01.04.2021 Newcastle City Council Minutes
NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MINUTES
JANUARY 4, 2021
Council President Don Steveson called this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Those present were Council President Don Steveson; Council members Tom Voss, Roger Hespe, Ann McColley, Michael Alexander, Mayor elect Pam Gualtieri, Council members elect Daren Downs and Tyrel Owens. Also present were Department Heads City Police Chief Sam Keller, City Engineer Mike Moore, City Attorney Michael Stulken and City Clerk/Treasurer Greg James.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Tom Voss moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve the agenda as amended, adding approval of electrical license under Citizen’s business in writing, Appointment of Municipal Judge and approval of the Special Meeting minutes of December 28, 2020. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ann McColley moved, seconded Pam Gualtieri to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of Monday, December 21, 2020 and the minutes of the Special Meeting of Monday, December 28, 2020 as presented. Motion carried.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: Tom Voss moved, seconded Ann McColley to pay the claims against the City dated January 4, 2021. Motion carried
Claims: ACED Embroidery, jacket embroidery, $1008.00; Ad-Pro Office Supply, paper, $224.55; Adams ISC, rebuild hydraulic motor, $1800.00; Alpha Communications, December 2020 tower rent, $95.00; Thomas Barrett, water deposit refund, $100.00; Black Hills Chemical, disinfectants, $69.96; Black Hills Plumbing & Supply, Freon removal, landfill, $965.00; Bomgaars Supply, supplies/materials, $445.37; City of Newcastle, WA/SW/GA, $486.13; CNA Surety, FD treasurer bond, $200.00; Dana Kepner Co., Inc., water meters, $1830.00; R. Douglas Dumbrill, January 2021 municipal court, $1076.30; Eastern Wyoming Equipment Co., Inc., parts, $317.27; Farnsworth Services, Co., Inc., portable sanitation, $875.02; Ferguson Waterworks, #1116, control valves/touch pads, $104,091.83; Fisher Sand & Gravel, crushed rock, $2309.41; Frontier Home Ranch & Hardware, supplies/materials, $340.02; Hurricane Services, hydrovac ruck, $307.50; Chad Lay, water deposit refund, $98.82; Aaron Lines, water deposit refund, $83.28; Justin Malone, water deposit refund, $49.94; Mastercard, fuel purchases, $1156.29; Modern Marketing, tumblers/pencil/plastic badges, $3339.80; Newcastle Ambulance service, January 2021 ambulance service, $8333.33; Newcastle Equipment Co., garbage truck repair, $2398.36; William Orban, water deposit refund, $44.90; Ricky & Angela Phillips, water deposit refund, $30.00; Genell Rothleutner, PD Cleaning, $200.00; Salt Creek Water District, sewer service, $555.00; Bryand Streeter, January 2021 airport wages, $1333.33; Michael Stulken, January 2021 attorney fee, $2800.00; The Radar Shop, certify radar units, $315.00; Uber Geek Computers, printer cartridge, $40.00; USA Bluebook, Ridgid bender, $143.50; Becky Vodopich, city office cleaning, $300.00; Weston County Health Services, DOT testing, $80.00.
SWEARING IN: New Mayor Pam Gualtieri and new Council members Tyrel Owens and Daren Downs were sworn in by Council President Don Steveson. New members then took their seats.
NOMINATIONS FOR RECOGNITION: None
CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: None
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS—IN WRITING:
Approval of Electrical License for 2021, all fees have been paid, copy of license and proof of bond and insurance have been provided. Electrical Contractor, Arrow Electrical, Inc., Master Electrician Richard R. Andrews, Journeyman Electrician Rhett James Williams, and Apprentice Electrician Bryce Jay Perkins. Roger Hespe moved, seconded Michael Alexander to approve this license. Motion carried.
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS—VERBAL: None
MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORTS:
Mayor Gualtieri read the Standing Committee appointments for 2021 as follows: Police Committee, Michael Alexander, Don Steveson and Ann McColley; Personnel/Finance, Daren Downs; Water/Sewer/ Fire, Don Steveson and Tyrel Owens; Streets/Alleys/Buildings, Daren Downs, Don Steveson and Tyrel Owens; Sanitation/Community Appearance, Ann McColley, Michael Alexander and Daren Downs; Parks/Cemetery/Recreation, Michael Alexander, Tyrel Owens and Ann McColley.
The Mayor and Council decided to advertise for two weeks to solicit letters of interest for the open Council seat. Letters to be received by close of business Friday, January 22, 2021.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
City Police Chief Sam Keller reported on calls for service, and handed out a summary of calls for year end 2020. Chief Keller also noted to issues with the radios since the times had been synchronized.
City Clerk/Treasurer Greg James noted the next regular Council meeting will be Tuesday, January 19, 2021 because of the holiday on the 18th. He also noted the annual audit report will be that same night at 6:00 p.m.
City Engineer Mike Moore reported the grant request had been submitted for the Dow Park restrooms, grants awarded in August of 2021. Tire disposal has been reviewed but is cost prohibitive for the City to engage in, but might consider shipping to a regional recycler. Legal matter for easements and waiver of liability are being worked on for the bus turn-around, access to the water tanks, and the lease/purchase of a vac truck. Also placement for the temporary ice rink is moving forward, to be placed at the ball fields, but issues regarding the association providing liability insurance need to be worked out. Mr. Moore also recommended a $0.50 per hour raise for Tabitha Foote and Don Kutsch for completing probation effective on their anniversary dates, October 14 and November 18 respectively. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve this request. Motion carried.
City Attorney Michael Stulken reported the lease/purchase agreement for the vac truck is complete.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: None
ANY OTHER BUSINESS: None
ADJOURNMENT: Ann McColley moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 7:32 p.m. Meeting adjourned
Pam Gualtieri, Mayor
ATTEST: City Clerk/Treasurer, Greg James
(Publish January 14, 2021)