Finance committee advances multiple contracts and a labor agreement, including $281,007 landfill monitoring and a firefighters contract effective July 1

The Cheyenne Finance Committee on March 18 advanced a slate of contracts, a labor agreement and an updated investment policy for City Council consideration.

Robin Lochman, city treasurer, said the committee’s investment-policy committee recommended updates to the City of Cheyenne investment policy statement after a January 28 meeting that included the mayor, the city treasurer and two council members. “This investment policy statement is required by state statute for local governmental entities in Wyoming and outlines the objectives for managing and investing the city's funds responsibly,” Lochman said. The stated priorities are safety, liquidity, yield and local-government/community investments; Federated Hermes and a local adviser reviewed the revisions.

The committee recommended Council approval of the resolution adopting the revised investment policy statement by voice vote.

Other contract and procurement items the committee recommended for Council approval included:

- A continuing agreement with International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 229 for production services at the Cheyenne Civic Center; staff said the union provides certified rigging and experienced labor for shows when the Civic Center requires more than the city’s usual crew.

- A collective-bargaining agreement between the City of Cheyenne and Cheyenne Firefighters Local Union 279, International Association of Firefighters, covering contract years 2025–2026. John Copper, Cheyenne Fire Rescue chief, said the governing body and union met in open public negotiations on Feb. 24 and agreed to the proposed amendments; with Council approval the contract will take effect on July 1, 2025.

- A professional-services contract with Trihydro Corporation for landfill compliance monitoring from the solid waste fund for $281,007, covering quarterly gas-emissions and biannual water sampling reports required for permit compliance; Craig of Lloyd (Public Works) recommended approval and said there have been no reportable problems to the state.

- Contract modification to extend the agreement between the Office of Youth Alternatives and Laramie County School District No. 1 to exercise a 5% option increase, bringing the amount to $361,386.90 for continued community and crisis counseling services; Jay Sullivan, director of Youth Alternatives, said the contract has been in place since 1983.

- Acceptance of a bid from Quality Electric for fire-station backup generator installation (owner-provided generators) for stations No. 2 and No. 6 in the amount of $149,467; John Fitzgerald, battalion chief, said the fire stations are identified as critical infrastructure and funding will come from Homeland Security grant funds and public-safety impact fees.

The committee moved each item forward by motion and voice vote; the committee’s recommendation for the Monday City Council meeting was to approve each of these items.

Ending: The committee’s recommendations will be presented to the City Council for final action at its next meeting.