NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, July 15, 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 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. Council members Don Steveson and Ann McColley were absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Tom Voss to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Tom Voss moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to approve the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of Monday, July 1, 2024. MOTION CARRIED.
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL: Deb French was present to express her concerns about some dogs in her neighborhood that were left unattended while the owners were on vacation. The police department and the Weston County Attorney had been called and the dogs were taken. However, when the owners returned the dogs were with them. She asked why Newcastle does not have an ordinance against animal cruelty or abuse but it is listed in the state statutes. Chief Thompson stated that the owners of the dogs had relinquished care of the dogs so they were not liable at the time of the incident; since this is an ongoing investigation Chief Thompson could not provide much more information.
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS—IN WRITING: Tonya Christensen requested a 24-hour catering permit for the Townsend/Lane wedding from 9:00 a.m. August 3, 2024, to 9:00 a.m. August 4, 2024, at the Weston County Senior Center. Tom Voss moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.
OLD BUSINESS:
• Church on the Hill abandonment of easement. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Tom Voss to table the discussion till the next meeting to obtain more information. Discussion was had about the location. MOTION CARRIED.
• Mayor Gualtieri referenced the property located at 720 Morrissey Road stating that she had received paperwork reflecting the requested changes.
NEW BUSINESS: None
COMMITTEE REPORTS: None
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
• Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service since July 2, 2024, NPD 200, WCSO 131, UPD 24, NVFD 14, WCFP 10, UVFD 7, Newcastle Ambulance 21, and Upton Ambulance 4. Chief Thompson then stated that there have been issues of loitering at the Loaf N Jug parking lot, he has been looking at what other towns have for ordinances. A police committee meeting will be scheduled.
• Attorney Dublin Hughes had no report.
• Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty reported that she will have the final budget numbers for the 23/24 fiscal year at the next meeting. She will be on vacation for the rest of the week.
• Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff referenced SRF funding for the 2025 improvements project. Mayor Gualtieri read Resolution 4, 2024, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION TO THE STATE LOAN AND INVESTMENT BOARD FOR A LOAN THROUGH THE STATE REVOLVING FUNDS AND ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY FOR THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE 2025 IMPROVEMENTS; a project to replace aging and failing water and sewer infrastructure at Delaware Ave., York Street, North Sonora Ave., and East Wentworth Street. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Tom Voss to approve Resolution 4, Series 2024. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Stumpff stated that one bid was submitted for the Duff Ave. project, recommending that the bid be awarded to Hot Iron for $773,213.45. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded John Butts to approve this recommendation. MOTION CARRIED. He then reported that WYDOT had advised, that the grate on E. Main is the City’s responsibility, and Interim Engineer Chuck Bartlett will be looking into the design and repair. A water/sewer committee will be scheduled to discuss changes to Chapter 26 of the ordinances and funding options. Other discussion: Public Works facility funding is being looked into; the RV dump station is working; and currently waiting on the results of the rate study after additional information was given to Carl Brown.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: Tom Voss moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to pay the claims against the City dated July 15, 2024. MOTION CARRIED. Tom Voss moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council. The meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
23/24 Claims: Alpha Communications, tower rent, $95.00; Ameri-Tech, parts/repairs, $5,894.30; Heath Anderson, deposit refund, $100.00; AT&T, PD cell phones, $353.38; Black Hills Energy, services, $12,722.40; Cambria Supply, parts/supplies, $1,365.58; Culligan, water, $32.50; Decker’s, supplies, $174.98; Eastern Wy. Equip., parts/supplies, $2,685.10; Engineering Assoc., services, $20,733.38; Farnsworth Servcies, portable sanitation, $200.00; Fisher, gravel, $1,390.64; Gateway Travel, fuel, $7,149.04; LinkTech, services/repairs, $1,647.23; Marco, copier/plotter lease, $673.05; Mastercard, supplies/fuel, $1,288.38; Matthew Bender, court rules/statutes; $483.22; Newcastle Ace Hardware, supplies, $436.93; Newcastle Equip., starter, $248.10; News Letter Journal, supplies/legals $2,101.86; Normont Equip., crack seal machine/parts, $43,342.73; Northwest Pipe, parts/supplies, $1,581.38; One Call, locates, $66.75; Range, phone/internet, $901.16; Short Stop, fuel, $1,273.95; Sundance Extinguisher, services, $472.00; Valli, maintenance, $146.59; WC Road & Bridge, FD fuel, $262.38; WC Weed & Pest, supplies, $223.25; Woody’s, supplies, $46.75; Wy. State Parks & Cultural, repayment Dow Park funds, $15,602.50.
24/25 Claims: Ad Pro, supplies, $8.91; American Equip., supplies, $1,578.75; Black Mountain, annual software, $21,252.00; Bobcat of Gillette, coolant, $150.41; Energy Lab., analysis, $216.00; Ferguson, meters, $5,765.84; First Northern Bank, excavator lease, $2,125.24; Hughes Law, attorney fees, $4,500.00; Norco, parts, 1,475.00; Sagebrush Marketing, website, $150.00; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00.
ATTEST:
Mayor Pam Gualtieri
Clerk/Treasurer
Stacy Haggerty
(Publish July 25, 2024)
