Feb. 7, 2022 Newcastle City Council Minutes

NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MINUTES
Monday, February 7, 2022
 
Mayor Pam Gualtieri called this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Those present were Mayor Gualtieri; Council members Ann McColley, Lance Miles, Tyrel Owens and Don Steveson. Councilman Daren Downs was absent. Also present were Department Heads City Police Chief Sam Keller, City Engineer Mike Moore, City Attorney Mark Hughes and City Clerk/Treasurer Greg James.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Ann McColley moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to approve the agenda as amended, adding sewer forgiveness for John Ellis and a phone conversation with Brandi Harlow with Wyoming Business Council.  Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Don Steveson to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of Tuesday, January 18, 2022 and the Executive Session minutes of Tuesday, January 18, 2022 as presented. Motion carried.
NOMINATIONS FOR RECOGNITION: None
CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: None
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS—IN WRITING:
Ann McColley moved, seconded Don Steveson to approve sewer forgiveness in the amount of $228.60 for Logan Spears because of a water leak. Motion carried
Don Steveson moved, seconded Lance Miles to declare First State Bank of Newcastle as a depository of public funds. Motion carried.
Ann McColley moved, seconded Don Steveson to approve sewer forgiveness in the amount of $185.94 for John Ellis because of a water leak. Motion carried.
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS—VERBAL: None
MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORTS:
Tyrel Owens brought for consideration some informational training on asset management, suggesting a Water committee meeting to further this discussion. The Committee meeting was set for Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. in Mike’s office.
Mayor Gualtieri connected with Brandi Harlow from the Wyoming Business Council to discuss briefly the possible increase in grant match to include an economic feasibility study in conjunction with the feasibility study for the Heritage Park project. The City has committed $6250 for a $25,000 study for the Heritage Park project and would be required to increase the match for additional funds for an economic feasibility study. A 25% match is required for whatever grant study amount is desired. This was tabled until next meeting for action. Mayor Gualtieri stated she thought there was a fairly recent economic feasibility study done, and if that information is available, possibly no need for an additional study.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
City Clerk/Treasurer Greg James reminded the Council the next meeting will be Tuesday, February 22 because of observing President’s Day holiday on Monday the 21st.
City Attorney Mark Hughes presented Ordinance No. 1, Series 2022 on first reading. The heading reads: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 13 SERIES 1967 AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Ann McColley moved, seconded Don Steveson to pass Ordinance No.1, Series 2022 on first reading. Motion carried.
City Engineer Mike Moore reported the SLIB rejected the application for emergency funding to clean out lagoon cell B, but invited the City back for the June meeting and distribution. The City was approved for funding for the Dow Park restroom and bidding will go out this week. The Newcastle Bike Club has asked to use a portion of the northeast corner of the old landfill for their pump track and the Council agreed it can be looked into further, depending on Landfill #1 remediation. Pre-bid meeting for the Boyd Avenue project will be held. The City is aware of an 8” sewer that goes under the railroad tracks at Timber Avenue and will be costly to replace because it must be sleeved in a steel casing.  New Level 2 EPA assessments for water may include a boil water order after a loss of pressure main break. This is still being assessed. The Highway 16 path project is moving forward, needing to select the consultant. Mr. Moore asked for anyone interested to be involved with the selection committee.
