Getting to Know the Sixth Penny and the City’s Proposition Projects

Why?

• The current fire station locations provide service gaps in our community because of increased developments and annexations, thus creating increased response times for first responders.

• Increased growth and development have increased total call volume, response times, travel distances, exposure risks, movements, maintenance costs, fuel consumption, and firefighter fatigue and burnout. 

Why?

• The current fleet is in a critical state because of apparatus age, usage and maintenance costs creating increased out of service times and safety violation standards.
• The average age of the City’s front-line apparatus is 12 years, with recommended industry standard replacement cycles being 10 years.

Why?

• The current portable radio used by the police department is becoming obsolete and will no longer be supported by Motorola. New technologies have been incorporated into new portable radios which increase reliability and safety as each radio has a GPS feature.

Why?

• Much of the evidence collected today includes electronic evidence from phones, computers, surveillance cameras, etc. Due to time requirements for evidence retention, and the amount of electronic evidence collected, the amount of storage space needed has increased. This upgrade in storage will give the police department much more room to continue to store and collect electronic evidence. 

Why?

• A City-wide pavement condition survey is completed every four (4) years for our City of Cheyenne road network. Th City collects video inspection data and imports it into the PAVER^TM software program. That determines the pavement condition. The software uses that data to determine priorities for road rehabilitation and maintenance.
• Cheyenne’s regional weather has wide daily temperature changes during both the summer and the winter. Extreme temperatures along with moisture create freeze and thaw cycles and stress on pavements. These factors, in conjunction with traffic on the roadway, ultimately create pavement damage and potholes.
• The City’s increasing population and expansion adds to our maintenance needs.
• Through the Fifth Penny sales tax, the City receives $4.5 million per year for pavement maintenance and $1.0 million per year for large projects. We have over 365 miles of streets that compete for this annual allocation. It’s simply not enough.
• In progress, Pavement Maintenance Projects using fifth penny funds that total $6,389,900 are:
  • 2021 City Overlay Part I: King Arthur Way, Ogden Road, Point Bluff, Ten Sleep Drive, Bowie Drive, Mesa Court, Prospect Court, Clover Court, King Arthur Court, Camelot Court
  • 2021 City Overlay Part II: Central Avenue (Deming Drive to 11^th Street), Evergreen Drive, Golden Hill, Ranger Drive.
  • East 12^th Street and Meadow Drive
  • 24^th Street Mill and Overlay Project.
• Recently completed, Pavement Maintenance Projects that used fifth penny funds, along with total cost, were:
  • Mountain Rd. (Dell Range to Council Bluff), 20^th St. (Evans Ave. to Bent Ave.)
    • $2,168,717
  • Albany Ave., Big Horn Ave., Carbon Ave., E. 21^st St., E. 22^nd St., Rayor Ave., Windmill Rd.
    • $1,167,750
  • 8^th Ave., Pershing Blvd. (Windmill to Converse and Maxwell to Evans)
    • $1,561,382
  • W. 1^st Ave., W. 2^nd Ave., Snyder Ave. (Pershing north to 8^th), Education Dr., Western Hills Blvd., Osage Ave.
    • $1,918,160
  • W. 30^th St., Redmond Rd., Kiowa St., Ogallala Place
    • $899,481
• Planned Maintenance Projects in Summer 2022 include crack seal, remove and replace concrete curb and gutter, rehabilitate surfacing, and surface treatment for approximately 38 miles of various road maintenance projects in 2022, the City has budgeted $4,675,000.

Why?

• The initial terminal project did not allow for the pavement of additional parking to meet passenger demand when initially constructed. The additional paved lot will allow the Airport to accommodate 160 vehicles on hard surface, providing passenger relief during inclement weather, and providing enough parking for two large aircraft to support multiple destinations in the future.

Why?

• The current system is 50 years old and suffers from regular breaks and leaks.
• The outdated system is inefficient. As plantings have grown, and headstone numbers increase, irrigation heads no longer adequately reach their targets. 

Why?

• Municipal Building was built in 1979 with only necessary/emergency repairs completed in past five decades.
• Address life safety issues including introduction of fire protection systems.
• Address ADA standards currently lacking throughout complex including restrooms, elevators, signage, doors, fixtures, hardware, and exterior grounds.
• Update mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural systems to address structural failures, poor air quality, temperature control, energy efficiency, and space efficiency.
• Integrate new technology to better serve and communicate with the public and provide more productive and secure work environment.
• Provide welcoming but secure facility for public and staff.

