Cheyenne City Council Meeting - March 24, 2026

The Cheyenne City Council met on March 24, 2026, to address a range of items including the third reading of an ordinance to repeal the stormwater fee, multiple zone changes to facilitate housing development, a contract modification for the municipal building renovation design project, and other routine business. The meeting featured significant public comment and council debate, particularly on the stormwater fee repeal and the contract modification.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Stormwater Fee Repeal: Richard Johnson (612 McGovern Avenue) spoke opposing the repeal, expressing distrust in the legislature and arguing that the fee was necessary to prevent loss of life from flooding. He stated, "I don't trust the legislature" and criticized the repeal as a "stab in the back for false promises from the legislature." He emphasized that the fee was created to save residents and property.
• Contract Modification for Municipal Building Renovation: Richard Johnson urged the council to wait, warning that using general fund reserves for design work may not be realized if the sixth penny ballot fails, saying, "I think this is going to come back and bite you because I don't see this passing on six penny when you actually come to construction."
• Other Business: Richard Johnson promoted a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser at Wagon Hound Winery (20% of proceeds from party flights) and encouraged council members to participate in the upcoming blitz build.

Discussion Items

• Bar and Grill Liquor License (Item 10A): Robin Kozad, new owner of Mongolian Bar and Grill (1637 Stillwater Avenue, Suite C), presented plans to add a bar to the establishment. A public hearing was held; no opposition was voiced. The item was assigned to the finance committee.
• Stormwater Fee Repeal (Ordinance 3rd Reading – Item 11): The council debated an ordinance to repeal the monthly stormwater runoff management system user fee, enacted in 2024. The repeal was proposed in collaboration with the legislature, which agreed to study the issue during the interim. Council members expressed varied positions:
  • Dr. Rennie supported repeal as a compromise, noting the legislature's select committee on water would address stormwater statewide.
  • Mr. Wolf opposed, stating he would pursue other funding sources and voted "emphatically no."
  • Mr. Seagrave reluctantly supported, warning of potential legislative backlash but suggesting other solutions like requiring large property owners to eliminate water leaving their property.
  • Dr. Aldrich reluctantly supported to keep the city's word to the legislature, but expressed lack of confidence in legislative follow-through.
  • Mr. Labourne voted no, citing no plan B and lack of tangible progress on drainage improvements.
  • Dr. Emmons supported as a hopeful compromise, noting the infrastructure and fee structure remain in place as a fallback.
  • Mr. Moody supported due to constituent opposition and the burden on businesses like Union Pacific Railroad ($18,000/month), Microsoft, and Magpul.
  • Mr. Escabel opposed on principle, stating the risk of flooding deaths was unacceptable.
  • Mr. White reluctantly supported, criticizing the legislature for allowing the fee then reversing after local work was done.
• Zone Changes (Items 12-16): Multiple ordinances on second reading to rezone land for housing development:
  • Item 12: Zone change to NR3 for five 24-unit apartment buildings north of West College Drive.
  • Item 13: Zone change to NR3 for 196 cottage-style homes on smaller lots (priced around $300,000) south of West Allison Road.
  • Item 14: Zone change from AG to NR3 north of Allison Road for future housing development.
  • Item 15: Zone change from MR to NR2 for existing townhomes to allow individual lot sales.
  • Item 16: Vacation of Frank Court and a small alley segment. All five items were approved unanimously on second reading.
• Contract Modification for Municipal Building Renovation Design (Item 24A): Director Vicky Nemichek (Public Works) presented a $867,050 contract modification to Plan One Architects to add design of the former senior center (new council chamber) and the second floor of the municipal court to the existing municipal building renovation project. The modification would be funded from general fund reserves, as the original sixpenny ballot funds are restricted to the municipal building. Debate centered on urgency, fairness, and whether to put the additional work out for competitive bid. Council members:
  • Mr. White supported, citing inflation savings and the need to move quickly to complete the sixth penny project.
  • Dr. Rennie supported, arguing coordination by a single firm was essential and that the project was time-sensitive.
  • Dr. Aldrich opposed, citing fiscal responsibility and concerns about prior unused plans; also questioned fairness to local firms like Winters Griffith (which had submitted an email arguing for competitive bidding).
  • Mr. Wolf opposed, stating local firms should have an opportunity to bid and that the urgency was self-created; he urged putting the work out for RFP.
  • Mr. Moody opposed, calling it "putting the cart before the horse."
  • Mr. Seagrave supported, arguing that private industry would not switch architects mid-project and that the former senior center was a cost-saving alternative to a building addition.
  • Dr. Emmons expressed concern about optics but did not explicitly state a vote; the motion passed with opposition from Wolf, Moody, Labourne, and Aldrich.
• Other Ordinance First Readings (Items 17-19): Three ordinances were introduced and referred to committees: amending wastewater discharge limits, expanding the downtown development district, and appropriating funds for the Reed Avenue Corridor Project.
• Appointment (Item 26A): Andy Michelson was appointed to the Public Transit Advisory Board; approved unanimously.
• Other Business: Council members made announcements. Dr. Aldrich highlighted a Cheyenne Animal Shelter vaccination clinic that vaccinated 293 pets. Mr. Moody welcomed Shin Young back to the community and wished Happy Passover and Easter. Mr. Seagrave thanked city staff for their response to recent wind events, including tree removal, safety barriers, and increased calls handled by police and fire departments.

Key Outcomes

• The consent agenda was approved.
• The stormwater fee repeal ordinance passed on third reading, 6-3 (Yes: Emmons, Moody, Rennie, Seagrave, White, Aldrich; No: Escabel, Labourne, Wolf).
• Five zone change ordinances (Items 12-16) were approved on second reading.
• The contract modification for the municipal building renovation design project was approved, 5-4 (Yes: White, Rennie, Emmons, Seagrave, and possibly Aldrich? The transcript shows Aldrich voted no, so tally: Yes: White, Rennie, Emmons, Seagrave, and one more? Mayor did not vote. Need to recount: The transcript shows "Those opposed: Mr. Wolf, Mr. Moody, Mr. Labourne, and Dr. Aldridge" – that's 4 nos. The motion passed, so 5 yes. Likely: Emmons, Rennie, Seagrave, White, and Dr. Aldrich? But Aldrich said no. Re-read: After the vote, the transcript says "Yes, the contract modification is approved" after listing the noses. Possibly Dr. Emmons and others voted yes. No clear roll call. So 5-4 passage is correct.)
• Andy Michelson was appointed to the Public Transit Advisory Board.
• A public hearing was announced for April 13, 2026, at 6 p.m. to determine compliance of annexation conditions for approximately 1,259.91 acres west of Round Top Road adjacent to Happy Jack Road.