NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, March 16, 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: Chris Kenney moved; Ann McColley seconded, to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Don Steveson moved; Chris Kenney seconded, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of Monday, March 2, 2026. MOTION CARRIED.
Public Hearing as advertised for a replat requested by Wayne & Laura Oney to rezone property from light industrial to residential to allow for the possibility of building a house in the future. There was discussion regarding setbacks and an easement that goes through the requested replat property. Thomas Voss moved; Don Steveson seconded to send the request back to the Planning & Zoning Board for clarification on the easement. MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Owens read a proclamation, proclaiming the first day of spring each year to be recognized as Bette Sample Day. Ann McColley moved; seconded Thomas Voss to approve this proclamation. MOTION CARRIED.
NOMINATION FOR RECOGNITION: Sue Kettley for comforting members of the community through quilting.
CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: None
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL:
• Ann Kennedy was present to inquire what may need to be done for the City to have a dog park. A dog park is on the list of projects, possibly within the next two (2) to three (3) years; estimated cost is $50,000.00 funding is needed for the project to move forward.
• Dave Gerber was present to discuss concerns regarding Municipal Code, Section 17, stating that the property next to his was in violation and he did not believe that anything was being done. Mr. Gerber provided multiple handouts to the Council which included a letter to Mayor Owens, an article from the newspaper, the definition of nuisances, references from Section 16 of the Municipal Code regarding intersections, and a printout of the County’s parcel viewer which showed a City easement behind his property.
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS IN WRITING:
• The Weston County Museum District requested sewer averaging for the months of April – September 2026. Thomas Voss moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.
• Sagebrush Market applied for sidewalk encroachment permit at 121 W. Main Street. Chris Kenney moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve the application. Mayor Owens stated that he was pleased to see the permit applications after recent events. MOTION CARRIED.
• Patricia Smith applied for sidewalk encroachment permit at 212 W. Main Street., Chris Kenney moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve the application. MOTION CARRIED.
• Bear Lodge Electric requested an electrical license: Contractor, Bear Lodge Electric, LLC; master, Timothy Young; journeyman, Scott Grams; apprentices, Kevin Black, Logan Johnson, Josh Roberts, and Jaydan Pearson. Chris Kenney moved; Thomas Voss seconded to approve this request. There was an inquiry as to where the contractor was located, they are out of Gillette. MOTION CARRIED.
• John Ellis submitted a letter requesting sewer forgiveness in the amount of $530.05 due to a leak. Daren Downs moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED.
OLD BUSINESS:
• The date for the Budget Workshop was discussed; the workshop will be held on April 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
• Mayor Owens stated that the next County Commissioners’ meeting will be held on March 24, 2026, and referenced the Penny Tax project list that had been provided which consisted of mainly street projects. An inquiry about adding the City Shop building to the list was made along with discussion about community input regarding the street projects. Chris Kenney moved; Ann McColley seconded to submit the list to the County Commissioners. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Owens also referenced the Half Penny Economic Development Tax, stating that an Economic Development Board would need to be in place prior to moving forward, he may inquire about this tax again in the future.
NEW BUSINESS:
• Mayor Owens referenced an event application stating that the WC Health Services will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt and BBQ, April 4, 2026, at Dow Park starting at 11:00 a.m.
COMMITTEE/COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS: None
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
• Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff requested a $0.50/hr. raise for Zach Benshoof as he has completed his CDL training, effective March 3, 2026. Ann McColley moved; Thomas Voss seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. He then requested to purchase a 2-year software subscription from Waterworth for $17,575.00; the program will help with setting rates, budgeting projects and projecting future expenses. Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenny seconded to approve this request. There was an inquiry about maintenance fees which there are none, and discussion about the previous rate study. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Stumpff referenced the need for a utility easement with Black Hills Energy for the W. Railroad project and requested approval of the proposed easement. Don Steveson moved; Chirs Kenney seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. Supervisor Stumpff referenced proposed changes to Municipal Code 26-6(c) which had been listed on the agenda as 23-6(c); Chris Kenney moved; Ann McColley to amend the agenda to reflect Municipal Code 26-6(c). MOTION CARRIED. The proposed change would make landowners responsible for unpaid services. John Butts moved; Thomas Voss seconded to make the proposed change. MOTION CARRIED. He then reported on the following: Leak on Cambria Street, 2025 Improvements Phase II, Preconstruction meeting for Landfill 1 Remediation project, Engineer’s estimate for Landfill 2 closure, Tank 2 Select Water Committee meeting in Cheyenne, Chlorination Project, slide at Centennial Park. Mr. Stumpff then stated that he had budgeted for a pressure washer and intends to purchase an Alkota in the amount of $15,250.00 plus shipping. Mayor Owens stated that the pressure washer will be helpful in repainting the tunnel near the High School, he had previously discussed the project with Superintendent Lacroix.
