NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, May 19, 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. Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty was absent.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mayor Owens amended the agenda to add Ginny Wisnewski, Newcastle Chamber – fireworks under Citizens Business Verbal; Boys & Girls club – update, WAM – ordinance updates, Harvard Growth Lab – proposed meeting and Councilman Steveson requested to add a board meeting under Mayor/Council Member Reports. Ann McColley moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve the agenda as amended. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ann McColley moved; seconded Don Steveson to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of Monday, May 5, 2025. MOTION CARRIED.

NOMINATION FOR RECOGNITION: None

CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: None 

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL: 

• Bruce Perkins was present to request a 24-hour catering permit for the First Northern Bank appreciation event in the bank parking lot from 9:00 a.m. June 27, 2025, to 9:00 a.m. June 28, 2025. Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve this request. Mr. Perkins then voiced his agreement on the use of sidewalk permits but stated that ordinances regarding bikes and scooters on sidewalks would need to be enforced. He then stated that he would like to be able to sell alcohol out on the street for two major scheduled events; permitting will be investigated.

• Ginny Wisnewski, the Vice President with the Chamber of Commerce, was present to request the Council’s help for this year’s firework display. Fire Chief Curren and Police Chief Derek Thompson agreed to donate $4,000 from each of their budgets if the Council agrees. Thomas Voss moved; John Butts seconded to approve moving $4,000 from each department with the stipulation that those department’s donations are recognized. Discussion was had about the funds available and plans moving forward. MOTION CARRIED.

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS IN WRITING: None

OLD BUSINESS: 

• Engineer Chuck Bartlett referenced the final property plat for the Dollar General Addition and requested the Council’s approval and Mayor’s signature. John Butts moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve this request. Discussion about existing buildings was had. MOTION CARRIED.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Engineer Chuck Bartlett reported that the planning and zoning board recommended a conditional zoning change for Cambria Community Church and Youth Group at 19 Stampede Street, from R-1 to CO to allow for a coffee shop to supplement their expenses, the conditions were that if the functions of the property change the zoning will revert to R-1. John Butts moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve this recommendation contingent upon the zoning reverting to R-1 if the coffee shop should fail. MOTION CARRIED.

• Mayor Owens referenced the 2025 WAM voting delegation form. No delegate was nominated.  

COMMITTEE/COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS: 

Mayor Owens reported on a thank you from the Veterans Memorial Foundation. He then referenced the Budget Hearing Advertisement provided which did not include any increases for the Airport Board but did include $2,000 increase for the Newcastle Recreation board; Councilman Steveson reported that he had attended a recent Newcastle Recreation Board meeting where he gained clarification on some of the questions the Council had previously had. Councilman Kenney stated that he had a couple emails sent out with questions; one for the WC Children’s Center regarding funding from Crook County, the Children’s Center Director had answered his questions with a detailed breakdown; second being the WC Humane Society wages for $15,000, wages were for a weekend personnel and another employee. Mayor Owens read the notice of Budget Hearing scheduled at 7:15 p.m. on June 2, 2025. Don Steveson moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve the Budget Hearing advertisement. Discussion regarding the time for advertising was had. Motion carried. Mayor Owens stated that he had contacted Tamera Allen who was willing to meet with the Boys and Girls Club Gillette director to see if their organizations could work together. Mayor Owens referenced WAM ordinance changes, more updates will be given as they are received. Mayor Owens stated Brandi Harlow with the Wyoming Business Council had sent a proposed agenda for June 10, 2025, meeting with the Harvard Growth Lab, all council members are invited.    

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

• Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service from May 5, 2025; NPD 171, WCSO 115, UPD 0, NVFD 9, WCFP 3, UVFD 0, Newcastle Ambulance 22 (Newcastle 14, WC 5, Upton 2, Osage 1, Custer 0) and Upton Ambulance 11; Chief Thompson provided a handout for the breakdown of NPD calls. Chief Thompson requested to give a conditional offer of employment for the position of Police Officer to Cameron Henson at the rate of $21.07/hr. with one year probation, contingent on meeting, passing and completing all requirements set forth by the Wy. Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission and Newcastle Police Department with a start date to be determined. Thomas Voss moved; seconded Chris Kenney to hire Officer Cameron Henson on a temporary basis with one year probation at the rate of $21.07/hr. after passing all requirements of the NPD and State of Wy. with the start date to be determined. Discussion about who the applicant was, his willingness to relocate and to clarify the position as temporary or a conditional offer. Thomas Voss amended his motion to state that the offer was conditional; Don Steveson seconded. Discussion about benefits was had. MOTION CARRIED. Chief Thompson then requested to give a conditional offer of employment for the position of part-time Police Officer to Nathan Foote at the rate of $21.07/hr. contingent on meeting, passing and completing all requirements set forth by the Wy. Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission and Newcastle Police Department and a signed contract with terms and conditions of part-time employment, with a start date to be determined. Chris Kenney moved; seconded Thomas Voss to approve this request. Motion carried. Discussion about who the applicant was, and his education was had. MOTION CARRIED. A police committee meeting will be scheduled.

