Cheyenne City Council Meeting – April 14, 2025

The Cheyenne City Council met on Monday, April 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at 2101 O'Neil Avenue. The meeting covered a consent agenda, a public hearing for a liquor license, several ordinance readings (zoning, traffic control, dockless vehicles, solid waste fees, graffiti abatement), a postponed resolution for a 201-agreement exception, a cooperative agreement with WYDOT, and multiple bid approvals. Key outcomes included approval of the consent agenda (with two items removed), approval of a zoning change for a 10.92-acre housing development, passage of ordinances on second reading (critical traffic control areas and dockless vehicles), referral of first-reading ordinances to committees, and acceptance of bids for pavement markings, asphalt, and other contracts.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the March 24, 2025 regular meeting were approved.
• Resolution re-appropriating the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget referred to the Finance Committee.
• Final Plats for Trailhead Estates (1st and 2nd Filing) and Jolly Rogers (3rd Filing) were referred to the Public Services Committee.
• Cooperative Agreement with WYDOT for 2025 Thermoplastic Pavement Markings (Item 17A) was removed from the consent agenda by Councilmember Aldrich and considered separately (see Key Outcomes).
• Contract Modification #1 with Laramie County Community College and Trihydro Corporation were referred to the Finance Committee.
• Bids for Dutcher Baseball Fields Lighting ($729,000, accepted), Rough Mower ($79,310.11, accepted), and several vehicle purchases (referred to Finance Committee) were included. Bid #E-14-25 for asphalt (19C) was also removed from consent.
• Designation of official voting delegates for the June 12, 2025 Wyoming Association of Municipalities Summer Convention (Council President Dr. Rinne and Mayor Patrick Collins) was approved.
• Voucher Report was presented with no discussion.

The consent agenda as amended (with Items 17A and 19C removed) was approved by unanimous voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cheba Hut Liquor License (Item 6a): Seth Larson, Chief Relationship Officer at Cheba Hut Toasted Subs, testified in support of a bar & grill liquor license for Frontier Daze, LLC d/b/a Cheba Hut at 3838 Atkin Street. He reported the company operates 77 locations, plans to hire about 30 employees at a starting wage of $16.50/hour (plus tips averaging $3–$4/hour), and estimated alcohol sales at approximately 9% of total revenue. Hours of operation are expected to be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., possibly extended to midnight. The license was referred to the Finance Committee. No public opposition was expressed.
• 201-Agreement Exception (Item 12): Tanya Keller, real estate broker representing the property owners (the Winchels), explained that a previously expired outside water users’ agreement had been resubmitted after a delay due to miscommunication with BOPU. The matter was postponed for two weeks.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Change – Wild Bluff and Ogden Road (Item 7, 3rd Reading): Approved unanimously (10-0) on third reading, changing 10.92 acres from MR (Medium-Density Residential) to NR-2 (Neighborhood Residential – Medium Density) to facilitate new housing. No public comment.
• Critical Traffic Control Areas – Ordinance Amendment (Item 8, 2nd Reading): Approved on second reading after Councilmember Seagrave noted adjustments learned from the first road designation (Gardena Boulevard) to improve administration. No public comment.
• Dockless Vehicles – Ordinance Amendment (Item 9, 2nd Reading): Three amendments were proposed by Councilmembers Dr. Aldrich and Mr. Moody:
  1. Amendment 1 (Dr. Aldrich): Add “in a timely manner” to the operations and maintenance plan requirement (passed, voice vote).
  2. Amendment 2 (Dr. Aldrich): Remove sections 8 and 9 allowing the mayor/designee to add unspecified RFP criteria. After debate (city attorney and purchasing manager argued for flexibility; Dr. Aldrich argued it shirks council responsibility), the amendment failed (5-5? counted: White, Escobel, Seagrave, Royble, Dr. Rinne opposed; others in favor? Final tally: motion failed with 5 no, 5 yes? Transcript shows: “Mr. White, Mr. Escobel, Mr. Seagrave, Mr. Royble, Dr. Rennie” – that’s five no; ayes presumably five. Amendment fails).
