NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, June 2, 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, Thomas Voss and Don Steveson. Also present were Attorney Dublin Hughes, Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff, Police Chief Derek Thompson and Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mayor Owens amended the agenda to add Board Committee report, 2nd Ave. and Backyard Park Committee/Council Member Reports. Ann McColley moved; seconded Chris Kenney to approve the agenda as amended. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Thomas Voss moved; seconded Ann McColley to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of Monday, May 19, 2025. MOTION CARRIED.

NOMINATION FOR RECOGNITION: Scott Thomson for painting a cross at the cemetery.

CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: None 

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL: Rick Dunford with the WC Planning Commission was present to discuss the sphere of influence changes. He also stated that the board has two (2) open seats, one of which could be filled by a City resident.

PUBLIC HEARING: as advertised at 7:15 p.m. to consider the budget for fiscal year 2025/2026. Mayor Owens read the Budget Appropriation Resolution. Don Steveson moved; John Butts seconded to approve the budget as presented. Discussion was had regarding the amount budgeted for the Airport Board. MOTION CARRIED. Ordinance No. 3, Series 2025 was presented, the heading reads: ORDINANCE PROVIDING REVENUE TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION WITHIN THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE, WYOMING. Don Steveson moved; seconded Thomas Voss to pass Ordinance 3, Series 2025 on an emergency basis. MOTION CARRIED.

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS IN WRITING:

• Clearwater X-Spurts, Inc. submitted a request for a plumbing license: master plumber, Clay Massie; apprentice plumbers, Bryce Foley and Chandler Curtis. Thomas Voss moved; Daren Downs seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.

• 21 Electric submitted a request for plumbing license: journeyman, Michael Patterson. Ann McColley moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.

OLD BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS: None

COMMITTEE/COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS: Mayor Owens presented the council members with the book, 13 Ways to Kill Your Community as a gift. Mayor Owens reported on a complaint about speeds on 2nd Ave. and had requested additional patrols and signage. After the 7:30 p.m. public hearing Mayor Owens stated that American Ramp needs to do a tree inventory before moving forward with the design and applying for grants. Councilman Voss reported on a Mondell Airport Board meeting that he had attended and referenced the 2020 Federal Aviation report. 

PUBLIC HEARING: as advertised at 7:30 p.m.: D Antlers, LLC requested bar and grill #3 liquor license. Chris Kenney moved; seconded Don Steveson to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. Burce Perkins inquired about the number of available and if changes had been made to the requirements for the bar and grill licenses.   

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

• Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff referenced the Winfield waterline replacement engineering proposal by Inberg- Miller Engineers and requested the mayor’s signature. Chris Kenney moved; Thomas Voss seconded. Discussion was had regarding the engineering cost being $23,000.00 and total cost of the project, a typographical error was also mentioned. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Stumpff then referenced the 2025 Improvements Short Form Agreement for Owner and Engineer for Professional Services with Engineering Associates and requested the mayor’s signature. Thomas Voss moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve this request. Discussion regarding cost was had, expenses are not to exceed $277,950.00; total cost of project estimated to be 2.168 million. MOTION CARRIED. He then referenced the bid schedule for the 2025 Improvements, Phase I and II, recommending the bid be awarded to Hot Iron Inc. in the amount of $2,168,616.68. Thomas Voss moved, Chris Kenney seconded to approve this recommendation and sign the agreement. Discussion about the bid tabulation was had. MOTION CARRIED. Supervisor Stumpff then requested approval to order new portable crosswalk signs in the amount of $477.40, Councilman Steveson requested to investigate the cost of LED flashing lights. Don Steveson moved, seconded Ann McColley to purchase the portable signs while researching the flashing lights. MOTION CARRIED. He then requested to visit with County Commissioners about a possible mill and overly project on Morrissey Road for the 2029 construction season with WYDOT. John Butts moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve this request. Discussion about the success of previous projects and the citizens this project would serve was had. MOTION CARRIED. Councilman Butts inquired about the chlorination project; plans are being drawn up. Mayor Owens inquired about Cedar Street signs; those signs are being ordered. 

• Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service from May 19, 2025; NPD 143, WCSO 126, UPD 0, NVFD 3, WCFP 2, UVFD 0, Newcastle Ambulance 11 (Newcastle 5, WC 6, Upton 0, Osage 0, Custer 0) Upton Ambulance 7 and Dispatch in person contacts 121; he provided a handout for the breakdown of NPD calls. Chief Thompson requested to put out bids for two new police pursuit vehicles for the total price estimated to be $127,000.00. Don Steveson moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve this request. Discussion was had regarding the number of current officers and if vehicles would be left sitting; new vehicles would be used and older vehicles would be cycled, discussion about how the newer Durango’s were running, and current budget were also had. MOTION CARRIED. Chief Thompson also reported that he had obtained a free Stalker radar from Campbell Co. Sheriff’s Office. He then reported that Channing Luntz had started today as the new CSO and would be in training for the next six to eight weeks. 

