Cheyenne Governing Body Meeting Summary: September 16, 2026

The Cheyenne Governing Body met on September 16, 2026 (agenda and materials cite the meeting date as September 14, 2026; the user-specified date is used here per instructions) to consider routine consent items, annexations, a zone change, a professional services agreement, and a comprehensive plan update. The council approved the consent agenda with two items removed, imposed a three-minute debate limit, and held public hearings featuring significant resident concern about data center development, water use, and transparency. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved as amended, with items 18 and 26D removed for separate discussion. All other routine items passed unanimously, including:
  • Minutes from the August 24, 2026, regular meeting.
  • Right-of-Way Use Agreement between the City of Cheyenne and CSRE Properties Wyoming, LLC for two storm sewer pipe connections from detention ponds in the Ventura Drive right-of-way.
  • Contract between the City of Cheyenne, Office of Youth Alternatives, and Laramie County for probation/diversion services for youth in Laramie County Circuit Court and Municipal Court.
  • Consideration to Purchase between the City of Cheyenne and L.N. (property identified in supporting documents).
  • Announcement of a Calcutta benefitting the Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative, October 16-18, 2026, at Peppermill Bar, Cheyenne.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A resident expressed concern about annexations generally, noting the cumulative impact and the need for the full record of planning department comments to be read into the record.
• A property owner stated the infrastructure is ready and that they will "fund 100% of the cost to tie into those existing lines, ensuring no financial burden to Cheyenne taxpayers."
• A resident suggested that the property's remaining land be placed in a land trust to preserve grazing, and asked whether the owner would consider an MOU with the city and the Rolling Hills neighborhood regarding operations.
• An audience member said about 30 people present opposed the proposal and criticized decisions made "without transparency, without accountability, and without the voices of the people."
• A resident cited Board of Public Utilities data reporting 95 million gallons of water used out of 7.17 billion gallons available, questioning the need for data center development.
• One speaker threatened legal action, stating that if the council advanced the bundled measure, the transcript would constitute the evidentiary basis for an emergency temporary restraining order under Rule 65 of the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure.
• Another speaker noted that participating states in a program must issue permits and identify interstate routes for vehicles above 8,000 pounds, and expressed concern about pressure on Wyoming if neighboring states adopted the policy.

Discussion Items

• Item 18 (Removed from Consent Calendar): The Board of Public Utilities (BOPU) project combined two properties with different owners into a single annexation. Councilman Strong stated the two properties should have been separated, calling the combined approach a bad precedent, though he acknowledged BOPU staff acted professionally and with good intent. A council member noted the city's 20-year policy places items on the consent agenda only when they pass unanimously and are expected to remain unanimous. Staff indicated the annexation and zone change would be handled at the next Public Service Committee meeting and return to the council in two weeks.
• Item 26D (Removed from Consent Calendar): The council discussed a related item, with one member moving to postpone to await a position from another entity. A council member noted the concern about the issue because the route flows through the city with two interstates.
• Zone Change to Business Park: A motion to change zoning to a business park initiated discussion of multiple parcels under separate ownership, including parcels owned by the William S. estate. The property owner offered to allow grazing but declined a formal land-trust commitment. A council member expressed concern about the cumulative environmental impact, while another stated each property owner has a right to use their property as they see fit.
• Comprehensive Plan Update: Staff presented the plan update, including a scenario planning exercise to evaluate different land use scenarios. A council member criticized the lack of supporting documents on item 6, with the only analysis "buried in item 14's staff report." Another member argued the comprehensive plan is a controlling document that other ordinances rely on and said the process was not following established rules.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved as amended, with items 18 and 26D removed and considered separately.
• Motion passed to move item 29A (appointment of Andrew Sickenberger as Municipal Court Judge) ahead of item 6A.
• Motion passed to limit debate to one speech of three minutes per member on each item.
• The council reviewed but did not take final action on the annexation; the matter was referred to the Public Service Committee and will return to the governing body in two weeks.
• The comprehensive plan update was discussed; a resolution on the plan will be on the September 28, 2026, City Council agenda.
• Councilman Strong moved, pursuant to Wyoming Statute 16-4-405(a), to enter executive session to consider confidential information. The council did not return to take action after the session.