NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, December 16, 2024

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mayor Gualtieri amended the agenda to add an executive session per W.S. 16-4-405 (a)(ii) -personnel. Ann McColley moved, seconded Daren Downs to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Tom Voss moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve the minutes of the regular meeting Monday, December 4, 2024. Motion carried.

NOMINATION FOR RECOGNITION: None

CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: None

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL: None

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS:

1. First Northern Bank of Wyoming submitted a letter requesting to be recognized as a depository of public funds. Tom Voss moved, seconded Don Steveson to declare First Northern Bank of Wyoming a depository of public funds. Motion carried.
2. Mayor Gualtieri referenced a letter from WC Attorney Michael Stulken regarding uncashed checks for past dispatch services. Clerk/Treasurer stated there was one check in the amount of $9,000.00. Discussion was had. Don Steveson moved seconded Daren Downs to deposit the check. Motion carried. Attorney Hughes will be asked to notify WC Attorney Stulken of this decision.
3. Mayor Gualtieri referenced the budget billing pilot program for utility bills, stating that a recent committee meeting suggested offering this program to ten (10) customers for a 6-month period. Don Steveson expressed concerns about these accounts having shortfalls and customers owing money at the end; accounts will be reevaluated after 3 months to help notify customers. Don Steveson moved, seconded Johns Butts to average water and sewer charges for the pilot program, working with the City Attorney and City Treasurer. Motion carried.
4. Council President Don Steveson read a 24-hour catering permit, requested by Pam Gualtieri, DBA Pizza Barn from 9:00 a.m. December 31, 2024, to 9:00 a.m. January 1, 2025, for the Weston County Boot Scootin Boogie at the Weston County Event Center. Tom Voss moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve this request. Motion carried.
5. Approval of the annual Plumbing and Electrical Licenses for 2025. Tom Voss moved, seconded Don Steveson to approve the Plumbing Licenses and Electrical Licenses as presented. Motion carried. The licenses are as follows:

Plumbing licenses for the 2025 calendar year. All fees have been paid and proof of insurance and bond have been provided.

1. 21 Electric/Plumbing - Master Plumber/HVAC: Aaron Napolitano; Apprentice Plumbers: Christopher Gray, Josh Kaufmann, Colby Varner, Michael Patterson
2. Andersen Plumbing and Contracting - Master Plumber: Clay Andersen; Apprentice Plumber: Nathan Andersen
3. APEX Mechanical - Master Plumber: Justin Strong, Apprentice Plumbers: Josh Boyer James Burton, Clinton Ellis
4. Black Hills Plumbing /S & A Partners - Master Plumber: William Simianer; Apprentice Plumbers: Jared Cummings, Sean Holland, Skyler Cummings, Jim Green
5. Mountain View Plumbing & Heating – Master Plumber Brian Olson
6. Powder River Heating & Air Conditioning - Master Plumber: Richard Cisneros; Journeymen: Brett Osman, Steve Sales; Limited Apprentice Plumbers: Jason Wacker, Jose Zavala, Eric Means
7. Summit Plumbing & Heating, LLC - Master Plumber: David J. Hopkins; Apprentice Plumbers: Robin King, Ramsey Gross, Cameron Richardson, Michael Haynes
8. Wilson Plumbing, LLC – Master Plumber: Wayne Wilson; Apprentice Plumber: Brandon Wilson
9. Wolff’s Plumbing and Heating – Master Plumber: Scott Hartman; Journeymen Plumber: Dan Hartman

        Limited Mechanical Apprentices: Eric Means, Jason Wacker, Jose Zavala

Limited Plumber Licenses for the 2025 calendar year. All Fees have been paid and proof of insurance and bond have been provided.

