Cheyenne City Council Meeting - April 28, 2025

The Cheyenne City Council held its regular meeting on April 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers, 2101 O'Neil Avenue. The meeting covered a public hearing for a new winery liquor license, multiple ordinance readings (including a heavily amended dockless vehicle ordinance), a budget reappropriation, approval of a new housing development, and various routine items. One council member was absent; a quorum was present.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (with items 13 and 21A removed):
  • Minutes of April 14, 2025
  • Resolution #13 (Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Reappropriation) – removed and considered separately after discussion.
  • Resolution #14 (Trailhead Estates, 1st Filing) – approved.
  • Resolution #16 (Jolly Rogers, 3rd Filing) – approved.
  • Resolution #17 (Acceptance of real property from Sloan Lake, LLC) – referred to Public Services Committee.
  • Resolution #18 (Blight declaration) – referred to Public Services Committee.
  • Resolution #19 (Annexation certification) – referred to Public Services Committee.
  • Resolution #20 (Belvoir Ranch Master Plan) – referred to Public Services Committee.
  • Contract Modification #1 to Contract #7955 (Trihydro Corporation for landfill mapping) – approved in an amount not to exceed $49,008.00.
  • Bid #E-16-25 (Oil distributor truck, Floyd's Truck Center, $307,361.75)
  • Bid #E-17-25 (Water truck, Floyd's Truck Center, $416,227.70)
  • Bid #E-18-25 (Rolloff truck, Floyd's Truck Center, $232,698.85)
  • Consideration of purchase (Advanced Security Technologies LLC, 9 modular vehicle barrier systems) – referred to Finance Committee.
  • Consideration of purchase (Ace Equipment & Supply Company, 2 rotary mobile-column lifting systems) – referred to Finance Committee.
  • Bid #S-17-25 (2025 City Overlay #1, JTL Group d/b/a Knife River) – referred to Finance Committee.
  • Bid #S-18-25 (2025 Miscellaneous Concrete, Miller & Sons Construction) – referred to Finance Committee.
  • Bid #S-21-25 (Christensen Road Modifications, T C Solutions, LLC) – referred to Finance Committee.
  • Application #23a (Bar & Grill liquor license, Frontier Daze LLC d/b/a Cheba Hut) – approved.
  • Contract Modification #21 A (CDL Your Truck Training Program with Laramie County Community College) – removed from consent and approved separately.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing for Winery Liquor License (Item 6a): Jackson Layborn, owner of Wagonhound Wine LLC (d/b/a Wagonhound Wine Company, 1610 Capitol Ave.), spoke in favor of his application. He expressed passion for wine, a desire to contribute to downtown revitalization, and noted that his great-grandfather obtained Cheyenne's first post-Prohibition liquor license. He plans to partner with 323 Charcuterie for food. No opposition was voiced. The public hearing was closed, and the item was referred to the Finance Committee.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 7 – Critical Traffic Control Areas (3rd Reading): A modification to recently passed rules. No public comment. Councilmember Seagrave moved approval, seconded by Dr. Aldridge. Passed 8-1 (Councilmember Labourne voted no).
• Ordinance 8 – Dockless Vehicles (Electric Scooters, Bicycles) (3rd Reading): This ordinance updates regulations to allow dockless vehicle companies to operate via the city's formal procurement process. Extensive debate and multiple amendments:
  • Councilmember Moody offered a substitute amendment deleting provisions for reduced-rate programs and a clause about future draconian rules. He argued such programs favor large companies and that the removed clause was a future safeguard. The substitute failed on a voice vote (Mayor Collins noted that White, Seagrave, Roybal, Emmons, Escobell, and himself opposed; Moody and Labourne in favor).
  • Councilmember Dr. Aldridge then amended Moody's substitute to reinstate the reduced-rate programs. That amendment passed (voice vote, with Councilmember Roybal opposed).
  • Councilmember Collins then moved an amendment to change the 40-day removal period for defunct licenses to 14 days. Passed unanimously.
  • Councilmember Seagrave then introduced a further amendment replacing Section 4 entirely: instead of a 40-day removal from ordinance effective date, the removal period (40 days) would start upon issuance of the first operating agreement under the new RFP, ensuring continuous service. This amendment passed with Councilmember Labourne opposed.