City Police Chief Sam Keller reported calls for service 415 YTD and 60 so far in February.  Chief Keller asked for $.50 per hour raise for Jason Barker for off probation, retroactive to November 16, 2021 and for Lance Riebel for the same reason retroactive to November 17, 2021. Don Steveson moved, seconded Lance Miles to approve this these requests. Motion carried. Chief Keller then asked for a $.50per hour raise for Leanne Cox for off probation effective September 1, 2021. Ann McColley moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to grant this request. Motion carried. Chief Keller then asked to promote Corporal Levi Tacy to Patrol Sergeant with a $.79 raise effective February 8, 2022. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve this request. Officer Hillhouse will assume all Detective duties upon his return from medical leave, with no reduction in pay. Chief Keller reported the remodeling process has started with some carpet removal where dispatch will be going.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: None
ANY OTHER BUSINESS: None
EXECUTIVE SESSION: reference personnel per W.S. 16-4-405(ii). Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Don Steveson to suspend the rules and go into Executive Session at 8:06 p.m. reference personnel. Motion carried. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Lance Miles to return to regular session at 8:19 p.m. Motion carried.  Clerk/Treasurer Greg James announced his retirement effective March 11, 2022. The Council accepted this announcement and then appointed Stacy Haggerty to fill the Clerk/Treasurer’s position effective March 14, 2022 with an annual salary of $52,000. Don Steveson made the motion, seconded by Tyrel Owens, motion carried. The Council also directed that advertising begin immediately for Stacy’s position.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Don Steveson to pay the claims against the City dated February 7, 2022.  Motion carried. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded to adjourn this meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 8:24 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Claims: A Spiritual Cleanse Car Wash, PD car washes, $30.00; Ad-Pro Office Supply, binders, $78.82; Alpha Communications, Jan. 2022 tower rent, $95.00; American Business Software, web maint./updates, $323.92; American Equipment Inc., annual inspections, $1668.00; William & Gerldine Anderson, water deposit refund, $12.05; BCN Telecom, Inc., long distance service, $111.78; Beth Wildermuth, water deposit refund, $80.92; Black Hills Energy, electric & natural gas service, $17,289.43; Black Hills Plumbing & Supply, Freon removal, landfill, $1770.00; Bomgaars Supply, supplies/materials, $654.18; Butler Machinery, parts, $66.98; Cambria Supply, supplies/materials, $362.90; Campbell County Health EMS, February 2022 ambulance service, $8333.33, Century Link, E-911 data service, $998.35; City of Newcastle, WA/SW/GA service, $529.82; Department of Revenue, Wyoming, sales tax refund, $1021.15; R. Douglas Dumbrill, Feb. 2022 municipal judge, $1078.40; Eastern Wyoming Equipment Co., Inc., parts, $2325.26; Energy Laboratories, Inc., sample testing, $128.00; Environmental Products & Access, tools, $1105.85; Farnsworth Services Co., Inc., portable sanitation, $600.00; Ferguson Waterworks #1116, meter reading equipment, $2016.57; Frontier Home Ranch & Hardware, supplies/materials, $324.46; Gateway Travel Center, fuel purchases, $3140.60; Haley Milholen, water deposit refund, $59.72; Hughes Law Office, Feb. 2002 attorney fee, $3500.00; Jeremy Deal, reimburse CDL, $47.25; John Barker, Jr., transport PD vehicle, $200.00; Mastercard, fuel purchase/office supplies, $3447.06; Michelle Prentice, water deposit refund, $48.20; Minuteman Lube Center, oil change, rescue #1/new tires, $1127.25; Mountain View Plumbing & Heating, meter installation, $158.00; Municipal Emergency Services, fire hose, $1032.00; Newcastle Volunteer Fire Dept., travel/meals/awards, $2016.04; News Letter Journal, legals/minutes, office supplies, $1828.63; NORCO, Inc., batteries/welding cylinder rent, $210.98; Northern Technologies, Inc., lab tests, lagoon biosolids, $873.30; Pollardwater.com-east, swabs/parts, $1527.50; Range, phone service, $863.64; Range, City share phones, $392.50; Genell Rothleutner, PD cleaning, $200.00; Salt Creek Water District, sewer service, $555.00; Bryand Streeter, Fab. 2022 airport wages, $1333.33; Lucky Teigen-Grummons, FD cleaning, $300.00; Top Office Products, PD copy charge, $117.42; Vanway Trophy, planning board plaque, $99.40; Verizon, cell phones, $818.64; Becky Vodopich, City office cleaning, $300.00; WESCO< Gas, landfill propane, $1200.89; Weston County Road & Bridge, fuel purchases, $396.57; Weston County Treasurer, heat/lights/phone/youth services, $2894.63; Jeremiah Wiggins, water deposit refund, $39.06; Wyoming First Aid & Safety, first aid supplies, $426.85; Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy, communications training, $550.00; Wyoming State Firemen’s Association, membership, $75.00; Wyoming Water Quality & Pollution Control Assoc. membership, $60.00.
 
Pam Gualtieri, Mayor
ATTEST: City Clerk/Treasurer, Greg James
 
(Publish February 17, 2022)