Cheyenne City Council Meeting Summary - December 22, 2025

The governing body of the City of Cheyenne convened on December 22, 2025, to address a comprehensive agenda including housing plan amendments, police contract updates, and the reconsideration of the historic pump house sale. The meeting featured significant public commentary on the Reed Avenue corridor project, balancing developer support with resident concerns regarding infrastructure priorities and traffic safety.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously with Item 18B (GIS contract update) removed for correction, and Item 18B was subsequently adopted via a substitute motion.
• Item 7A (Housing Plan Amendments) was heard as a public hearing but referred to the Finance Committee; it was not voted on in this session but moved forward for later deliberation.
• Item 11 contained an abstention due to a conflict of interest (Director/Shareholder of a bank).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Natalie Lancy (Satin and Spice Boutique): Expressed strong opposition to the Reed Avenue Corridor project, arguing that healthy drinking water and storm drain repairs are higher priorities for the city. She voiced concerns that the project excludes local firms in favor of outsourced contractors from other states and questioned the necessity of chain link fencing and street closures which she believes would disrupt emergency access and create accessibility issues for local businesses.
• Ms. Castaldea (Community Member): Expressed support for the amendment to remove the demolition deadline for the historic pump house, stating she agrees that removing the deadline provides necessary flexibility to work with stakeholders.
• Dr. Aldridge (Council Member/Original Responder): Expressed full support for the substitute amendment to repeal the pump house resolution, acknowledging the urgency the previous deadline provided but stating she believes the new approach is beneficial for finding a solution to save the building.
• Milwaukee Simpson (Board Chair): Expressed support for the pump house substitute amendment, noting it allows more time for deliberation to bring various interests to the table.**
• Ms. Callis: Expressed support for the removal of the demolition deadline, indicating that saving the building is the priority over adhering to the January 14th demolition date.
• Brandon Swain (Developer): Expressed appreciation and gratitude toward the city departments and the governing body for their efficiency in permitting and completing development projects in 2025.

Discussion Items

• CDBG Plan Amendments (Item 7A): Ms. Amy Gorby presented amendments to the 2025–2027 Consolidated Plan to repurpose returned CDBG funds. The discussion highlighted a new Goal 7 allocating approximately $642,000 to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing, aiming to create over 180 affordable rental units through land acquisition. The council discussed the cancellation of the "Health Works" and "Climb Wyoming" activities due to regulatory changes, noting a decrease in funds for public facility improvements and job training.
• Police Terms and Conditions (Item 8): The council reviewed the annual update reflecting a three percent cost of living adjustment agreed upon in a previous meeting.
• Cheyenne Auxiliary Pumping Station (Item 10): Extensive discussion occurred regarding Resolution 6479. Mr. Seagrave moved to repeal the original resolution and remove the January 14th demolition deadline, effectively returning the project to a pre-deadline status to allow for flexible redevelopment and adaptive reuse discussions without the threat of demolition.
• Final Plat Approval (Item 13): The council discussed the final plat for a scenic development including 184 affordable housing units. Mr. Seagrave proposed an amendment to remove the Planning Commission's requirement for external access easements, reverting to staff's original recommendation to allow for future pedestrian easements to be determined upon project completion.
• Liquor License Transfer (Item 20A): The council addressed a transfer application for a liquor license. The applicant (Cheyenne GS LLC) withdrew the application via letter following a prior failure of the vote in the Finance Committee. The council voted to deny the transfer as a formality despite the withdrawal.
• Reed Avenue Corridor (Public Comment): Mayor Collins responded to concerns by noting the project aims to create a linear business park with dirt road improvements and pedestrian paths to revitalize the corridor. He acknowledged the critical need for a stormwater management funding source and lead pipe replacement, which costs an estimated $100 million or more, but maintained that the corridor project is a distinct priority to spur economic activity and safety near track crossings.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: The consent agenda (excluding 18B initially).
• Approved: Ordinance second reading for sworn officer employment terms (Item 8).
• Approved: The substitute motion to repeal Resolution 6479 regarding the Pump House (Item 10), eliminating the demolition deadline and restarting the redevelopment process from scratch.
• Approved: Final plat for the scenic development (Item 13) as amended to remove external access easement requirements; Mr. Moody voted no.
• Approved: Memorandum of Understanding for the GIS agreement (Item 18B) with a corrected total amount of $128,200 over three years.
• Denied: The transfer of ownership for the retail liquor license (Item 20A).
• Approved: The reappointments of Patrick Van, Patrick Boustos, Amy Hernandez, Robert Matthew, and others to various boards and commissions.
• Approved: New appointments to the Downtown Development Authority, Board of Health, Board of Adjustment, Housing and Community Development Board, and Historic Preservation Board (Item 20B) with Dr. Emmons voted no; Dr. Emmons declared a conflict and abstained from the vote on 20C.
• Referred: The amendments to the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan (Item 7A) to the Finance Committee for January 6th discussion.
• Scheduled: Public hearings announced for January 12, 2026, regarding annexation conditions and liquor license transfers for ACEs Range and West Edge Brewing.
• Announced: "Council and Coffee" meetings to be held in January 2026 by Ward 1 representatives.