Cheyenne City Council Meeting - March 11, 2025: Parking Repeal, Work Camps Ban, and Public Hearings

The Cheyenne City Council met on March 11, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Building. All members were present, and a quorum was established. The meeting covered a range of items including consent agenda approvals, public hearings for liquor license transfers and renewals, third readings of two ordinances (repeal of paid on-street parking and prohibition of work camps), a zoning map amendment, resolutions, contracts, and various announcements. The most debated item was the repeal of the paid on-street parking districts, which passed after several proposed amendments failed.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the regular meeting of February 24, 2025, approved.
• Minutes from the special meeting of February 24, 2025, approved.
• Resolution appointing successor trustees to the City of Cheyenne Health Benefit Trust, adopted.
• Resolution adopting the revised City of Cheyenne Investment Policy Statement, referred to Finance Committee.
• Resolution granting an exception to the '201 Agreement' for property south of High Plains Road, referred to Public Services Committee.
• Resolution authorizing the Final Plat for Harmony Valley 5th filing, referred to Public Services Committee.
• Resolution approving Water and Sanitary Sewer Service by Outside User Agreement for Thunder Basin Land CO LLC, referred to Public Services Committee.
• Professional Services Agreement between the City and Great Western Installations, Inc. for Optimist Park Playground Design and Installation ($299,825.46), approved.
• Agreement between Cheyenne Civic Center and Local 229 of IATSE, referred to Finance Committee.
• 2025-2026 Collective Labor Agreement with Cheyenne Firefighters Local 279, referred to Finance Committee.
• Professional Services Agreement with Trihydro Corporation for Landfill Compliance Monitoring, referred to Finance Committee.
• Contract Modification #1 to Contract #7520 with Benchmark Engineers for Christensen Road Design Modifications, referred to Finance Committee.
• Contract Modification #2 to Contract #7866 with Laramie County School District #1 for counseling services, referred to Finance Committee.
• Consideration of Bid #S-15-25 for generator installation at Fire Stations #2 and #6, referred to Finance Committee.
• Renewal applications for existing City liquor licenses, approved.
• Items removed from consent: Item 12 (Parks and Recreation Master Plan), Item 19A (Snow control bid), and Item 17A (Cooperative Agreement with WY DEQ) were considered separately.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Liquor License Hearings:
  • F & G Corporation d/b/a The Green Door: Transfer of location from 301 E. Lincolnway to 255 Storey Blvd. No public opposition. Councilmember Aldrich clarified that the transfer is for the liquor license only, not for previous adult entertainment activities.
  • Renewal of Green Door license at new location. No public comment.
  • Frontier Trampoline Park Inc. d/b/a Frontier Trampoline Park: Application for a restaurant liquor license. No applicant present. Councilmember Aldrich expressed concerns from constituents about combining alcohol and trampoline use. Councilmember Rennie inquired about food sales requirement (60% food). Referred to Finance Committee.
  • Thompson-Weaver LLC d/b/a Parkway Pizza: Application for a restaurant liquor license. Co-owner Christopher Thompson stated the business is all food, a family restaurant, intending to serve beer. Referred to Finance Committee.
• Paid Parking Repeal (Item 8):
  • Rob Dickerson (Boyd Building) thanked council for listening to business owners and emphasized the need for proactive collaboration.
  • Jacob Wasserberger (Representative, House District 11) thanked council, noting concerns from downtown business owners that paid parking discourages customers.
  • Astrid (Plains Hotel) appreciated council listening and urged consideration of multiple methods to support downtown businesses.
  • Scott Hahn (Elks Club) expressed support for a proposed amendment (later clarified).
  • Rob Dickerson (second appearance) opposed the amendment to eliminate time-limited parking, arguing block-face enforcement is poorly communicated and that a studied approach is needed.
  • Astrid (second appearance) favored trying free parking, suggesting it might bring more people downtown.
  • Corey Lothrie (representing downtown business group) opposed the amendment, stating two studies over eight years have recommendations that are mostly unimplemented; urged using existing studies rather than a new untested plan.
  • Kayla Wilkins (Colony Building) supported the repeal but vehemently opposed the amendment, as it would allow long-term parking abuse by residents and employees.
  • Susan Allen (online) opposed the amendment, calling it a "wild west approach" and noting a neighbor with four vehicles would occupy spaces.
  • J.B. Coons (Aces Range) opposed any time-restricted parking, as longer guest stays benefit his business.
  • Danica Hecht (downtown employee) supported the amendment for free garage parking as a compromise, but raised safety concerns about the structures.
  • Lee Filer (representative) supported the sunset amendment and 24-hour limit.
• Work Camps Prohibition (Item 9):
  • Lee Filer thanked council, speaking for Harmony Meadows residents who opposed work camps in their neighborhood but are pro-development.
• Other Business:
  • Jacob Wasserberger suggested allowing churches and private charities to adopt parks as a cost-saving measure.
  • Charles Bloom (Planning and Development Director) announced a Greenway Advisory Committee fundraiser on March 20 at the Lincoln Way Event Center.

