NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, October 20, 2025

Mayor Tyrel Owens called this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Council members John Butts, Daren Downs, Chris Kenney, Ann McColley, Don Steveson and Thomas Voss. Also, present were Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff, Engineer Steven Dietrich, Police Chief Derek Thompson, Attorney Dublin Hughes and Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mayor Owens amended the agenda to add a proclamation for Pharmacy Week, Tree Board and WC Travel Commission. Ann McColley moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve the agenda as amended. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Thomas Voss moved; Don Steveson seconded, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of Monday, October 6, 2025. MOTION CARRIED.

NOMINATION FOR RECOGNITION: Dispatchers for their Halloween decorations, First Northern Bank for their sign, and Dick and Bonnie Rich for the 19th Annual Shine & Show. 

CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: None

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL: 

• Bruce Perkins was present to request two (2) 24-Catering permits: December 6, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on December 7, 2025, for the Christmas Bazaar to be held at the WC Event Center. Chris Kenney moved; Thomas Voss seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. November 22, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on November 23, 2025, for the WC Health Services Banquet to be held at the WC Event Center. Thomas Voss moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve this request. The date of November 23rd was clarified. MOTION CARRIED. 

• Kirk Will with the American Legion was present to discuss the 250th anniversary of the American Legion. Possibilities of a 4th of July parade and community picnic. Mr. Will plans to keep the Council updated. 

• Bruce Perkins reported that state tourism representatives had recently been to Newcastle and gave an update on the WC Travel Commission.

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS IN WRITING: None

OLD BUSINESS: None   

NEW BUSINESS: Mayor Owens read a proclamation proclaiming October 19th to October 25th as Pharmacy Week. 

COMMITTEE/COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS: 

• Mayor Owens reported that he had gone to the Boys & Girls Club in Gillette with Double AAces director, Tamera Allen to meet with Brittney Locken. They discussed partnership opportunities along with grant funding and ways to get the community involved.

• Mayor Owens gave an update for RCAC project: one of the documents had been submitted, the Economic Development Committee will need to meet to finish the application; he requested that the Personnel Committee meet to discuss the Community Coordinator job description; Mayor Owens requested to expedite the process allowing the Personnel Committee to make edits and move forward with advertising the position. John Butts moved; Thomas Voss seconded to approve this request. Discussion was had regarding wages. John Butts withdrew his motion.

• Mayor Owens gave an update on the Pocket Park: there are plans to stain current fence and move it to the back of the buildings and clean up the topsoil along with putting down a weed barrier. 

• Councilman Voss reported on a Streets Committee meeting: the committee recommended that the Council approve having the Public Works department plan to have equipment to chip and spray the streets soon. Public Works Supervisor stated that they found an applicating unit but had not found affordable rollers in close proximity. Jeffery Hall inquired about street light outages, Mr. Stumpff stated that they had been reported to Black Hills Energy. 

• Councilman Voss referenced the Capacity Development documents that had been emailed, stating that some of the information may be helpful for the Community Coordinator position and economic development. 

• Mayor Owens reported on the Tree Board meeting: he has stepped down from being the Chair and Caleb Carter is now filling that position; Mr. Carter had given an update on Backyard Park project; they also discussed problem trees. Mayor Owens referenced ordinance section 22-22, requesting that the Tree Advisory Board make recommendations to the Council regarding the ordinance. Thomas Voss moved; seconded Chris Kenney to approve this request. Discussion was had regarding responsibility and proper pruning. MOTION CARRIED.

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

• Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff reported that the recommendation to Wy. DEQ for the Landfill Remediation project was low bidder, Earth Works Solutions for $2,373,475.00, original estimate was 3.5 million. He supplied copies of the response to the News Letter Journal regarding residency requirements for City Employees, response time for on-all personnel is 30 minutes; employees living outside city limits is not an issue at this time; Mayor Owens stated that a policy regarding City vehicles should be created. Response to public comments regarding employees visiting convenient stores for breaks during work hours was discussed; if individuals abuse their break times it should be addressed; Mayor Owens gave an overview of what Public Works employees do and how busy they are. Mr. Stumpff referenced a letter that was drafted for Super 8 Motel to connect to City water services; as the City Attorney has a conflict of interest, he contacted Thomas & Thomas out of Gillette a letter of engagement is required with $2,500.00 for a retainer. Ann McColly moved; John Butts seconded to provide the retainer fee of $2,500.00 and allow Public Works Supervisor Greg Stupff to sign the agreement. MOTION CARRIED. The letter will be sent out to Super 8 Motel. He then requested to purchase a used 2021 Ford F150 with 70,000 for $30,095.00 from Newcastle Motors to replace the City Engineer pickup that the Public Works department has used and put several miles on. Discussion was had regarding the budget to support the cost; capital improvements will not be affected and most of the cost will be paid by the water fund. Don Steveson moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve this request. Discussion was had regarding the use of the Police Departments older Durango with low mileage and clarification of this vehicle being for the Engineer. MOTION CARRIED. Supervisor Stumpff also reported on the following: the substantial completion meeting for the Duff Avenue project had been held; S. Seneca would be closed to repair a utility cut this week; there has been more vandalism at Centennial Park, and he is looking into camera systems. Councilman Kenney reiterated that the street light outages are a public safety issue and should be a priority for Black Hills Energy.   

