NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, July 1, 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 Don Steveson, Ann McColley, Daren Downs, John Butts, Tom Voss and Tyrel Owens. Also present were, City Attorney Dublin Hughes, Police Chief Derek Thompson, Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff, and Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of Monday, June 17, 2024. MOTION CARRIED.

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL:

• Mondell Airport board members were present to request additional funding of $4,648.89 for the previously approved hanger project, making the City’s total share $29,382.39. Tom Voss moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to approve this request. Discussion was had. MOTION CARRIED. An Open House is scheduled for Sept 7, 2024.

•Bruce Perkins was present to request motorcycle parking on Main Street between Rail Road Ave. and Seneca Ave. and for relaxation of the open container laws at tables set outside of his businesses during the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., August 1st to August 15th. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Tom Voss to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Perkins then requested relaxation of the open container laws for the Warm Summer Nights with First Northern Bank event on the 12th from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Main Street from Seneca to Sumner then to Warwick. Tom Voss moved, seconded Don Steveson to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS—IN WRITING: None

OLD BUSINESS: Mayor Gualtieri referenced the Memorandum of Understanding with Bent Sprockets. Jeremy Dedic stated that Bent Sprockets agreed with the MOU. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve the MOU between the City of Newcastle and Bent Sprockets.MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Dedic stated that a meet and greet is scheduled for August 17, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

NEW BUSINESS: Mayor Gualtieri said she would like to recognize the Ferguson family for improvements at their residence on S. Summit. Councilmembers expressed concerns about vehicles currently being torn apart outside the residence.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mayor Gualtieri reported that she had spoken with Volunteer Fire Chief James Curren. Currently, fireworks will be shot off from the hill or the golf course and residents are permitted to shoot them off from noon to midnight on the 4th of July.

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

• Attorney Dublin Hughes stated that the Black Hills Power franchise ordinance was effective as of June 20, 2024, the date of the last affixed signature by Black Hills Power’s chief officer.

• Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty reminded the Council of the Wy. Dept. of Transportation STIP presentation to be held at 6:00 p.m. on July 15, 2024. She then stated that some of the non-profit service providers said they were exempt from the Public Officer Training, she had contacted the Department of Audit, and the decision to require the training would be up to the council. Tom Voss moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to require service provider officers or board of directors to attend public officer training. MOTION CARRIED. Clerk-Treasurer Haggerty stated that Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Vodopich would retire in August, she requested to offer Amber Redo the full-time position starting at $17.00/hour with a one-year probation to begin July 2, 2024. Tom Voss moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.

• Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff stated, he has been working on a PowerPoint presentation for the rate study. He then reported that vegetation near Sage Street and Duff Ave had been cut; the 1st Ave. project has been completed; concrete around the grate on E. Main Street needs repair, WYDOT will need to be contacted to discuss a permanent repair; he will be on vacation July 3rd to 12th. Councilman Voss inquired about some of the claims. Councilman Butts inquired about Rodeo Street and Dow Park restrooms. Mr. Stumpff reported that the City had been awarded an MRG grant for $1 million for 2025 improvements estimated to be $2.1 million.

• Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service since June 18, 2024, NPD 247, WCSO 103, UPD 29, NVFD 6, WCFP 6, UVFD 4, Newcastle Ambulance 23, and Upton Ambulance 6. Chief Thompson reported that a grant had been awarded for a generator that would power the entire City Hall building, the primary reason being for dispatch services. An enclosure for the generator was not included in the grant, the funds for the enclosure may be needed later. Councilman Butts inquired about additional patrols on Main Street while additional parking for motorcycles is in place.

CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: Tom Voss moved, seconded Don Steveson to pay the claims against the City dated July 1, 2024. MOTION CARRIED.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to suspend the rules and enter into executive session referencing real estate per W.S. 16-4-405(a)(vii) at 8:05 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Don Steveson to return to regular session at 8:26 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded to accept the offer on property located at 720 Morrissey Road contingent on removing line 217 of the additional provisions. Councilman Owens stated that removing 217 was so the buyer would comply with current building and zoning codes. MOTION CARRIED.Attorney Hughes clarified that this motion was a counteroffer. Daren Downs moved, seconded Don Steveson to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council. The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

23/24 Claims: 21 Electric, services, $7,645.00; Aced Embroidery, services, $78.00; Afton Vol. Fire Dept., convention, $1,120.00; Ameri-Tech, parts, $839.06; American Equip., supplies, $1,578.75; Back Hills Auto Salvage, pick-up box, $2,675.00; Black Hills Energy, services, $80.48; Bomgaars, supplies, $1,036.48; Cambria Supply, supplies, $2,385.89; City of Newcastle, wa/sw/ga, $689.97; Civic Plus, ordinance pages, $1,099.75; Contractor Supply, supplies, $2,535.10; Croell, cement, $2,180.00; DRM, 7th Ave. project, $142,694.09; DRM, retainage, $7,510.21; Eastern Wy. Equip., parts, $22.75; Energy Lab., analysis, $396.00; Farnsworth, portable sanitation/truck rental, $4,500.00; Ferguson Waterworks, meters/parts, $5,717.74; Fired Up Rescue, cutter, $9,100.00; Fisher Sand & Gravel, gravel, $1,701.19; Willis Franz, deposit refund, $4.18; Heartland Kubota, mower, $26,455.00, Hurculock, supplies, $171.14; Ahsley Johnson, deposit refund, $3.76; Mastercard, supplies, $1,000.54; Tiffany McGinn, deposit refund, $53.92; Luke Mowry, deposit refund, $45.61; Newcastle Equip., repairs, $4,500.00; NVFD, convention expense, $7,958.85; Newman Traffic Signs, posts, $117.16; Norco, supplies, $19,162.92; Normont, supplies/rental, $53,190.00; Northwest Pipe, parts, $1,366.60; Petty Cash, postage, $421.60; Rapid Delivery, services, $184.29; Ricks Electric, services, $817.28; Sacrison, 2023 paving project, $178,164.47; Salt Creek Water Dist., sewer services, $555.00; Lucky Teigen-Grummons, FD cleaning, $300.00; TrueGreen, services, $132.00; Uline, supplies, $4,547.29; USA Bluebook, rain gear, $390.68, Verizon, PW cell phones, $488.09; Wesco, propane, $45.22; Wildland Services, construction, $24,375.00.

24/25 Claims: Douglas Dumbrill, municipal judge, $1,091.00; First Northern Bank, PD vehicles, $2,180.06; LGLP, liability ins., $19,628.00; Bryand Streeter, airport wages, $1,333.33; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; W.A.R.M., property ins. $35,184.31; Wy. Combined Communications, annual payment, $411,378.00, WAM, annual renewal, $4,915.16; Wy. SLIB, trails/DW228, $11,604.64.   

ATTEST:

Mayor Pam Gualtieri

Clerk/Treasurer

Stacy Haggerty

(Publish July 11, 2024)