NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, March 18, 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: Ann McColley moved, seconded Daren Downs to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Don Steveson to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 4, 2024. MOTION CARRIED.

NOMINATIONS FOR RECOGNITION: None

CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: None

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL: Members from the Mondell Airport Board were present to request an additional $291.17 in funding for the crack seal project. Tom Voss moved, seconded Don Steveson to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. Don Cooksey also gave an update on the hanger project.

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS—IN WRITING: Ann Cottrell submitted a letter requesting sewer forgiveness in the amount of $109.73. Tom Voss moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to grant this request. Discussion was had. MOTION CARRIED. Forms requesting sewer forgiveness may be implemented in the future.

MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORTS: Mayor Gualtieri recapped the recent Public Board training, stating that certificates would be required for service provider boards.

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service since March 4, 2024 to date: NPD 158, WC Sheriff 90, Upton PD 22, NVFD 4, UVFD 2, WCFPD 14, Newcastle Ambulance 17, Upton Ambulance 2. He then stated that Matt Ramsey had been contacted in regards to auctioning the outdated firearms and ammunition. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Don Steveson to allow Chief Thompson to negotiate and accept the terms of auctioning the outdated firearms and ammunition with Matt Ramsey. MOTION CARRIED. Chief Thompson stated that Officer Kellie Moran would start a six (6) week K-9 training course on May 1, 2024. He then referenced a rental lease agreement between the Joint Powers Dispatch Board and the City of Newcastle; there is no record of the lease being signed. Chief Thompson recommended charging the board for 5/12 of the original which would be $3,125.00. Ann McColley moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to present the lease to the Joint Powers Dispatch Board, charging 5/12 of the original yearly amount for the first year of the lease. Discussion was had. MOTION CARRIED.

City Attorney Dublin Hughes requested to prorate the first year of the Collins Communications lease to $2,068.00 as they had made a payment in June 2023. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Tom Voss to prorate the first year of the lease to $2,068.00 and $3,100.00 thereafter. MOTION CARRIED. Attorney Hughes then reported that he had done some research on the UBC Precast suit; Racine Olson a law firm in Idaho would charge $1,000.00 to file the foreign judgment then $275/hr. to collect on the judgment. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to table the discussion until the April 1, 2024 meeting. MOTION CARRIED. Attorney Hughes will do more research on this matter. Mr. Hughes then requested approval to amend the Joint Dispatch Powers Board lease to reflect the correct dates. Tom Voss moved, seconded Don Steveson to grant this request. Discussion was had. MOTION CARRIED.

Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty requested to close City Hall at noon on March 29, 2024 for Good Friday. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to grant this request. MOTION CARRIED. She then reminded the Council of the Budget workshop scheduled for April 8th. As there were several conflicts the workshop is rescheduled for April 3, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff referenced the request for qualifications for the 2025 improvements project and the selection of an engineering firm; the water/sewer committee will be involved as well. He then referenced the rate study; a virtual meeting will be scheduled with Carl Brown. Supervisor Stumpff referenced land for the proposed pickleball court. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded John Butts to accept the
donation of land for the pickleball court. Discussion was had. MOTION CARRIED. Supervisor Stumpff then stated that locates have been called in for the repair of the RV dump site; repairs will be made after priority leaks have been fixed. Councilman Voss inquired about claims to Dana Kepner; charges were for several ball valves. Councilman Owens inquired about the South Summit retaining wall estimate of $218,400.00; grant funds have not been obtained. Councilman Voss inquired about DEQ’s request for an outside source for the testing of water; the testing is for Pfas and Pfos which the state will pay for.   

OLD BUSINESS: Mayor Gualtieri read Ordinance No. 1, Series 2024 which heading reads, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ORDER OF BUSINESS FOR THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE. Mayor Gualtieri requested to amend section (a) to read Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to pass Ordinance No. 1, Series 2024 on the second reading with amendments. MOTION CARRIED.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mayor Gualtieri referenced the Standing Committees; Tom Voss volunteered to be on the Board Committee. She then stated that a final draft for the Bike Pump Park had been presented; a sign will be put in. Councilman Owens reported on a Parks Committee meeting; they recommend that the City turn back grant funds for the UBC Precast building and reapply for funds along with rebidding the project to include an onsite building. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve this recommendation. Discussion was had. MOTION CARRIED. Councilman Owens also reported on a Water/Sewer Committee meeting; chapter 26 of the ordinances was discussed along with out-of-town services and the testing of meters.

NEW BUSINESS: Shane Crawford with the Refinery would like to set up a presentation for their use control agreement process. He is looking for dates that will work for members of the City Council and County Commissioners. City residents have mentioned the need for garbage cans along the bike path from Stampede Street to the port of entry. They have also mentioned the need for cleanup on the underpass.

CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: Tom Voss  against the City dated March 18, 2024. MOTION CARRIED. Tom Voss moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council. Meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.

Claims: Aced Embroidery, embroidery work, $102.00; Ad Pro, office supplies, $10.83; Advanced Communications, phone cases, $85.00; AT&T, PD cell phones, $485.10; BCN, long distance, $35.14; Big Horn Tire, foam tires, $16,699.07; Black Hills Energy, services, $14,243.76; Bomgaars, supplies, $319.97; Butler Machinery, supplies, $1,207.30; Cambria Supply, supplies, $8.81; Casper Star Tribune, advertisement, $868.48; City of Newcastle, wa/sw/ga, $296.74; Culligan, bottled water, $58.50; Cummins, repairs, $11,755.59; Dakota Fluid Power, repairs, $240.00; Dana Kepner, supplies, $8,941.68; Decker’s, supplies, $23.27; Double D, supplies, $973.75; Eastern Wy. Equip., supplies, $4,932.76; Energy Lab., analysis, $66.00; Engineering Assoc., services, $17,664.83; Farnsworth, portable sanitation, $1,200.00; First Northern Bank, PD vehicle lease, $2,180.05; Fisher, gravel, $1,867.42; Gateway Travel, fuel, $5,448.77; Heartland Kubota, parts, $542.03; Knecht, supplies, $820.99; LInkTech, IT support, $1,950.00; Mallory Safety, supplies, $280.00; Marco, copier/plotter lease, $532.87; Municipal Emergency Services, parts, $1,002.17; Newcastle Hardware, supplies, $659.98; Newman, bracket, $434.66; NVFD, pension, $6,750.00; Northern Safety Co., supplies, $184.66; Northwest Pipe, parts, $6,054.64; One Call of Wy., services, $23.00; Postmaster, permit, $320.00; Powder River Energy, services, $1,430.84; Rapid Delivery, services, $23.40; Ricks Electric, services, $2,297.28; Short Stop, fuel, $1,390.56; True Ranches, easement, $1,830.00, University of Wy. Ext.; books, $140.00; USA Bluebook, supplies, $1,052.34; Valli, maintenance, $104.20; Verizon, PW cell phones, $437.79; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; WC Health Services, lab testing, $180.00; WC Road & Bridge, FD fuel, $305.50; Woody’s, supplies, $104.53; Wy Fire Chief Assoc., membership, $160.00;

ATTEST:

Mayor Pam Gualtieri

Clerk/Treasurer

Stacy Haggerty

(Publish April 4,  2024)