Changes Made In Cheyenne Administrative Warrants Proposal Ahead Of Vote

Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins says numerous changes have been made in a controversial Administrative Warrants proposal, just ahead of third and final reading on the measure.

Mayor Collins Outlines Changes In The Ordinance

In his ''Mayor's Minute" column on Friday, the mayor wrote the following:

"I spent a lot of time this week working with staff on revising the proposed administrative warrant ordinance. After hearing a couple of hours of public testimony during second reading at city council, we wrote a substitute ordinance that limits these warrants to our fire chief, fire marshal, and chief building official. It also limits what a warrant can be applied for: building inspections following a fire, commercial building fire inspections, property owner building permit follow-ups, and abandoned buildings. We defined abandoned buildings, a process to locate property owners, a prohibition on no-knock warrants, and a 10-day limit to warrants. It passed unanimously through the Public Services Committee and will be on final reading on Monday. I appreciate our city attorney, John, for all his help in getting the substitute prepared in time for the committee to consider. I also appreciate all the members of the public who participated in the process."

The original proposal was much more broadly written and generated widespread opposition on the grounds that it was an invasion of privacy and property rights.

The council is expected to take a final vote on the measure on Monday night. That meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at the Municipal Building at 2101 O'Neil Ave.