NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, April 20, 2026
NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MINUTES
Monday, April 20, 2026
Council President Thomas Voss 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, and Don Steveson. Also, present were Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff, Engineer Steven Dietrich, Police Chief Derek Thompson, Attorney Dublin Hughes and Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty. Mayor Owens was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Chris Kenney moved; Ann McColley seconded, to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Don Steveson moved; Chris Kenney seconded, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on Monday, April 6, 2026. MOTION CARRIED.
NOMINATION FOR RECOGNITION: Councilman Steveson noted that he would like to recognize Robert Hartley somehow. The personnel committee will meet to discuss a memorial of sorts.
CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: None.
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL: None
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS IN WRITING:
• The News Letter Journal submitted a sidewalk encroachment application for distribution of old newspapers and visitor information enclosed in newspaper machines; Chris Kenney moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve the application. The yearly fee was discussed. MOTION CARRIED. The continuation of the permit was also noted; Mr. Bonnar will elaborate on this during his discussion later in the meeting.
• The Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp submitted a letter requesting sewer averaging. Don Steveson moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.
• Guire Electric submitted a request for an electrical license. Master Electrician, Joe Guire; Journeyman, Felicia Borrego; Apprentice, Jacob Guire. Don Steveson moved; John Butts seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.
OLD BUSINESS:
• Council President Voss referenced the replat for Wayne and Laura Oney, it was reported that the previous easement inquiries were related to a communication line which currently runs in the right-of-way of the road; while there was not a record of the easement being abandoned, the line itself was; the lot line had also been adjusted to allow space as to not encroach on other utilities. Engineer Dietrich reported that this replat had been taken back to the Planning and Zoning Board, which recommends approving the replat. Ann McColley moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve the plot change as described. The replat map was referenced. MOTION CARRIED.
• Bob Bonnar with the News Letter Journal was present to discuss the Digital Communications proposal; cost and funding was discussed. Mr. Bonnar had also noted that the sidewalk encroachment permit for the News Letter Journal may be renewed annually if the newspaper stands on the sidewalk proves to be helpful.
•Council President Voss read Resolution No. 3, Series 2026, which heading reads: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION TO THE STATE LOANS AND INVESTMENT BOARD FOR A LOAN THROUGH THE STATE REVOLVING FUND ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY; for the Tank #2 Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $3,000,000.00. Chris Kenney moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve Resolution No. 3, Series 2026. MOTION CARRIED.
•Public Works Supervisor Stumpff asked the Council how they wished to move forward with the proposed changes to Chapter 26, of the municipal code; Attorney Hughes will put the changes into a format which will need to be read three (3) times.
NEW BUSINESS:
• Council President Voss read a proclamation, proclaiming April 21, 2026, as National Service Recognition Day. Ann McColley moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve the proclamation. MOTION CARRIED.
• Council President Voss referenced Resolution No. 4, Series 2026, which heading reads: A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATED FUNDING FROM THE WYOMING WATER DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY; for the Tank #2 Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $1,151,300.00. There was discussion regarding a misprint in the written amount of one million one hundred fifty-three thousand dollars. Ann McColley moved; John Butts seconded to approve Resolution No. 2 with the amended written amount of one million one hundred fifty-one thousand three hundred dollars. There was discussion regarding the two (2) programs being used for the project and the wording of the resolution. Motion was withdrawn. Chris Kenney moved; Ann McColley seconded to table the resolution. MOTION CARRIED.
COMMITTEE/COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS:
•Chief Thompson reported on a Police Committee meeting, stating that they had discussed ordinances that needed to be revised and the proposed MOU with the County; the information has been given to Attorney Hughes to begin working on.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
•Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty reported that the new computers for the Clerk’s office had been installed. She then asked if there were any questions on the financial reports provided; there were none.
•Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff referenced a drafted letter for the upcoming chlorination of the City’s water system; there was discussion about the level and type of chlorination along with other issues causing the need for chlorination. He then reported on the following: 2025 Improvements, Landfill #1 Remediation, and the cemetery sprinkler system. An inquiry was made regarding availability of non-chlorinated water; non-chlorinated water will not be available from City wells, but residents could use filter systems.
