Planning commission names steering-committee representative, approves $1,804.57 for comprehensive-plan outreach

The Laramie Planning Commission voted to allocate $1,804.57 in remaining planning-commission discretionary funds to purchase branding and outreach materials for the Comprehensive Plan 2045 update and appointed a commission representative and alternate to the plan’s steering committee.

The action came after staff described outreach plans and upcoming opportunities for public input on the comprehensive-plan update, including events at the Downtown Farmers Market and a kickoff meeting with consultants. "You'll start seeing information there about that," Derek Taney said of the outreach schedule.

Why it matters: The comprehensive-plan update will guide land-use and policy decisions for years. Commission members said they want to broaden public participation beyond the usual attendees by using branded materials and public events to reach residents who may not attend regular meetings.

Commission and staff said outreach will include traditional tabling and map-based activities, plus focused stakeholder meetings. Planning staff recommended substituting revised language into the resolution to allocate the remainder of fiscal-year discretionary funds — $1,804.57 — for signs, a branded table covering, banners and other promotional items to be used at outreach events such as a Blue Devils performance, the Downtown Farmers Market and WyoTech events.

Commissioners asked that the funds supplement, not replace, consultant outreach that is already budgeted. Staff told the commission the consultant has a separate outreach budget but that these discretionary funds would help close a gap for additional materials and giveaways to draw participation.

The commission also discussed the role and size of the steering committee. Emma (city staff) said the steering committee will be a smaller group to "steer the project and help provide direction" while the full commission and public will still have opportunities to participate. Emma told the commission the kickoff steering-committee meeting is scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, June 24, at the Laramie Recreation Center; she also said a larger steering committee roster currently contains 27 members and that the list may fluctuate as the process continues.

The commission approved an amendment to use the full remaining discretionary balance for outreach materials (the amendment passed with aye votes recorded) and later approved the resolution appointing Planning Commission Member Tom Matamore as the commission’s representative and naming Donald Money as the alternate (the motion carried with aye votes recorded). The amended outreach allocation amount is $1,804.57 from fiscal year 2025 discretionary funds.

Commissioners and staff outlined how the appointed representative will act as a conduit: attend steering-committee meetings, report back at commission meetings, and recommend when the commission should take up topics that intersect with the commission’s land-use role. Staff said they will provide regular updates and can arrange additional work sessions if commissioners want deeper engagement on specific chapters.

The commission also discussed logistics for outreach materials (possible giveaways such as pens, stickers and maps), timing, and coordination among concurrent projects, including a First Street redesign and Third Street public-art project. Staff encouraged commissioners to forward branding ideas to the consultant and staff so the outreach materials reflect a consistent public message.

The commission’s actions were procedural approvals; no land-use decisions were made beyond the appointment and the allocation of discretionary outreach funds.