NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, May 18, 2026

Council President Thomas Voss called this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Council members Daren Downs, Chris Kenney, Ann McColley and Don Steveson. Also, present were Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff, Engineer Steven Dietrich, Police Chief Derek Thompson, Attorney Dublin Hughes and Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty. Mayor Owens attended via Zoom and Councilman John Butts 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 on Monday, May 4, 2026. MOTION CARRIED.

NOMINATION FOR RECOGNITION: None

CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: None

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL: 

• Tim Miller presented the design of his themed building, which he plans to be seven (7) stories high with 118,000 square feet. 

• Jen Womack was present to request that Main Street business could use the tables that she had acquired with a grant throughout the Summer. Ann McColley moved; seconded Don Steveson to allow the tables to be out until September 1st. There was discussion about where the tables would be placed and removing them after Labor Day. Ann McColley amended her motion to reflect that the tables could be out until after Labor Day. MOTION CARRIED.Mrs. Womack also mentioned that she appreciated the replacement of a tree in front of her store and the crosswalk signs that were put out recently. She also noted that she believes if the previously mentioned new business brings increased traffic all businesses will stand to benefit.

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS IN WRITING: 

• Bruce Perkins d/b/a Perkins Tavern requested a 24-hour catering permit for the Backyard BBQ from 9:00 a.m. on June 26, 2026, to 9:00 a.m. on June 27, 2026, at the First Northern Bank Parking Lot. Don Steveson moved; Daren Downs seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Ordinance No. 1, Series 2026; heading reads: AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE SEC. 16-25, STOPPING IN FRONT OF THEATER OR PICTURE HOUSE OF THE NEWCASTLE TOWN CODE. Chris Kenney moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1, Series 2026, on the third reading. MOTION CARRIED.

• Ordinance No. 2, Series 2026; heading reads: AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE SEC. 16-16 THROUGH 16-19.1 DESIGNATED UNDER ARTICLE IV. SAFETY ZONES OF THE NEWCASTLE TOWN CODE. Chris Kenney moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve Ordinance No. 2, Series 2026, on the third reading. MOTION
CARRIED.

• Ordinance No. 3, Series 2026; heading reads: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 16-21, ANGLE PARKING; DESIGNATED ROADWAYS; PENALTY, OF THE NEWCASTLE WYOMING MUNICIPAL CODE. Don Steveson moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve Ordinance No. 3 Series 2026, on the third reading. MOTION CARRIED.

• Ordinance No. 4, Series 2026, for the Chapter 26 Revisions; heading reads: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND REPEALING CHAPTER 26, WATER, SEWAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL OF THE NEWCASTLE, WYOMING MUNICIPAL CODE. Chris Kenney moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve Ordinance No. 4, Series 2026 on the second reading. Discussion was had regarding out-of-town sewer charges and tap sizes. MOTION CARRIED. • Council President Voss referenced the letter and email sent regarding American Legal Publishing for the codification draft.

•Council President Voss referenced the revised Special Event Application which included alcohol permit information. Ann McColley moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve the revised application. MOTION CARRIED.

NEW BUSINESS: Council President Voss referenced an email from the State of Wyoming regarding horserace gambling and using revenue for economic development. 

COMMITTEE/COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS: 

•Don Steveson reported that the personnel committee had conducted interviews with two (2) strong applicants for the Community Coordinator position. However, the Committee was not sure of the deadline for applications and recommended leaving the position open until June 1st. Ann McColley moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve this recommendation. Councilman Kenney was opposed. MOTION CARRIED. The position will be posted on Facebook and in the newspaper. 

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

•Engineer Steven Dietrich reported that interviews had been held for the Building Inspector position and requested to extend the offer to Justin King for $25.00/hr. with one year probation, effective June 1, 2026. Ann McColley moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve this request. There was discussion regarding Mr. King’s current position with the Public Works Department. MOTION CARRIED. Engineer Dietrich then reported on 12 new active residential projects from May 4th – May 17th with one (1) ongoing commercial construction project; construction cost totaling $67,223.00 and $1,891.73 collected in permit fees. 

•Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service between May 1st – May 15th NPD 135 with 3 arrest, and 8 criminal citations, WCSO 109, UPD 61, NVFD 6, WCFP 3, UVFD 2, Newcastle Ambulance 29, Upton Ambulance 5, he provided a handout for the breakdown of NPD calls. He then reported that new markings had been installed on one of the PD vehicles, the new Durango should be here soon, and the older silver Durango is running; all PD vehicles are currently in use. Chief Thompson then requested a change of employment status for Nathan Foote, changing from part-time to temporary for the summer months; this would give Mr. Foote more hours for these months. Chris Kenney moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve this request. Discussion was had regarding which months. Chris Kenney amended his motion to reflect the appropriate time-period, starting immediately - September 1st, Ann McColley seconded. MOTION CARRIED. Chief Thompson then reported on the following: the CSO vehicle is ready to be put out to bid, he plans for the department to upfit the vehicle themselves if the grant allows; the only issue found by the Dept. of Labor on a JPB audit had been the need to display current labor law posters, which has been rectified; the backup generator is running correctly. An inquiry was made about the dealership warranty on the new Durango; Chief Thompson stated that he had not signed the paperwork and plans to make some inquiries.  