  3. Amendment 3 (Mr. Moody): Delete requirements for safety measures, data sharing, community engagement, and reduced-rate programs. Councilmember Dr. Aldrich opposed, citing safety and flexibility. Purchasing Manager Bartlebort stated these are standard qualifications. The amendment failed with only Mr. Moody voting yes.
  4. Amendment 4 (Mr. Moody): Change “city may select one or more” operators to “city may select any operators.” Mr. Moody argued for free-market competition; the amendment failed with only his vote in favor. The main motion (as amended with the first amendment) was approved on second reading: 8-2 (Councilmembers Labourne and Moody opposed).
• Solid Waste Fee Schedule (Item 10, 1st Reading): Referred to the Finance Committee without discussion.
• Graffiti Abatement Repeal (Item 11, 1st Reading): Referred to the Public Services Committee.
• 201-Agreement Exception (Item 12): Councilmember Seagrave moved to adopt, but Council President Dr. Rinne successfully moved to postpone for two weeks (to April 28, 2025). No public comment on the motion itself.
• Cooperative Agreement with WYDOT (Item 17A): Removed from consent. Councilmember Dr. Aldrich highlighted cost savings (estimated 20–25%, or about $40,000) by working with WYDOT. City Engineer Cobb confirmed approximate savings. Councilmember Labourne stressed the need for improved markings downtown, especially for pedestrian safety. The agreement was approved for $234,845.
• Bid #E-14-25 – Asphalt, Tack Oil, Cold Mix (Item 19C): Also removed from consent. Councilmember Dr. Aldrich asked about price changes. Public Works’ Craig Lloyd reported hot mix decreased from $90.50 to $90 per ton; cold mix increased from $1,950 to $2,250 per ton; tack oil prices align with oil market drops. The bid was approved: JTL Group d/b/a Knife River for hot mix ($367,625) and cold mix ($75,000), and Simon Contractors for tack oil ($19,200), total not to exceed $461,825.
• Voucher Report (Item 20b): No discussion.
• Other Business: Councilmembers announced Ward 3 Council & Coffee (April 19, 9–11 a.m. at DOS Bog); “Rooted in Cheyenne” Spring Planting event (May 17, 7:30 a.m.–noon, volunteer slots available); unveiling of Vernon Baker bronze statue (April 16, 1 p.m. at Civic Commons); and the Furball benefiting Cheyenne Animal Shelter (April 25). Councilmember Labourne raised interest in evaluating expenditures for creating flex space in the new downtown courthouse, noting current construction costs and potential use of reserves.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved as amended (Items 17A and 19C removed) by voice vote.
• Cheba Hut Liquor License: Referred to the Finance Committee (meets April 22 at noon in Council Chambers).
• Zoning Change (Wild Bluff & Ogden): Approved on third reading (10-0).
• Critical Traffic Control Areas (Ord. 2nd Reading): Approved by voice vote.
• Dockless Vehicles (Ord. 2nd Reading): Approved as amended (8-2; Labourne and Moody opposed).
• Solid Waste Fee Schedule (1st Reading): Referred to Finance Committee.
• Graffiti Abatement Repeal (1st Reading): Referred to Public Services Committee.
• 201-Agreement Exception: Postponed to April 28, 2025 meeting.
• WYDOT Cooperative Agreement (Thermoplastic Markings): Approved for $234,845.
• Bid for Asphalt, Tack Oil, Cold Mix: Accepted total not to exceed $461,825.
• Other Bids (from consent): Baseball field lighting ($729,000), rough mower ($79,310.11), and various vehicle bids referred to Finance Committee.
• Upcoming Public Hearing: April 28, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. for Wagonhound Wine Company winery liquor license.
• Committee Meeting Location Change: Starting week of April 21, 2025, Finance and Public Services Committee meetings will be held in Council Chambers.
• Meeting Adjourned after announcements.