NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, June 15, 2026

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, Chris Kenney, Ann McColley, Don Steveson and Thomas Voss. Also, present were Engineer Steven Dietrich, Police Chief Derek Thompson, Attorney Dublin Hughes and Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty. Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff was absent.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Chris Kenney moved; Ann McColley seconded, to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ann McColley moved; Don Steveson seconded, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of Monday June 1, 2026. MOTION CARRIED.

PUBLIC HEARING: as advertised at approximately 7:00 p.m. to consider a variance requested by Tim Miller pertaining to Lots 1-4, Block 15, Washington Park Addition. Don Steveson moved; Daren Downs seconded to approve the variance request. Discussion was had regarding fire safety, traffic flow and setbacks. MOTION CARRIED.

NOMINATION FOR RECOGNITION: 21 Electric & Pinnacle Bank for their participation with the Veteran’s Memorial site.

CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: The certificates for the Newcastle Veteran’s Memorial group will be presented at the next meeting.

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL: 

• Kirk Will was present to discuss changes for the 250th Anniversary event application, requesting to move the event from Centennial Park to the WC Fairgrounds. Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. There was also discussion regarding the parade and other activities.

• Bernie Terry was present to request clean-up at the 4-way stop, repair the light for the “Welcome to Newcastle” sign and to put flags out during the 250th Anniversary and again in August when the Moving Vietnam Memorial Wall will be in Newcastle; the Dirt Daubers flower group plans to help with this request. Ann McColley moved; Thomas Voss seconded to support the Dirt Daubers and Ms. Terry with the cleanup activities near the 4-way stop and to devote some City resources. MOTION CARRIED. Ms. Terry will contact Clerk/Treasurer Haggerty to notify the Council of the date for cleanup; Chief Thompson will contact DOT; the light will be investigated.

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS IN WRITING: 

• 21 Electric requested a Journeyman plumber license for Chris Gray. Thomas Voss moved; Daren Downs seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Councilman Steveson reported that the Personnel Committee interviewed another applicant for the RCAC Community Coordinator position and some of the questions that had arose from interviews with all the applicants. The Committee recommended offering the position to Vera Huber. Don Steveson moved; Ann McColley seconded, to approve this recommendation. There was discussion regarding applicant Jennifer Stulken, conflict with Ms. Huber’s role as a County Commissioner, possible second interviews and the length of time since the first application was received. A rollcall vote was requested. Don Steveson, Ann McColley and Daren Downs voted aye; Chris Kenney, Thomas Voss, John Butts and Tyrel Owens voted nay. MOTION FAILED. Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenney seconded for Jennifer Stulken to fill the Community Coordinator position. Discussion was had regarding those who are willing and able to do things in our community, Ms. Stulken’s enthusiasm and the need to fill the position. A rollcall vote was requested. Chris Kenney, Thomas Voss, Tyrel Owens voted aye; Don Steveson, Daren Downs, Ann McColley and John Butts voted nay. MOTION FAILED. A workshop or special meeting will be scheduled.    

NEW BUSINESS: 

• Mayor Owens referenced the WC Homeland Security, Pandemic Incident Annex. There were no comments or concerns regarding the presented document. 

• Mayor Owens read Resolution No. 6, Series 2026, which heading reads: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE FY2027 WYDOT 911 GAP FUNDING PROGRAM ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY for purchasing mobile workstations, docking stations and associated accessories for the police and fire vehicles not to exceed $250,000. Don Steveson moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve Resolution No. 6, Series 2026. Councilman Kenney recused himself. MOTION CARRIED.

COMMITTEE/COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS: 

• Mayor Owens reported that the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Tourism and Trust Fund had taken a tour of the Backyard Park. The Backyard Park project is on the short list for grant funding and documentation for the $190,000 grant is being collected. 

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

• Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty reported that the Wyoming Community Gas Project Designation in the amount of $5,238.09 had been received, stating that Council had previously voted to split these funds between the Veteran’s Memorial and pocket park. She then asked the Council if they had questions about the financial reports provided. Inquiry was made regarding unspent funds, funds for this fiscal year are still being spent. The Pocket Park was also discussed; a steering committee will be established. 

•Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff was absent.

•Engineer Steven Dietrich referenced his report, nine (9) new active residential construction projects; Total construction cost of $17,400.00 and $1,788.00 in permit fees were collected between June 1st -14th.  Inquiries were made about the new Building Inspector who is doing well and the barricades at First Northern Bank.

• Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service between May 29th – June 12th, NPD 157 with 3 arrest, and 13 criminal citations, WCSO 140, UPD 59, NVFD 10, WCFP 12, UVFD 6, Newcastle Ambulance 20, Upton Ambulance 3, he provided a handout for the breakdown of NPD calls. Chief Thompson stated that if the 4th of July parade route changes he may need additional assistance with traffic control. He also reported that he is sharing information for traffic control through social media for the Classic Summer Drags to prevent confusion. An inquiry was made about the Police K9, they are trying to work through behavioral issues.

•Attorney Dublin Hughes provided copies of Chapter 27 – Urban Forestry for the Council to review. 

Councilman Kenney recused himself. Thomas Voss moved; Don Steveson seconded to pay the claims against the City dated June 1, 2026. MOTION CARRIED.

Mayor Owens requested to schedule the workshop/special meeting with RCAC to discuss the Community Coordinator; meeting is scheduled for June 29, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT: Chris Kenney moved; Ann McColley seconded to adjourn the regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 8:36 p.m. Meeting adjourned

Claims: 21 Electric, services, $165.00; Aced Embroidery, services, $247.00; Advanced Pump Equipment, parts/supplies, $8,759.01; Ameri-Tech, supplies, $904.22; Black Hills Energy, services, $13,288.66; Black Hills Title, Neiman property purchase, $35,603.47; Cambria Supply, supplies, $597.63; CAN Surety; judges bond, $100.00; Eastern Wy. Equip., supplies, $3,499.32; Energy Labs., services, $3,747.00; Farnsworth, services, $765.00; FD Construction & Pest, services, $155.00; Gateway Travel, fuel, $8,461.24; Geographic Innovations, services, $1,500.00; Heartland Kubota, supplies, $349.57; Holiday Inn, FD travel/training, $1,608.00; L.N. Curtis, supplies, supplies; $153.83; LinkTech, PD IT, $1,651.00; Marco, plotter/PD copier, $189.80; Newcastle Ace Hardware, supplies, $1,651.09; Newcastle Motors, repairs, $208.95; NVFD, pension/fuel, $6,834.01; News Letter Journal, legals/ads, $2,320.50; Norco, parts, $3,355.76; Northwest Pipe, supplies, $1,770.23; Postmaster, FD box, $376.00; Range, phone/internet, $1,310.29; Rock Solid, PD supplies, $5,168.15; Sagebrush Marketing, business cards, $82.85; Servall, services, $162.35; Short Stop, fuel, $1,501.00; TAPCO, shipping, $30.00; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; W & S Construction, concrete work, $16,448.00; WC Road & Bridge, FD fuel, $453.75; WC Solid Waste District, tipping fees, $11,788.70; Woody’s, supplies, $84.28

ATTEST:

Mayor Tyrel Owens

Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty

(Publish June 25, 2026)