Senior Municipal Judge Paul Galeotos

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1 City Network May 2015 Volume: 30; Issue: 5 June Calendar!Finance Committee Monday, June 1 11 a.m. Room 122!Public Services Committee Tuesday, June 2 Noon Room 122!Committee Of The Whole Wednesday, June 3 6 p.m. City Council Chambers!Governing Body Meeting Monday, June 8 6 p.m. City Council Chambers!Wyoming Association Of Municipalities Summer Convention Host: City Of Cheyenne June 10-June 13 Cheyenne South High School!Finance Committee Monday, June a.m. Room 122 Senior Judge Paul Galeotos To Retire From Bench On June 11 Senior Municipal Judge Paul Galeotos will retire from The City of Cheyenne Municipal Court on Thursday, June 11, 2015 after serving the residents of Cheyenne for 41 years. Galeotos, 70, a Cheyenne native, graduated from Cheyenne Central High School, earned a bachelor s degree in Political Science from the University of Wyoming in 1968, and then his law degree from the University of Wyoming in Judge Galeotos has served the Cheyenne residents with distinction, professionalism, and has continuously displayed compassion for people during his storied career, said Mayor Rick Kaysen. During his early career as an attorney, Galeotos clerked for Federal Circuit Judge John Pickett, had his own private practice, served as an attorney for the Wyoming House of Representatives, served as Chief Clerk for the Wyoming House, and then became a Police Judge for the City of Cheyenne on March 26, He became Senior Municipal Court Judge on May 1, Judge Galeotos has served six mayors: Bill Nation, Don Erickson, Gary Schaeffer, Leo Pando, Jack Spiker, and most recently Rick Kaysen. As a judge I always wanted people who stood before me to believe they had a fair shot and I wanted them to learn that I would listen to their side of the story before I made a judgment, said Galeotos. I believe I did that over my 41 year career. Municipal Court Judge Mark Moran and Juvenile Judge Ronn Jeffrey will remain on staff.!public Services Committee Tuesday, June a.m. Room 122!Governing Body Meeting Tuesday, June 22 6 p.m. City Council Chambers!Employee-Only Picnic Tuesday, June 23 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Constitutional Square Behind Municipal Building Mayor Rick Kaysen, center, cuts the ribbon to the new Cheyenne Aquatic Center with the help of some eager kids who are ready to see what all the excitement is about. The new Aquatic Center cost $7.3 million with funding from the Specific Purpose Tax (Sixth Penny Tax), sale of land to Menards, Cheyenne Recreation, and Community Facility Fees.

2 City Network May 2015 Page 2 Keeping The Public Safe Cheyenne Police Officers George Trammell and Guy Driver unload barricades along Ames Avenue because recent rains caused flooding along Ames Avenue between West Lincolnway and Deming Drive/Parsley Boulevard. Barricades are placed to protect the public from driving through flood waters. Police are also looking for tips for anyone who knows anything about the person(s)who drove through and destroyed the permanent barriers on Ames Avenue Mothers Day weekend. If you have information about this incident, please call Crime Stoppers at 637-TIPS. Cheyenne Police K-9s Take Top Honors Between May 18 and May 22, K9 Officers Capo, Ruger and Niko participated in the Wyoming Police Service Dog Association Annual Certification along with their two-legged handlers. A total of 12 K9 officers and their handlers from various agencies participated in the training. K9 Ruger and Officer Chad Wellman received 2nd place overall, and K9 Capo and Officer Lisa Koeppel received 3rd place overall. Certifications took place in patrol applications, where K9s and their handlers work as a team in the areas of obedience, detection, and apprehension of suspects. K9 Niko and Officer Pat Johnston received first place in narcotic detection, and all K9 teams passed with a 100 percent accuracy rating on the odors of marijuana, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine. All teams were also certified in tracking and evidence location.

