Newcastle City Council Minutes 06.27.19
NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MINUTES
MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2019
Mayor Debra Piana called this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Those present were Mayor Piana; Council members Don Steveson, Pam Gualtieri, Ann McColley, Michael Alexander and Roger Hespe. Also present were Department Heads City Police Chief Jim Owens, City Engineer Mike Moore, City Attorney Jim Peck and City Clerk/Treasurer Greg James.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Roger Hespe moved, seconded Don Steveson to approve the agenda as amended, adding Citizen’s Business in writing item #4, catering permit for the Fountain Motor Inn for the 4th at the Four Way, July 4, 2019. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Roger Hespe moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of Monday June 3, 2019 and the minutes of the Executive Session of Monday, June 3, 2019 as presented. Motion carried.
NOMINATIONS FOR RECOGNITION:
Joey & Brian Mefford for promoting and sponsoring the Mefford memorial Baseball Tournament.
Kim Rhoades and Weston County Title Company for hosting the title convention in Newcastle.
CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION:
A certificate was mailed to Mr. Casey Smith for his new business, Seconds.
A certificate was mailed to Ms. Crystal Benson for her new business, Luxe.
Ms. Patti Cole was present to receive her certificate for her 18 years of business in Newcastle.
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS—IN WRITING:
Ann McColley moved, seconded Roger Hespe to appoint Mr. Matt Ramsey to another term on the Weston County Travel Commission. Motion carried.
Roger Hespe moved, seconded Ann McColley to approve the request for a catering permit from Smoke Shop Liquors to cater at the Pinnacle Bank’s 4th at the Four Way event. One day, July 4, 2019 from 7:00 a.m. to July 5, 2019 at 7:00 a.m. Motion carried.
Don Steveson moved, seconded Roger Hespe to approve summer sewer averaging for Weston County School District #1. Motion carried.
Michael Alexander moved, seconded Roger Hespe to approve the catering permit request for The Fountain Inn for the Pinnacle Bank’s event 4th At the Four Way on July 4, 2019 from 7:00 a.m. to July 5, 2019 at 7:00 a.m. Since this is an out of City vendor, Weston County provided a letter stating the Fountain Inn’s license is in good standing. Motion carried.
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS-VERBAL: None, Mr. Nathan Streeter was not present.
PUBLIC HEARING: as advertised at 7:15 p.m. reference the approval and adoption of the City operating budget for fiscal year 2019—2020, July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. Mayor Piana opened the public hearing and called for public comment or questions. The record reflects there were no public comments, except Mr. James noted the published amount for the Fire Department line was incorrect by $20,000, and has been corrected on the sheet the Council has. Don Steveson moved, seconded Ann McColley to pass the appropriation resolution for fiscal year 2019—2020. Councilman Roger Hespe abstained from discussion or vote, and had left the room during discussion and vote. Councilwoman Pam Gualtieri voted “nay”. Motion carried.
Don Steveson moved, seconded Michael Alexander to pass Ordinance #3, Series 2019 on emergency basis. The heading reads: ORDINANCE PROVIDING REVENUE TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION WITHIN THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE, WYOMING, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2020. Motion carried.
MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORTS:
Michael Alexander reported on the Parks Committee meeting where two proposed projects were discussed that had been presented by Linda Hunt. The walking trail around the cemetery was discussed first. After much discussion, and assurances that City resources weren’t used, and the City would not be obligated to maintain the trail, Michael Alexander moved, seconded Roger Hespe to approve the project under the City Engineer’s oversight and approval. Motion carried. The second project discussed was the acquisition and placement of statues of horse and rider and a Hereford steer to be placed along Stampede Street with a historical interpretation plaque. Again, after discussion and assurances the City’s resources would not be used, Michael Alexander moved, seconded Roger Hespe, to move forward with the project, also again with Engineer Mike Moore’s oversight. Motion carried.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
City Clerk/Treasurer Greg James had no report.
City Engineer Mike Moore reported contact from Fall River Sanitation who is interested in contracting our garbage service. A Sanitation Committee meeting will be set to discuss garbage collection and landfill issues. Mr. Moore ask for consensus to move forward with submitting grant and loan requests for the Boyd Street project. Approval was given. There was brief discussion about the responsibility for repair of the stone wall section that is falling over near the intersection of Wentworth and Summit. Mr. Moore noted he had received the resignation of Building Inspector John Leonard. Roger Hespe moved, seconded Ann McColley to accept the resignation effective immediately. Motion carried. Mr. Moore then noted the resignation of Scott Lindstrom effective June 30, 2019. Roger Hespe moved, seconded Ann McColley to accept his resignation. Motion carried. Mr. Moore than asked to hire two persons full time for the shop. He requested hiring Jessie Redo and Brian Scott each at the wage of $14.25 per hour because both already possess their CDL, full time to be effective July 1, 2019 with a one year probation. Ann McColley moved, seconded Michael Alexander to approve this request. Motion carried.
