CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A Laramie County household needs the City Council’s help connecting to Cheyenne’s sewer services — and fast.
Chelsea Myers is the owner of 3730 Rawlins St., which is located on an unincorporated county pocket. Her household’s septic drain field is located on an adjacent parcel of land owned by someone else. Recently, that owner damaged the field and the septic system can no longer function. Since April, the Myers have been living with inadequate sewer and water services.
“I have three children, a significant other, and my grandfather living in my home and this is a situation that needs to get rectified quickly,” she said.
Myers explained her situation during a special Public Service Committee meeting on Monday. Members recommended that the council pass a resolution allowing Cheyenne’s Board of Public Utilities, or BOPU, to provide the property with water and sewer services. In the resolution, the Myers would enter into an outside user agreement with the BOPU and pay the city for those services.
Public Service, which is responsible for advising the council on public works and land management items, typically meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at noon. When a resolution is introduced, it needs to be referred to a committee for a recommendation before it can be approved. To get the matter resolved as quickly as possible, Public Service held its meeting during the City Council’s regular Monday one. Following the committee meeting, the council unanimously voted to passed the resolution.
During the committee meeting, City Planning and Development planner Seth Lloyd explained that the Rawlins Street property was originally developed with a well and septic system. In 2008, a portion of the septic system servicing the address was annexed to the city, resulting in the creation of two tax parcels that were sold off separately.
Lloyd said it would makes sense for the city to approve the agreement, as half of the property is already annexed and connected to BOPU services. The Rawlins Street area is 100% surrounded by city land and on the list of county pockets the council hopes to incorporate by the end of the year. The annexation process can take a long time, Lloyd said. Approving an outside user agreement is the fastest way for the Myers to get their services.
“These other elements, such as getting this done faster than a normal annexation, that is within our powers via this outside users agreement,” he said during the meeting. “They can connect to the BOPU facilities in the area which are right there and available to be used.”
Committee member Tom Segrave asked when the Rawlins street location is expected to be annexed.
Lloyd said the city is currently focusing on annexing pockets in the northwest region of the city, specifically in the Vander High and Yellowstone Road area. Although Lloyd said he doesn’t have an exact timeline, committee chair Mark Rinne confirmed that the Rawlins area will be considered after that region.
After passing the resolution, Mayor Patrick Collins wished the Myers good luck.
“We hope this puts your family back in a healthy and safe place,” he said.
