NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, May 6, 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, Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff, Police Chief Derek Thompson, 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 Ann McColley to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of Monday, April 15, 2024. Councilman Owens noted that the “s” had been missed on his last name. MOTION CARRIED.
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL:
• Lynne Kendall with Black Hills Energy was present to discuss their franchise agreement with the City of Newcastle. They will put together fee models for the next meeting.
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS—IN WRITING:
• Howard White Electrical requested an electrical license; master electrician: Brian K. Swan, apprentice: Nathan T. Baker. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Don Steveson to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.
• CMS/NexTech requested HVAC limited mechanical plumbing license; limited mechanical plumber: David Grzech. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Don Steveson to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.
• NexTech/Ace Electrical requested an electrical license; master electrician: Allen Ainsworth Clark. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Tom Voss to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.
• Weston County School District submitted a letter requesting sewer averaging. Tom Voss moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve this request. Discussion was had regarding areas approved for the forgiveness. MOTION CARRIED.
• Laura Janis submitted a letter for sewer forgiveness. Tom Voss moved, seconded John Butts not to approve this request. Discussion was had. Motion carried. Clerk/Treasurer Haggerty will send a letter suggesting that Ms. Janis contact organizations that may help her financially.
OLD BUSINESS:
• Attorney Hughes referenced the City of Newcastle, Town of Upton, and Weston County, Wyoming Combined Dispatch Joint Powers Board lease agreement, stating the start date should be June 1, 2024, and outlining Section 25 regarding attorney fees. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Tom Voss to approve the lease agreement starting June 1, 2024. MOTION CARRIED.
• City Clerk/Treasurer Haggerty reported that she had contacted LGLP regarding coverage for the UBC Precast loss. LGLP stated that they do not provide coverage for breach of contract.
NEW BUSINESS:
• Mayor Gualtieri read a proclamation, proclaiming May 2024, as Historical Preservation Month.
• Councilman Tom Voss suggested donating a 10-yard roll-off container to the WC Senior Center to aid in the disposal of old books and other items. Tom Voss moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to donate the roll-off container for two weeks starting May 10, 2024.MOTION CARRIED. Councilman John Butts abstained.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Councilman Tyrel Owens reported on a parks committee meeting; Attorney Hughes is working on the MOU with Bent Sprockets. Councilman Don Steveson reported on a water/sewer committee meeting; Attorney Hughes is working on changes for chapter 26 of the city ordinances, the water/sewer committee recommends Engineering Associates as the engineering firm for 2025 Improvement Projects. Tom Voss moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to approve this recommendation. Discussion was had. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Steveson also stated that the committee is waiting for the results of the rate study.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
• City Attorney Dublin Hughes stated that he hopes to have the proposed memorandum of understanding and ordinance changes finished by the end of the week. Attorney Hughes then requested to change the monthly pay to Hughes Law Office, to $4,500 for the next fiscal year. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.
• Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty reported that as of May 1, 2024, the new website is newcastlewyoming.com.
• Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff requested to hire Jonathan Helburg full-time for a public works general labor position at $18.00/hr. to start May 8, 2024. Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Don Steveson to approve this request. Discussion was had regarding Mr. Helburgs qualifications. MOTION CARRIED. The Consumer Confidence report is done and has been posted on the website. Dog waste stations will placed once the application from WyDot is approved. The 7th Ave project, stakeholders meeting was held and the project will start once weather permits; Pickleball courts are being poured; the rate study preliminary report is being reviewed. Mr. Stumpff reported on a complaint made by the post office regarding the location of mailboxes on Sage Street. The consensus was not to move mailboxes. Councilman Voss inquired about the new landfill. Councilman Owens stated that he appreciated the efforts in obtaining the $10,000 grant for safety equipment. Mayor Gualtieri stated that 21 cherry trees had been planted on Arbor Day and Newcastle was awarded renewal for the 29th year as a Tree City and the 13th year of growth as a Tree City.
• Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service since April 15, 2024, NPD 269, WCSO 140, UPD 28, NVFD 7, WCFP 15, UVFD 1, Newcastle Ambulance 31, Upton Ambulance 4. Chief Thompson announced that as of May 1, 2024, the dispatchers are no longer employed by the City of Newcastle. Councilman Don Steveson motioned to increase Chief Thompson’s hourly rate from $34.96 to $37.24 for his years of service and degree, seconded Tom Voss. MOTION CARRIED.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: Tyrel Owens moved, seconded Tom Voss to pay the claims against the City dated May 6, 2024. MOTION CARRIED. Tom Voss moved, seconded Tyrel Owens to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
Claims: Ad Pro, supplies, $27.86; Advanced Drug Testing, services, $156.00; American Business Software, services, $84.93; AT&T Mobility, PD cell phones, $434.78; Black Hills Energy, services, $1,486.32; Bomgaars, supplies, $3,021.61; Butler Machinery Corp., supplies, 59.79, Cambria Supply, supplies, $917.22; Cambell Co. Health, CPR/First Aid, $175.00; Campbell Co. EMS, ambulance services, $8,333.33; City of Newcastle, wa/sw/ga, $305.60; Clean Cut Tree Service, tree removal, $6,000.00; Croell, concrete, $710.00; Culligan, bottled water, $39.00; Cummins, repairs, $12,890.25; Douglas Dumbrill, municipal judge/mileage, $1,091.00; Edge Construction Supply, supplies, $6,002.60; Energy Labs., testing, $125.00; Engineering Assoc., services, $1,313.68; Farnsworth Services, portable sanitation, $1,000.00; Ferguson, supplies, $6,288.81; Hughes Law Office, attorney fees, $3,500.00; Infinity Diesel, supplies, $1,556.10, Insignt Vision, parts, $2,443.53; Don & Gladys Jensen, deposit refund, $25.01; Jolly Lane Green House, trees, $597.88; LinkTech, IT services/laptop, $3,581.58; Marcia Lynne, deposit refund, $100.00; Marco, copier lease, $298.07; Mastercard, suppies/training/fuel, $4,551.43; Mountain View Plumbing, services, $344.00; Muncipal Emergency Service, FD apparel, $24,558.40; Newcastle Ace Hardware, supplies, $1,662.97; Newcastle Motors, parts, $59.40; NVFD, supplies/training, $5,568.39; News Letter Journal, supplies/ads/legals, $1,938.76; Normont Equipment, ashhalt emulsion, $9,449.25; Northwest Pipe Fittings, supplies, $9,786.74; Oftedahl Const.; deposit refund, $100.00; Petty Cash, reimburse filing fees, $13.50; Range, phone/internet, $882.88; Rapid Delivery, servies, $101.08; Rick’s Electric, services, $2,903.02; Sagebrush Marketing, website, $150.00; Salt Creek Water District, sewer services, $555.00; Jacob Stanford, deposit refund, $88.48; Bryand Streeter, airport wages, $1,333.33; Lucky Tiegen-Grummons, FD cleaning, $300.00; The Radar Shop, certifications, $546.00; Valley Green Sod Farm, seed, $832.00; Dustin Vanoss, deposit refund, $22.35; Verizon, cell phones, $438.64; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; Voelker’s, repairs, $42.00; WC Health Services, lab fees, $50.00; WC Peace Officers Assoc., dues, $105.00; WC Road & Bridge, FD fuel, $284.07; WC Treasurer, handling charge, $51.68; Wy. Dept. Work Force Services, unemployment, $1,345.41; Wy. Dept. Agriculture, license renewal, $40.00.
ATTEST:
Mayor Pam Gualtieri
Clerk/Treasurer
Stacy Haggerty
(Publish May 16, 2024)