilmember Seagrave announced he will move to eliminate all paid parking citywide.
• Work camps prohibition (2nd reading) – Adopted unanimously.
• DDA 2024 Plan of Development – Adopted as amended (incorporating recent memo).
• Contract modification with Waste Management for recycling services – Approved ($250,000, through April 15, 2026).
• Other business: Council took no formal action on Richard Johnson’s report.

Announcements

• Future public hearings on March 10, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.:
  • Transfer of liquor license for F&G Corp d/b/a The Green Door (from 301 E. Lincolnway to 255 Storey Blvd.).
  • Renewal application for The Green Door at new location.
  • Restaurant liquor license for Frontier Trampoline Park Inc. (3501 E. Lincolnway, Suite B).
  • Restaurant liquor license for Thompson‑Weaver LLC d/b/a Parkway Pizza (3753 E. Lincolnway B-6).
• Zonta of Cheyenne’s annual event on March 7, 2025 (tickets nearly sold out).
• Habitat for Humanity’s “Jump into Jules” event on April 5, 2025, and “Rooted in Cheyenne” tree workshop at LCCC.