Cheyenne City Council Meeting - March 9, 2026

The Cheyenne City Council met on March 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM in council chambers. The meeting lasted approximately six hours and covered a consent agenda, a resolution supporting the relocation of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) to Cheyenne, an ordinance restricting private displays on public property, multiple zone changes, a contentious annexation of county pockets (including Y Fresh Farm), and the repeal of a stormwater management fee. Extensive public testimony was heard, particularly regarding the annexation.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved after removing items 18, 20, 22, 26, and 21 at the request of council members. These items were considered separately later in the meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• PRCA Relocation: Catherine Wilkinson (lobbyist for Once in a Blue Moon) and Betsy Hale (Cheyenne LEADS CEO) spoke in support of the resolution, detailing funding: $15 million from Cheyenne LEANS, $15 million from the state of Wyoming, and $10 million in private corporate sponsorships. They noted the project would generate an estimated $800,000 in annual sales tax revenue for Laramie County and the city.
• Private Displays Ordinance: Multiple residents (Chelsea McCourt, Stephen Love, and others) opposed the ordinance, arguing it would impose financial burdens on grieving families, is not significantly distracting, and would criminalize roadside memorials. One speaker noted Fort Collins allows 30-day displays.
• Annexation (Y Fresh Farm): Over 30 speakers testified, overwhelmingly in opposition to forced annexation of Y Fresh Farm and other parcels. Key points included:
  • Tommy Nicely (owner) and family asked for exclusion, citing lack of clear codified rules for urban farms, stress, and loss of farming season.
  • Supporters highlighted the farm's role in local food security, the Wyoming Right to Farm and Ranch Act, and the need for more time to codify urban farming ordinances.
  • Roxy Hovel (owner of parcel 7) expressed health impacts and loss of future plans.
  • Several state legislators (Rep. Gary Brown, Rep. Ann Lucas, Rep. Daniel Singh) urged postponement or removal of the parcels.
  • Legal warnings were issued about statutory defects in the annexation report and potential litigation.
• Stormwater Fee Repeal: Stephen Love spoke in favor of repeal, citing economic hardship.

Discussion Items

• PRCA Resolution (Item 22): Unanimously approved after public testimony. The resolution expresses support for bringing the PRCA headquarters, Hall of Fame, and Museum of the American Cowboy to Cheyenne’s Hitching Post District (approximately 415 acres).
• Private Displays Ordinance (Item 7): Failed on third reading. Council debate included concerns about public right-of-way precedence, mourning, and potential for excessive fines. The vote was 2-8 (Yes: White, Aldrich; No: Wolf, Collins, Emmons, Escobel, Labourne, Moody, Rennie, Seagrave).
• Zone Changes:
  • Item 8 (senior housing north of Prairie Avenue): Approved third reading (unanimous).
  • Item 9 (Bison Business Park expansion): Approved third reading (unanimous).
• Annexation of County Pockets (Item 10): The main agenda item. After extensive debate and multiple amendments (including attempts to remove parcels 4 and 7, a one-year delay, and an eight-month delay), the council voted to postpone the entire annexation ordinance to November 9, 2026 (effective date of third reading). The motion passed unanimously.
• Stormwater Fee Repeal (Item 12): A substitute ordinance repealing the funding mechanism for stormwater management was adopted 8-2 (No: Wolf, Labourne). The main motion then passed on second reading with the same vote. Council members debated legislative promises versus infrastructure needs.
• Other Items:
  • Item 11 (zoning for annexed land) postponed to November 9, 2026.
  • Items 13-17 (first reading ordinances) assigned to committees.
  • Item 18 (final plat for Village Cooperatives) adopted with staff recommendations.
  • Item 20 (AmeriCorps Foster Grandparent grant) adopted.
  • Item 21 (dam rehabilitation grant agreement) adopted.
  • Item 26A (liquor license renewals) approved.

Key Outcomes

• PRCA Resolution: Adopted unanimously in support of relocating PRCA headquarters to Cheyenne.
• Private Displays Ordinance: Failed (2-8).
• Senior Housing and Business Park Zone Changes: Approved unanimously on third reading.
• Annexation (Pocket 4 and related parcels): Postponed to November 9, 2026. The ordinance will return to the Public Services Committee before third reading. The council committed to collaborative work on codifying urban farming regulations in the interim.
• Stormwater Fee: Repealed on second reading (8-2). The council will rely on legislative interim work for alternative funding.
• Liquor Licenses: All 98 renewals approved.
• Executive Session: Council voted to meet in executive session; no further public business was conducted.