June 16, 2025 Newcastle City Council minutes

NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

MINUTES

Monday, June 16, 2025

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 Attorney Dublin Hughes, Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff, Police Chief Derek Thompson and Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Ann McColley moved; Daren Downs seconded to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of Monday, June 2, 2025.
MOTION CARRIED.

NOMINATION FOR RECOGNITION: Ken Ator for mowing near Pinnacle Bank along the highway. 

CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: Scott Thomson for painting a cross at the cemetery.

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL: NONE

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS IN WRITING:

• Bruce Perkins requested a 24-hour catering permit during the All School Reunion on the sidewalk outside Perkins Tavern from 9:00 a.m. July 5, 2025, to 9:00 a.m. July 6, 2025. Thomas Voss moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.

• Bruce Perkins requested a 24-hour catering permit during the Classic Summer Drags on the sidewalk outside Perkins Tavern from 9:00 a.m. July 18, 2025, to 9:00 a.m. July 19, 2025. Chris Kenney moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve this request. Discussion was had regarding the duration of the event; Mr. Perkins is only catering on July 18, 2025. MOTION CARRIED.

• Pizza Barn requested a 24-hour catering permit for the American Legion Statewide Event at the Weston County Event Center from 9:00 a.m. June 20, 2025, to 9:00 a.m. June 21, 2025. Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenney seconded to amend the request to read Sandy Martin doing business as Pizza Barn, not Pam Gualtieri. MOTION CARRIED. Don Steveson moved; Thoms Voss seconded to approve the amended request. Discussion was had regarding a letter from the County and verification of liquor license holder was had; all documents were in order. MOTION CARRIED.

• 307 Smoke & Vape Haven requested a 24-hour alcohol beverage sales permit to sell beverages at 123 W. Main Street, from 9:00 a.m. July 5, 2025, to 9:00 a.m. July 6, 2025, for the All School Reunion. Ann McColley moved; Daren Downs seconded to approve this request. Discussion was had
regarding type of permit and location. MOTION CARRIED.

• WCSD #1 submitted a request for sewer averaging for the summer months. Thomas Voss moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve this request. Discussion was held regarding actual sewer usage and uncharged water usage, Supervisor Stumpff will investigate what amount of water is being used on the football field. Daren Downs was opposed. MOTION CARRIED.

• The Wyoming Department of Corrections
submitted a request for sewer averaging at the Wyoming Honor Camp. John Butts moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve this request.
MOTION CARRIED. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

• Mayor Owens referenced Ordinance No. 4, Series 2025 which heading reads: AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE SEC. 17-14 OF THE NEWCASTLE TOWN CODE. Ann McColley moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve Ordinance No. 4, Series 2025, on the second reading. MOTION CARRIED.

• Mayor Owens referenced Ordinance No. 5, series 2025 which heading reads: AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE SEC. 17-27 OF THE NEWCASTLE TOWN CODE. Chris Kenney moved; John Butts seconded to approve Ordinance No. 5 Series 2025, on the second reading. MOTION CARRIED.

NEW BUSINESS: Mayor Owens referred to a commercial application for membership and electric service agreement with Powder River Energy. Thomas Voss moved, seconded John Butts to approve the signing of the agreement. There was discussion about the agreement being for the airport. Mayor Owens requested a roll-call vote; Don Steveson, Thomas Voss, Ann McColley, Daren Downs and Mayor Owens were in favor; Chris Kenny and John Butts were opposed. MOTION CARRIED. Ann McColley moved; Chris Kenney seconded to table the easement and right-of-way agreement. MOTION CARRIED.

COMMITTEE/COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS: Mayor Owens reported on a resident complaint of dust on Poplar Street and the process of mag chloride, Supervisor Stumpff will investigate the cost again. He then stated that he had discussed combining some of the building inspector and CSO job duties with Engineer Bartlett, a personnel committee meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Mayor Owens reported on information that he had received on investments from the WAM conference. He also reported on the kickoff meeting with the Wyoming Business Council and the Harvard Growth Lab. Mayor Owens stated that he had been in contact with Brittney Locken from the Gillette Boys & Girls Club; a needs assessment and meeting with Double AAces director, Tamera Allen are things he plans to work on. Mayor Owens then stated that the owners of Cashbox Ceramics may be open to leasing the property next to their building for a pocket park.  

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

• Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty stated that a water committee meeting will be held after the regular meeting to discuss water contracts. She then reported that a budget amendment may be needed within the garbage fund to allocate funds used for the landfill closure escrow account. Attorney Hughes will continue to investigate the matter. Ms. Haggerty then stated that she had received ordinance updates and would update any books that were brought in. Mayor Owens stated that he had receive information for American Legal Publishing while at the WAM conference. 

• Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff reported that the 20 mph signs were up on 2nd Ave.; he updated the Council on the monitoring and reporting requirements from Region 8 EPA; he referenced the upcoming Farmers Market, road closure by First Northern Bank and getting ready for the All School Reunion; he reported that the garbage truck would not be in until December; he stated that there are two (2) new part-time employees and one (1) new seasonal employee to help in the parks department; he reported that the trench drain project needed over excavated due to the wet soil and was taking longer than anticipated; the City was granted decreased interest on 3 of their loans. Supervisor Stumpff reported that the Hwy. 16 Pathway project has increased in cost by about $300,000.00 with recent WYDOT requirements and final plans have not been received; he recommended putting in a grant funding request for the engineering on the S. Summit pathway. Thomas Voss moved; John Butts seconded to discontinue the project near Morrissey Road west of town and start the project east of town near Summit. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Stumpff then stated that he would be on vacation next week. There was also discussion about the mirror on Winthrop, a light on Stirrup, Rodeo Street repairs, employees involved with meter pit and backhoe work, lack of summer help and volunteer compensation, roller and crack seal equipment, road patching, jake brake signs and ordinance enforcement.  

• Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service from June 2, 2025; NPD 127, WCSO 134, UPD 0, NVFD 5, WCFP 5, UVFD 2, Newcastle Ambulance 12, Upton Ambulance 0, he provided a handout for the breakdown of NPD calls. Chief Thompson also inquired about amending the jake brake ordinance and stated that N. 85 may need to be excluded. He then reported that wages seem to be the reason applicants have chosen not to pursue employment. Cathy Longland expressed her concerns on the jake break ordinance. 

• City Attorney Dublin Hughes referenced amending the jake break ordinance, inquiring if the penalties should be the same as other traffic violations. John Butts moved; Chris Kenney seconded to amend the jake brake ordinance to carry the same penalties as other traffic violations. MOTION CARRIED. Attorney Hughes inquired if there were any other roadways to be excluded other than 85 North, there were none. Mr. Hughes referenced the enterprise fund discussion referencing W.S. 16-4-105, he will continue to investigate the issue. Attorney Hughes notified the Council of a new act beginning July 1st allowing concealed carry of firearms into governmental buildings, he is investigating what is allowed under those rules.   

CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: Thomas Voss moved; Ann McColley seconded to pay the claims against the City dated June 16, 2025. MOTION CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT: Daren Downs moved; seconded Chris Kenney to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 8:50 p.m. Meeting adjourned. 

Claims: Ad-Pro, supplies, $22.00; Advanced Communications, supplies, $90.00; Advanced Pump and Equipment, parts, $699.63; American Equipment, inspection, $244.50; Black Hills Energy, services, $1,952.95; Buffalo Creek Graphics, decals, $258.00; C & J Rentals, deposit refund, $250.00; Cambria Supply, supplies, $26.09; Civic Plus, ordinance pages, $475.36; Core & Main, parts, $2,641.08; Decker’s, supplies, $19.96; Double D, supplies, $257.60; Eastern Wy. Equip., supplies, $2,894.48; Energy Lab., services, $152.00; Engineering Assoc., services, $1,837.00; Farnsworth Services, portable sanitation, $950.00; Ferguson, supplies, $756.24; Fisher, gravel, $1,466.64; Gateway Travel, fuel/supplies, $5,414.48; Heartland Kubota, parts, $120.64; Julio Holguin, contract work, $12,450.00; Annie Kennedy, deposit refund, $100.11; Kings Plumbing, services, $414.00; LinkTech, IT, $1,394.80; Marco, plotter/copier fees, $590.64; Municipal Emergency Services, supplies, $20,402.12; Newcastle Ace Hardware, supplies, $1,834.09; Newcastle Equipment, repairs, $360.00; NVFD, travel/training/supplies, $3,542.95; Newman Traffic Signs, signs, $141.34; News Letter Journal, ads/legals, $3,309.36; One Call, services, $133.35; Petty Cash, title fees/stamps, $582.20; Postmaster, FD box, $360.00; Powder River Energy, services, $1,081.17; Range, phone/internet, $1,148.55; Reiniger Custom Services, $1,325.00; Sagebrush Marketing, web hosting/PD pixels, $507.96; Serval, PD mats, $44.84; Short Stop, fuel, $986.82; Transource, parts, $197.99; Valli, services, $141.46; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; WC Fire Protection, ½ fire hall ins., $1,055.50; WC Road & Bridge, fuel, $836.52; WC Treasurer, airport/handling fees, $447.39; WC Solid Waste District, tipping fees, $13,764.10; Wood’s, supplies, $118.63; Wy Dept. Transportation, plates, $10.00; Wy. Machinery, parts, $20.87 

ATTEST:

Mayor Tyrel Owens

Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty

(Publish June 26, 2025)