•Attorney Dublin Hughes reported that he is working on revisions for the Tree Board. He also reported that he had sent out a public comment to the Public Service Commission regarding proposed electrical increases but has not heard anything back yet. Councilman Kenney stated that he has some ordinances in the recent draft that he would like to discuss.

•Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty referenced the provided Budget Hearing publication for the hearing to be held on June 1, 2026. Don Steveson moved; Chris Kenney seconded to publish the Budget Hearing. MOTION CARRIED.

•Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff recommended approving Resolution No. 6, Series 2026, which heading reads: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL FUNDING TROUGH THE TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE WOMING DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE S. SUMMIT AVE. PATHWAY – DESIGN ONLY PROJECT. Chris Kenney moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve Resolution No. 6, Series 2026. There was clarification that $50,000 was only for the design of the project. MOTION CARRIED. He then requested to appoint Tracey Tupa to the foreman position with a wage of $27.00/hr. with one year probation effective June 1, 2026. Chris Kenney moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.Supervisor Stumpff then reported on the following: 2025 Improvement project, Dow Park restrooms should arrive on Friday, Landfill #1 Remediation, Backyard Park – WYORC, Tank 2 Rehab project. He then noted that he had received clarification from WYDOT regarding the need for special permit forms for road closures; permits are needed when the bypass needs to be closed since it is the primary truck route. The following committee meetings were scheduled: Sanitation Committee – June 1st at 5:00 p.m., Streets Committee – June 1st at 6:00 p.m., Water/Sewer Committee – May 21st at 4:30 p.m. An inquiry was made about the ballfields being “swampy”; there is a leak that needs to be investigated.

CLAIMS: Councilman Kenney recused himself. Ann McColley moved; Don Steveson seconded to pay the claims against the City dated May 18, 2026. MOTION CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT: Don Steveson moved; Chris Kenney seconded to adjourn the regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 8:29 p.m. Meeting adjourned

Claims: 21 Electric, services, $8,039.65, Aced Embroidery, services, $200.00; Ad-Pro, supplies, $22.00; Advanced Cutting Ent., services, $1,012.00; American Legal Publishing, codification, $2,973.00, Architectural Specialties, repairs, $2,034.26; Big Horn, tires, $680.84; Black Hills Energy, services, $13,484.60; Beth Blackwell, travel reimbursement, $468.15; Cambria, supplies, $897.17; Core & Main, supplies, $2,008.07; Dakota Fluid Power, freight charge, $10.00; Decker’s Market, supplies, $39.81; Derek’s Oil Field Service, repairs, $1,632.40; Eastern Wy. Equip, supplies, $2,664.26; Engineering Assoc., services, $17,782.32; Fisher, gravel, $1,035.45; Gateway Travel, fuel, $9,002.89; Grimms, trailer, $16,250.00; Groundwater Proofs, adjudication fee, $70.00; Hawkins, supplies, $8,665.99; Jonathan Helberg, reimburse fuel, $50.00; HHR Field Service, Fire truck maintenance, $3,433.63; Hot Iron, 2025 Improvements, $117,521.98; Hot Iron, retainage, $6,185.36; Inberg-Miller Engineers, services, $6,000.00; Kings Plumbing, services, $206.75; Laboratory Corp., services, $98.40; LinkTech, PD IT services/camera system, $5,167.41; Marco, copier/IT, $2,304.77; Minuteman, services, $246.98; Newcastle Ace Hardware, supplies, $737.88; Newcastle Equipment, repairs, $1,316.25; NVFD, training/meals/supplies, $1,214.93; News Letter Journal, legals/ads, $2,672.25; Northwest Pipe Fittings, supplies, $3,723.36; PollardWater, supplies, $692.39; Powder River Energy, services, $1,083.26; Range, phone/internet, $1,306.04; Rock Solid SST, services, $377.99; Sagebrush Market, web hosting, $200.00; Servall, services, $54.36; Sheridan Motors, 2026 Durango, $56,654.00; Sherwin-Williams, paint, $1,475.39; Short Stop, fuel, $1,742.03; Symnol-Arts, FD challenge coins, $1,494.30; TAPCO, data collection, $3,667.65; Lucky Teigen-Grummons, FD cleaning, $300.00; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; Voelker’s, alignment, $125.00; WC Road & Bridge, FD fuel, $225.51; WC Treasurer, airport expenses/handling fee, $1,648.18; WC Weed & Pest, supplies, $3,165.97; WC Solid Waste Dist., tipping fees, $11,426.80; Wilder Graphics, forms, $310.92, Woody’s, supplies, $81.89; Wy. Machinery, supplies, $529.28

ATTEST:

Mayor Tyrel Owens

Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty

(Publish May 28, 2026)