1. Always There Heating and Cooling - Limited Apprentice Plumber: Timothy Almy
2. Black Cat Construction (Water, Sewer Line) – Limited Plumber: Jeff Sorch     
3. Black Hills Gas Holdings, LLC - Limited Plumbers: Donny Munger (Gas Piping), James Curren
4. Climate Solutions, Inc. - Limited Apprentice Plumber: Nathan Kintz
5. Comfort Systems Heating & Cooling Inc. - Limited Apprentice Plumber: Carey Wendling (Gas Piping)
6. Plooster Water DBA Culligan Soft Water of Hot Springs, Inc. (soft water service) – Limited Plumber: Richard D. Olstad; Limited Apprentice Plumber: Tony Plooster
7. Precision Mechanical - Limited Apprentice Plumbers: Patrick Sloan, Austin Youngblood, Ryan Corean, Robbie Nolting
8. Wayne’s Heating and Air - Limited Plumber: Wayne Anderson (Gas Piping)

Limited Mechanical Plumber License for the 2025 calendar year. All Fees have been paid and proof of insurance and bond have been provided.

1. CMS/NEXTECH – Limited Mechanical Plumber: David Grzech
2. Precision Mechanical - Limited Mechanical Plumber: Stephen Van Dam (Gas Piping)
3. API HVAC Services, Inc. DBA Tessiers Mechanical - Limited Mechanical Plumber: David Del Soldato

Electrical Licenses for the 2025 calendar year. All Fees have been paid and proof of insurance and bond have been

provided.

1. 21 Electric - Master Electrician: Joshua Liggett; Journeyman Electricians: Marty Shaff, Brad Boylan, Phillip Luca; Apprentice Electricians: Payton Parks, Jason Williams
2. Ace Electrical Service, LLC – Master Electrician: Alan Ainsworth Clark
3. Apex Mechanical – Master Electrician: Gavyn Brian Ketterling; Journeymen Electrician: Justin James Marden; Apprentice Electricians: Kooper Lane Lewis, Gregory Sorenson
4. Arrow Electric, Inc.- Master Electricians: Richard R. Andrews, Allen Archuleta; Journeymen Electrician: Rhett James Williams; Apprentice Electricians: Bryce J. Perkins, Jayden Archuleta
5. Daryl’s Electric – Master Electrician: Daryl Dean Orbeck, Journeymen Electricians: Matthew Schilz, Anthony Fulciniti, William Sturdevant; Apprentice Electricians: Clayton Ehrhard, Joseph Sturdevant
6. Homestead Works Electrical - Master Electrician: Howard D. Bogue
7. Pittman Electric - Master Electrician: Gary D. Pittman, Jr.; Journeyman Electricians: Dustin Baldridge, Jeremy Robbins; Apprentice Electricians: Shawn Albaugh, Dawson Mullock
8. ProElectric, Inc. - Master Electrician: Curtis E, Juby; Journeymen Electricians: Keith Norman King, Charlie Lynn Smith, Tyler Joe Phinney; Apprentice Electricians: Cody Radee, Mason Bonar
9. Rick’s Electric - Master Electrician: Rick Phillips; Journeymen Electrician: Trenton Engle; Apprentice Electrician: Tate Engle

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Mayor Gualtieri referenced the WC Travel Commission Agreement. Bruce Perkins and Brittany Trandahl with the WC Travel Commission were present to answer questions. Ann McColley moved, seconded Don Steveson to sign the agreement. Motion carried.
2. Ordinance No. 4, Series 2024, which heading reads AN ORDINANCE ADDING SEC. 16-11.2 OF THE NEWCASTLE TOWN CODE regarding Jake Brakes was read. Mayor Gualtieri clarified that this is Ordinance No. 4 not Ordinance No. 3. Tom Voss moved, seconded Don Steveson to pass Ordinance No. 4, Series 2024 on the second reading. Discussion was had regarding the fine and signs. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS: None

COMMITTEE/COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS: Mayor Gualtieri reported that she had signed a proclamation last week for Newcastle Lodge #13 AF&AM recognizing The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Wyoming.