3 City Network May 2015 Page 3 Romero Park Improvements Workers slowly move a new pre-fab restroom unit onto a pad at the David R. Romero South Cheyenne Community Park earlier this month. The new bathroom facility will be located just north of the shelter in the park. All utilities have been installed and a concrete foundation has been poured. The restrooms have been designed to look similar to the Youth Activity and Community Center. The pre-fab unit is designed to be resistant to vandalism. The cost of the restroom is around $280,000 plus the cost of foundation and utilities. Funding came from a Community Development Block Grant and Community Development Fees. The new restroom unit is scheduled to be ready for public use in early June, weather permitting. Service Awards Receiving their service awards for May from Mayor Rick Kaysen, right, are: James Martin, 30 years, Fire & Rescue; Kylie Soden, 15 years, City Clerk s Office. Not pictured: James Schlabs, 10 years, Street & Alley; Mark Seabern, 10 years, Parks.

4 City Network May 2015 Page 4 Human Resources Division Rich Wiederspahn, Director Payroll Deductions Health Insurance Employment Opportunities New Employees Name: Serdar Babanyyazov Job: Equipment Operator I Department/Division: Sanitation Name: Denise Freeman Job: Budget Analyst Department/Division: Treasurer Name: Todd Hill Job: Equipment Operator II Department: Parks Name: Derek Manzanares Job: Equipment Operator I Department/Division: Sanitation Name: Brenda Schmucker Job: Probation Case Manager Department/Division: Youth Alternatives Name: Jason Stearns Job: Equipment Operator I Department/Division: Sanitation Name: Philip Taylor Job: Equipment Operator I Department/Division: Sanitation Name: Thomas Taylor Job: Prevention Coordinator Department/Division: Youth Alternatives Name: Steven Salazar Job: Equipment Operator II Department/Division: Parks Name: Jacob Williams Job: Equipment Operator I Department/Division: Sanitation

5 City Network May 2015 Page 5 Around The City Nnew doors have been installed at the Municipal Building that increases security, work continues to replace a portion of the sidewalk on the east side of the building; City will look into the cost of security cameras at the George Cox and Jack Spiker Parking garages for public safety... City Council s Committee of the Whole will meet at 6 p.m. on June 3 to review the proposed 2016 Fiscal Year budget... City Clerk announced the State Liquor Commission has issued an additional retail liquor license to the City because population growth, Cheyenne s population is at 62, Public Works reports new commercial trash containers will be replaced at certain businesses around town that will be picked up by new front-load solid waste trucks, this is a cost-saving move because the trucks only require one person to drive the truck and operate the lift needed to emtpy the new trash containers... Police Department is finishing bicycle patrol training this week with other law enforcement agencies; patrons will only be allowed to purchase two beers (16 ounces) at a time at Cheyenne Frontier Days this year; laser equipment has been obtained by the department to be used at crime/accident scenes, the machine can scan a homicide scene in about four minutes compared to taking multiple police officers up to five hours to do the same task... City will hold a joint media conference with the National Weather Service and Laramie County Emergency Management to launch its When Flooded Turn Around Don t Drown campaign at 9 a.m. on June 9 on East Carlson near McDonalds... Parks and Recreation reports all permits have been issued for the renovation and expansion of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, just waiting for the rain to stop to begin digging; between 700 to 800 softball/baseball games have been cancelled because of the recent wet weather; officials are meeting in regard to Phase II of the Lake Minnehaha Project... City/County Health says the cool/wet weather is keeping mosquitoes away for now since they prefer hot/wet weather; Crossroads Clinic will open soon in the City/County Health Department Building; parking lot needs to be replaced but officials will seek money from the state; getting ready for Superday, CFD & the Laramie County Fair.... Human Resources will go before City Council to discuss terms and conditions for City employees which includes a proposed pay raise for fiscal year A petition for the Dubois Block Historic District has been turned into Planning and Development for an area around Randall & West Pershing. Special Day For Cheyenne s New Public Safety Building Cheyenne Police Chief Brian Kozak signs his name to the very last beam just prior to the topping off ceremony at the new Public Safety Building in downtown Cheyenne. Cheyenne Police Department Executive Secretary Lynn Sherman signs the beam before it is lift to the top of the Public Safety Building. Transit Director Joe Dougherty, left, stands with John Kwaiser, a Transit Driver, who was given a safety award by the Wyoming/Montana Safety Council this month for realizing that a local resident was in medical distress at a local fastfood restaurant in January. He performed the Heimlich maneuver on that person and is credited with saving that person s life. See story in January Network.

