[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6146902,"mediaKeyId","5523409-eb7e8595da354256ea1f0af08782101b","parentId",5523409,"title","Council reviews draft vehicle-noise ordinance, questions decibel limits and enforcement","audioSeconds",1030,"startMs",105000,"endMs",1135000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523409-eb7e8595da354256ea1f0af08782101b&start=105&end=1135","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523409-eb7e8595da354256ea1f0af08782101b/thumbnail_105000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6146902/Cheyenne/Laramie-County/Wyoming/Council-reviews-draft-vehicle-noise-ordinance-questions-decibel-limits-and-enforcement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146902-30812f0ff1b4d905e57fc51fc293c5f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202142&Signature=Ci3AVIqg5s4i8laPj0JNo~yurr7iJSUo8xbOk4WfZzhcTLvRwfNwIfDkYy4e6rL2QYE4Re3r0vZ6vjf4e9ZgybjUd9C3ELMHVc60T1gAK2JU0-tM4t~26-fCPln3vyZKwCuO~tvmsADAjsOeLlAl3r7Gwhh08sVhEhKFJfFx3blNVCCpqHsSE1OGgk10edDurg7tr96d1OHtbtovS2tmQmCK4Mdn7HH8IROtYoWaWBt4b63N5vhtNWfkNvbgKqh2D1gYXKt1~HvUlUM3G07Z0s2O6Avl2qq8KIj4WhMt-7VEupYQqgPN72k1B3QMriXACBLo8~pi4Ozi9HP11qlI2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Cheyenne WY","date","2025-07-31T19:58:29Z","article","On July 30, 2025, the City Council reviewed a draft amendment creating a new city code section to address motor-vehicle noise, adding officer-observation enforcement factors and graduated penalties for repeat violations.

The proposed text would keep much of the existing law but incorporate language modeled on Fort Collins that lets officers rely on observed behavior — for example, revving engines or motorcycles operated in low gear at high RPM — rather than requiring measurement of a modified exhaust system. City Attorney John Brody told the council the draft also pulls into the new section existing state-law provisions the city had previously incorporated by reference and adds a stepped penalty scheme, including higher fines and potential incarceration for third or subsequent violations within 12 months.

Brody said the ordinance is intended to create “a potpourri” of existing and new provisions so officers have discretion to enforce vehicle noise under circumstances where decibel measurement is impractical. “This new section incorporates not only the new ideas or approaches that Fort Collins has put into place. It also effectively recreates . . . a state statute relevant to unreasonable noise and mufflers that we had incorporated through reference in our city code,” Brody said.

Police Chief Francisco and council members discussed practical enforcement issues. Council members noted the city’s current noise thresholds appear to be 80 decibels for general noise and 88 decibels for trucks on truck routes; a council member said she reviewed the city code and read those figures aloud. Chief Francisco said his department does not equip every officer with a sound meter; the department has about 10 decibel meters officers can check out for static-source measurements, but using meters on moving vehicles is “darn near impossible” because of distance and roadway ambient noise. The chief also explained that the department’s speed-monitoring equipment is generally accurate to 2–3 miles per hour and suggested some recorded speed categories likely reflect 4–5 mph over posted limits rather than single‑mile variances.

Council members pressed two recurring points: the usefulness and enforceability of a standards-based (decibel) threshold versus an observations-based standard, and whether the current 80‑decibel threshold is too high for residential areas. Councilman Laybourne said 80 dB is “very, very loud” and urged lowering the numeric threshold and clarifying enforcement procedures; Councilwoman Aldridge asked whether each police vehicle carries a decibel meter — the chief said they do not, and that the meters work best for stationary sources such as a loud generator at a property line.

Brody and Chief Francisco also discussed how fines are set. Brody explained the municipal court’s bond schedule and the distinction between the bond schedule and criminal penalties: state statute limits the maximum penalties for some vehicle-related violations and that constraint shaped the draft’s penalty ranges. He noted municipal court adjudication, not the officer, determines the fine within the statutory range.