• Attorney Dublin Hughes notified the council of his absence Thursday and Friday of this week. He then referenced Ordinance No. 4, Series 2025, which heading reads: AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE SEC. 17-14 OF THE NEWCASTLE TOWN CODE. Thomas Voss moved; Ann McColley seconded to pass Ordinance No. 4, Series 2025, on the first reading. MOTION CARRIED. Attorney Hughes then referenced Ordinance No. 5, series 2025 which heading reads: AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE SEC. 17-27 OF THE NEWCASTLE TOWN CODE. Ann McColley moved; John Butts seconded to approve Ordinance No. 5 Series 2025, on the first reading. MOTION CARRIED.  

• Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty updated the Council on the budget billing pilot program stating that only four (4) customers are currently utilizing the program. John Butts moved; seconded Thomas Voss to advertise the budget billing program allowing an unlimited number of customers and continue the program until November. MOTION CARRIED. Ms. Haggerty then referenced the email she had sent out about the City’s Investments and asked if there were any questions. Mayor Owens stated that he would like to contact LGLP for training in investments.

CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: including check numbers 053620 and 053624 from the previous claim period. Thomas Voss moved; Ann McColley seconded to pay the claims against the City dated June 2, 2025, including check numbers 053620 and 053624. MOTION CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT: Ann McColley moved; Daren Downs seconded to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 8:28 p.m. Meeting adjourned. 

Claims: 21 Electric, services, $444.30; Ad-Pro, supplies, $20.03; Advanced Communications, supplies, $25.00; Blue to Gold, training, $495.00; Weston Bock, repairs, $4,200.45; Bomgaars, supplies, $4,507.10; Campbell Co. EMS, services, $8,625.00; City of Newcastle, wa/sw/ga, $455.66; Contractor’s Supply, supplies, $1,112.59; Crook County Family Violence, 4th qtr. distribution, $1,250.00; D Antlers, reimbursement, $250.00; Douglas Dumbrill, municipal judge/mileage, $1,091.00; Energy Labs., services, $1,844.00; FD Construction & Pest, services, $155.00; First Northern Bank, loan payments, $4,305.30; Fisher, jbase, $182.83; HHR Field Services, repairs, $11,784.72; Hot Iron, Duff Ave., $17,585.94; Hot Iron, retainage, $925.58; Hughes Law, attorney fees, $4,500.00; Charlie Hunsaker, deposit refund, $9.50; Michael Hutchinson, deposit refund, $26.16; Justin King, reimburse training, $304.05; Kings Plumbing, services, $259.11; LinkTech, PD IT, $1,394.80; Marco, plotter/IT, $2,747.34; Mastercard, supplies/training/fuel, $9,652.60; Newcastle Chamber, 4th qtr. distribution, $1,250.00; Newcastle Rec. Board, 4th qtr. distribution, $9,500.00; NVFD, parts, $84.50; Normont, parts, $198.00; Northwest Pipe, supplies, $4,032.89; Lois Rice, deposit refund, $49.85; Salt Creek Water Dist., sewer service, $555.00; Servall, services, $44.84; Bryand Streeter, airport wages, $1,333.33; Greg Stumpff, reimburse tablet, $135.45; Pam & Hugh Swanke, deposit refund, $30.55; Lucky Teigen-Grummons, FD cleaning, $300.00; Threattack Security, software, $1,544.40; Uline, supplies, $912.90; Verizon, cell phones, $842.28; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; Voelker’s, repairs, $410.00; Volunteers of America, 4th qtr. distribution, $2,500.00; WC Children’s Center, 4th qtr. distribution, $2,250.00; WC Health Services, testing, $50.00; WC Treasurer, handling fee, $81.79; WC Humane Society, 4th qtr. distribution, $4,500.00; WC Senior Services, 4th qtr. distribution, $7,500.00; Wy. Dept. Transportation, plate transfer, $2.00; WY Home Services. 4th qtr. distribution, $2,000.00; Wy. Machinery supplies, $253.62; Wy. Office of State Lands, easement, $1,296.10.

ATTEST:

Mayor Tyrel Owens

Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty

(Publish June 12, 2025)