11.28.19 City Council Minutes

NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MINUTES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2019
 
Mayor Debra Piana called the regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council to order at 7:00 p.m.  Those present were Mayor Piana; Council member Roger Hespe, Michael Alexander, Pam Gualtieri, Don Steveson and Tom Voss.  Councilwoman Ann McColley was absent.  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: Roger Hespe moved, seconded Michael Alexander to approve the agenda as presented.  Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Tom Voss moved, seconded Don Steveson to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on Monday, November 4, 2019 as presented and the minutes of the Executive Session of Monday, November 4, 2019 as presented.  Motion carried.  
NOMINATIONS FOR RECOGNITION: None
CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION:
Bomgaars for establishing their new business in Newcastle, certificate will be mailed.
Sandra Martin was present to receive her certificate for organizing and promoting The annual Trunk or Treat on Main Street.
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS—IN WRITING:
Ballot for a vacant board position for the Local Government Liability Pool.  Michael Alexander moved, seconded Roger Hespe to cast a vote for Greg James, Clerk/Treasurer for the at-large position.  Motion carried.
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS-VERBAL:
Andy McKay, Chamber of Commerce Director gave a brief update and report on events in Newcastle, noting the Santa’s Workshop, Treasured Floral open house, the Home School Association play at the Senior Center and the Christmas Bazaar at the Methodist Church.
MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORTS: 
Mayor Piana noted the annual meeting with the leadership from Black Hills Energy will be Monday, December 16, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. in the Council room.
Tom Voss noted the report on the Women’s Softball League finances is in order and they have hopes of re-establishing the league and getting teams going.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
City Police Chief Jim Owens reported on calls for service, 194 so far this month. Chief Owens reported there will be a meeting between our department and dispatch and the Niobrara County Sheriff to discuss and resolve the E-911 concerns about emergency coverage at Mule Creek Junction.
City Attorney Jim Peck noted a memo sent out regarding the property issue on Section Line Road and Axe Court.  He also noted the Planning & Zoning Board are working on land use issues and continuing work on sub-division regulations.
City Clerk/Treasurer Greg James reported the auditors will be in the office tomorrow.
City Engineer Mike Moore asked to hire Don Kutsch full time as a general laborer at the wage of $15.25 per hour with a one-year probation effective November 18, 2019.  Roger Hespe moved, seconded Pam Gualtieri to approve this request.  Motion carried.  Mr. Moore then reported on a meeting with the WWDC and the approval of the funding in the amount of $148,000.00 for the Well #5 tie-in.  Mr. Moore raised the question of contractor licensing and possibly requiring bonding and insurance for contractors. Identifying decal designs for the City vehicles was discussed.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: None
OTHER CITY BUSINESS: None
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY:  Tom Voss moved, seconded Don Steveson to pay the claims against the City dated November 18, 2019.  Motion carried.  Roger Hespe moved, seconded Michael Alexander to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 7:46 p.m.  Meeting adjourned.
 
Claims: Alpha Communications, Nov. 2019 tower rent, $95.00; BCN Telecom, Inc., long distance service, $166.77; Bearlodge Engineering & Surveying, Axe Street surveying, $237.50; Black Hills Energy, bike path lights, $182.10; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming, employee health insurance, $41,800.59; CDW-Government, ink cartridges, $314.51; Century Link, data extracts, $1950.00; Deckers Food Center, housekeeping supplies, $321.37; Desert Mountain, ice slicer, $9978.24; Eastern Wyoming Equipment Co. Inc., parts, $2392.96; Energy Laboratories, Inc., water sample testing, $968.00; Kami Erland, training mileage, $169.18; Ferguson Waterworks, meter parts/locater/valve parts, $6210.72; Hansen Equipment, parts & files, $137.00; Jeffrey Lush, forensic interview, $150.00; Laboratory Corp of America, DOT testing, $30.65; Matthew Bender & Co., Inc., WYO court rules 2019, $60.08; Tonia Mills, training mileage, $197.20; Municipal Code Corp., online codes, $950.00; Newcastle Police Dept., reimburse postage, $48.04; News Letter Journal, minutes/legals/office supplies/ads, $1681.30; NORCO, Inc., weldling cylinder rent, $25.26; Northern Wyoming Mental Health Inc., 1st quarter payment, $1625.00; Northwest Pipe Fittings, Inc., curb stop/fittings, $11,344.92; Office Shop, Inc., office copy charge, $44.94; Office Shop Leasing, copier lease, $71.45; One Call of Wyoming, Sept. 2019 locates, $139.50; Powder River Energy Corp., electric service, $1010.83; Productivity Plus Account, parts, $5222.80; Projex, IT work, $200.00; Rapid Delivery, Inc., parts delivery, $32.78; Renegade Paint & Pipes, vehicle repair, $1115.00; Genell Rothleutner, PD cleaning, $200.00; Russell Industries, Inc., pump repair, 1752.00; Sherwin-Williams, nova stand, $840.00; Short Stop Fuel Mart, fuel purchases, $7884.77; Uline, shoe covers, $95.14; Becky Vodopich, city office cleaning, $300.00; WEBT, employee life insurance, $97.00; Weston County Health Services, DOT testing, $42.00; Weston County Road & Bridge, fuel purchases, $332.06; Weston County Treasurer, youth services & airport billings, $2950.55; Weston County Humane Society, food fee, $12.00; Weston County True Value, jack posts, $52.99; Woody’s Food Center, housekeeping supplies, $206.16; Wyoming Automotive, Co., parts, $1124.74; Wyoming State Safe & Lock Co., keys for stolen pickup, $115.00.
 
 
Deb Piana, Mayor
ATTEST: City Clerk/Treasurer, Greg James
 
(Publish November 28, 2019)