No ordinance vote was taken. Council members indicated support for moving the draft forward with edits and advised staff to seek input from the prosecutor and judges; President Rennie and other members suggested the draft should be routed for formal introduction and referred to the appropriate committee (the council discussed whether it should go to Public Services or Finance). The draft remains subject to revision on decibel language, the list of officer-observation factors, and the graduated penalty provisions.

Next steps: staff will continue to consult the prosecutor’s office and judges and return an edited draft for committee referral and formal introduction.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Goal Setting Mid - Year 2025","oneSentenceSummary","On July 30, 2025, the City Council reviewed a draft amendment creating a new city code section to address motor-vehicle noise, adding officer-observation enforcement factors and graduated penalties for repeat violations.","taxTitle","Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming","taxId",4607,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146893,"Council explores property sales, Belvoir solar and data-center interest as 'sixth penny' timing is discussed",1665,3750000,5415000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523409-eb7e8595da354256ea1f0af08782101b&start=3750&end=5415","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523409-eb7e8595da354256ea1f0af08782101b/thumbnail_3750000.jpg","/articles/6146893/Cheyenne/Laramie-County/Wyoming/Council-explores-property-sales-Belvoir-solar-and-data-center-interest-as-sixth-penny-timing-is-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146893-e418c8caff04c69bee66335716f2c65e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202142&Signature=mSErzGXkFvI~p00lRXhP9IF2EiDr~SRS0lx9M6rmtYLwYbw8vbY6CqpeM73mYOc3yGhzUHOe-xOWjmQDq3PGPVx8USrpKc659yBCweqTPT6f9f9lP45no~FFUtb2udkOyZztGQXH3eDg9rZI2~Bgp5sj91kRY7gktUhg--ZxdVuimZQpiUaVpDzOfdCqRw0HOe6Vu5He03G~22Z4qqQBthEZUak9TooQk04oQufTBfktiogpAk8gEfij4OM5xZp~zuKjzJmK44PmZaBS7RWVhtess~ux1Xgj3J0DYs28aCr48zr00kjr8ZzCsXeUufRLfFXDDjSbNSSJSerbegTHag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the July 30 work session the City Council discussed a portfolio of revenue initiatives including selling underused city properties, pursuing utility-scale solar on the Belvoir landfill, courting data‑center development, and planning timing and public outreach for a potential “sixth penny” sales-tax ballot measure.

Councilmembers said the pump-house resolution that cleared in July has opened public conversation about selling or partnering on city-owned sites. Council members identified specific parcels (several addresses on Christiansen Road and other small buildings the city owns) as candidates to put back on the market; staff noted some of those properties previously received offers that were declined and that continued local maintenance costs accrue while properties sit vacant.

A multi-part conversation focused on developing the Belvoir landfill for solar. Council members said they reached out to several solar developers; one response came from Q Cells (now operating under Hanwha Renewables in the U.S.), and another international firm signaled interest and plans to visit. A council member said the city hoped for a partner model rather than a pure lease, but city legal staff cautioned state statute limits the level of operational ownership a municipality may hold: the city can be a partner but not a controlling operator. Staff also said many state and federal grant windows that previously subsidized utility projects have closed, so projects now must rest on market economics or partner investment.

Council members said there is clear demand from data centers in the region; one council member referenced press coverage quoting the mayor about a Tallgrass project with up to 10 megawatts of demand. Members discussed access constraints and transportation infrastructure that can affect large-site development and encouraged staff to pursue potential interstate access tied to regional data‑center projects.

On the revenue side the council also discussed small, tactical sales of surplus right-of-way adjacent to the Greenway where homeowners have encroached and asked about the status of the Holiday Park Arts Center MOU. The treasurer’s office was tasked with gathering materials for marketing city properties to potential buyers.

Privatizing municipal sanitation pickup was proposed as a potential cost-saving idea; a council member recalled a prior study that suggested privatization could cost more, and members asked staff to research costs and outcomes before advancing the idea.