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

1. Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty reported that Ketel Thorstenson plan to present audit findings on February 3, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. She then requested to close the City Hall office at Noon on Christmas Eve. Tom Voss moved, seconded Daren Downs to approve this request. Motion carried.
2. Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff requested to give Jonathan Helberg a $0.50 raise for attaining his CDL effective November 27, 2024. Don Steveson moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve this request. Motion carried. He then requested a $0.50 raise for Hunter Taylor for the completion of one-years’ probation and given permanent status effective October 17, 2024. Don Steveson moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve this request. Motion carried. Mr. Stumpff stated that the State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan is open for preapplication; 2026 projects are: Landfill #2 closure requesting $1,000.000.00, water project for W. Railroad Ave., and a wastewater/stormwater master plan. Councilman Voss inquired about using local propane vendors. Councilman Steveson inquired about EPA’s chlorination proposal; an extension has been requested. Councilman Downs expressed concerns about snow removal on the bike path along HWY 16; more passes will be made.
3. Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service since December 3, 2024, NPD 131, WCSO 77, UPD 4, NVFD 0, WCFP 2, UVFD 0, Newcastle Ambulance 10, and Upton Ambulance 2. He requested a $0.50 raise for Officer McKinzie Parrish for the completion of one-years’ probation effective December 4, 2024. Tom Voss moved, seconded Don Steveson to approve this request. Motion carried. He then reported that the PD went live with the Flex system for their record keeping last week. Mayor Gualtieri inquired about Shop with a Cop; the event seemed to have gone well.
4. Attorney Dublin Hughes was absent.

CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: Tom Voss moved, seconded Don Steveson to pay the claims against the City dated December 16, 2024. Motion carried.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Ann McColley moved, seconded Tom Voss to suspend the rules and enter into executive session referencing personnel per W.S. 16-4-405 (a)(ii) at 8:04 p.m. Motion carried. Tom Voss moved, seconded John Butts to return to regular session at 8:25 p.m. Motion carried. No action was taken coming out of this executive session. Tom Voss moved, seconded Ann McColley to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council. The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

Claims: AT&T, PD phones, $485.21; Black Hills Energy, services, $11,588.57; Black Hills Plumbing, expansion tanks, $744.77; Blakeman Propane, propane, $533.03; Buffalo Creek Graphics, decals, $111.30; Cambria Supply, supplies, $457.85; Civic Plus, municipal codes, $347.81; Culligan, bottled water, $20.85; Decker’s, supplies, $45.94; Eastern Wy. Equip., supplies, $2,582.13; Energy Labs, analysis, $1,277.00; Engineering Assoc., services, $24,170.92; Farnsworth, portable sanitation, $392.88; Gateway Travel Center, fuel, $3,242.74; Jonathan Helberg, reimbursement/CDL expenses, $668.27; Hot Iron, Duff Ave., $110,171.45; Hot Iron, retainage, $5,798.49; Ketel Thorstenson, audit, $30,000.00; L.N. Curtis & Sons, services, $2,466.10; Kathy Lavasseur, deposit refund, $100.00; LinkTech, PD IT support, $2,789.60; Marco, copier/plotter/IT, $4,311.75; Mastercard, supplies/training/fuel, $4,803.32; Matthew Bender, court rules, $109.43; Minuteman, services, $77.99; Newcastle Ace Hardware, supplies, $547.17; Newcastle Equipment, supplies, 5,220.25; NVFD, training/supplies/report, $601.79; News Letter, ads/legals/supplies, $1,936.60; Northwest Pipe, supplies, $1,037.03; One Call of Wy., services, $30.75; Petty Cash, title fees, $25.00; Powder River Energy, services, $1,185.39; Range, phone/internet, $1,120.04; Rapid Delivery, services, $28.93; Salt Creek Vet., services, $377.25; Salt Creek Water, services, $555.00; Short Stop, fuel, $1,648.89; Greg Stumpff, reimburse/supplies, $118.58; USA Bluebook, sample tests, $224.40; Valli, monthly maintenance, $144.42; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; WC Road & Bridge, FD fuel, $208.45; WC Solid Waste Dist., tipping fees, $5,247.90; White’s Canyon Motors, supplies, $325.45; Wilson Plumbing, expansion tanks, $584.00; Woody’s, supplies, $29.97; Wy. Assoc. Rural Water, conferences, $478.00; Wy. Dept. Trans., registration/plate, $10.00.

ATTEST:

Mayor,

Clerk/Treasurer