Cheyenne City Council Meeting - March 24, 2025

The Cheyenne City Council met on March 24, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at 2101 O'Neil Avenue. All council members were present. The meeting covered a zoning ordinance, amendments to municipal codes, a resolution on investment policy, a 201 agreement exception request, an outside user agreement for utility services, and various routine items.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda was approved unanimously, with items #9 (Investment Policy Resolution) and #12 (Outside User Agreement for Thunder Basin Land) removed for separate discussion. Approved consent items included:

• Approval of minutes from March 10, 2025.
• Adoption of a final plat for Harmony Valley 5th filing.
• Approval of labor agreements with firefighter union and civic center stage employees.
• Professional services agreement for landfill compliance monitoring (not to exceed $281,007).
• Cooperative agreement for 2025 thermoplastic pavement markings.
• Approval of bids: backup generators for fire stations ($149,467); Dutcher baseball fields lighting installation; a rough mower for golf division; and annual asphalt and tack oil supply.
• Transfer and renewal of retail liquor license for The Green Door; restaurant liquor licenses for Frontier Trampoline Park and Parkway Pizza.
• Designation of voting delegate for Wyoming Association of Municipalities summer convention.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve Winchell, property owner, and Tanya Keller, broker, addressed the council regarding agenda item #10, a request for a 201 agreement exception allowing use of a septic system on land south of High Plains Road and west of South Greeley Highway. Winchell explained that the property is for sale, but the cost of connecting to the city sewer line ($461,800) is prohibitively expensive relative to the property value (~$700,000). They requested approval to allow a future buyer to use a septic system and connect to city water via an outside user agreement. The buyer's due diligence period ends in late April.

Discussion Items

• Amendment to Investment Policy Resolution (Item #9): Dr. Rennie proposed an amendment to section 4 of the revised investment policy to require "a minimum of two non-city employees with financial expertise" on the investment committee, rather than exactly two. The amendment was seconded by Mr. Seagrave and passed by voice vote. The main resolution, as amended, was then adopted.
• 201 Agreement Exception (Item #10): After hearing public testimony, Mr. Seagrave moved to postpone the decision for two weeks (to the April 14 meeting) to allow the Public Services Committee to investigate alternative, potentially more cost-effective sewer connection routes and to coordinate with an adjacent development (Thunder Basin Land) that is planning to install utility lines. Dr. Rennie opposed the postponement, arguing that the applicant had provided sufficient information and that delaying could jeopardize the sale. After discussion, the postponement was approved by voice vote, with council members Royble, Moody, and Rennie voting no. Staff was directed to gather more information for the April 7 committee meeting.
• Outside User Agreement for Thunder Basin Land (Item #12): The council approved a resolution granting water and sanitary sewer service via an outside user agreement for Thunder Basin Land Company LLC, which plans to build five warehouse buildings west of the property addressed in item 10. The applicant has agreed to a date certain for future annexation. The motion passed without opposition.
• Contract Modification for Christensen Road (Item #14A): A contract modification with Benchmark Engineers for additional engineering services on the Christensen Road Design Modifications project was approved in an amount not to exceed $52,836. Mr. Labourne inquired about future remedial actions; staff indicated no further remedial items remain.
• Voucher Report (Item #17B): Mr. Moody asked about a payment to Guy Studio for $1,042, which was confirmed to be a progress payment for the city rebranding project (total contract $70,425).
• Revenue Report: Dr. Aldridge thanked the treasurer for providing a comparison of reserve days among large Wyoming cities and noted that Cheyenne's reserve days were among the lowest.
• Announcements: A public hearing was announced for April 14, 2025, regarding a bar and grill liquor license application for Frontier Daze LLC d/b/a Cheba Hut at 3838 Atkin Street.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Consent Agenda: All routine items passed unanimously.
• Zoning Change Approved (Item #6): Ordinance change from MR to NR-2 for land southwest of Wild Bluff and Ogden Road passed on second reading (unanimous voice vote).
• Ordained Referrals: Ordinance amending critical traffic control areas (Item #7) referred to Public Services Committee; ordinance on motor-assisted scooters and electric bicycles (Item #8) referred to Finance Committee.
• Investment Policy Adopted as Amended: The revised investment policy statement was adopted with an amendment requiring at least two non-city financial experts on the investment committee.
• Postponed 201 Exception Decision: The decision on the 201 agreement exemption was postponed to the April 14 council meeting pending further committee review.
• Outside User Agreement Approved: The agreement with Thunder Basin Land Company LLC for water and sewer service was approved.
• Contract Modification Approved: Additional engineering services for Christensen Road were approved for $52,836.