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Committee declines to recommend private‑displays ordinance after public outcry over roadside memorial limits
Summary
After public comment from residents who said roadside memorials are cultural and not demonstrably unsafe, the Public Service Committee declined to recommend a third‑reading ordinance that would restrict private displays on public property and set criminal penalties.
The Cheyenne Public Service Committee considered a third‑reading ordinance (proposed new Chapter 8.72) aimed at regulating private displays on public property but, after public comment and internal debate, did not forward a recommendation to the governing body.
Deputy City Attorney David Hopkinson summarized the ordinance as creating the new chapter to regulate private displays, offer guidance and identify prohibited uses. In public comment, Chelsea McCourt (Ward 1) said such regulations risk 'destroying culture' by limiting how people mourn and questioned the safety rationale for removal of memorials. McCourt cited studies and said there were no local documented incidents of people being struck while visiting memorials.
David Nicely and other speakers urged the committee to be cautious about expanding city code over a small number of complaints. Committee members discussed penalty levels: Hopkinson noted that under state statute an ordinance penalty may be enforceable as a misdemeanor with a maximum of six months in jail or a $750 fine unless the ordinance prescribes otherwise. One council member proposed lowering the potential fine to $50, but that amendment failed for lack of a second.
Following debate on whether the measure addressed a broad public concern or a narrow complaint, the committee voted but did not reach a recommendation to forward the ordinance to the governing body. The chair stated explicitly that there would be no committee recommendation on the item.
Next steps: The item remains on the governing‑body agenda for consideration; the committee record and the public comments will be part of the council packet.
