NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Tuesday, September 8, 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 Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff, Engineer Steven Dietrich, Police Chief Derek Thompson, Attorney Dublin Hughes and Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty.

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chris Kenney moved; John Butts seconded, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of Monday August 17, 2026. MOTION CARRIED.

NOMINATION FOR RECOGNITION: Flowering Fingers Garden Club for decorations at Dow Park.

CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: Arnold Reality for updates to their building and Sage Motel for outdoor flowers.

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL OR IN WRITING: None

OLD BUSINESS:

• Mayor Owens read Ordinance No. 6, Series 2026, the heading reads: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 11-1, ESTABLISHMENT AND COMPOSITION OF VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT; APPOINTMENT OF FIRE CHIEF; ELECTION AND TERM OF OTHER OFFICERS AND MEMBERS. Thomas Voss moved; John Butts seconded to pass Ordinance No. 6, Series 2026 on the third and final reading. MOTION CARRIED.

• Mayor Owens read Ordinance No. 7, Series 2026, the heading reads: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 11-5, MONTHLY REPORT; BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE, WESTON COUNTY, WYOMING; SECTION 11.5 OF THE NEWCASTLE, WYOMING MUNICIPAL CODE BE AMENDED. Monthly Report. Ann McColley moved; John Butts seconded to pass Ordinance No. 7, Series 2026 on the third and final reading. MOTION CARRIED.

NEW BUSINESS: 

• Mayor Owens referenced the Terrorism Incident Annex from WC Emergency Management; only recommendation was to correct references of Sheridan County. 

• Mayor Owens referenced the Master Agreement for Professional Airport Engineering Services. Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve the agreement. There was discussion about purchase and internal controls. MOTION CARRIED.

• Bar & Liquor LLC, dba Grinners requested a 24-Hour catering permit for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet to be held at the WC Event Center from 9:00 a.m. on September 12, 2026, to 9:00 a.m. September 13, 2026. Chris Kenney moved; Thomas Voss seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.

• Mayor Owens read Resolution No. 10, Series 2026, the heading reads: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A FEDERAL MINERAL ROYALTY CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT GRANT APPLICATION TO THE STATE LOAN AND INVESTMENT BOARD ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY; for the purchase and installation of two backup generators. Chris Kenney moved; Thomas Voss seconded to pass Resolution No. 10, Series 2026. Loans and details of the grant were discussed. MOTION CARRIED.

PUBLIC HEARING AS ADVERTISED AT 7:30 p.m. Transfer of liquor license. Liquor License #8 to Maverik Group, LLC dba Maverik #458. Don Steveson moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve the transfer of liquor license. There was discussion about Maverik transferring from being Incorporated to an LLC. MOTION CARRIED.

COMMITTEE/COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS: 

• Mayor Owens reported on an Economic Development Committee meeting where they had discussed the following: possible projects, grant programs for local businesses, Pari-Mutuel horseracing, Rare Earth Minerals pilot plant. There was an inquiry about grant funds with Upton; the MOU is currently being drafted.

• Councilman Steveson reported on a Finance Committee meeting where they had discussed CPA firm proposals; the committee appreciated the relationship and service Ketel Thorstensen had provided over the past 10 years however, the proposal by Carver Florek & James was $50,000 less and they have provided services for many other small Wyoming communities. Don Steveson moved; Ann McColley seconded to engage Carver Florek and James for CPA services. There was discussion about where the firm was from; they are from Utah but have a satellite office in Sheridan. MOTION CARRIED.

• Mayor Owens reported that he had been disappointed to learn that the 6th Penny Tax did not make it on the election ballot, however the County Commissioners could approve to be put on a special election ballot. Ann McColley moved; John Butts seconded for Mayor Owens to talk to the County Commissioners on February 3, 2027, about putting the 6th Penny Tax on the ballot for a special election to be held May 4th. MOTION CARRIED.

• Mayor Owens reported that the steering committee is working on an archway and other design aspects for the Pocket Park. They will meet again on September 23rd.

• Mayor Owens challenged Council members to think of programs or ideas that would inspire the community.

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

• Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff requested approval of the W. Railroad Ave. engineering agreement with WWC Engineering. Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve this request. Motion carried. He then reported that bids had been opened for the W. Railroad Ave. project and requested to award the bid to DRM for $671,635.10. Thomas Voss moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Stumpff reported that the 2025 Improvement Project was only $66,431.30 over the estimated budget. He reported that Beth Blackwell had completed the probationary period and requested to give her permanent status and a 7% increase in wages effective August 4, 2026. Chris Kenney moved; Thomas Voss seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. He then reported that Zach Benshoof had resigned, leaving two (2) open positions; he requested to move current seasonal employee Jack Reilly to a full-time position at the rate of $18.00/hr. with one-year probation effective September 9, 2026. Ann McColley moved; John Butts seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. He then requested to hire Colby Fangman at the rate of $19.00/hr. with one-year probation, pending preemployment screenings. Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve this request. There was discussion about rate of pay and experience. MOTION CARRIED. A Water/Sewer committee meeting was scheduled for September 9th at 4:30 p.m. and a Parks committee meeting was scheduled for September 15th at 4:30 p.m.