Council members and a county official also discussed timing and tactics for the fifth- and sixth‑penny sales-tax measures. Commissioner Malm (county chairman) said the sixth penny previously passed with strong ballot support and suggested putting the sixth penny on the primary and the fifth penny on the general, while noting governing bodies must coordinate projects and voter education. Malm also said the commission could consider making the fifth penny permanent with the consent of other governing bodies but urged outreach and united messaging; he reported high historical approval rates for prior penny votes.

No binding decisions were made. Direction to staff included assembling marketing information on surplus properties, pursuing letters of intent from solar developers, continuing outreach regarding data-center access and utility partners, and researching the fiscal and operational implications of privatizing sanitation. Council members urged early and organized public education in advance of any ballot measures.","During its July 30 midyear review the council reviewed several revenue and economic-development ideas: selling surplus city properties, pursuing solar on the Belvoir landfill with private partners, courting data‑center demand, and planning the timing and messaging for fifth- and sixth‑penny sales-tax ballots; staff flagged legal and grant-eligib",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146897,"Council seeks return of shared scooters, RFP in final stages as Safe Routes review continues",365,2040000,2405000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5523409-eb7e8595da354256ea1f0af08782101b&start=2040&end=2405","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5523409-eb7e8595da354256ea1f0af08782101b/thumbnail_2040000.jpg","/articles/6146897/Cheyenne/Laramie-County/Wyoming/Council-seeks-return-of-shared-scooters-RFP-in-final-stages-as-Safe-Routes-review-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146897-5c20654c8c89ada8f1f3d22c6331562d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202142&Signature=XOa2hB3sixIZr8n4vJQsSn0zaFHviKesuB0iFYdIoHZe249P9GxZGO6I12-3s9qi-ZkwtgOeSWhY0PqcHL81YsER8cAMsXwhnERi0sH3nFlhyblxYIh~7JnM~5F-6vlgqXrEmHN5EYTcSOhzsRtIFsBnd9-D4-ztM9SxbgDfPhCAWEnjWN8SkXHx1D-2VHDdEnZ~MhnnAuY20zs2fVtrp07DGQcAQIEPoJ6vGFqq9TXRyXW6kxhSNcYl50qYHflFbAzMkyO-lm9HyIGwrk3Kgs5DUsWA3jDqvRWhcdhq9u~x15Jh4McpCSD2h7behFQoxWi7bTMuQm8F9j7-Tk8xTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the July 30 work session the City Council discussed Safe Routes to School needs — including sidewalk maintenance, snow removal and micro-mobility — and heard that the city expects to release a request for proposals to restore shared electric scooters.

Councilmembers said constituents and younger residents missed scooters during summertime events such as Frontier Days. Attorney Bridal (city legal staff) and other staff said the previous operator declined to renew its license and effectively withdrew from the city in May. Bridal said staff and the clerk’s office attempted to coordinate with the prior provider and that the city is finalizing an RFP; TJ Bartlebort (treasurer’s office staff) was named as running point on the RFP process.

Council members also raised Safe Routes concerns. A councilmember said the July 17 Safe Routes plan does not reflect impending school closures and does not sufficiently account for sidewalks rendered impassable by snow, heavy gravel or weeds on routes used by students. Members suggested routine public information reminders to residents about sidewalk snow removal and maintenance on designated school routes.

On scooters, staff described a prior annual licensing model that shifted to an RFP; when the company that had operated scooters declined to renew, it ceased operations in the city. Bridal told the council that the RFP was “in the final stages” and staff expect to release it soon. No timeline for vendor selection or relaunch was given.

No formal motions were taken. Staff said they will finalize the RFP and return with updates; Safe Routes-related requests include evaluating sidewalk maintenance on school routes and considering communications to remind residents of their responsibilities to keep sidewalks passable.","During the council's July 30 midyear review members flagged gaps in Safe Routes to School planning and the absence of shared scooters; city staff said an RFP for scooter operators is nearly ready and the previous operator withdrew in May.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council reviews draft vehicle-noise ordinance, questions decibel limits and enforcement

Council explores property sales, Belvoir solar and data-center interest as 'sixth penny' timing is discussed

Council seeks return of shared scooters, RFP in final stages as Safe Routes review continues