City Council Meeting - August 10, 2026

The Cheyenne City Council met on August 10, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting included a consent agenda (with one item removed), third readings of an annexation ordinance and a zoning map amendment, a bid award postponed for a detention erosion mitigation project, a voucher report, announcements, and an executive session followed by a motion to seek judicial clarification on annexation referendum procedures. Key votes were 8-1 in favor of the annexation and zoning changes, and 8-1 in favor of authorizing a declaratory judgment action.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda (items designated [CA]) with the removal of Item 10A (Christensen Road Detention Erosion Mitigation bid) at the request of Councilmember Moody, seconded by another member. Councilmember Rennie recused himself from Item 8b (AVI PC professional services agreement) due to a conflict of interest. The remainder of the consent agenda was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Heather Madrid (Ward 1) opposed the annexation (Item 6) and re-zoning (Item 7), arguing that the city is annexing small parcels to eventually connect to a massive business park without transparency. She criticized the city's relationship with Cheyenne LEADS, citing non-disclosure agreements and a lack of public trust. She also objected to the business park (BP) zoning, stating that data centers are permitted by right under the current UDC, bypassing public hearings.
• Brian Pixley (resident near Roundtop and Happy Jack) expressed opposition to data centers and annexations, feeling that the city listens to outside interests over local voters.
• Charles Miller echoed previous speakers, opposing the annexation and re-zoning. He questioned why the 34-acre parcel was being zoned BP permanently if it was only for a construction staging yard, and noted that city planner Connor White had admitted BP zoning allows developers to bypass public notice. He also highlighted a discrepancy in the bid amount for Item 10A ($314,905 vs. $314,950) and criticized the city’s due diligence regarding an unsigned railroad agreement for the Christensen Road project.
• Tom Cobb (City Engineer) addressed Item 10A, requesting a two-week postponement to finalize a new alternative with steel pipe to accommodate a future railroad track and obtain a signed agreement. He explained that rejecting the bid would require a costly rebid.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 6 (3rd Reading) – Annexation of land west of Roundtop Road and south of Happy Jack Road: The owner-initiated annexation was presented on final reading. Councilmember Rennie clarified the purpose is a laydown facility for data center construction equipment, not the data center itself. The motion to approve on third reading was made by Dr. Aldrich, seconded by Dr. Emmons. The council voted 8-1 to approve, with Mr. Moody opposed.
• Ordinance 7 (3rd Reading) – Zoning Map Amendment to BP (Business Park) for the annexed land: The planning department recommended BP zoning as closest to the existing county zone and surrounding uses. The motion to approve was made by Dr. Aldrich, seconded by Mr. Seagrave. The council voted 8-1 to approve, with Mr. Moody opposed.
• Item 10A – Bid #S-22-26 for Christensen Road Detention Erosion Mitigation project: Mr. Cobb requested a two-week postponement to develop a revised alternative requiring steel pipe and additional erosion protection. A motion to postpone was made by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Moody, and approved by the council. Dr. Aldrich questioned whether voting down the bid would be more appropriate; Mr. Cobb explained that a postponement preserves the current contractor and avoids a costly rebid.
• Item 11A – Voucher Report: Mr. Miller criticized specific disbursements, including $41,800 in talent fees for entertainment, $1,887 for portable toilets for the Mayor’s parade, and $4,793.65 for train depot ornaments, arguing that these funds should be directed toward lead pipe replacement. Councilmember Collins noted that the city recently approved $20 million for lead pipe abatement.
• Executive Session: The council entered executive session under Wyoming Statute §16-4-405(a)(iii) to discuss confidential legal matters. The session concluded with a motion to return to open session.
• Other Business – Declaratory Judgment Motion: After executive session, Mr. Seagrave moved to authorize the City Attorney to prepare and prosecute a declaratory judgment action to clarify whether an annexation ordinance is subject to municipal referendum (Title 22) or the annexation challenge procedure (Wyoming Statute §15-1-409). Mr. White supported the motion, noting it does not preclude the ongoing petition process. Mr. Moody opposed, stating the law is clear. Dr. Emmons and Mr. Seagrave emphasized the need for clarity. Mayor Collins explained the legal ambiguity: Title 22 provides a referendum mechanism, while §15-1-409 requires an appeal to district court. The motion passed 8-1, with Mr. Moody voting no.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved (with Item 10A removed).
• Annexation ordinance (Item 6) approved on third reading with an 8-1 vote (Moody no).
• Zoning map amendment (Item 7) approved on third reading with an 8-1 vote (Moody no).
• Item 10A postponed for two weeks to allow the city engineer to finalize a revised design and railroad agreement.
• Motion to authorize declaratory judgment action passed 8-1, directing the City Attorney to seek court clarification on the proper procedure for appealing an annexation ordinance.
• Public hearing scheduled for August 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. regarding a retail liquor license transfer for Capital City Hospitality LLC d/b/a Wyoming Discount Liquor.