Cheyenne City Council Meeting - October 13, 2025
Cheyenne City Council Meeting - October 13, 2025
The Cheyenne City Council met on October 13, 2025 at 6:03 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting began with a moment of silence and tribute to Councilman Scott Royball, who recently passed away. The council addressed a consent agenda, several ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and public hearings.
Consent Calendar
- Approved consent agenda with items 13 and 18b removed.
- Item 13 (resolution on tree code review) and Item 18b (bid for Depot Renovation) were removed and considered separately.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Public Hearing for Bell Building Urban Renewal Plan: No public speakers. Council member expressed support, noting the building was previously contaminated and the project has made progress.
- Ordinance 7 (annexation): No public comments. Planning staff reported no opposition since the public meeting.
- Ordinance 9 (UDC amendment): Presentation deferred due to technical issues; no public comment.
- Resolution 13 (tree code review): Multiple public speakers:
- Jeremy (resident): Expressed concerns about large tree requirements on small lots, damage to sidewalks, and property rights.
- Philip Bowling (President, Cheyenne Board of Realtors): Supported a review to reduce regulations and make housing more attainable.
- Nancy Loomis: Supported a broader discussion on tree ordinance but concerned if focused solely on tree size.
- Krista: Requested including landscape companies in discussions.
- Philip Olin (President, Cheyenne Board of Realtors): Supported review to find a balanced solution.
- Mark Ellison (City Forester): Supported greater tree variety but opposed allowing smaller street trees, arguing shade trees provide more benefits.
- Ordinance 12 (RV parks): No public comment; referred to committee.
- Resolution 14 (vacancy): No public comment.
- Item 17A (architect agreement): No public comment.
- Item 18B (depot renovation): No public comment.
- Item 19A (liquor license transfer): Brian Profit (applicant representative) answered questions about the license and off-site catering.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance 7 – 3rd Reading Annexation: Approved 8-1 (Moody no). Includes 35 properties in eastern Cheyenne.
- Ordinance 8 – 3rd Reading Zoning Map for Annexed Land: Approved unanimously (9-0).
- Ordinance 9 – 2nd Reading UDC Amendment: Approved on voice vote (unanimous).
- Ordinance 10 – 2nd Reading Weeds as Nuisance: Approved on voice vote (unanimous). Fire chief confirmed no concerns.
- Ordinance 11 – 2nd Reading Zoning Map Change for Municipal Building Area: Approved on voice vote (unanimous).
- Ordinance 12 – 1st Reading RV Parks and Campgrounds: Referred to Public Services Committee.
- Resolution 13 – Tree Code Review: Adopted 8-1 (Laybourn no). Directs Planning Department to review tree variety and size regulations.
- Resolution 14 – Declaring Vacancy for Ward I: Adopted unanimously. Process outlined: applications due by October 20, interviews by Ward I council members, ratification by governing body.
- Item 17A – Professional Services Agreement with Plan One Architects: Approved 8-1 (Moody no). Amount not to exceed $1,474,550 for municipal building renovation design. Discussion on security, private offices, and use of sixth-penny funds.
- Item 18B – Bid for Depot Renovation: Approved unanimously. Amount not to exceed $1,874,421. Project includes interior remodeling, exterior painting, plaza improvements, and shade structure.
- Item 19A – Liquor License Transfer for Applebee's: Approved (8-1? voice vote showed only ayes and nays, unclear tally). Discussion on franchise holding full retail license vs. bar and grill license.
Key Outcomes
- Annexation approved (8-1).
- Zoning for annexed land approved (9-0).
- UDC amendment approved (unanimous).
- Weed ordinance amendment approved (unanimous).
- Zoning map change for municipal building area approved (unanimous).
- RV parks ordinance referred to committee.
- Tree code review resolution adopted (8-1).
- Vacancy declared for Ward I; application process initiated.
- Architect agreement approved (8-1).
- Depot renovation bid accepted (unanimous).
- Liquor license transfer approved (tally not specified).
Announcements & Reports
- Public hearing October 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM for HamBones Pizza liquor license.
- Calcutta for Make-A-Wish Wyoming November 7-8, 2025.
- Ward 3 Council & Coffee on Saturday (date not specified) from 9-11 AM.
- Recognition of animal hoarding situation with 102 animals; estimated costs $300,000; thanks to staff.
- Announcement of passing of Scott Aker, Director of Botanic Gardens.
Meeting Transcript
We're starting at 603. Hold on, just hold on one more minute. Hello. Commissioner Mall, is that you? Yes, can you hear me? I can hear you. Okay, we're good to go. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. Ready to go? Okay. Good evening, everybody. I'd like to call the October 13th meeting of the governing body to order. Madam Clerk, would you take the role? Mr. Escobelle? Chair. Mr. Leborn. Chair. Mr. Moody. Present. Dr. Rennie. Mr. Seagrave. Present. Mr. White. President. Dr. Aldrich. Present. Mayor Collins. Present. Dr. Emmons. Present. Mr. Royble. Ladies and gentlemen, would you please join me in honoring Councilman Scott Royball by observing a moment of silence? Thank you. You know, I spent a good part of yesterday calling Scott's colleagues and friends preparing for tonight's meeting. And I have to tell you guys, I spent a couple hours laughing as he shared stories about Scott and his adventures and his misadventures that he'd had with him. It felt good to dwell on the positive impact he had on all of us who knew him. The words that people shared with me about Scott were calm, steady, he was even-tempered, compassionate, trustworthy, and respectful. But everyone talked about Scott's sense of humor and how he would use that sense of humor to lighten often very tense situations. He used it to reset the discussion to block the noise and to get to the heart of the matter. His sense of humor made it so fun to work with him.
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