Votes at a glance: Laramie City Council actions, Jan. 7, 2025

The Laramie City Council, meeting Jan. 7, 2025, took the following formal actions (all roll-call votes noted). Items are listed in order of civic importance rather than agenda order.

• Resolution 2025‑01 — Appointment of Sharon Cumby as Mayor/President of the Laramie City Council. Motion to set Resolution 2025‑1 appointing Councilor Sharon Cumby as mayor was moved, seconded, and approved by roll call (9–0).

• Resolution 2025‑02 — Appointment of Councilor Richardson as Vice Mayor/President of the Council. Motion to set Resolution 2025‑02 appointing Councilor Richardson as vice mayor was moved, seconded, and approved by roll call (9–0).

• Contract — Fitch & Associates (Agenda item 17). Motion to approve the contract for implementation of EMS/E‑911 services and authorization for the Fire Chief to sign (mover: Councilor O’Doherty; second: Councilor Richardson). Vote: 9–0. (See separate article for details.)

• Ordinance No. 2096 (Agenda item 18). Motion to approve on second reading an amendment to Laramie Municipal Code Chapter 13.44 related to low‑income affordable municipal service rates (mover: Councilor O’Doherty; second: Councilor Newman). Vote: 9–0. Amends the low‑income credit (presented as $51.51) and adds a surface‑water drainage credit equal to 44% of the average residential bill (presented as $4.40/month under current assumptions).

• Award of bid — new aerial bucket truck (Agenda item 16). Motion to award the bid for a new aerial bucket truck to Fremont Motors, Lander, Wyoming, in an amount not to exceed $261,610 and authorize the mayor and city clerk to sign (mover: Councilor Richardson; second: Councilor Richardson). Vote: 9–0. Public comment asked who will maintain the vehicle; staff said the city fleet department will handle maintenance.

• Resolution 2025‑03 — Appointments of council liaisons to boards and commissions (Agenda item 19). Motion to approve resolution and attachment listing council liaisons to boards and commissions; amendment to insert names as selected passed (mover: Councilor Newman; second: Councilor Richardson). Final approval by roll call: 9–0. Councilors discussed that assignments can be amended later and that the process is set by council rules but is amendable.

• Resolution 2025‑04 — Designation of the Laramie Daily Boomerang as the official legal newspaper for 2025–2026 (Agenda item 20). Motion moved by Councilor Fried, seconded by Councilor O’Doherty; vote: 9–0. Staff noted Wyoming statute requires a designated print newspaper when available; members of the public requested consideration of online publication and greater accessibility.

• Resolution 2025‑05 — Set meeting calendar and locations (Agenda item 21). Motion moved by Councilor Bolling, seconded by Councilor O’Doherty; vote: 9–0.

Procedural and informational items: the council conducted oaths of office for returning and new members, elected its mayor and vice mayor, established a seniority list and seating, received announcements including the inaugural community financial report and a transparency portal launch, and heard that the Laramie Area Growth Plan received a national planning award. The council also scheduled and requested future work sessions on communications and boards and commissions effectiveness.

Votes at a glance is intended as a record of formal actions taken during the meeting; for full discussion, background materials and staff reports refer to the official meeting packet and minutes.