6 City Network May 2015 Page 6 West Edge Funding Hits $15 Million Mark When you hit on a good idea, people start to take notice. In this case, Cheyenne s West Edge has captured the imagination of a myriad of granting agencies who have caught the vision local residents launched with a 6th Penny ballot approval in Voters supported designating $4.8 million for flood control in the Lower Capital Basin that would enable the City to match and leverage local funds into a much broader impact benefitting the revitalization of Downtown. By packaging flood control with the construction of public open spaces, we ve been able to turn an infrastructure necessity into something that sparks economic development, reflects Mayor Rick Kaysen. The beauty of this vision is how successful we ve been in turning a plan into reality which is a reflection of the hard work and professionalism embodied by City staff and the entire West Edge team. The most recent award of $3 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will help to create flood protection for the Lower Capital Basin. An existing parking lot west of the municipal building will be converted to a stormwater facility, while parking will be added and redistributed around the municipal complex. The City has applied for matching funds are pending from the State Loan and Investment Board to carry this component of the project to completion. Grant writing services for the FEMA grant were provided by Ayres and Associates, a local Cheyenne firm that has helped the City in advancing the vision for the West Edge. Special Projects Director, Bob Bradshaw is especially pleased by this award. We ve taken a promise to the voters to use their dollars wisely, and in this case, we ve brought in two additional dollars for every one they entrusted us with. If that s not success, I don t know what is. With this award announcement, the City s three anchor projects initially envisioned for the West Edge are nearly funded. Previously, awards for a storm sewer interceptor main on 26th Street and stormwater improvements to what is being referred to as Pumphouse Park (adjacent to the Ames Underpass) have received funding from a variety of sources. To date, the West Edge has benefitted from awards including: EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant $1.0 million EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Cleanup Grant $1.2 million Economic Development Administration $1.7 million State Revolving Loan Fund $1.0 million Wyoming DEQ 319 Grant $418,600 State Loan and Investment Board Consensus Funds $1.4 million Community Development Block Grant $135,000 EPA Planning Grant $260,000 FEMA Grant $3.0 million TOTAL = $10.1 million (awarded) The success of the project is largely due to the unique approach the West Edge has taken to date. Matt Ashby, Planning Services Director for the City of Cheyenne, attributes the success to a silo-busting or multidisciplinary approach. The vision knits together objectives that as separate projects, wouldn t capture the imagination. Packaged together, we ve been able to successfully demonstrate how coordinating flood control with public amenities can become a motivator for Downtown development.

