Cheyenne City Council Meeting Summary - October 27, 2025

The governing body of Cheyenne convened for its October 27, 2025 meeting with a full quorum of nine members present. The meeting proceeded to review the consent agenda, hold public hearings for various licenses and ordinances, and deliberate on several major resolutions regarding urban renewal, budget reappropriation, and impact assistance for the Chugwater Energy Project. While most routine items were approved unanimously, significant debate occurred regarding the allocation of tax increment financing (TIF) and impact fees for large-scale energy developments.

Consent Calendar

• Items 11 (Bell Building Urban Renewal), 14A (Del Range Boulevard traffic signals), and 15A (High Plains Arboretum irrigation) were removed by request of Dr. Aldrich and Councilman Labour for separate discussion after initial removal motions were made and concurred upon.
• The remaining two consent items were approved unanimously with aye votes from all nine members.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Amy Serdam (Bell Building Owner): Presented the renovation history and vision for the Bell Building, noting $400,000 in private funds and $100,000 in DDA/Joint Powers Board funds already invested. She testified that the project is necessary to preserve historic tax credits and that the proposed TIF would not be used if the project did not proceed, meaning the city bears no financial risk. She expressed support for the redevelopment and the potential for new parking spaces.
• Dr. Emmons: Provided historical context on the building's past use and questioned the payback period for the proposed parking spaces, clarifying that the city would not be liable if the project failed.
• Ms. Wendy Volk (Downtown Development Authority Board): Expressed strong support for the Bell Building project, applauding the owners' efforts and urging the council to support the next phase of development.
• Jill Kaufman (Platt County Visitor): Opposed the MOU regarding the Chugwater Energy Project, arguing the project is 80% government subsidized, relies on "pseudoscience," and that local entities should not participate as a "stop gap" to government funding. She encouraged the council to reject the MOU.
• Wendy Volk (Platt County / Chugwater Observer): Although initially listed as a local resident, she also testified regarding the Chugwater Energy Project MOU. She supported the MOU, citing a 2,500-page siting report that forecasts a 450-worker influx causing a "tsunami" of impact on housing, healthcare, and law enforcement. She argued that Cheyenne stands to be significantly impacted and should accept funds to mitigate these costs.

Discussion Items

• Liquor License Application (Red Bones LLC): Dr. Rennie asked for clarification on how a bar and grill license would differ from the current restaurant license. Applicant confirmed the existing operation would include a dedicated bar area, distinct from the current setup which would require serving behind a counter.
• Zoning Ordinance (Cheyenne Unified Development Code): Council reviewed an ordinance to align zoning with Laramie County regulations for newly annexed properties. Mr. Seagrave moved to approve on third reading, noting the need to match county changes.
• Weeds Nuisance Ordinance: Council reviewed a third reading to revise vegetation requirements. Dr. Emmons seconded the recommendation from the public services committee to approve.
• Official Zoning Map Amendment: Council discussed rezoning the municipal complex area to the Central Business District (CBD) to better fit current uses. Mr. Seagrave moved to approve on third reading.
• Recreational Vehicle (RV) Parks Ordinance (Second Reading): Director Charles Bloom presented the ordinance regulating RV parks. Staff clarified that the 50-amp and 30-amp electrical connection standard is typical for larger and smaller RVs. Dr. Rennie requested clarification on the minimum site area, distinguishing that the five-acre minimum applies to manufactured home parks, while RV parks have no statutory minimum to allow market-driven development. The ordinance passed the second reading, though it previously failed at the committee level. Dr. Rennie and Mr. Labourne voted no.
• Bell Building Urban Renewal Project: Amy Serdam testified regarding the historic building's renovation and the request for Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Councilmembers discussed the projected $930,000 tax increment over 25 years versus the current $3,000 property tax. Dr. Aldrich, historically opposed to TIFs, voted in favor due to the specific economic benefits and the low financial risk to the city, provided the project succeeds.
• Budget Reappropriation (FY 2026): Council discussed reappropriating unspent funds, including $94,027 for traffic overtime and $86,947 for noise/speed enforcement. Mr. Labourne advocated for actively spending remaining overtime funds to improve street safety rather than rolling them over. Mayor Collins noted frustration with uncollected parking tickets and owed bills but supported the reappropriation to maintain operations.
• Chugwater Energy Project MOU: Public testimony included strong opposition from residents concerned about subsidies and support from those fearing a massive influx of workers impacting local infrastructure. Staff explained the impact fee calculation ($464,827) based on projected unmitigated impacts and cost-of-service analysis ($3,090 per person). Councilmember Moody opposed the MOU, arguing funds should go to the directly impacted counties (Platt and Goshen) rather than Cheyenne, while multiple other members voted in favor to secure resources for potential service costs.
• Del Range Boulevard Traffic Signals: Council debated the necessity of a $162,399 professional services agreement to retime 15 intersections. Engineering staff confirmed the system is over 10 years old and overdue for efficiency and safety improvements. Council approved the expenditure to improve traffic flow and safety.
• High Plains Arboretum Irrigation: Council considered a $236,641 contract to install a drip irrigation system. Staff noted the current flood irrigation is wasteful and labor-intensive. Council approved the bid to utilize state funds ($3 million) before the fiscal year ends.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinances Approved on Third Reading:
  • Amendment to Section 2.2.8 (Zoning for newly annexed properties): Approved 9-0.
  • Amendment to Section 8.60.050 (Weeds as a nuisance): Approved 9-0.
  • Amendment to Official Zoning Map (CBD designation for municipal complex): Approved 9-0.
  • Unanimous "Aye" vote with Dr. Rennie and Mr. Labourne voting NO on the second reading of RV parks ordinance.
• Resolutions Adopted:
  • Bell Building Urban Renewal Project and Plan (TIF): Adopted 8-1 (Mr. Moody abstained/voted no; transcript indicates "No" from Moody and "Aye" from others, yielding 8 in favor).
  • FY 2026 Budget Reappropriation: Adopted unanimously.
  • MOU for Chugwater Energy Project Impact Assistance: Adopted 8-1 (Mr. Moody voted no).
  • Professional Services Agreement (Del Range Boulevard): Approved 9-0.
  • Bid Agreement S-3-26 (High Plains Arboretum): Approved 9-0.
• Next Steps:
  • Liquor license item assigned to the Finance Committee for further action.
  • RV parks ordinance item to be reviewed at the next committee meeting.
  • Development agreement and cost documentation for the Bell Building TIF to be presented after a third-party performance analysis.
  • Public hearings scheduled for November 10, 2025, regarding annexation conditions for 13.64 acres (initiated by city) and 20.41 acres (owner-initiated).