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Council adopts contractor-licensing ordinance after contentious public comment and failed postponement
Summary
After extended public comment over reciprocity and experience requirements, the City Council approved Ordinance 2114 clarifying contractor-licensing experience and appeals provisions on third reading, 6–2 (1 absent); an attempt to postpone the final vote failed.
The Laramie City Council on Nov. 18 approved Ordinance 2114 on third and final reading to clarify general contractor licensing language in Laramie Municipal Code chapter 15.24, including experience requirements and where appeals are directed.
Director Taney told council the ordinance mainly clarifies language about years of service and that existing appeals should go to the building and fire code board of appeals. "The ordinance before you today is to clarify the language related to where those appeals go to," Taney said, and emphasized the council does not directly decide licensing determinations, which are handled administratively by the building official.
The item drew substantial public comment. Steven Pence, a long‑time property manager, urged council to pause adoption and argued the ordinance could conflict with Wyoming statute on reciprocity, contending stricter local standards might be legally vulnerable and create a two-tiered system for applicants. "Passing this ordinance tonight would not improve safety... It would encourage workarounds, pits our town against state law, and deepens frustration," Pence said. Johnny Vasquez and others supported the intent of higher licensing standards but said requirements should be applied fairly and transparently.
Councilor O'Doherty moved to postpone the third reading to Dec. 16 to allow more work with a contractor working group; the motion to postpone failed (0–8, 1 absent). After further debate about balancing standards and expedience for housing delivery, council approved the ordinance on third reading by roll-call vote 6–2 (one absent). The director said the city will continue outreach, and a working group meeting with contractors is scheduled for Dec. 12 to discuss code and possible future changes.
The ordinance clarifies the appeals process and sets out experience thresholds within licensing classifications; Director Taney and staff said licensing administration remains under the building official and that existing applicants may provide additional documentation for consideration.
