Tyler Barttelbort

The Finance Committee meeting covered the approval of a bar and grill liquor license for the Mongolian Bar and Grill, the second reading of an ordinance for the Reed Avenue corridor project, and discussions regarding project timelines, railroad crossing closures, pedestrian connectivity, and funding sources including federal grants and local funds.

The committee discussed and approved an ordinance creating administrative inspection warrants to assist the fire department and building officials in enforcing municipal and building codes. The discussion focused on establishing a constitutional process for property inspections when consent is not provided, specifically regarding potentially unsafe or abandoned buildings and fire investigations.

The committee meeting addressed two primary resolutions. The first involved the approval of a 3% cost of living salary adjustment for all city employees to help manage inflationary pressures, with a proposal to reconsider future adjustments to specifically benefit lower-wage staff. The second resolution concerned the repeal of a previous directive regarding the Cheyenne auxiliary pumping station, extending the deadline for its sale or lease to March 27th and introducing less restrictive requirements for the historic preservation of the structure to encourage redevelopment.

The committee meeting centered on discussing a proposed resolution to prioritize projects for the upcoming 1% specific purpose sales and use tax ballot. Key infrastructure and public safety priorities proposed by the Mayor included the relocation of a fire station to address response time challenges in South Cheyenne, the acquisition of new fire apparatuses, ongoing road pavement management, technology upgrades for the police department, the replacement of personal protective gear and portable radios for firefighters, maintenance of the greenway system, downtown improvements, the construction of a new police training shoot house, the remodeling of the municipal building to address safety concerns, and the construction of a new outdoor swimming pool to replace the existing facility.

The committee discussed the repeal of storm water runoff management system user fees, acknowledging concerns about storm water management needs and identifying choke points in the drainage system. They also considered the approval of a funding application for the Wyoming Division of Victim Services to support trauma-informed services for crime victims. Additionally, the committee reviewed a contract modification for the design of the municipal building renovation project, addressing concerns about budget allocation and the relocation of city staff.