NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, April 7, 2025

Mayor Tyrel Owens called this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Council members John Butts, Daren Downs, Chirs Kenney, Ann McColley, Thomas Voss and Don Steveson. Also present were Attorney Dublin Hughes, Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff, Police Chief Derek Thompson and Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Chris Kenney moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Daren Downs moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of Monday, March 17, 2025. MOTION CARRIED.

NOMINATION FOR RECOGNITION: Supervisor Greg Stumpff and the City Crew for the procurement of over one-million dollars in grant funding.

CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: None

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL:

• Bob Svara and other members of the Mondell Airport Board were present to update the Council on their hanger project. A request was made to help with the repair of a rollup door; City’s share being $850.00. Thomas Voss moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve this request.MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Svara stated that the board has discussed how the revenue from the hangers will be used.

• Dick Rich was present to request the Council’s support of the 19th Annual Shine & Show car show to be held September 20, 2025. Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.

• Tasha Townsend was present to request the Council’s support of the Fall Festival to be held on September 20, 2025. Ann McColley moved; Thomas Voss seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS IN WRITING:

• Pokey’s Smoke BBQ and Smokehouse requested a 24-hour catering permit beginning on May 3, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to May 4, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet to be held at the Weston County Event Center. Chris Kenny moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.

• King’s Plumbing and Heating LLC submitted a request for a master plumbing license, master plumber, Robin Earl King Jr.  Daren Downs moved; John Butts seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.

• Dave Minzel submitted a letter requesting sewer forgiveness due to a leak at his mother’s residence. Thomas Voss moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve sewer forgiveness in the amount of $730.16. Discussion was had regarding the name was on the account and the date of the letter; Mr. Minzel is the power of attorney for Beverly Minzel, the letter should have been dated 2025 not 2024. MOTION CARRIED.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Ordinance No. 1, Series 2025 which heading reads; AN ORDINANCE ANNEXING TERRITORY DESCRIBED IN THE PETITION FOR ANNEXATION DATED JANUARY 10, 2025. John Butts moved; Daren Downs seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1, Series 2025 on the second reading. MOTION CARRIED.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Engineer Chuck Bartlett was present to discuss an application for sidewalk encroachment and current ordinance. Discussion about the cost of permits was had; a community appearance committee meeting will be held.

• Mayor Owens read the National Service Day Proclamation

COMMITTEE/COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS:

• Mayor Owens reported that he had met with representatives of the Boys and Girls Club and will keep the Council updated as things move forward; possibilities of funding from Warren Buffet may be investigated.

• Mayor Owens requested a police committee meeting next week.

• Mayor Owens reported that Brandi Harlow with Wyoming Business Council had approached him regarding the Harvard Growth Lab; first meeting is scheduled for mid-April.

• Mayor Owens stated that he had met with the mayor of Evanston who credited their past council for their current financial stability. Mayor Owens commended the Newcastle City Council for adjusting pricing appropriately to aid in the City’s future financial stability.

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

• Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff requested to send the proposal and plans to contractors for the repair of the trench drain at E. Main St. and S. Summit Ave. estimated to be $15,000.00. John Butts moved; Daren Down seconded to approve this request. Discussion was had about the repairs. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Stumpff reported that chip seal estimates were extremely high and requested to purchase a used emulsion applicator unit and rollers, estimated around $130,000.00. Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve this request. Discussion was had regarding personnel availability and life expectancy of the equipment. MOTION CARRIED. Supervisor Stumpff requested the signing of an amended proposal for engineering services by Inberg-Miller Engineers in the amount of $73,000.00 for the chlorination system. Don Steveson moved; Thomas Voss seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Stumpff then requested to replace the 2000 Chevy 1500 and 1999 Ford F-150 which are failing with newer pickups costing between $30,000 - $35,000 each. Chris Kenny moved; Don Steveson seconded to move forward with procuring newer vehicles for the city shop. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Stumpff will be absent next week to attend the Wyoming Funding Summit. He also reported that $300,000.00 in grant funding had been approved for the new garbage truck.

• Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service from March 17, 2025; NPD 212, (traffic stops 33, DUI arrest 2, warrant arrest 3, drug specific calls 2, domestic violence calls 2, stalking/harassment calls 4, traffic crashes 2) WCSO 152, UPD 8, NVFD 12, WCFP 5, UVFD 3, Newcastle Ambulance 21, and Upton Ambulance 10. Chief Thompson stated that he had not received any bids for the repair of the roof. He then reported that the new phone system installation should be completed this week; four applications for peace officers and one application for the CSO had been received and interviews are scheduled for April 23, 2025; the advertising video by News Letter Journal is completed and should be distributed within the next couple weeks. Councilman Voss asked if the video is the only media being used for job applicants, Facebook advertising is also being used. Councilman Butts asked if the ambulance calls could be broken out, Chief Thompson will break the calls out for the three entities. Mayor Owens inquired about the difference in total number of calls and the broken-out detailed calls, the broken-out calls were more time-consuming and severe. Councilman Kenney inquired about the backup generator for dispatch; the generator is approximately 34 weeks out; a transfer switch is scheduled to be wired in that will allow a portable generator to be plugged in.

