CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The feud between the City and Cheyenne Frontier Days over the cost of security took a big step closer toward being resolved.
During the April 27th, 2020, City Council meeting, the governing body voted 9-2 to adopt a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)between Cheyenne Frontier Days and the City of Cheyenne.
Mayor Orr and Councilman Laybourn were the two dissenting vote.
This resolution was sponsored by councilmembers White, Luna, Cook, Rinne, Roybal, Shanor and Case.
Councilman Pete Laybourn expressed his concern for not being included in the drafting of the MOU.
“This is an usual process. It totally left me out of the picture. This did not come before the Finance Committee. I feel a little blindsided by this.” Laybourn said.
Councilman Rocky Case told Laybourn that the logjam between the sides had been an issue that had been talked about for a long time, and now was the time to do something about it.
Cheyenne Marian Orr said that both her and city attorney, Michael O’Donnell were also not included in the process.
The MOU reads as follows:
The City of Cheyenne shall supply uniformed Cheyenne Police Department officers during the term of this Agreement to provide public safety-related activities at Frontier Park during the yearly Frontier Days event.
The City hereby agrees to provide at least as many uniformed Officers for all rodeos (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) held during the Frontier Days event and at least as many uniformed officers for all night shows (5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.) held during the Frontier Days event as were provided during the 2019 Cheyenne Frontier Days. This Agreement in no way limits the discretion of the City supplying additional City police resources including specialized groups of Cheyenne Police Department Officers, including, but not limited to, bomb squads, S.W.A.T. Teams, or other law enforcement assets necessary to provide public safety at the Frontier Days event.
In return, the MOU says that CFD will pay the City of Cheyenne $50,000 for 2020, $67,000 for 2021, $73,700 for2022, $77,050 for 2023, and $80,400 for 2024 to help offset added law enforcement burdens caused by the Frontier Days event and for the added number of officers supplied to Frontier Park as provided by the agreement.
CFD CEO Tom Hirsig offered his appreciation to the Council for taking the time to put an agreement in place.
Cheyenne Police Chief Kosack also called into to echo his support of the MOU.
“It allows for staffing expectations with CFD and it also protects the City’s liability with this event,” Chief Kosack offered.
The proposed MOU between the City and CFD is available to read by following this link.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information is made available.
