CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A slew of new contract agreements and memoranda of understanding have passed City Council approval as of Tuesday night. Included in those contracts is a land exchange between the city and Black Hills Energy.
The city’s governing body accepted contracts with various organizations, such as Volunteers of America Northern Rockies, Safe Harbor and the National Forest Foundation. In total, the city is paying around $780,000 in these agreements combined.
The following is a breakdown of the contracts approved at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. Accompanying documents are also provided.
Land exchange
The city is trading 0.77 acres of land on East 24th Street to Black Hills Energy for a 0.85-acre parcel of land on the north side of West 18th Street. The purpose of the trade is so the city can control the area located adjacent to the Reed Rail Corridor project.
According to a city staff memo, the city’s land on West 18th has an appraised value of $275,000. Meanwhile, the energy company’s parcel near West 18th is valued at $445,000. Both parties have agreed to the trade on condition of the city paying an additional $170,000 in the transaction.
Transportation plan
The city accepted a professional service agreement with engineering and design company Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. to update the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Long-Range Metropolitan Transportation Plan. The MPO will pay Kimley-Horn $199,841.82 for its work on the project.
The transportation plan is the MPO’s guiding document on transportation decision-making in Wyoming’s capital city. The plan was last updated in 2016.
Environmental initiatives
The city approved a memorandum of understanding with the National Forest Foundation to establish roles in future conservation efforts. In August, the city received a $250,000 U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities Innovative Finance for National Forests Grant.
Cheyenne leaders have decided to use such funding for outreach and coordination between agencies and communities for environmental protection efforts. One such partner is the NFF, which will receive $110,000 of the grant funds to assist the city with project implementation. The MOU will be valid through Oct. 31, 2026.
A separate MOU was established with World Resources Institute to assist the city in facilitating development on a State Revolving Fund application. The fund would help mitigate forest fuel and contribute to watershed protection projects in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and Thunder Basin National Grassland. The city of Cheyenne will pay $45,000 to WRI for its services. This MOU is also valid through Oct. 31, 2026.
Other items
In addition to the above contracts, the city has approved the following:
- An agreement to pay a $20,000 lump sum to Safe Harbor, which provides a safe environment for children to disclose abuse, as well as other social services. The city is paying the organization through its general fund.
- An agreement to pay $100,000 to the Cheyenne Housing Authority for services geared toward older residents. These may include transportation and outreach, nutritional services, disease prevention, health promotion and family caregiver support. The city is paying the organization through its general fund.
- An agreement to pay $136,875 to Volunteers of America Northern Rockies’s Alcohol Receiving Center for drug and alcohol detoxification services. The city is paying the organization through its general fund.
- A license and agreement with Viaero Fiber Networks LLC for the installation and operation of facilities.
- An easement that will allow for a future Greenway path. The 40-foot-wide utility easement is part of the Sun Valley to Kiwanis Park Greenway Connector.
To view the full list of supporting documents for these agenda items, click here.