• Engineer Steven Dietrich reported on building permits and commercial projects which included the one (1) building demolition and one new construction; total construction cost $89,495.00; permits and fees collected $6,414.88; planning and zoning is working on a variance with for Sips Coffee.

• Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service from October 6, 2025; NPD 163, WCSO 146, UPD 70, NVFD 6, WCFP 5, UVFD 1, Newcastle Ambulance 21, Upton Ambulance 6, he provided a handout for the breakdown of NPD calls. He then requested a $0.50/hr. raise and given permanent status to Carrie Peterson for completing her probationary period effective October 17, 2025. Thomas Voss moved; Daren Downs seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. Chief Thompson reported that the 2025 Dodge Durango had arrived and will need to have radios installed and be fully marked prior to being put into service. 

• Attorney Dublin Hughes had no report. 

• Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty reported that this year’s Wy. Community Gas distribution amount would be $5,239.09; this will be added to the next agenda. She then referenced the LGLP election ballot, the Council will consider the nominees. Ms. Haggerty then requested a $0.50/hr. raise and given permanent status to Rachelle Lacross for completing her probationary period effective October 14, 2025. Ann McColley moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. She then asked if there were any questions regarding the financial reports provided, there were none. Cathy Levasseur asked what LGLP stood for, Local Government Liability Pool.   

CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: Thomas Voss moved; Ann McColley seconded to pay the claims against the City dated October 20, 2025. MOTION CARRIED.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Owens welcomed those attending to stay while Council members entered the executive chambers. Daren Downs moved; Ann McColley seconded to suspend the rules and enter executive session referencing personnel per W.S. 16-4-405 (a)(ii) at 8:53 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Daren Downs moved; Ann McColley seconded to return to regular session at 9:12 p.m. Don Steveson moved; Thomas Voss seconded to follow Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff’s recommendation to terminate the position for Hunter Taylor immediately. MOTION CARRIED. Don Steveson inquired about the recovery of the CDL funds; Attorney Hughes stated that the termination process would need to be complete prior to moving forward with the CDL assessment. 

ADJOURNMENT: Daren Downs moved; Chris Kenney seconded to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 9:15 p.m. Meeting adjourned. 

Claims: Ad-Pro, supplies, $41.50; Advanced Communications, supplies, $20.00; Black Hills Energy, services, $13,328.03; Beth Blackwell, reimbursements, $1,655.28; Blakeman, propane/generator/trench, $1,983.77; Children’s Home Society, services, $150.00; CNA Surety, bond, $193.56; Decker’s, supplies, $34.27; Eastern Wy. Equip., supplies, $1,390.19; Energy Labs., analysis, $890.00; Engineering Assoc., services, $13,387.00; Equipment Maintenance Products, gear, $330.46; Gateway Travel, fuel, $3,827.49; Heartland Kubota, parts, $40.84; Hot Iron, projects/retainage, $435,205.69; Inberg-Miller, density testing, $884.90; LinkTech, PD IT, $1,345.00; Marco, copiers/IT, $1,546.24; Mission Communications, annual service, $5,250.60; Municipal Emergency, hose, $890.00; NVFD, pension/supplies, $7,383.10; Newman, traffic signs, $2,964.94; Northwest Pipe, supplies, $175.47; Novo Solutions, NovoGov/training, $5,350.00; One Call of WY, services, $100.80; Powder River Energy, services, $965.50; Salt Creek Vet, services, $223.00; Spencer Fluid Power, parts, $2,901.93; Tharpe Consulting, training, $275.00; Transource, parts, $3,496.06; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; Voelker’s, repairs, $846.50; Woody’s, supplies, $15.99; Wy. First Aide, supplies, $108.89; Wy. Machinery, parts, $463.89; Wy. Office of State Lands, loans/interest, $13,489.98

ATTEST:

Mayor Tyrel Owens

Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty

(Publish October 30, 2025)