NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, October 6, 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 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; seconded Ann McColley to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Thomas Voss moved; Don Steveson seconded, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of Monday, September 15, 2025. MOTION CARRIED.
NOMINATION FOR RECOGNITION: None
CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: None
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL:
• Dick & Bonnie Rich were present to thank the Council for their support of the 19th Annual Shine & Show.
• Kevin Fulk was present to inquire about the following: jake brake signs and enforcement; bikes on the sidewalks of Main Street and enforcement; Stampede Street striping for turning lanes; employee breakfast breaks at Gateway Travel Center; why Newcastle can’t pave streets like the town of Lusk has. The jake brake permits are being reviewed by WyDOT; both jake brake and bikes on sidewalks ordinances will be enforced by city police officers; as striping streets is costly Stampede Street will be addressed when funds are budgeted; Supervisor Stumpff will discuss the employee breaks with Mayor Owens. The town of Lusk has taken out loans and additional taxes have been assessed to cover their costs for street paving.
CITIZEN’S BUSINESS IN WRITING:
• Central Air and Technologies LLC requested a plumbing contractor’s license, limited plumber: Justin Wermers; limited apprentice plumbers: Morgan McGiley, Devin Osnes, Kalon Stahn, Kris Puckit, Chase McArken, Ross Kahler, Tim Massner. Thomas Voss moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve this request. Type of license was discussed. MOTION CARRIED.
OLD BUSINESS:
• Mayor Owens referenced the American Legal Publishing and Civic Plus quotes. Councilman Steveson reported that the Finance Committee had discussed this topic and verified that there were not any issues with making additional copies from either company. He also stated that Civic Plus quoted $15,143.70 while American Legal Publishing quoted $7,100.00. Don Steveson moved; Thomas Voss seconded to approve the quote from American Business Publishing for $7,100.00. Mayor Owens noted his appreciation. MOTION CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS: None
COMMITTEE/COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS:
• Mayor Owens reported on an Economic Development Committee meeting, stating they are in the preliminary stages with the RCAC project. Councilman Voss reported that he had received a booklet on capacity building that he would like to share with the council and possibly have additional copies made.
• Councilman Steveson stated that the finance portion of the Finance/Personnel Committee meeting had already been discussed, and the personnel portion would be addressed in executive session.
• Councilman Kenney reported on the Parks Committee meeting where they discussed the following: Dow Park Restroom project design and the vandalism at two (2) restroom locations; Backyard Park with Bent Sprockets including design work, fencing, donors and upcoming workdays.
• Councilman Steveson reported on the Water/Sewer Committee meeting, they had discussed the following: Providing water to the Super 8 Motel and the necessary steps that would need to be taken; Chapter 26 of the ordinances; Limited plumber licenses; WyoWarn membership. Don Steveson moved; Chris Kenney seconded to sign the WyoWarn membership agreement. Motion carried. The committee had also discussed the limited plumbers’ licenses.
• Mayor Owens reported that he had been in contact with Tamera Allen and they plan to meet with the Boys & Girls director in Gillette this Friday.
• Mayor Owens reported that the pocket park lease had been signed by Cashs, he hopes to have a volunteer day soon.
• Mayor Owens read an event application for Trunk or Treat to be held on Main Street, October 31, 2025. Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve the event. Discussion was had regarding who was hosting the event; the Newcastle Chamber is hosting the event. MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Owens read an event application for Parade of Lights to be held on.......... continued on next page
Main Street, November 29, 2025, also hosted by the Newcastle Chamber. Chris Kenney moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve the event. MOTION CARRIED.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
• Engineer Steven Dietrich reported on building permits and commercial projects which included the demolition of two (2) buildings; total construction cost $368,749.27; permits and fees collected $3,634.04.
• Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service from September 15, 2025; NPD 208, WCSO 185, UPD 77, NVFD 6, WCFP 6, UVFD 6, Newcastle Ambulance 34, Upton Ambulance 5, he provided a handout for the breakdown of NPD calls. He then requested to make a conditional offer of employment to Cameron Henson for a full-time position at the rate of $21.91/hr. with one (1) year probationary period, conditional upon successful completion of the following: physical evaluation, medical evaluation, drug screening, background investigation, fingerprint check. Thomas Voss moved; John Butts seconded to approve this request. Discussion was had regarding where officers live. MOTION CARRIED.
• Attorney Dublin Hughes stated that the City ordinance book is not copyright applicable. He then reported that he had tried without success to contact Ameri Mortgage Company LLC, regarding issues previously discussed; the property has already been cleaned up.
