Cheyenne Council To Consider ”Fridays On The Plaza” Resolution

The Cheyenne City Council is scheduled on Monday to take up a non-binding resolution calling for a reconsideration of the decision to cancel ''Fridays On The Plaza" for 2020.

Cheyenne Mayor Marian Orr announced the cancellation on Thursday, citing safety concerns in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But Cheyenne City Councilman Jeff White is sponsoring the following resolution, with every council member except Pete Laybourn as a co-sponsor:

Here is the resolution:

RESOLUTION NO. _________

ENTITLED: “A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING SUMMER EVENTS AT THE CHEYENNE DEPOT PLAZA.”

WHEREAS, city staff developed a plan to have Friday’s on the Plaza events that met all guidelines established by the State of Wyoming and the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department put in place due to COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the plan was submitted to and approved by officials at the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department; and

WHEREAS, Friday’s on the Plaza events provide economic benefits to downtown businesses and the City of Cheyenne; and

WHEREAS, Friday’s on the Plaza events were scheduled to begin on July 10; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor made the decision to cancel these important community events without input from members of the Governing Body or officials at the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department; and

WHEREAS, local and state health officials did not recommend or advise cancellation of these events; and

WHEREAS, this unilateral decision by the Mayor will cause irreparable economic damage to downtown businesses and the City of Cheyenne.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF CHEYENNE, WYOMING, AS FOLLOWS:

1. That the Governing Body of the City of Cheyenne respectfully asks the Mayor to reconsider her decision to cancel Friday’s on the Plaza events unless otherwise recommended by health officials from the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department and the State of Wyoming.
2. That the Governing Body of the City of Cheyenne supports and encourages events to be held at the Cheyenne Depot Plaza provided they meet all guidelines and recommendations from the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department and the State of Wyoming that have been put in place due to COVID-19.
3. That the Governing Body of the City of Cheyenne hopes that future decisions will be made in concert with local and state health officials and members of the Governing Body.

PRESENTED, READ AND ADOPTED this ______ day of _________________, 2020.

CITY OF CHEYENNE, WYOMING

_________________________________________

Marian J. Orr, Mayor

(SEAL)

ATTEST:

___________________________________

Kristina F. Jones, City Clerk