Discussion Items

• Repeal of Paid On-Street Parking Districts (Ordinance #8, Third Reading):
  • The main motion was to repeal the paid on-street parking program and remove block-face enforcement. Councilmember Seagrave proposed two amendments:
    1. Substitute amendment to eliminate all time-limited parking within the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) boundaries and near the Capitol Complex, arguing that block-face enforcement is ineffective and that free parking would encourage downtown visits. The amendment was defeated 5-6 (Councilmember Emmons and Escobel voted yes).
    2. Amendment to make parking free in the Cox and Jack R. Spiker parking structures with a sunset date of June 30, 2026 (after an amendment to add sunset passed). A sub-amendment to limit parking to 24 hours failed. A sub-amendment to exclude the Cox Garage failed. The final amendment on free garages with sunset tied 5-5, thus failing.
  • Councilmembers expressed frustration over the process, with some supporting the repeal as a first step and others emphasizing the need for thorough study and communication with downtown stakeholders.
  • The main motion to repeal the paid on-street parking districts and remove block-face was approved on third reading (9-1, with Seagrave voting no).
• Prohibition of Work Camps (Ordinance #9, Third Reading):
  • This ordinance removes the land use term 'Work Camps' from the Unified Development Code and prohibits their establishment within the city. Councilmember Rennie noted that only quality growth is good growth. Approved unanimously.
• Zoning Map Amendment (Ordinance #10, First Reading):
  • Change zoning for land southwest of Wild Bluff and Ogden Road from MR Medium-Density Residential to NR-2 Neighborhood Residential – Medium Density. Referred to Public Services Committee.
• Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2025 (Resolution, Item 12):
  • After being removed from consent, the plan was adopted with an amendment to include Appendices A, B, and C. Councilmember Aldrich noted the plan is visionary, not a short-term action plan. Councilmember Moody cautioned about compliance with new House Bill 147 regarding DEI policies. Adopted.
• Cooperative Agreement with WY DEQ (Item 17A):
  • Approved for $112,904 for construction of Kiwanis Park Trail and Constructed Wetlands. Councilmember Labourne emphasized its role in the broader greenway project.
• Emergency Snow Control Bid (Item 19A):
  • Accepted bids from S&S Builders, Full Tilt, and Knife River for up to $300,000 over three years. Councilmember Labourne noted the importance for downtown snow removal and coordination with the Clean & Safe crew.
• Voucher Report:
  • Councilmember Moody questioned a $14,525 payment to Guys Studio Incorporated for "new brand strategy." Matt Murphy (Public Information Officer) explained it is part of a city rebranding project totaling about $64,000-$65,000. Councilmember Aldrich asked for total cost.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved with items 12, 19A, and 17A removed for separate consideration.
• Public hearings for liquor license transfers and renewals: All referred to Finance Committee for further action.
• Ordinance #8 (Repeal of paid on-street parking districts): Approved on third reading, 9-1. The repeal eliminates the paid parking program and block-face enforcement, reverting to earlier parking regulations.
• Ordinance #9 (Prohibition of work camps): Approved unanimously on third reading.
• Zoning map amendment (Item 10): Referred to Public Services Committee.
• Cheyenne Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2025: Adopted with appendices.
• Cooperative Agreement for Kiwanis Park Trail and Wetlands: Approved in amount of $112,904.
• Emergency Snow Control bid: Accepted for up to $300,000 over three years.
• Voucher report: Approved, with clarification on branding costs.
• Other business: Councilmembers announced upcoming events: Ward 3 Council & Coffee (March 15 at Dosbog), Meals on Wheels Drive 55 campaign (starting March 17), 15th Street project community meeting (March 12 at Library), and Water Summit (week from March 11 at Public Service Center).