NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, July 21, 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: Chris Kenney moved; seconded Ann McColley to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenney seconded, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting and executive session of Monday, July 7, 2025. MOTION CARRIED.
NOMINATION FOR RECOGNITION: Classic Summer Drags Board, Campbell Co. EMS, Country Club, WC Search & Rescue and 21 Electric for their work and support of the Classic Summer Drags event.
CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: Ann McColley and Don Steveson, for cleaning areas around town. The All-School Reunion Board for the 2025 all-school reunion.
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL: None
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS IN WRITING: Linda Hunt submitted letters concerning the undeveloped lock of Sage Street and brush along the intersection of S. Summit and Hwy. 85. The brush along the intersection has been addressed and other issues will be taken care of when staffing allows.
BUDGET AMENDMENT HEARING: Thomas Voss moved; seconded Chris Kenny to approve the budget amendment as presented. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Owens read the notice of budget amendment increasing the garbage fund budget by $150,000.00, using garbage fund revenues; for Landfill #1 closure DEQ escrow account.
Joan Evans with Wyoming Government Investment Fund was present via Microsoft Teams to discuss investments options.
OLD BUSINESS:
• Ordinance No. 6, Series 2025 the heading reads: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SEC. 16-11.2 OF THE NEWCASTLE TOWN CODE. John Butts moved; seconded Chris Kenney to approve Ordinance No. 6, Series 2025 on the second reading. Mayor Owens stated that some residents were in favor of the ordinance while others were opposed. MOTION CARRIED.
• Mayor Owens referenced the American Legal Publishing Quote and stated that Civic Plus/Municode may be able to provide the same services. Thomas Voss moved; Don Steveson seconded to get a quote from Civic Plus/Municode for the services. MOTION CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS:
• Mayor Owens referenced the service agreement with Campbell County Health EMS. Don Steveson moved; Chris Kenney seconded to accept service agreement with the amount of $108,675.00. Motion carried. Shane Kirsch with Campbell Co. EMS was present and notified the Council that the EMS needs assessment grant work has been approved with SafeTech Solutions as the contractor, interviews are scheduled for August 6th – August 8th.
COMMITTEE/COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS: Mayor Owens reported that he had met with Double AAces director Tamera Allen who had helped with a community readiness and expansion assessment for the Boys & Girls Club. Copies will be emailed to the Council.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
•Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service from July 7, 2025; NPD 150, WCSO 130, UPD 44, NVFD 4, WCFP 9, UVFD 3, Newcastle Ambulance 20, Upton Ambulance 3, he provided a handout for the breakdown of NPD calls and noted that the calls did not include traffic violations that resulted in drug arrest. Chief Thompson reported that the Classic Summer Drags event went well; they are having difficulty enforcing ordinance for vacant properties that are owned by individuals that do not reside in Newcastle, he plans to discuss the matter with Attorney Huges; he plans to take vacation next week; there are two applicants: one from Upton, one from Rapid City and Mr. Foote’s process is complete, they are working on the part-time employment contract. Councilman Voss inquired about what type of drugs were associated with the arrest, primarily methamphetamine and marijuana.
• City Attorney Dublin Hughes stated that the pocket park lease was not the most up to date copy. Ann McColley moved; Thomas Voss seconded, to table the discussion. MOTION CARRIED.Attorney Hughes may not be present for the next meeting; he plans to have documents that he has been working on out to the Council later this week.
• Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty referenced the garbage fund documents for revenue and expenses and asked if there were any questions, there were none.
• Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff reported that bidding for the Landfill #1 Remediation project is planned for September or October; the Backyard Park banner is ordered; Cedar Street signs are up; leaks at 1911 W. Main Street and Spruce/Walker have been repaired; water at Decker’s Market appears to be groundwater. Supervisor Stumpff requested a $0.50/hr. raise for Foreman Justin King effective July 1, 2025, for completing the probationary period. Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. Councilman Steveson inquired about who is responsible for trees that overhang the streets, City will take care of trees unless homeowners refuse. Councilman Voss inquired about the traffic mirror; nothing has been done yet.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: Thomas Voss moved; Don Steveson seconded to pay the claims against the City dated July 21, 2025. MOTION CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT: Chris Kenney moved; Don Steveson seconded to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 8:10 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
FY 24/25 Claims: Aced Embroidery, services, $3,455.00; Black Mountain Software, annual subscription, $24,577.20; Craig’s Sales/Service Rental, parts, $194.05; Dite’s, tree plaques, $20.00; Eastern Wy. Equip. Co., supplies, $3,151.34; Engineering Assoc., services, $1,010.88; John Jones, PD vehicle, $63,432.50; Jessica Lorenze, deposit refund, $200.00; Powder River Energy, services, $976.06; Rapid Delivery, services, $46.80; Short Stop, fuel, $264.24; Spearfish Equip., parts, $322.36; Valli, services, $100.00; WC Treasurer, airport/handling fees, $684.15; Woody’s, supplies, $103.73
FY 25/26 claims: Advanced Pump/Equip., parts, $1,230.82; Bomgaars, supplies, $1,283.02; Butler Machinery, parts, $28.63; Campbell Co. EMS, services, $9,056.25; Contractor’s Supply, fence, $257.40; DLT, AutoCAD, $2,176.14; Equip. Maintenance Products, pump, $3,110.09; Farnsworth, contract work, $1,918.67; Keyhole Technologies, sign rental, $600.00; Marco, copier fees, $762.99; Newcastle Wy. Veterans, donation, $3,003.34; Newman, traffic signs, $2,866.40; McKinzie Parrish, reimbursement/gear, $200.00; Servall, services, $89.68; Sundance Extinguisher, annual service, $1,777.50; Titan Machinery, parts, $367.00; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; Wy. Combined Communications, FY25/26 services, $411,378.00; Wy. Assoc. of Municipalities, annual membership, $5,013.00
ATTEST:
Mayor Tyrel Owens
Clerk-Treasurer Stacy Haggerty
(Publish July 31, 2025)