NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, August 5, 2024

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mayor Gualtieri amended the agenda adding Wahington Plaza under citizen’s business verbal. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve the agenda as amended. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve the minutes of Monday, August 5, 2024. MOTION CARRIED.

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL: Mayor Gulatieri clarified that the discussion regarding Washington Plaza is separate from the loitering ordinance, the Washington Plaza is privately owned and they are looking at having the teens moved to a new location. Chloe Smith and Caleb Carter were present to express their concerns about what teenagers may do if they are no longer allowed to utilize the Washington Plaza parking lot as a place to gather. Solutions to this issue are being looked into.

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS—IN WRITING: Wyoming Refining Company submitted a letter notifying the Council about their public participation plan meeting scheduled for August 13, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the WRC Training Center.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Brian Garland with Hot Iron and Kole Shell with Engineering Associates were present. Supervisor Greg Sumpff requested that 40% of the Duff Ave. project be paid upfront. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve this request. Discussion was had. MOTION CARRIED.

• Church on the Hill abandonment of easement, Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff reported that there was no record of previous abandonment and recommend to abandon the easement. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Tom Voss to grant the right-of-way abandonment easement on the section of land along W. Walcott and W. Winthrop. MOTION CARRIED.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Mayor Gualtieri read Resolution No. 6, Series 2024, to adopt the 2024 Wyoming Region 1 Hazard Mitigation Plan. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Tom Voss to adopt Resolution No. 6, Series. 2024. MOTION CARRIED.

• Requests for qualifications will be put out for the Bike Pump Park design. Supervisor Stumpff requested the use of Public Works equipment at the Community Work Day scheduled for August 17, 2024, by City employees only. Mr. Stumpff also stated that he would be donating his time. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Tom Voss to allow the use of the equipment only to be used by City employees. MOTION CARRIED.

• Councilman John Butts inquired about the installation of electric car charging stations. Supervisor Greg Stumpff had previously talked with Black Hills Energy about charging stations, and he will give updates when he has more information.

• Councilman Tom Voss referenced Warm Summer Nights II/Choke Cherry Festival requesting the relaxation of the open container laws from 3 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on August 16, 2024. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve this request. Discussion was had. MOTION CARRIED.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Councilman Owens reported on WC Travel Commission and Newcastle Chamber meetings. He also reported on the Water/Sewer Committee meeting. Topics of discussion were: Chapter 26 ordinance changes, fats/oil/grease from business in sewer lines, emergency funds for S. Road, water master plan, large project interest reduction, sanitary survey, and water line movement in the cemetery. Tyle Owens moved, seconded Tom Voss to start the process of requests for qualifications for 2026 projects. Discussion was had. MOTION CARRIED.

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

• Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff requested the approval of Resolution 5, Series 2024, entitled A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION TO THE STATE LOAN AND INVESTMENT BOARD FOR A LOAN THROUGH THE STATE REVOLVING FUND ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY FOR THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE, for Landfill No. 1 remediation project. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Tom Voss to approve Resolution 5, Series 2024. MOTION CARRIED He then requested approval of the contract for the Duff Ave. project. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. Supervisor Stumpff stated that a bid package for a replacement garbage truck was put together and requested that it be put out to bid. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Tom Voss to approve this request. Discussion about funding was had, this will be a lease purchase. MOTION CARRIED. Public meetings will be held for the following: 2025 project at 6 p.m. on 9/3/2024; Water master plan at 6 p.m. on 9/19/24; Landfill No. 1 remediation at 6 p.m. on 9/16/24. Supervisor Stumpff stated that loans through USDA may not be the best option for the City. A workshop for the rate analysis is scheduled for 8/27/24 at 6 p.m. Councilman Owens asked about the dog waste stations, signs required by WYDOT had been taken and must be replaced before the waste stations can be put up. Supervisor Stumpff reported that there were minor changes on the sanitary survey. He requested the acceptance of Jenna Goodart’s letter of resignation effective 8/5/2024 and requested to open the position up for applications.  Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.

• Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service since July 16, 2024, NPD 278, WCSO 195, UPD 28, NVFD 30, WCFP 26, UVFD 13, Newcastle Ambulance 37, and Upton Ambulance 8. Chief Thompson requested a $0.50/hr. raise for Jacob Esposito as he has completed the probationary period, effective one year from his hire date. Tom Voss moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. He then referenced the loitering ordinance stating that there had not been much positive response but feels that private property owners should be protected. There were more discussions regarding ordinances for trespassing and curfew.

• Attorney Dublin Hughes asked if the street closures had been included in the motion regarding the relaxation of the open container laws. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to include the street closure as listed on the provided diagram minus the alley. MOTION CARRIED.

• Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty referenced the provided budget documents, stating that expenditures were within the budgeted amount.

CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: Tom Voss moved, seconded Ann McColley to pay the claims against the City dated August 5, 2024. MOTION CARRIED. Tom Voss moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council. The meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m.

23/24 Claims: Aced Embroidery, services, $329.00; Blue 360 Media, law books, $177.24; Casper College, training classes, $1,199.00; CPS Distributors, parts, $1,927.48; MountainWest Valuations, appraisal, $3,000.00; WC Treasurer, handling fee/airport expenses, $655.38

24/25 Claims: Aced Embroidery, services, $335.00; Ad Pro, supplies, $24.79; Advance Communication, supplies, $20.00; Advanced Drug Testing, random testing, $31.20;  American Engineering Testing, Landfill No. 1; 9,766.45; AT&T, PD phones, $353.61; Axon Enterprises, tasers, $5,621.90; Black Hills Energy, services, $107.83; Bomgaars, supplies, $2,620.73; Butler Machinery, supplies, $31.44; Childrens Home Society, interview, $150.00; City of Newcastle, wa/sw/ga, $1,093.31; Cummis, repairs, $2,242.84; Dawson Infrastructure Solutions, easement machine, $49,750.00; DRM, 7th Ave., $70,566.55; DRM retainage, 7th Ave., $3,714.03; Douglas Dumbrill, municipal judge, $1,000.00; Energy Labs., analysis, $792.00; Farnsworth, portable sanitation, $700.00; Ferguson, meters, $1,041.77; First Northern Bank, PD vehicle lease, $2,180.06; Grimms, parts, $4,110.82; Hughes Law, attorney, $4,500.00; LinkTech, PD IT services, $1,394.80; Marco, copier/plotter fees, $759.15; Mastercard, supplies/fuel/training, $3,323.52; Georgenna Materi, deposit refund, $35.83; Mile High Shooting, fire arms, $359.37; Minuteman, tire repair, $20.00; Harmony Moran, deposit refund, $100.00; Motorola Solutions, instillation, $31,193.50; News Letter Journal, supplies/legals, $1,251.50; Normont, supplies, $387.24; Northwest Pipe Fittings, supplies, $5,495.58; Postmaster, bulk mailing, $4,000.00; Powder River Energy, services, $955.95; Projex, email hosting, $2,300.00; Range, phone/internet, $666.00; Sagebrush Market, website, $150.00; Salt Creek Vet, impounded dogs, $368.95; Salt Creek Water Dist, sewer, $555.00; Sherwin-Williams, paint, $1,348.73; Stefanie Shirk, deposit refund, $72.67; Jeff Simnsen, deposit refund, $23.66; Carol Stephenson, deposit refund, $23.42; Bryand Streeter, monthly distribution, $1,333.33; Michael Stulken, deposit refund, $100.00; Sundance Extinguisher, annual service, $2,110.00; Lucky Teigen-Grummons, FD cleaning, $300.00; TrueGreen, lawn care, $132.00; Verizon, PW cell phones, $474.37; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; Wilder Graphics, PD business cards, $84.45; Lanny Wilson, deposit refund, $66.15; Wy Sec. of State, notary, $60.00;

ATTEST:

Mayor Pam Gualtieri

Clerk/Treasurer

Stacy Haggerty

(Publish August 15, 2024)