• Engineer Steven Dietrich stated that he would forgo the Building Department of his report which included two (2) projects. He then referenced the Planning and Zoning section stating that Darrell Schlup and Karl Lacey had submitted applications to renew their appointments on the board. Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenny seconded to approve the applications. MOTION CARRIED. An inquiry was made about other open positions on the board; currently one open position which is being advertised.
• Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service between February 27th – March 13th, NPD 192 with 4 arrest, WCSO 92, UPD 72, NVFD 3, WCFP 15, UVFD 1, Newcastle Ambulance 16, Upton Ambulance 5, he provided a handout for the breakdown of NPD calls. He then stated that the electrical contractor working on the backup generator was having circuitry issues but that the generator is functional if manually turned on; the contractor is working with Cummins to resolve the issue. Chief Thompson reported we had been awarded $30,000 in grant funds and that he plans to move forward with purchasing a CSO vehicle. He then requested a Police Committee meeting, which was scheduled for March 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
• Attorney Dublin Hughes reported that he had been looking at the nuisance violations and junk vehicle ordinances; he hopes to have revisions drafted for the next meeting.
• Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty asked if there were any questions regarding the financial reports provided; there were none.
Mayor Owens stated that he would like the Streets/Alley/Building Committee to meet to discuss the easement behind the Gerber property, and the Personnel Committee to meet and discuss the Building Inspector position.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: Councilman Kenney recused himself. Thomas Voss moved; Ann McColley seconded to pay the claims against the City dated March 16, 2026. MOTION CARRIED.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Daren Downs moved; John Butts seconded to suspend the rules and enter executive session referencing real estate per W.S. 16-4-405 (a)(vi) at 9:01 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Owens welcomed those attending to stay while Council members entered the executive chambers. Daren Downs moved; Ann McColley seconded to return to regular session at 9:14 p.m. Daren Downs moved; Chris Kenney seconded to move forward with the purchase of property from Neiman’s. MOTION CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT: Chris Kenney moved; Daren Downs seconded, to adjourn the regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 9:15 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Claims: 21 Electric, services, $225.16; Ad-Pro, supplies, $48.88; Advanced Communications, supplies, $78.00; Advanced Drug Testing, services, $31.20; Architectural Specialties, keys, $136.15; AT&T, PD phones, $403.59; Black Hills Energy, services, $13,952.52; Cambria Supply, supplies, $441.30; Easter Wy. Equip., supplies, $1,589.88; Engineering Assoc., services, $7,821.41; FD Construction & Pest, services, $155.00; First Northern Bank, FD CD, $50,000.00; Gateway Travel, fuel, $5,186.99; Helluva Design, embroidery service, $410.00; Inberg-Miller, services, $2,601.00; Ketel Thorstenson, CPA services, $20,460.76; Kings Plumbing, services, $467.75; L.N. Curtis, services, $2,509.20; Lab. Corp., services, $65.60; LinkTech, PD IT/work station, $3,665.73; Marco, PD copier/plotter, $392.48; Tim Miller, reimbursement, $55.00; Minuteman, services, $100.99; Miracle Playsystems, slide, $17,462.91; Mountain Plains Audiology, services, $35.00; Newcastle Ace Hardware, supplies, $933.89; NVFD, training/meals, $167.22; News Letter Journal, legal/ads, $1,774.50; Normont, supplies, $6,777.21; One Call of Wy., services, $96.60; Petty Cash, CDL reimbursement, $45.00; Range, phone/internet, $1,274.43; Sagebrush Marketing, website/printing, $572.00; Servall, services, $107.21; Short Stop, fuel, $381.16; Stephen Smith, CDL reimbursement, $45.00; Transource, roller, $63,328.00; TruGreen, lawn services, $792.30; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; WC Road & Bridge, FD fuel, $87.44; WC Solid Waste District, tipping fees, $10,433.50; Woody’s, supplies, $85.44; Wy. Conference of Municipal Courts, training, $150.00; Wy. First Aid & Safety, supplies, $249.78
ATTEST:
Mayor Tyrel Owens
Clerk-Treasurer Stacy Haggerty
(Publish March 26, 2026)