Laramie City Council approves Spring Creek Trail contract, repeals surface water fund and adopts code updates; Westside blight resolution delayed

Laramie City Council approved several routine and substantive items at its March 17, 2026 regular meeting, including a contract for the Spring Creek Trail Phase Two project and code amendments, while postponing a resolution that would declare the Westside study area blighted.

A staff member opened the recorded recap announcing the meeting and reported that three public hearings were held for ordinances 2118, 2119 and 2120; no public comments were received. The consent agenda, which included minutes, a furniture contract for City Hall, an amendment to the Third Street beautification agreement, a temporary alcohol catering permit and the third and final reading of Ordinance 2117 (amending LMC 12.10 related to board and commission members), was approved by an 8-0 vote.

The Council approved a contract with Big Horn's Excavation Inc. to provide design and build services for the Spring Creek Trail Phase Two project. The work will extend the trail from 23rd Street and La Prele Park to Ninth Street. The motion passed 8-0.

Council reviewed Resolution 2026-25, which would declare the Westside study area blighted and authorize redevelopment actions under Wyoming Statute 15-9-107. Staff described conditions in the study area, including the lack of utilities and flood-plain constraints that make private development difficult without urban renewal powers. After debate, the resolution was postponed to April 7, 2026 by a 5-3 vote; the item is scheduled for further discussion at a City Council open house on March 26.

On second reading, the Council approved Ordinance 2118, repealing Laramie Municipal Code 13.80 related to surface water drainage. The staff recap said the repeal reflects current legislative uncertainty regarding surface water funding authority and that the city will reallocate resources to areas with clearer funding mechanisms. The ordinance passed 8-0.

Ordinance 2119, amending Title 8 to clarify that final decisions of the Board of Appeals may be appealed to District Court, passed its second reading 8-0. Ordinance 2120, which amends multiple sections of the unified development code (Title 15) to address staff-identified corrections and remove potential sources of confusion, also passed second reading 8-0.

The meeting ended with an announcement of the next regular meeting on April 7, 2026 and a link to the City of Laramie agenda webpage for more information.

Next steps: the Westside blight resolution will return to the Council for consideration on April 7, with additional public engagement scheduled at the March 26 open house.