7 City Network May 2015 Page 7 Historic Preservation Board Acts As Stewards Of Our Historic Urban Fabric In honor of Historic Preservation Month (May), the Cheyenne Historic Preservation Board (CHPB) would like to make better known its mission in the community and bring attention to several upcoming events this year. The CHPB, a volunteer board appointed by the Mayor, acts as stewards and guardians of Cheyenne s historic urban fabric through responsible preservation planning, fostering healthy community partnerships, and providing guidance and education. Our mission is to safeguard the City s past; to promote the use of historic districts and landmarks for the education, pleasure, and welfare of the people of the city; and to encourage preservation of historic integrity in land use and development planning. We, as a board, hope to bring to the forefront of the community issues of its history and the preservation of its historic places and spaces in order to continue remembering, learning from, and having pride in this city s past well into the future. In addition to three monthly meetings that are open to the public, the CHPB also hosts and sponsors multiple events throughout the year. Two awards are presented annually, the Dubois and the LeClercq Jones Awards for Historic Preservation. These awards are given to a residential homeowner and commercial building owner who have shown outstanding effort and dedication to the preservation of the historic integrity of their building. The annual Cheyenne Fast Filmmaking Festival, which takes place in the fall, displays the talents of local filmmakers while highlighting important places and historic events throughout the community. The board also hosts Tour the Legend, a historic homes tour, each year, which allows citizens to tour historic homes that have been graciously opened up by their owners. The tour will take place on September 11 and 12, and will showcase historic homes and buildings throughout Cheyenne. The board is also active in the downtown Façade Improvement Program, holding the role of co-sponsoring organization along with the City s Urban Planning Office, the Downtown Development Authority/Main Street, and the Economic Development Joint Powers Board. This project brings monetary assistance to downtown business owners who desire to restore the exterior of their buildings while respecting their history. The CHPB also undertakes multiple preservation projects throughout the year, working with monetary assistance through grants provided by the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office and the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund to preserve and protect buildings and other landmarks throughout Cheyenne. Some current projects include the restoration of the Warren Rest House, continued maintenance of the Lakeview Cemetery Historic Vault, restoration of the Airport Fountain, and the recognition of the Dubois Block as an official Historic District within the city and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Board welcomes public interest, support, or volunteer efforts to assist in our mission of the preservation of the important history of our city of Cheyenne. More information about the Preservation Board, its mission, members, and upcoming events can be found on the City s website at: Anderson Retires Municipal Court Bailiff Greg Anderson, left, talks to Mayor Rick Kaysen (out of view) about his 33 year career working for the City of Cheyenne Municipal Court system during a retirement party held on May 27. Anderson, a Cheyenne native, has worked for 8 judges during his career. The best part of my job is working with the public and helping the public out, he said. However, the sad part of this job is that people get arrested and it can start a vicious cycle which can create lots of heartache. Anderson has no immediate plans when his retirement starts on June 3. He will work as a part-time bailiff during District Court trials. With Anderson are Municipal Judges Mark Moran, center, and Paul Galeotos, right. Galeotos is retiring from the bench on June 11 (see story on cover).

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9 City Network May 2015 Page 9 Assistant Urban Forestry Director Mark Ellison, right, holds a paper while a fifth grade student from Saddle Ridge Elementary reads a poem about trees in honor of the City s Arbor Day celebration on May 21. The school children helped with the planting of three trees in Saddle Ridge Park. Cheyenne Named A 2014 Tree City USA Recipient By The Arbor Day Foundation The City of Cheyenne celebrated Arbor Day on May 21 with the help of third graders from Saddle Ridge Elementary School. The City of Cheyenne has been recognized as a 2014 Tree City USA in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management. Cheyenne also received a Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating environmental improvement and higher level of tree care. Both honors came from the Arbor Day Foundation. Cheyenne achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program s four requirements: A tree board or department A tree-care ordinance An annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita An Arbor Day observance and proclamation Cheyenne s Urban Forestry Division cares for over 12,000 public trees and provides oversight for over 8,000 street trees. The combined value of these trees is over $35 million. Lisa Olson, Director of Urban Forestry Everyone benefits when elected officials, volunteers, and committed citizens in communities like Cheyenne make smart investments in urban forests, said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. Trees bring shade to our homes and beauty to our neighborhoods, along with numerous economic, social and environmental benefits. Cheyenne s Urban Forestry Division cares for over 12,000 public trees and provides oversight for over 8,000 street trees. The combined value of these trees is over $35 million, Lisa Olson, Director of Urban Forestry for the City of Cheyenne stated. It is unknown the overall value of all of Cheyenne s trees located on private property but the number would more than double. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. For more information about trees, visit

10 City Network May 2015 Page 10 Employee Recognition Program Everyone knows they work with great employees. So why not nominate a fellow employee from the City of Cheyenne or Board of Public Utilities for Outstanding Performance Recognition. There are 8 categories with the winner in each category getting a Positively Cheyenne Gift Certificate. The group winner will receive a plaque along with a large colossal cookie from Eileens. Your nomination must have category, who the employee s supervisor is and the reason you believe this person/ group should be considered. Deliver or your nomination to Virginia in the Mayor s Office at vriley@cheyennecity.org or drop off at Room 310 in the Municipal Building. Categories Administrative: All Clerical positions Fiscal: Grants, City Clerk, Purchasing, Accounting, CDBG Technical: Engineers, MPO, Planning, GIS, IT, Building, Development Hazardous: Police and Fire Outside Workers: Facilities Maintenance, Traffic, Street & Alley, Fleet Maintenance, Forestry, Parks, Landfill, Cemetery Public Interaction: Aquatics, Botanic Gardens, Nuisance, Golf, Recreation, Youth Alternatives, Parking, Inspectors, Sanitation - Trucks, Transit, and Human Resources Supervisors, Foreman: City employees with supervisory responsibilities including Directors and Assistant Directors Group: Teamwork exhibited to reach the goal. Please speak with a Department Director about recognizing a group. Criteria: Service to the City; Teamwork; Leadership; Innovation Deadline: June Noon Information:

11 City Network May 2015 Page 11 City Crews Did A Fabulous Job Keeping Fields In Playable Condition Is What We Do Good Enough? Dear Mr. Mayor: I serve as Vice President on the American Legion Post 6 Baseball Board of Directors and as the tournament director for our annual Cheyenne Post 6 Memorial Day Baseball Tournament, and I m ing you to say thank you. Jason Sanchez and the City s athletic facilities department clearly went above and beyond this past weekend. We suffered through an amazing amount of rain over the course of four days, and the City ballfield crews were always available and worked tirelessly to help us. We successfully played every day but Friday on all three baseball complexes, and everyone was amazed the tournament was not cancelled. While the turf fields at Powers and Pioneer are clear advantages, Dutcher Complex is a dirt infield that struggles to survive a storm. As I talked with our 15U teams parents on Monday night, who played all of their games at Dutcher, they were astounded at the City s ability to save and prepare the fields. The coaches and parents visiting from out-of-town just couldn t believe they were still playing on Monday. They said their cities could never pull off what Cheyenne did. Please extend our deepest appreciation to Rick Parish, Jason Sanchez, and their employees. Post 6 Baseball is very excited to continue our positive and productive relationship with the City of Cheyenne, and it is employees like Jason and his crew that will make our hosting the 2015 and 2016 American Legion Northwest Regionals a success. Thank you for all you, and the City employees, do for our youth in Cheyenne. Dan Morris Post 6 Baseball Vice President Stevens Was Professional, Understanding And Very Helpful In Resolving An Issue Dear Mayor: I would like to commend two employees of the City of Cheyenne. My wife and I have been disturbed with the residual effects of the new house building and construction on Council Bluffs between Mountain Road and Anderson School. We live on the southwest corner of Mountain and Plainview. The street and corner are badly damaged from runoff, etc. I visited with Kim Stevens, explained our concerns, and she was most helpful and The coaches and parents visiting from outof-town just couldn t believe they were still playing on Monday. They said their cities could never pull off what Cheyenne did. promised resolution this summer. She also came out immediately next day, and surveyed the situation. I was truly impressed with her professionalism, and understanding, and resolve. With all the rain and bad weather recently, we called yesterday and requested some street cleanup. This morning, Jose Sandoval and Al Avila arrived and worked with extreme diligence to clean the mess. My guess was that they wanted to get it clean because their job is to do it right. I don t know about all City employees, but if they represent their dedication and attitude, Cheyenne s future is reassuring and very promising. I just felt good about being a citizen of Cheyenne today and wanted to share it with you. Thank you. Victor & Anita Lisek Cheyenne Street Sweeper/Truck Operators Did An Excellent Job On East 27th Street Mayor Kaysen received a call from a resident in the 100 E. 27th St. block, noting the operators of street sweeper #5796 or #5196 did an excellent, excellent job when sweeping the block during the morning of May 5. I quote the driver did a very conscientious job. Jose Sandoval operates the street sweeper and Al Avila drives the dump truck. City Employees Went The Extra Mile To Make Repairs To A Broken Water Valve Dear Mr. Mayor: I was walking my dog on May 6 at about 7 p.m. down Brittany Ave. and came upon three men fixing a water valve. It was raining and two of the men were in a hole up to their knees in mud and the third was helping from above. My dog and I walked past when I was hit by a feeling of gratitude toward these men and our City employees. I returned to them and thanked them because what I saw was extra ordinary. These men were making it happen for us and in tough conditions and till who knows when. It takes a team to make it happen for us and I want to thank you and all the other people who do. Paul Frauendienst Cheyenne