• Attorney Dublin Hughes referenced the repeal ordinances and will have those printed for the next meeting. 

• Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty was absent. 

• Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff reported that bids for the 2025 Improvement Project had been opened, and under review with the engineering firm and the State Revolving Fund. Supervisor Stumpff referenced two letters to the State Lands and Investments Board, one for requesting to make the W. Railroad Street Water Improvement project an equivalency project. Thomas Voss moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve, sending the letter. MOTION CARRIED. Zero percent interest and 25 percent principal forgiveness were discussed. Motion carried. The second letter was to make the Wastewater/Stormwater Master Plan an equivalency project with zero percent interest. Ann McColley moved; Thomas Voss seconded to approve sending this letter. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Stumpff notified the Council that the parks and cemetery department is shorthanded with only one seasonal employee, only irrigated grasses will be cared for at this time. He then reported on the issues from last week with Winfield Street and possible replacement options. Supervisor Stumpff then referenced the bid tabulation for the Cat 260 Skid steer, stating that Titan Machinery of Rapid City was the low bidder, this included adding 5% for non-residency in the amount of $66,646.65. Don Steveson moved; Chris Kenney seconded to award the bid to Titan Machinery. Discussion was held regarding in-state companies and actual amounts paid. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Stumpff stated that Jonathan Helberg has completed his probationary period and recommended permanent employment, and a $0.50/hr. raise effective May 12, 2025. Don Steveson moved; Chris Kenney to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. He then requested a $0.50/hr. raise for Jessie Redo for completing his lagoon testing and obtaining his wastewater license, effective May 5, 2025. Thomas Voss moved; seconded Don Steveson. MOTION CARRIED. More discussion on the Winfield waterline was had, materials needed for the waterline replacement would be $120,000. Chris Kenney moved; seconded to allow Public Works Supervisor Stumpff to purchase $120,000 of materials to replace the failing waterline on Winfield. Discussion about turning off Tank 2 was had; a fire hydrant will be installed off Divide and Winfield streets and temporary lines will be used. MOTION CARRIED. Councilman Voss inquired about volunteers to do extra mowing; job descriptions would be needed for volunteers and are not allowed to use equipment other than weed eaters, this may be investigated further. Discussion about current summer help wages was also had.

CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: Mayor Owens stated that he could not find documentation for check numbers 053620 and 053624 and ask to remove them from the claims. Thomas Voss moved; John Butts seconded to pay the claims against the City dated May 19, 2025, with the removal of check numbers 053620 and 053624. MOTION CARRIED.

Mayor Owens stated that he was troubled after “losing his cool” at the last meeting and referenced the W.S. 16-4-406 regarding disruptions in meetings.

ADJOURNMENT: Ann McColley moved; Daren Downs seconded to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 8:45 p.m. Meeting adjourned. 

Claims: Aced Embroidery, services, $274.00; Ad-Pro, supplies, $17.46; Ameri-Tech, supplies, $1,690.10; Black Hills Energy, services, $12,059.06; Core & Main, antenna/base station, $26,305.05; Eastern Wy. Equip., $1,998.42; Engineering Assoc., services, $24,373.29; Farnsworth, portable sanitation, $1,200.00; Fedex, shipping, $919.90; Ferguson, supplies, $14,525.00; Fisher Sand, gravel, $1,707.86; Front Range Fire Apparatus, supplies, $78.62; Gateway Travel, fuel, $6,302.73; Heartland, parts, $245.72; Inberg-Miller, services, $3,700.00; Jenner Equip., parts, $410.38; Jolly Lane, trees, $243.17; Laboratory Corp., testing, $32.80; LinkTech, renewal, $306.00; Marco, copier/plotter, $571.03; Newcastle Equip., tires, $850.00; NVFD, meal/supplies, $474.26; News Letter Journal, PD advertising, $5,000.00; Norco, supplies, $100.93; One Call Locates, services, $108.15; Powder River Energy, services, $1,181.83; Pyramid Technologies, supplies, $259.27; Range, phone/internet, $343.00; Rapid Delivery, services, $23.40; Serval, services, $87.18; Short Stop, fuel, $787.80; Simon, materials, $500.00; Greg Stumpff, milage reimbursement, $621.60; TrueGreen, services, $139.00; USA Bluebook, supplies, $111.95; Valli, services, $139.87, VelocityEHS, supplies, $868.22; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; Western Water Services, potable water, $120.00; Woody’s, supplies, $41.45.

ATTEST:

Mayor Tyrel Owens

Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty

(Publish May 29, 2025)