• Clerk Treasurer Stacy Haggerty stated Bruce Perkins had reminded her that the City still has an open seat on the WC Travel Commission Board and requested to advertise for the open seat. Don Steveson moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve this request. MOTION CARRIED. She then reported that field work for audit is scheduled for the week of November 10, 2025.
• Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff invited Beth Blackwell to give her semi annual report for grant and loan activity; she reported on three (3) grant applications, two (2) loan applications and one (1) application which is in process, she also reported on other projects and tasks that she has been working on. Supervisor Stumpff stated that the WC Solid Waste District landfill would be closed on Columbus Day and asked for Council direction, consensus was not to run the garbage truck on that day. He then reported on the following: Dead-end signs will be placed on Sheridan Street due semi-truck use; 2025 Improvement Project Phase I final tie-in is scheduled for tomorrow; Backyard Park, John Carr will provide quotes for fencing; Additional information for the Chlorination Project has been submitted back to DEQ for review.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: Thomas Voss moved; Don Steveson seconded to pay the claims against the City dated October 6, 2025. Discussion was had regarding HexArmor EXT gloves, they are extraction gloves. MOTION CARRIED.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Ann McColley moved; Don Steveson seconded to suspend the rules and enter executive session referencing personnel per W.S. 16-4-405 (a)(ii) at 8:26 p.m. Mayor Owens welcomed those attending to stay while Council members entered the executive session room. MOTION CARRIED. Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenney seconded to return to regular session at 8:36 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Daren Downs moved; seconded Don Steveson to provide the dispatcher overtime compensation while under the City’s employ. Mayor Owens stated that the dispatchers were owed overtime compensation totaling between $1,600 - $1,700. MOTION CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT: Daren Downs moved; Don Steveson seconded to adjourn this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 8:40 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
Claims: 21 Electric, services, $250.00; Aced Embroidery, services, $64.00, Ad-Pro, supplies, $102.00; Advanced Communication, supplies, $80.00; Ameri-Tech, parts, $215.91; American Engineering, services, $10,190.72; American Water Works, services, $423.00; AT&T, PD phones, $352.64; Black Hills Energy, services, $392.32; Bomgaars, supplies, $1,238.30; Cambria Supply, supplies, $262.30; Campbell Co. EMS, services, $9,056.25; Leonard & Linda Cash, lease, $10.00; Children’s Home Society, evaluations, $450.00; City of Newcastle, wa/sw/ga, $1,424.80; Core & Main, meter, $16,466.03; Croell, concrete, $962.00; Sheila Delarosa, deposit refund, $29.41; Douglas Dumbrill, municipal judge, $1,091.00; Eastern Wy. Equip, supplies, $2,043.90; Energy Labs., services, $1,805.00; Engineering Assoc., services, $28,429.20; Estate of Neela Beardsley, deposit refund, $45.55; Farnsworth Services, portable sanitation, $950.00; FD Construction & Pest, services, $155.00; Ferguson, parts, $3,504.15; First Northern Bank, lease payments, $4,305.30; Gillette College Workforce, CDL classes, $11,000.00; Hot Iron, 2025 Improvements, $360,998.60; Hot Iron, retainage, $18,999.93; Hughes Law, attorney fees, $4,500.00; Kregel Towing, services, $125.00; Marco, copier/plotter/IT, $3,084.36; Mastercard, supplies/postage/fuel/training, $3,391.33; Mike Yuronich Construction, Washington Park repairs, $8,137.54; Minuteman, services, $81.99; Municipal Emergency Services, supplies, $966.10; Newcastle Ace Hardware, supplies, $1,963.63; NVFD, fuel/training/supplies, $690.72; Newman, traffic signs, $781.76; News Letter Journal, legals, $1,606.50; Norris Graves, deposit refund, $90.80; Northwest Pipe, supplies, $846.75; One Call of Wy., services, $135.45; Powder River Energy, services, $1,061.82; Range, phone/internet, $1,298.70; Sagebrush Marketing, website, $150.00; Salt Creek Vet., services, $533.10; Salt Creek Water District, sewer services, $280.50; Servall, services, $44.84; Short Stop, fuel, $739.71; Bryand Streeter, airport wages, $1,333.33; Sundance Extinguisher, services, $533.00; Lucky Teigen-Grummons, cleaning/lawn care, $1,100.00; TruGreen, lawn services, $139.00; Verizon, cell phones/router, $999.09; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; WC Road & Bridge, fuel, $161.29; WC Treasurer, airport expenses/taxes handling fee, $983.73; WC Solid Waste Dist., tipping fees, $12,196.10; Wilder Graphic Designs, business cards, $128.36; WWC Engineering, services, $23,250.00; WY Machinery, parts, $3,507.02
ATTEST:
Mayor Tyrel Owens
Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty
(Publish October 16, 2025)