City Council

CITY OF LARAMIE, WYOMING CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 406 IVINSON AVE, LARAMIE, WY 82070 SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 Time Work Session began 6:00 p.m. Council present: William Bowling (virtual), Jim Fried, Matt Lockhart (virtual), Brandon Newman, Erin O'Doherty (arrived at 6:11 pm), Joe Shumway, Melanie Vigil, Micah Richardson (virtual), and Sharon Cumbie. Absent: None. Staff present: Janine Jordan, City Manager; Nancy Bartholomew, City Clerk; and Brannen Moan, Management Analyst. 1. WORK SESSION 2. Public Comment No public comment received. 3. WORK SESSION: University of Wyoming President's Update UW President Ed Seidel gave an update on the University operations and outlook for the 2025-26 school year. President Ed Seidel has stepped down after this term. Enrollment this year is 10,819 students with an increase of 8% for online enrollment. 70% of students prefer some online classes. Freshman class is up 1 %; retention of freshman is up to 79.4% which they partially attribute to the Saddle-up program. The University has raised $69.5 million by the UW Foundation with 30,000 donors. Some additional accomplishments include the creation of the Worth Program, $1.3 billion impact on the local economy per study, Wellness in the West (comprehensive wellness program for students and staff), Live in Laramie jazz concerts, Working on Shared governance, revamped cabinet, housing, freedom of speech, funding outlook (National Science Foundation), and construction (parking garage, swimming pool, dorms, dining hall). Councilor O'Doherty arrived at 6:11 pm. 3.A. Public Comment: No public comment received. 4. WORK SESSION: Laramie County Community College Albany Campus Updates LCCC President Dr. Joe Schaffer provided an update on this school year's operations and outlook for 2025-26 school year. LCCC enrollment this year is 6,201 with increased growth (1 year- 6.1 %) with 42% enrolled in Health Science and Wellness degrees. LCCC 2030 strategic plan includes: marketing awareness, affordability, student experience, recruitment, retention, completion, healthcare expansion, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, student transfer, and equitable dual/current enrollment. Last year was the largest graduating class and amount of credentials so far. Laramie Campus serves Laramie High School, UW students, LCCC degree seeking students, adult basic education students, non- credit workforce development, and non-credit life enrichment. 72% of students are part- time and non-degree seeking. Laramie Campus notables included automotive, culinary, Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN) at Ivinson Memorial Hospital (largest nursing program of 176 students), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Program, manufacturing and OSHA offerings, and engaged in conversations with Laramie Fire Department about taking over Page 1 of 3  CITY OF LARAMIE, WYOMING CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 406 IVINSON AVE, LARAMIE, WY 82070 SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 EMT coursework. LCCC's funding sources includes state funding (Block Grant to WCCC), local ad valorum taxes (property taxes), and tuition and fees. The college has seen a 17 .3% decrease in state funding. 4.A. Public Comment: No public comment received. 5. WORK SESSION: WyoTech Updates Wyo Tech President Kyle Morris gave an update of operations and this school year's outlook. WyoTech provides 9 months programs with 93% of students coming from out of state. WyoTech offers student housing, community orientation, community services, and good Samaritan program. The graduation rate is in the high 80%. Notable items and collaboration include: 2026 being WyoTech's 60 th Anniversary, they are working on partnerships with UW for meal plans, credit transfers, student season passes for athletics, working with LCCC truck donation to COE Program, advisory board participation, training classes for staff, and partners in WyoTech's resurgence from 2018. City partnerships include: BRC Grant/Loan for Expansion Project, student rec center passes, 5,000+ hours of student volunteerism, Laramie Town & Gown, 70-acre growth plan, expansion would allow up to 2,000 students (new welding/advanced diesel/ ASM building), and working on a housing project. Kyle Morris invited Council to participate in the Career Fair the 2 nd week in November. S.A. Public Comment: Public comment received from the following: Christopher Stratton. 6. WORK SESSION: ASUW Update Unable to attend. 7. WORK SESSION: Town & Gown Volunteerism Program Shelby Kennedy, Project Coordinator for the SLCE Office and Brannen Moan, City Management Analyst described how the two entities have worked together to share volunteer opportunities such as: • Snow Angels • Spring Clean up • Big Event o 200 student volunteers signed up for the Big Event o 81 % of participants say that they feel more like they belong here after volunteering. More volunteer opportunities can be found at https://vol unteer.cityoflaramie.org /. 7.A. Public Comment: No public comment received. Page 2 of 3  CITY OF LARAMIE, WYOMING CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 406 !VINSON AVE, LARAMIE, WY 82070 SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 8. City Council Updates/Council Comments Fried- Traffic Safety Commission. Newman- None. Lockhart- Urban Renewal Agency (elected new officers, funding information) Cumbie- Wyoming Association of Municipalities (WAM) Region 1 Meeting (legislative session, Cumbie selected to Legislative Leadership Committee). O'Doherty-Alliance for Renewable Energy (solar arrays). Shumway- annual clothing drive. Vigil- no updates. Bowling- Laramie Police Advisory Board (drones), Laramie Youth Council. Richardson- volunteer booth, Laramie Planning Commission (West Side items postponed) Jordan- Wyoming Business Council update on projects done in Laramie (19 projects, $33.5 million in grants, $5.4 million gross revenue, $2.9 million net revenue, $1.8 million reinvested into the community, 200+ jobs created, $40+ million total investment.) 9. Agenda Review No agenda review. Time Work Session Adjourned 8:02 p.m. Approved: Date Page 3 of 3