• Engineer Steven Dietrich referenced his report, 15 new active residential construction projects and 3 new commercial projects; Total construction cost of $179,808 and $2,397.25 in permit fees were collected between August 17th – September 7th. There was discussion regarding future replats and what they entail. Mayor Owens stated that Engineer Dietrich had completed his probationary period and requested that he be given permanent status and a 1% wage increase. Thomas Voss moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.

• Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service between August 14th – September 4th, NPD 204 with 4 arrest, and 25 criminal citations, WCSO 131, UPD 53, NVFD 13, WCFP 11, UVFD 13, Newcastle Ambulance 25, Upton Ambulance 13, he provided a handout for the breakdown of NPD calls. He then requested to make a conditional offer of employment to Ryan Wilhelm for a police officer position at the rate of $25.53/hr. with one year probation, contingent upon completion of background, psychological, and medical evaluations along with drug screen and fingerprint check, with a start date to be determined. Don Steveson moved; John Butts seconded to approve this request. There was discussion about experience and PD being fully staffed. MOTION CARRIED.Chief Thompson then reported that Officer Bryan Norris had completed his academy training and requested a $0.50/hr. wage increase effective July 30th. There was discussion about Officer Miles’ retirement date. MOTION CARRIED.

• Attorney Dublin Hughes reported that the Tree Board ordinances would be included in the recodification. 

• Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty reported that there had been complaints by landlords; she plans to have further discussion at the Water/Sewer Committee meeting.

Councilman Kenney recused himself. Thomas Voss moved; Ann McColley seconded to pay the claims against the City dated September 8, 2026. MOTION CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT: Chris Kenney moved to adjourn the regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 8:28 p.m. Meeting adjourned

Claims: 21 Electric, services, $9,296.78; Ad-Pro, supplies, $188.95; Advanced Communications, tower rent, $1,464.00; Ameri-Tech, supplies, $472.10; Apex  Energy Service, FD repairs, $10,600.00; Architectural Specialties, repairs, $5,024.36; AT&T, PD phones, $458.50; Big Horn Tire, tires/foam, $2,454.00; Bomgaars, supplies, $2,599.37; Cambria, supplies, $1,018.41; Campbell Co EMS, services, $9,509.00; Children’s Home Society, interviews, $150.00; Tonia Christensen, deposit refund, $71.84; City of Newcastle, wa/sw/ga, $1,772.77; Contractor’s Supply, supplies, $1,176.00; Core & Main, meters, $3,103.83; Crook County Family Violence, 1st qtr. distribution, $1,250.00; Douglas Dumbrill, municipal judge/mileage, $1,091.00; Eastern Wy. Equip. Co., supplies, $3,848.99; Energy Labs., services, $1,197.00; First Northern Bank, lease payments, $6,850.44; Fisher Sand, Jbase, $589.55; Garet Fisher, deposit refund, $146.78; Sherry Garhart, deposit refund, $55.39; Heartland Kubota, parts, $109.17; Hughes Law, services, $4,500.00; Kings Plumbing, services, $3,776.67; LinkTech, dispatch feed, $105.00; Marco, plotter/IT services, $3,366.73; Mastercard, supplies/fuel/training, $6,585.83; Minuteman, services, $216.98; Morrison Maierle, services, $34,114.07; Newcastle Ace Hardware, supplies, $701.22; NVFD, training/travel/supplies, $2,787.83; News Letter Journal, legal/ads, $1,459.50; Novo Solutions, subscription, $10,195.00; Danny Orsborn, deposit refund, $100.00; Petty Cash, title work, $30.00; PowerPlan, supplies, $1,620.75; Range, phone/internet, $1,317.74; Sagebrush, decals, $60.00; Servall, services, $54.36; Smith Psychological, services, $400.00; Bryand Streeter, wages, $1,731.75; Lucky Teigen-Grummons, FD cleaning/lawncare, $1,100.00; USA Bluebook, supplies, $3,085.03; Verizon, phones, $810.09; Vernon Manufacturing, parts, $1,000.00; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; Volunteers of America, 1st qtr. distribution, $2,500.00; Western Peaks Logistics, services, $26.96; WC Children’s Center, 1st qtr. distribution, $2,250.00; WC Road & Bridge, FD fuel, $242.22; WC Senior Services, 1st qtr. distribution, $7,500.00; WC Solid Waste District, tipping fees, $12,354.30; WyDOT, license plates, $20.00; Wyoming Home Services, 1st qtr. distribution, $2,000.00; Wy. Machinery, supplies, $1,101.09.

ATTEST:

Mayor Tyrel Owens

Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty

(Publish September 17, 2026)