City Police Chief Jim Owens reported on calls for service so far in June, 264 calls. Chief Owens noted Officer Casey Lehr had been recognized by POST for achieving his Professional Level Certification and recommended a $.50 per hour raise for this advancement. Roger Hespe moved, seconded Pam Gualtieri to approve this request. Motion carried.
City Attorney Jim Peck presented Ordinance #4, Series 2019 on first reading. The heading reads: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 26-19 (a) AND (b) OF ARTICLE 2, CHAPTER 26 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE, WYOMING, 1961 TO INCREASE MONTHLY INFRASTRUCTURE FEE FROM THREE DOLLARS ($3.00) TO EIGHT DOLLARS ($8.00) PER WATER METER; TO INCREASE WATER RATES BY EIGHTEEN PERCENT (18%) AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Don Steveson moved, seconded Roger Hespe to pass Ordinance #4, Series 2019 on first reading. Motion carried. Mr. Peck then presented Ordinance #5, Series 2019 on first reading. The heading reads: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 13-9(a) AND (b) OF ARTICLE II, CHAPTER 13 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE, WYOMING, 1961 TO INCREASE GARBAGE COLLECTION CHARGES BY TWENTY PERCENT (20%); AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Don Steveson moved, seconded Roger Hespe to pass Ordinance #5, Series 2019 on first reading. Motion carried.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mayor Piana noted the need for a Building Committee meeting to discuss the potential use of the building since the Circuit Court and Public Defenders office has moved.
OTHER BUSINESS: None
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: dated June 17, 2019. Roger Hespe moved, seconded Ann McColley to pay the claims against the City dated June 17, 2019. Motion carried. Roger Hespe moved, seconded Ann McColley to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 8:29 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Claims: Advanced Communications, micro card, $10.00; Alpha Communications, June 2019 tower rent, $95.00; Ameri-Tech Equipment Co., cylinder assembly, $1397.91; American Business Software, website updates, $40.23; BCN Telecom, Inc., long distance service, $180.98; Bearlodge Engineering & Surveying, engineering services, $115.00; Black Hills energy, electric service, $191.43; Bobcat of Gillette, parts, $439.01; Cambria Supply, materials/supplies, $1648.01; Camp Creek Engineering, Inc., consulting/design, $952.00; Casper Mfg., Inc., parts, $242.91; Chuck’s Sprinkler Service, repair sprinkler damage, $170.00; Creative Safety Supply, labels, $237.80; Culligan Water Conditioning, bottled water, $52.00; Deckers Food Center, housekeeping supplies, $332.43; Eastern Wyoming Equipment Co., parts, $1837.62; Energy Laboratories, Inc., water sample testing, $44.00; Engineering Associates, well #5 consulting, $4512.95; Farnsworth Services Co., Inc., portable sanitation, $500.00; Ferguson Waterworks, pipe parts, $1373.00; Fisher Sand & Gravel, crushed rock, $220.48; Frontier Home Ranch & Hardware, supplies/materials, $3506.34; Grimm’s Pump & Industrial, pump parts, $140.06; Harry Johnson, roll-off refund, $120.00; Knecht Home Center, building materials/parts, $780.52; Lakota Contracting, Inc., PD supplies, $3030.20; Meadowlark Counseling, PD pre-employment, $250.00; Mike Robinson, LLC, street study, $1875.19; Modern Marketing, Inc., promotional materials, $460.19; Newcastle Volunteer Fire Dept., reimbursements, $1211.42; News Letter Journal, legals/minutes, office supplies/ads, $2453.69; NORCO, Inc., welding cylinder rent, $25.26; Normont Equipment Co., emulsion, $3781.40; Northwest Pipe Fittings, Inc., pipe parts, $5966.68; Office Shop Leasing, office copier lease, $71.45; PCS Engineering, Inc., scans, $448.75; Powder River Energy Corp., electric service, $942.02; Productivity Plus, parts, $13.40; Rapid Delivery, Inc., parts delivery, $56.36; Genell Rothleutner, PD cleaning, $200.00; RT Communications, Inc., City share E911, $329.20; RT Communications, phone service, $151.28; Russell Industries, Inc., lift station service, $962.00; Scott Peterson Motors, Inc., PD vehicle repair, $789.78; Short Stop Fuel Mart, fuel purchases, $6848.07; Transource, parts, $137.78; Two Way Radio Service, Inc., pagers/radio repair, $3147.50; Becky Vodopich, office cleaning, $300.00; Voelker’s Autobody/Glass, rear bumper, $822.00; Weston County Natural Resource District, tree spade, $5000.00; Weston County Treasurer, youth services/airport exp., $1995.63; Weston County Humane Society, food fee, $24.00; Weston County True Value, building materials, $67.76; Wilder Graphic Design, copies, $15.30; Wilson & Associates, LLC, plan review, $225.00; Woody’s Food Center, housekeeping supplies, $282.63, Russell Industries, Inc., vac truck repair, $4703.01.
Deb Piana, Mayor
ATTEST: City Clerk/Treasurer, Greg James
(Publish June 27, 2019)