03.12.20 City Council Minutes

NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MINUTES
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020
 
Mayor Debra Piana called this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council to order at 7:00 p.m.  Those present were Mayor Piana; Council members Roger Hespe, Michael Alexander, Ann McColley, Pam Gualtieri, Don Steveson and Tom Voss.  Also present were Department Heads City Police Chief Jim Owens, City Engineer Mike Moore, City Attorney Jim Peck and City Clerk/Treasurer Greg James. 
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:  Ann McColley moved, seconded Michael Alexander to approve the agenda as presented.  Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Tom Voss moved, seconded Michael Alexander to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of Tuesday February 18, 2020.  Motion carried.
NOMINATIONS FOR RECOGNITION:
Tarl Johnson, Nerd 4 Ever for opening a new business in Newcastle.
CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: None
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS—IN WRITING: None
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS—VERBAL: None
MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORTS:
Mayor Piana on behalf of the All School Reunion Committee asked for relaxing the Open Container Ordinance on July 4, 2020 for the parade from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Main Street only from Sumner to Railway.  Also for the street dance on the same day from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., and the same street area.  Ann McColley moved, seconded Tom Voss to approve these requests.  Motion carried.
Councilman Steveson reported on attendance at the WAM conference, HB 124 dealing with eliminating bid bonds for vehicle purchases died in committee. He noted there was lots of discussion relative to funding for the Mineral Royalty Grant program and for the State Lands & Investment Board.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
City Attorney Jim Peck noted he was ready to circulate a draft of the rental agreement for the old Circuit Court space. He reported he was still in the process of a potential voluntary annexation, and were considering a few ideas to resolve the retaining wall situation on Summit Street.
City Clerk/Treasurer Greg James brought for consideration approval of an Electrical Contractor’s License, Electrical Contractor Pro-Electric, Inc.; Master Electrician Curtis Juby; Journeyman Electricians Keith King and Charles Smith.  All fees have been paid and proof of State license, insurance and bond have been provided.  Michael Alexander moved, seconded Roger Hespe to approve this license.  Motion carried. Mr. James then brought for action the request for a twenty-four (24) hour catering permit from Cap N’ Bottle to cater the NRA Banquet, one day Friday April 4, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. through Saturday April 5, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Tom Voss moved, seconded Pam Gualtieri to approve this catering permit.  Motion carried.  Mr. James noted he had received 10 of 11 requests back from the service providers.
City Engineer Mike Moore reported on progress on the Well #5 interconnect, landfill #2 closure permit, and a sewer clean-out on Timber Ave.  An agreement between the City and Western Water Consultants to park equipment and trailers on City land was presented for consideration.  Roger Hespe moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve this agreement.  Motion carried.  Mr. Moore then asked permission to offer fulltime employment to Holden Schultz as a laborer at the hourly rate of $13.75 per hour, one year probation.  After much discussion Roger Hespe called for the question.  All Council members voted aye, Mayor Piana voted nay.  Motion carried.
City Police Chief Jim Owens reported 318 calls for service in February.  He recommended hiring Paul Assenmacher as a Dispatcher, hourly rate of $14.05 per hour, starting date March 17, one year probation.  Tom Voss moved, seconded Pam Gualtieri to approve this request.  Motion carried.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: None
OTHER CITY BUSINESS: None
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY:  Tom Voss moved, seconded Ann McColley to pay the claims against the City dated March 2, 2020.  Motion carried.  Michael Alexander moved, seconded Ann McColley to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 7:49 p.m.  Meeting adjourned.
Claims: Ad-Pro Office Supply, office supplies, $153.14; Advanced Drug Testing, Inc., DOT testing, $26.00; American Equipment, Inc., equipment inspections, $1674.75; Audrey Anderson, water deposit refund, $43.84; Black Hills Energy, natural gas service, $3603.65; Bomgaars Supply, supplies/materials, $214.46; City of Newcastle, WA/SW/GA—office, pool, FD, $508.24; CLT Flooring & Furnishing, Inc., cove base, $15.00; Computer Info Systems, Inc., E-911 license renewal & maintenance, $15,000.00; Double D, parts & motor oil, $833.23; R. Douglas Dumbrill, March 2020 municipal judge, $1076.30; Energy Laboratories, Inc., water sample testing, $88.00; Front Range Fire Apparatus, truck parts, $176.29; International Assoc. of Chiefs of Police, membership, $190.00; Ketel Thorstenson, LLP, final audit payment, $2809.65; Kilroy Was Here, LLC, water deposit refund, $35.57; Ryan Koch, water deposit refund, $45.88; Mastercard, fuel/travel/training, $2208.67; Mile High Shooting, ammunition, $978.77; Newcastle Ambulance Service, March 2020 ambulance, $8333.33; Newcastle Equipment Co., truck parts/repair, $2658.99; Newcastle Motors, LTD, parts, $53.31; Newcastle Volunteer Fire Dept., fire hall cleaning, $150.00; James M. Peck, March 2020 attorney fee, $2800.00; Ricks Electric, pump control repair, $3288.26; Genell Rothleutner, PD cleaning, $200.00; RT Communications, Inc., phone service, $783.10; Safe Life Defense, tactical vest, $444.60; Salt Creek Water District, sewer service, $555.00; Schafer Systems International, new garbage cans, $5575.00; Dorothy Scott, water deposit refund, Breann Small, water deposit refund, $100.00; Bryand Streeter, March 2020 airport wages, $1158.75; Summit Plumbing & Heating, expansion tank, $288.97; Team Laboratory Chemical, Inc., root cleaner, $711.50; Top Office Products, Inc., PD copy charge, $85.90; Valli Information Systems, OTC maintenance, $100.00; Amber Varner, water deposit refund, $100.00; Verizon, cell phones, $544.76; Becky Vodopich, city office cleaning, $300.00; Voelker’s Autobody/Glass, trailer tire/vehicle repair, $406.31; Weston County Treasurer, airport expense/tax handling fee/city share heat/lights/phone, $2336.59; Charles Wolfson, water deposit refund, $74.74; Wyoming Automotive Co., parts, $571.09.
 
Deb Piana, Mayor
ATTEST: City Clerk/Treasurer, Greg James
 
(Publish March 12, 2020)