Cheyenne City Council Meeting – April 27, 2026

The Cheyenne City Council convened on April 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM (local time) in Council Chambers. The meeting featured extensive public testimony and council debate on a proposed annexation of 1,200 acres west of Roundtop Road (Cox Ranch), a $5 million appropriation for the Reed Avenue Corridor, and multiple other items including zoning changes, a DDA budget increase, and a fire apparatus purchase. The council voted to postpone the annexation and related zoning items to September 14, 2026, after residents raised concerns about water, wildlife, and process transparency.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved with items 15 (six-penny sales tax), 29A (Greenway land purchase), and 29D (FTA transit grant) removed for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jim Walter (President/CEO, Visit Cheyenne) – Expressed full support for the Reed Avenue Corridor project, calling it “destination defining” and aligned with the Cheyenne Tourism Master Plan. He emphasized that the project leverages public infrastructure to attract private investment without additional taxpayer burden.
• Cindy DeLancey (attorney for applicant, Cox Ranch) – Requested a postponement of the annexation ordinance to allow time for negotiations with neighboring property owners and the Cox family regarding the mausoleum.
• Gay Woodhouse (attorney for Cox Ranches LLC) – Stated the need for time to preserve the family mausoleum in situ and ensure access in perpetuity; requested a postponement to August or later.
• Heather Madrid (resident, Harmony Meadows) – Opposed the annexation, citing endangered plant species, bald eagle nests, surface water flow from Crow Creek, and concerns about data center water use and transparency. She criticized the involvement of the Joint Powers Board and Cheyenne LEADS.
• Jordan (community member) – Opposed the annexation, arguing that residents feel their input is ignored and that the city’s promises of improved services are undermined by existing strain on fire and police resources.
• Connor Nicholas (attorney for landowner trust) – Explained that the sale of the property would fund the Cox Family Foundation, supporting local FFA and agricultural causes. He stated the trust had entered a purchase agreement with Via West for data center development.
• Thomas White (resident) – Opposed the annexation, concerned about the proliferation of data centers, traffic on Happy Jack Road, water depletion, and the loss of rural character.
• Sue Roca (resident) – Questioned the foundation’s purposes and the impact on property values, stating that residents moved to the county to enjoy rural life.
• Megan Plummer (resident) – Asked how many data centers are already in Cheyenne (12 operational, 5 under construction, 9 planned according to LEADS) and raised concerns about water, noise, and light pollution.
• Richard Lyell (resident) – Supported data center technology but urged careful siting; noted national legislative efforts to pause AI data center construction.
• Darrell Seifert (resident, Rolling Hills Estates) – Expressed water concerns, alleging unpermitted drilling at night and noticing decreased water pressure on his property.
• Alex Bowler (Cheyenne Area Landowners Coalition) – Raised water usage concerns, noting that 13–14 data centers are already operational or under construction in Laramie County.
• Jack O’Neill (purchaser, Via West) – Requested a pause to engage the community, help resolve the mausoleum issue, draft a development agreement with stringent lighting, sound, and closed-loop water systems, and complete environmental and traffic studies.
• Mark Isley (King Ranch owner) – Opposed the annexation, stating it would clip his ranch headquarters; urged the council to remove his portion from the annexation boundary and emphasized the importance of ranching to the community.
• Jane Lessinger (resident) – Argued that the annexation does not meet statutory criteria: the area is not contiguous (the 44-acre parcel does not make it adjacent), and the area is not developed enough to require city services.
• Sandy Walk (resident, Rolling Hills) – Questioned why the county cannot rezone and expressed fear of eventual forced annexation.
• Sam Galliotis (resident) – Criticized the city for not updating the Plan Cheyenne master plan since 2014 (12 years overdue) and noted that a required neighborhood meeting was not held before the planning commission.
• Ann Margaret Burns (resident) – Said the North Range Business Park was developed with promises of low light, greenway, and no truck traffic on Happy Jack, but those promises have not been kept; opposed the annexation.
• Minda Blevins (resident, Rolling Hills) – Stated the annexation would destroy views, wildlife, and rural character; questioned the foundation’s intent to sell agricultural land for a data center to support FFA.
• Reba Epler (attorney) – Described the historic and cultural significance of the Cox Ranch, including teepee rings, endangered plants, and water resources; argued the annexation is not in the public interest.
• Charles Miller (technical auditor) – Appeared multiple times, asserting that the annexation maps are factually false (surveys not completed until August), that the water use estimate of “eight homes” is misleading, and that the city is violating its own master plan. He called for a “technical reset.”

Discussion Items

• Reed Avenue Corridor Project (Ordinance 8) – Council members (Layborn, Aldrich, Rennie) supported the $5 million appropriation from general reserves, noting it was a voter-approved project from the 2017 sixth-penny ballot. Dr. Rennie expressed concern about the timing given other upcoming ballot measures. The ordinance passed 9–1 (Moody opposed, Rennie lost connection).
• Sweetgrass PUD Amendment (Ordinance 10) – The amendment allows the city to develop a 45‑acre park and the remaining 22 acres for private use (e.g., indoor field house). Council members debated the impact on public access. Dr. Aldrich voiced concerns about the private facility but voted yes. The motion to approve on second reading passed; no vote tally given.
• Cox Ranch Annexation (Ordinance 11) – Extensive discussion. The council voted to postpone until September 14, 2026, to allow time for surveys, mausoleum preservation, and community engagement. The vote was 9–1 (Dr. Rennie opposed).
• Zoning for Annexation (Ordinance 12) – Also postponed to September 14, 2026, with the same vote.
• Business Park Rezoning (Ordinance 13) – Postponed to September 14, 2026, with the same vote.
• Six-Penny Sales Tax Ballot (Resolution 15) – Approved to place the one‑percent specific purpose sales tax proposition on the August 18, 2026, ballot. Mr. Layborn noted the importance of the measure.
• DDA Budget Increase (Resolution 18) – Approved 7–3 (Moody, Labourne, Aldrich opposed). Dr. Aldrich expressed concern about duplicating a communications plan being done by the Downtown First group. The increase was for the communications plan and other projects.
• Health Insurance for Part-Time Employees and Council (Resolution 22) – Failed overwhelmingly (7–2, with only Dr. Aldrich and possibly Mr. Moody voting yes? Actually the transcript says “Aye. Aye. Those opposed. No. The resolution fails with Dr. Emmons, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Seagrave, myself, Mr. Labourne, Mr. Escobel, and Mr. White all voting no.” So 7 no, 2 yes? The mayor didn’t vote? It was dead.)
• Greenway Property Purchase (29A) – Approved $650,000 purchase for compliance and greenway connection. Public comment supportive.
• Transit Facility Grant (29D) – Approved $4,143,600 federal grant for renovation.
• Fire Apparatus Modification (30C) – Approved with savings of $44,035; funding from general reserves and future sixth-penny tax if passed.

Key Outcomes

• Reed Avenue Corridor: Ordinance 8 approved on third reading (9–1).
• Sweetgrass PUD: Ordinance 10 approved on second reading (voice vote, no tally).
• Cox Ranch Annexation and Rezonings: Ordinances 11, 12, and 13 postponed to September 14, 2026 (9–1).
• Six-Penny Sales Tax: Resolution 15 adopted, placing proposition on August 18, 2026, ballot.
• DDA Budget Increase: Resolution 18 adopted (7–3).
• Health Insurance: Resolution 22 failed (7–2).
• Greenway Property: Purchase agreement approved (unanimous).
• Transit Grant: Approved (unanimous).
• Fire Apparatus: Modification approved (unanimous).
• Appointments: Approved (unanimous).