Cheyenne City Council Meeting - August 24, 2026

The Cheyenne City Council met on August 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting included a public hearing on a retail liquor license transfer, approval of a school resource officer agreement, a professional services contract for roundabout modifications, a contract modification for the Downtown Development Authority, and a failed bid for an erosion mitigation project. Council also heard public comments on procedural issues and announced upcoming public hearings and a Calcutta fundraiser. All council members were present.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from August 10, 2026 – Approved (items 9A and 10 removed for separate consideration).
• Resolution naming ‘Dr. Robert M. Farr Park’ – Referred to Public Services Committee.
• Resolution opposing federal truck size/weight increases – Referred to Public Services Committee.
• Right-of-Way Use Agreement with CSRE Properties Wyoming, LLC – Referred to Public Services Committee.
• Contract for Laramie County Juvenile Crisis Shelter services – Referred to Finance Committee.
• Contract for probation/diversion services – Referred to Finance Committee.
• Professional Services Agreement for Cheyenne-Next Comprehensive Plan update – Referred to Finance Committee.
• Grant Award Agreement with Wyoming Office of Homeland Security – Referred to Finance Committee.
• Bid for Cahill and Lions Park Pavement Restoration (STC Construction) – Referred to Finance Committee.
• Purchase of Motorola radios for Animal Control – Referred to Finance Committee.
• Purchase of Motorola radios for Police Department – Referred to Finance Committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Charles Miller (citizen auditor) spoke on item 6A (liquor license transfer), pointing out that the application forms listed a filing date of July 30, 2024, and advertisement dates of August 13, 2024, while the hearing occurred on August 24, 2026. He argued this discrepancy violated statutory notice requirements and demanded the city clerk explain the issue on the record, stating that the hearing should be continued and a corrected packet submitted. He later commented on item 9A (SRO MOU), urging the council to require annual public reporting of school-based citations, searches, and diversion referrals to ensure the program serves as a protective shield rather than a conduit to juvenile justice. On item 10A (DDA contract modification), he noted the DDA’s financial statements received a qualified opinion in January 2025 due to inadequate documentation, and questioned the frequency of restructuring (four contracts in 35 years, three in the last three years), asking for the cost-benefit task force roster.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing – Transfer of Retail Liquor License (Item 6A): John Johnson of Capital City Hospitality, LLC described plans to redevelop the former Big Lots building at 3501 E. Lincolnway in phases: first a retail liquor store (Wyoming Discount Liquor), then a potential Bally’s OTB, and finally a full-service restaurant (Wyoming Aleworks). He stated that without all three components the project would not be financially viable. Council members asked about parking, building appearance, and community need for sit-down restaurants with meeting rooms. Dr. Aldrich noted limited options in Ward 3. The item was assigned to the Finance Committee.
• Memorandum of Understanding for School Resource Officers (Item 9A): Captain David Shannon explained that the substitute amendment clarified the school district will pay 75% of SRO salaries during the school year and the city will pay 25% in summer. Council members Dr. Aldrich and Dr. Emmons spoke in support, emphasizing the SROs’ role in student safety and diversion programs. The substitute was adopted, and the main motion approved.
• Professional Services Agreement for Pershing, Converse, and 19th Street Roundabout (Item 9B): Transportation Director Cobb presented the need for operation modifications based on a 2019 study, citing hundreds of property-damage-only accidents. He outlined three options involving lane reconfigurations, median extensions, and decorative screening to improve driver behavior. The contract amount was $186,500. After discussion, the motion passed 7-2 (Councilmembers Moody and Rennie opposed).
• Contract Modification #1 with Cheyenne Downtown Development Authority (Item 10A): The modification moved DDA staff from Planning and Development to Community Recreation and Events (CRE). Councilmembers Layborn, Aldrich, and Wolf spoke in favor, highlighting improved coordination, downtown vibrancy, and cautious optimism that Director Sanchez could rebuild relationships with merchants. The motion passed.
• Consideration of Bid for Christensen Road Detention Erosion Mitigation (Item 11A): The city engineer reported that Union Pacific Railroad added significant conditions, making the project financially unfeasible as bid. Councilmember Escobel moved to accept the bid at $314,905, but the motion failed with no votes in favor.
• Announcements:
  • Public hearings on September 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. regarding annexation conditions for 162.42 acres (west of South Greeley Highway) and 652.67 acres (south of I-80, southeast of Otto Road).
  • A Calcutta benefiting Children’s Western Wish Foundation on September 27, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Frontier Park (10% of proceeds to charity).
  • Rescheduled committee meetings due to Labor Day: Public Services Committee on September 8, 2026, at noon; Finance Committee on September 9, 2026, at noon.
  • Three postponed ordinances (land annexation and zoning at Roundtop Road) will return to Public Services Committee on September 8, 2026.
• Other Business: Councilmember Wolf asked about a radio interview on the municipal building renovation. Mayor Collins stated the building is over 50 years old and needs HVAC, plumbing, and electrical upgrades, and he intends to find a way to fund the project without waiting for the next sixth-penny ballot. Councilmember Layborn reflected on the recent sixth-penny election where 13 of 14 initiatives passed, expressing gratitude for public support and noting the city’s strong reserves and capital needs.

Key Outcomes

• Liquor License Transfer (Item 6A): Referred to Finance Committee.
• SRO MOU (Item 9A): Approved as amended by substitute (school district pays 75% of salaries during school year, city pays 25% in summer).
• Roundabout Agreement (Item 9B): Approved, amount not to exceed $186,500 (vote 7-2).
• DDA Contract Modification (Item 10A): Approved.
• Christensen Road Bid (Item 11A): Failed for lack of approval; city will revisit project.
• Upcoming Hearings: Two annexation public hearings set for September 14, 2026.
• Committee Schedule: Public Services Committee meets September 8, Finance Committee meets September 9, due to Labor Day. Postponed ordinances on those agendas.