The Cheyenne City Council on Nov. 24 approved a professional services agreement with HDR Engineering Inc. to produce a compost operations plan, with a corrected contract amount not to exceed $93,580.

Planning staff and HDR representatives said the plan is not site-specific: it will evaluate operations such as mixing, turning, temperature control, quality testing and product standards, and provide an actionable plan adaptable to sites of approximately 18 acres. Councilmembers asked whether the plan would include moving the compost facility next to the transfer station to allow shared permitting under Wyoming DEQ rules; HDR and staff said co-location would be ideal but that the plan is intended to be adaptable.

Some councilmembers expressed concern the city was commissioning the study without a clearer idea of a new site and urged more specific direction on location before contracting. Despite those concerns and several recorded no votes, the council approved the professional services agreement and staff will proceed with the study and recommended operational improvements.