  • Main motion (as amended) passed 7-2 (Councilmembers Labourne and Moody opposed). Councilmember Moody argued the ordinance creates a government monopoly and stifles entrepreneurship; Mayor Collins countered that the open RFP process is fair and competitive.
• Ordinance 9 – Solid Waste Fee Schedule (2nd Reading): Annual update. No public comment. Councilmember Labourne moved approval, seconded by Roybal. Passed with Councilmembers Dr. Aldridge and Moody voting no.
• Ordinance 10 – Repeal Downtown Graffiti Abatement Pilot Program (2nd Reading): The program had a sunset provision; clean-up of expired code. No public comment. Councilmember Seagrave moved approval, seconded by Dr. Aldridge. Passed unanimously.
• Ordinance 11 – Home Occupations (1st Reading): Amends Unified Development Code to modify allowed home occupations and add definitions. Referred to Public Services Committee.
• Resolution 12 – 201 Agreement Exception: Postponed from April 14. Councilmember Seagrave moved to postpone to May 12, 2025 meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
• Resolution 13 – Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Reappropriation: Required by state law. Councilmember Labourne moved adoption, seconded by Seagrave. Discussion included:
  • Dr. Aldridge questioned $63,075 for conceptual design of new fire stations #2 and #6. Deputy Chief Andrew Dykes explained that recently purchased lots required two-story station designs, necessitating new plans.
  • Dr. Aldridge also asked about Botanic Gardens funding for an Education, Agriculture, and Trial Garden, converting the South Community Garden. Director Jason Sanchez confirmed that some community garden space will remain in the south, and north side gardens will be expanded. The waiting list status was unknown. Adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 15 – Trailhead Estates, 2nd Filing Plat: 11.92 acres, 82 single-family lots (attainable housing). Developer John Edwards (Edwards Development) and builder David Gregg (Mission Homes) presented. Gregg emphasized small, detached starter homes (900-1200 sq ft) on 26-27 ft lots with alley-loaded garages, zero-scaping, and a greenbelt. Open space includes a 3.17-acre dual-use detention pond/park (HOA maintained). Councilmember Dr. Aldridge raised concerns about HOA longevity and landscaping; Gregg noted homebuyers may choose landscaping. Emergency access was confirmed. The plat was approved with a relief to reduce lot frontage from 30 ft to 27 ft for lots not facing open space, subject to technical corrections. Motion by Seagrave, seconded by Dr. Aldridge, passed unanimously.
• Contract Modification 21A – CDL Training with LCCC: Renewal and modification. Dr. Aldridge asked about the city's CDL training program: transit drivers are hired then immediately trained, signing a contract committing to two years or reimbursement. Vicky Nemichek (Public Works) reported 12 trained in 2023, 9 in 2024, 1 in 2025; one person was invoiced for not showing up. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Winery Liquor License (Wagonhound Wine LLC): Referred to Finance Committee.
• Ordinance 7 (Critical Traffic Control Areas): Approved on third reading (8-1).
• Ordinance 8 (Dockless Vehicles): Approved on third reading as amended (7-2). The final ordinance requires a competitive procurement process, allows reduced-rate programs, and triggers a 40-day removal period for existing licenses upon award of the first operating agreement.
• Ordinance 9 (Solid Waste Fee Schedule): Approved on second reading (7-2).
• Ordinance 10 (Graffiti Abatement Repeal): Approved on second reading (unanimous).
• Ordinance 11 (Home Occupations): Referred to Public Services Committee.
• Resolution 12 (201 Agreement Exception): Postponed to May 12, 2025.
• Resolution 13 (Budget Reappropriation): Adopted (unanimous).
• Resolution 15 (Trailhead Estates, 2nd Filing): Adopted (unanimous) with lot frontage relief.
• Appointment: Jennifer Jo Barley-Dunning appointed to the Housing and Community Development Advisory Council.
• Announcements: Public hearing on May 12, 2025 for Spice Zone Indian Restaurant liquor license; Downtown business owners meeting on April 29 at 5:30 PM at Paris West regarding Spiker garage safety; DDA board vacancies still pending.