• Engineer Steven Dietrich reported on nine (9) new active residential projects and one (1) new commercial project from April 6th – April 19th, construction cost totaling $62,941.00 and $3,374.35 collected in permit fees. He also reported that the Building Inspector position had been advertised. Engineer Dietrich then notified the Council that Tim Miller be present at the next meeting to discuss his plans for the old 4-Way Gas N Go and Wayback Burger locations. An inquiry was made about applicants and training available for the Building Inspector position; one (1) application has been received, and online training is available along with on-the-job experience.
• Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service between April 2nd – April 16th, NPD 108 with 3 arrest, and 10 criminal citations, WCSO 113, UPD 69, NVFD 6, WCFP 5, UVFD 3, Newcastle Ambulance 15, Upton Ambulance 2, he provided a handout for the breakdown of NPD calls. Chief Thompson then reported that the generator wiring had been completed, and a full test will be done when the electrician is available. He also reported on the Joint Powers Board budget workshop, stating that their budget should remain the same as the prior year. An inquiry was made about recruitment; with (2) officers in training there has not been any recent recruitment.
• Attorney Dublin Hughes reported that he had been working on updating some of the ordinances and Council President Voss read the following: Ordinance No. 1, Series 2026, which heading reads: AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE SEC. 16-25, STOPPING IN FRONT OF THEATER OR PICTURE HOUSE OF THE NEWCASTLE TOWN CODE. Don Steveson moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1, Series 2026, on the first reading. MOTION CARRIED. Ordinance No. 2, Series 2026, which heading reads: AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE SEC. 16-16 THROUGH 16-19.1 DESIGNATED UNDER ARTICLE IV. SAFETY ZONES OF THE NEWCASTLE TOWN CODE. Ann McColley moved; John Butts seconded to approve Ordinance No. 2, Series 2026, on the first reading. MOTION CARRIED. Ordinance No. 3, Series 2026, which heading reads: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 16-21, ANGLE PARKING; DESIGNATED ROADWAYS; PENALTY, OF THE NEWCASTLE WYOMING MUNICIPAL CODE. Attorney Hughes clarified that section 1 (a) was to read as: Northeast side on Seneca Avenue from Warwick Street to Wentworth Street. Ann McColley moves; John Butts seconded to approve Resolution No. 3 Series 2026, on the first reading. MOTION CARRIED. Attorney Hughes reported he will be bringing more ordinance changes soon.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: Councilman Kenney recused himself. Ann McColley moved; John Butts seconded to pay the claims against the City dated April 20, 2026. MOTION CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT: Chris Kenney moved to adjourn the regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 8:19 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Claims: AdPro, supplies, $44.67; Ameri-Tech, parts, $105.89; Black Hills Energy, services, $13,614.17; Bomgaars, supplies, $1,150.95; BW Parts, parts, $219.86, Communications Technologies, repairs, $638.34; Core & Main, meters/parts, $51,073.69; Cynosure Custom Signs, sign, $120.00; Dakota Fluid Power, parts, $1,820.50; Decker’s, supplies, $70.84; Derek’s Field Service, repairs, $1,865.60; Eastern Wy. Equipment Co., supplies, $3,998.78; Engineering Assoc., services, $7,506.39; Heartland Kubota, parts, $166.28; LinkTech, PD IT, $1,345.00; Marco, copiers/plotter, $735.62; National Fire Protection, membership, $225.00; NVFD, CPR training meal, $45.20; Newman, sign parts, $584.70; Normont, supplies, $2,221.91; Northwest Pipe Fittings, parts, $1,258.76; One Call of Wy., services, $206.85; Performance Food Service, FD meal supplies, $150.99; Postmaster, permit, $370.00; Powder River Energy, services, $1,213.26; Short Stop, fuel, $1,544.76; USA Bluebook, supplies, $149.55; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; Western Peak Logistics, services, $22.44; Woody’s, supplies, $136.97; Wy. DEQ, permit, $1,000.00; Wy. Law Enforcement Academy, FTO training, $245.00; Wy. Office of State Lands, DW174 payment, $7,425.25.
ATTEST:
Mayor Tyrel Owens
Clerk-Treasuer Stacy Haggerty
(Publish April 30, 2026)