Why?

• Some portions of the Greenway are now 30 years old.
• Funding would replace aged and deteriorating components such as underpass lighting, bridge decking, and concrete.
• Provides funding for staff to perform ongoing mowing, cleaning, snow removal, repairs, etc.

Why?

To continue filling in system “gaps” throughout the City’s growing and expanding infrastructure.

Why?

• The City’s only municipal outdoor pool has exceeded life expectancy and deteriorating at nearly 70 years old.
• To conduct a public participation study to determine the location, engineering, and design of either the renovation or replacement of Johnson Pool.

Why?

• 91 percent of Cheyenne and Laramie County residents have vocalized wanting to see efforts that actively work to improve Downtown Cheyenne
• 68 percent of Cheyenne and Laramie County visitors have identified "Experiencing Downtown" as their top activity to do in Cheyenne which contributes to sales tax revenue benefits for all of Laramie County
• Infrastructure improvements have an estimated cost increase of four percent each year, which impacts the bottom line expenses for necessary repairs, maintenance, and improvements that benefit the entire community
• As the heart of the Capital City of Wyoming, Downtown Cheyenne is the center of social, economic, and cultural development

Why?

• Laramie County School District 1 (LCSD1) has eliminated elementary-age school sports. This decision has rapidly increased registrations for City recreation and sports programs. These facilities would meet the growing demand.

Why?

• Sufficient funding has been a barrier to complete numerous large projects throughout Cheyenne over the years; resulting in stagnate, non-functioning, sometimes blighted properties and sites.
• Collaboration with outside partners (e.g., LEADS, Chamber of Commerce, etc.) provides strengthened resources, skillsets, and greater community involvement on large projects.

Why?

• Most Federal and State grants require some sort of matching funds. The idea is to combine federal, state, and city resources to stretch dollars even further.
• If the city doesn’t have the funds to meet the match requirement, they forfeit the chance to apply for these grants. Grants provide a valuable opportunity to bring amenities and services to the community that otherwise may not be possible.
• In July 2021, the City had to cancel a Department of Justice grant application that would have established a Municipal Community Court and Outreach Team to focus on treatment and rehabilitation of individuals who commit low level, non-violent crimes who also have a history of mental illness and/or substance abuse through community support services with the goal of reducing the number of crimes, recidivism, and crime victims due to not being able to guarantee a $400,000 match. Had the grant been successful, the City would have received $550,000 for a total project cost of $950,000.
• In August 2021, the City was unable to guarantee a $400,000 match and declined an opportunity to apply for a Department of Justice grant that would have created a cross-system of public safety officials and mental health providers to form crisis response teams for all mental health related calls to 911. In 2020, CPD received 706 mental health related calls. The City would have received $550,000 for a total project cost of $950,000.
• In August 2021, the City returned $225,000 in CDBG grant funds to upgrade Optimist Park; unable to provide $150,000 to meet the match requirements.
• The following are agencies that require matching or cost share funds:

• Economic Development Agency – 20 percent to 50 percent of the project cost
• FEMA
• Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund – 1:1 match
• Wyoming Business Council – 10 percent to 25 percent of the project cost

Why?

• Airports in Wyoming are not only essential transportation links, they also contribute to many sectors of the state’s economy, support a wide variety of essential services, and add to the quality of life for Wyoming residents, businesses, and visitors. 
• For every passenger using a commercial airport to board a commercial flight in Wyoming, the state realizes $220 in annual economic impact.
• An estimated $46.3 million in annual local and state tax revenues are generated from commercial air service functions.
• 70 percent of all passengers using commercial airline service in Wyoming are visitors to the State.
• Wyoming based business and visiting businesses rely on commercial airline for travel. Commercial airline service connects Cheyenne to domestic and international destinations without driving to Denver.
• For every $1 invested locally in air service, the greater Laramie County region receives $13 in direct economic return.
• Competitive air fares, free parking, no TSA security lines, shorter drive and wait time before your flight, savings in time and money
• Economic and business development rely on both commercial and private air transportation.