Cheyenne City Council Meeting - July 27, 2026

The Cheyenne City Council met on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered routine approvals, second readings of annexation and zoning ordinances, a resolution for a wind project impact assistance memorandum, a final plat for a park, multiple bid awards, and appointments. Several items saw dissenting votes from Councilman Moody, and public comment included detailed scrutiny from residents and a recurring critic.

Consent Calendar

• Approved by a single motion, with Councilman Laborne (Leborn) voting "no." Items included:
  • Approval of minutes from July 13, 2026.
  • Resolution adopting the 2026 CDBG Annual Action Plan.
  • Various agreements: Animal Control Services ($156,850 revenue), Animal Shelter Services (up to $650,000), prisoner housing at Laramie County Detention Center, Juvenile Housing Agreement, Grant for suicide/homicide assessments (revenue), Landfill Leachate System design ($85,000). Also, referral to Finance Committee for Stryker maintenance contract and AVI PC construction administration services.
  • Bids: Acceptance of Bid S-23-26 for Christensen Road Bridge Approach ($224,369), Bid E-26-26 for Police Interceptors ($684,758), Bid E-27-26 for Street Sweeper ($81,758.32), Bid E-28-26 for surplus firearms sale ($48,638.70), purchase of ice resurfacer ($128,400). Also, referral to Finance Committee for 2026 Miscellaneous Concrete, 2026 Surface Seal, and 2026 Crack Seal projects.
• Note: Items 11g and 11h, and bids 12j-l were listed as Consent but had action "Refer to Finance Committee" – they were included in the consent approval.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Wendy Volk spoke on item 9 (Wind Project MOU), presenting handouts and raising detailed questions about how the $700,000 impact estimate was developed, which city departments participated, and whether cumulative impacts from multiple large industrial projects were considered. She noted the project is 64 square miles, three times the size of Cheyenne, and is adjacent to other wind and energy projects.
• Charles Miller (multiple items) made extensive, often confrontational comments. On item 6/7 (annexation/zoning), he complained about being bypassed and alleged viewpoint discrimination. On item 9, he criticized the council for using the Industrial Siting Act for the wind project while not doing so for the Microsoft Highlands annexation. On item 10 (Sweetgrass plat), he argued the developer lacks capital and the city is waiving infrastructure bond requirements. On item 12C (roofs), he criticized awarding to an out-of-state contractor. On item 12H (transit cameras), he called the single-source purchase a bypass of competitive bidding. On item 12i (CM at Risk), he called it premature. On the voucher report, he criticized various expenditures. In final comments, he threatened federal liability under 42 USC §1983 and claimed the city's actions are being reverse-engineered by an intelligence network.
• Richard Lyle (item 9) expressed concern about decommissioning costs for wind turbines after 20-25 years and asked about allocation of financial responsibility among agencies. The mayor and city attorney responded that a bond is required by the Industrial Siting Council and that the MOU is only for construction impact mitigation.
• Jimmy Churro, candidate for Ward 1, commended city staff for Frontier Days and street sweeping, and urged the council to increase police pay and officer numbers in the 2027 budget.

Discussion Items

• Item 6: Annexation (2nd Reading) – Land west of Roundtop Road and south of Happy Jack Road. Councilman Moody asked about contiguity; staff confirmed it does not touch Cox Ranch. Approved with Mr. Moody voting no.
• Item 7: Zoning (2nd Reading) – BP Business Park for annexed land. Approved with Mr. Moody voting no.
• Item 9: Resolution for Wind Project MOU – Authorizing mayor to execute MOU with counties/towns for Impact Assistance Funds from the Laramie Range Wind Project (up to 650 MW, 41,220 acres, 305 construction workers). The city's estimated impact amount is ~$700,000. Public comments as above. Council members asked about the derivation of the $700,000; City Attorney John Brody explained it uses the same cost-of-service index as past ISC filings and offered to share details. Councilman Wolf noted the MOU is not final and encouraged Ms. Volk to engage with staff. Councilman Laborne distinguished between the city's role and the Industrial Siting Council's jurisdiction. Councilman Seagrave noted the wind project is outside city limits while business park inside pays development fees. Approved with Mr. Moody voting no.
• Item 10: Final Plat for A&H Park at Sweetgrass – 91.29 acres, six lots, for recreational greenway and future development. Councilman Wolf moved to amend staff recommendations to add condition 3A (prior to development, a plan for installation of public/private improvements and assurance by bond or certified check or development agreement be approved). Amendment adopted. Main motion as amended adopted.
• Item 12A: Bid S-22-26 (Christensen Road Detention Erosion Mitigation) – Councilman Escobel moved to postpone to August 10, 2026, due to ongoing negotiations with Union Pacific Railroad. Motion to postpone approved.
• Item 12C: Bid S-24-26 (Various Roof Replacements) – Awarded to Bone Dry Commercial Roofing, Inc. for $283,130. Discussion: Councilman Moody voted no on principle, preferring local contractors. Explanation given that state law requires lowest responsive bidder with 5% in-state preference; out-of-state bid was more than 5% lower. Approved with Mr. Moody no.
• Item 12H: Purchase from Samsara (Transit Cameras) – Single-source purchase for camera hardware/software for transit buses, $133,044.72. Staff explained it is continuation of current system; changing would be more expensive. Approved with Mr. Moody no.
• Item 12i: RFP #6-26 (Construction Manager at Risk) – Awarded to FCI Constructors of Wyoming for $30,000 for pre-construction services for Municipal Building renovation. Discussion about contingency on six-penny tax: Mayor clarified the funding is from the 2021 six-penny tax already collected for design, and the CM is for pre-construction services to ensure buildability. Councilman White confirmed no new money. Approved with Mr. Moody no.
• Item 14A: Appointments – Stephen Hanlon to Historic Preservation Board; Gavin Lobmeyer to Board of Adjustment. Councilman Moody voted no citing Lobmeyer's current candidacy for office; Councilwoman Aldrich confirmed that is not a disqualification. Approved with Mr. Moody no.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved with one no vote.
• Annexation (Item 6) approved on 2nd reading (vote: ayes, with Mr. Moody no).
• Zoning (Item 7) approved on 2nd reading (vote: ayes, with Mr. Moody no).
• Wind Project MOU (Item 9) adopted (vote: ayes, with Mr. Moody no).
• Sweetgrass Final Plat (Item 10) adopted as amended (vote: ayes, with no recorded no).
• Christensen Road Bid (12A) postponed to August 10, 2026.
• Various Roof Replacements (12C) awarded to Bone Dry Commercial Roofing for $283,130 (vote: ayes, with Mr. Moody no).
• Transit Cameras (12H) purchase approved from Samsara for $133,044.72 (vote: ayes, with Mr. Moody no).
• CM at Risk (12i) contract approved for $30,000 to FCI Constructors (vote: ayes, with Mr. Moody no).
• Appointments (14A) approved (vote: ayes, with Mr. Moody no).
• Voucher Report and Revenue Report accepted without objection.

The meeting adjourned after closing remarks from council members and the mayor, who thanked city staff and volunteers for their work during Cheyenne Frontier Days.