Cheyenne City Council Regular Meeting Summary – May 11, 2026

The Cheyenne City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, at approximately 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers, 2101 O'Neill Avenue. The meeting included public hearings, ordinance readings, resolutions, and contract approvals. Key topics included a planned unit development amendment for Sweetgrass, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) budget, an engineering contract modification, and the Story Boulevard extension contract. The council also addressed a data center moratorium (referred to committee without discussion) and other routine business.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved with items 31A (Story Boulevard extension bid) and 30A (AVI Engineering contract modification) removed for separate consideration. Item 23 (Cheyenne Regional Airport Board budget) was referred to the finance committee by the mayor. Dr. Rennie recused himself from item 30 due to a conflict of interest.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Niles (resident) questioned the purpose of a zone change for land south of I-80, east of Southwest Drive. The applicant clarified no specific purchase option was pending; the change sought to align zoning with surrounding Light Industrial (LI) designations.
• Rodney Stone (property owner on Story Boulevard) opposed the retaining wall planned in front of his house, stating he never requested it and preferred a simple slope. He asked the council to reconsider the design to avoid negative impacts on his property.
• Charles Miller (public comment via Zoom) spoke on multiple items:
  • On the Sweetgrass PUD amendment, he argued it codified a reduction in public park space (from 66 to 45 acres) and criticized a clause allowing land-use changes without a major amendment review. He urged rejection until a transparent map of private recreation plans was provided.
  • On the DDA budget, he highlighted a $434,190 draw from reserves, questioned $65,100 for independent office space when city-provided space is available, and called the budget unsustainable.
  • On the Story Boulevard extension, he objected to the $3.49 million contract, claiming it subsidizes private development, noting the road currently carries 84 cars/day and will increase to 5,200, and criticized a retaining wall cost of $124,920 as benefiting a single property owner. Mayor Collins clarified there is no development driving the project, only pent-up demand.
  • On the voucher report, he cited expenditures of $40,000 for a concert, $12,292 for a climate action plan, $4,448 for firearm suppressors, and other items, arguing these divert funds from core infrastructure.
• Charles Miller also commented on the AVI Engineering contract modification, suggesting it was a slush fund; Mayor Collins and staff refuted this, explaining the need for on-call engineering services due to staffing shortages.

Discussion Items

• Sweetgrass PUD Amendment (Ordinance Third Reading): Casey Palmer (applicant, Palm Land Planning) presented a plan to split a 66-acre park dedication into a 45-acre city-owned community park and a 28-acre parcel for private recreational development. Charles Bloom (Planning & Development Director) noted 45 acres aligns with the comprehensive plan for a community park and that the city's parks department supports the split. Councilmembers expressed concerns about the reduction in public land and the nature of the private facility. Dr. Aldridge referenced constituent complaints about unfulfilled promises (e.g., a community center). Mr. Palmer assured that the 45-acre park would remain free and public. After debate, the ordinance was approved on third reading (unanimous).
• Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Budget: The initial budget of $1,005,800 was amended via substitute (May 5, 2026) to $1,022,800 (a $30,000 reduction to correct a scrivener's error). Public comment by Charles Miller criticized reliance on $434,190 in reserves and $65,100 for independent office space. Dave Tubner (DDA Board President) and Sophia Mays (Executive Director) defended the reserves draw as necessary for operational growth and strategic investments. Councilman Laborne noted the DDA's reserves (~$961,700 after approval) are substantial compared to other Wyoming DDAs. The budget was approved as amended (voice vote, all in favor).
• Story Boulevard Extension Contract (Bid #S-19-26): The $3,493,630.85 contract with Ryman Corp was discussed at length. Laramie County Commissioner Troy Thompson explained the county's contribution of $1,161,510.60 (based on county standards) and expressed concern about cost escalation over five years. City Engineer Cobb detailed the engineering rationale for curb and gutter (due to a high-pressure gas line) and a retaining wall (to avoid fill on Mr. Stone's property). Councilman White noted the project is critical for future detours during the Dell Range project. Mr. Stone objected to the retaining wall. The contract was approved unanimously.
• AVI Engineering Contract Modification (30A): The $25,000 increase brought the total to $99,500. Dr. Rennie recused himself due to his son's partnership in AVI. Some councilmembers (Dr. Aldridge, Mr. Laborne) raised concerns about sole sourcing and lack of transparency, while others (Dr. Emmons, Mr. Wolf) supported it as a practical solution to engineering staffing shortages. The modification was approved (7-2: Dr. Aldridge and Mr. Laborne opposed).
• Wastewater Discharge Limits Ordinance: On third reading, the council postponed this item to May 26, 2026, to align with the EPA/DEQ public comment period (motion carried).
• Future Land Use Map Amendment (Resolution): The item was referred to the public services committee and postponed to September 28, 2026, pending related zoning changes.
• Data Center Moratorium: The mayor clarified that the item would be read into the record and referred to the public services committee; no discussion occurred that evening.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Ordinances (Third Reading):
  • Zone change for land south of I-80 (unanimous).
  • Sweetgrass PUD amendment (unanimous).
• Approved Ordinances (Second Reading):
  • Oversized vehicle ordinance amendment (vote: Mr. Moody opposed).
• Approved Resolutions and Contracts:
  • DDA FY 2026-2027 budget as amended (voice vote, all in favor).
  • BNSF Railway agreement for Reed Avenue project (vote: Mr. Moody opposed).
  • AVI Engineering contract modification #1 ($25,000, approved 7-2).
  • Story Boulevard extension bid ($3,493,630.85, unanimous).
• Postponements:
  • Wastewater ordinance postponed to May 26, 2026.
  • Future land use map amendment postponed to September 28, 2026.
• Referrals:
  • Solid waste fee schedule to finance committee.
  • Zone change for HR Ranch Road to public services committee.
  • Budget appropriation to committee of the whole (May 18, 2026).
  • Zone change for Cheyenne Business Park to public services committee.
  • Water/sewer rate changes to finance committee.
  • Data center moratorium to public services committee.
• Executive Session: The council voted to enter executive session (unanimous) pursuant to Wyoming Statute §16-4-405 to receive confidential information.
• Other Announcements: Councilmembers reminded the public of upcoming events: Boys & Girls Club breakfast (May 12), Council Coffee (May 16), Rooted in Cheyenne spring planting (May 16), LCCC graduations (May 15-16), and National Police Memorial Week.