• Attorney Dublin Hughes requested approval to send an amended water agreement to Cambria Improvement and Service District. Don Steveson moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. Attorney Hughes then referenced Ordinance No. 2, Series 2025 – Dog barking; discussion was had about taking out the reference of “two or more occasions”. Attorney Hughes requested to amend Ordinance No. 2, sub section (a) to read: Excessively barks, howls, or yowls while outdoors and disturbs the peace and tranquility of any person and to approve the ordinance. Don Steveson moved, seconded Daren Downs to pass Ordinance No. 2, Series 2025 as amended on the first reading. Discussion was had. MOTION CARRIED. Attorney Hughes reported that he had been made aware of an incorrect legal description on property that was deeded from the city to a resident; he will work with Engineer Bartlett to get this corrected.

• Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty reminded the Council of the Budget Workshop being held at 5:00 p.m. on April 14, 2025. She then requested to close the City Hall office at noon on April 18, 2025, in observance of Good Friday. John Butts moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.

CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: Thomas Voss moved; seconded Don Steveson to pay the claims against the City dated April 7, 2025. MOTION CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT: Ann McColley moved; Daren Downs seconded to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 8:38 p.m. Meeting adjourned.

Claims: 21 Electric, services, $228.75; Ad Pro, supplies, $72.94; Advanced Communications, supplies, $40.00; Advanced Drug Testing, services, $31.20; Ameri-Tech, parts, $1,488.97; American Tree and Forestry, pruning, $2,025.00; American Water Works Assn., AWWA survey, $199.00; American Water Works Assn., membership, $431.00; AT&T, PD cell phones, $485.21; Bomgaars, supplies, $627.22; Black Hills Energy, services, $14,407.85; Cambria Supply, supplies, $1,164.68; Campbell Co. EMS, services, $8,625.00; City of Newcastle, wa/sw/ga, $649.01; Contractor’s Supply, parts, $1,393.82; Dana Kepner, meter radios, $50,011.83; Detroit Industrial, supplies, $670.65; Douglas Dumbrill, municipal judge/mileage, $1,091.00; Energy Labs., services, $374.00; Engineering Associates, services, $5,959.21; Farnsworth Service, portable sanitation, $250.00; First Northern Bank, vehicle lease, $4,305.30; First Northern Bank, FD truck CD, $50,000.00; Fisher Sand & Gravel, jbase, $690.55; Gateway Travel Center, fuel, $6,985.80; Sharon Groskoff, deposit refund, $77.94; Heartland Kubota, supplies, $336.00; Hughes Law, attorney fees, $4,500.00; Inberg-Miller, services, $6,000.00; Kregel Towing, services, $423.00; Marco, plotter/IT, $2,742.58; Mastercard, travel/training/supplies/fuel, $5,154.13; Midco, services, $10,275.00; Mountain View Plumbing, services, $790.00; Municipal Emergency Services, supplies, $5,762.75; NVFD, pension/training, $6,929.25; Newman Traffic Signs, signs, $402.55; News Letter Journal, ads/legals, $1,701.00; Normont Equipment, rental fees, $5,250.00; Northwest Pipe Fittings, supplies, $3,446.82; Petty Cash, reimburse postage/supplies, $417.18; Postmaster, permit/bulk mailings, $1,850.00; Range, phone/internet, $1,152.77; Jessie Redo, Wy. Dot physical, $90.00; Rick’s Electric, services, $6,677.95; Lloyd Roberts, deposit refund, $19.86; Salt Creek Water Dist., sewer services, $555.00; Short Stop, fuel, $617.64; Bryand Streeter, airport wages, $1,333.33; Summit Chemical, supplies, $2,150.99; Lucky Teigen-Grummons, FD cleaning, $300.00; Rebecca Terry, deposit refund, $100.00; Verizon, cell phones, $495.26; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; WC Children’s Center, 3rd qtr. distribution, $2,250.00; WC Road & Bridge, fuel, $96.28; WC Solid Waste District, tipping fees, $11,674.60; Woody’s, supplies, $168.19; Wy. Dept. of Fire Prevention, supplies, $258.20; Wy. DOT, plates, $10.00

ATTEST:

Mayor Tyrel Owens

Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty

(Publish April 17, 2025)