Casper City Council Regular Meeting - August 5, 2025

The Casper City Council held its regular meeting on August 5, 2025, addressing a range of topics including public comments on the Stuckenhoff Shooters Complex and Hogadon Ski Area operating losses, approval of zone changes, a municipal code amendment on weapons, consent agenda items, and a heartfelt farewell to outgoing City Manager Carter Napier.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approved: Minutes of the July 15, 2025 regular meeting, July 15, 2025 executive session, July 18, 2025 special council meeting and executive session, July 22, 2025 special meeting, and July 22, 2025 executive session were approved unanimously.
• Bills Approved: The August 5, 2025 bills and claims, as audited by City Manager Napier, were approved unanimously.
• Consent Resolutions: Adopted included authorizations for new employment agreements for Municipal Court Judges Robert J. Han Jr. and Lisa Gillespie, City Attorney Eric K. Nelson, and Interim City Manager Zulima T. Lopez; support for the City of Casper land sale to the Bureau of Land Management (Councillor Jensen abstained); participation in the Equitable Sharing Program; FY2026 contract with the State of Wyoming Division of Victim Services; participation in the national opioid settlement with Purdue; purchase of two fire engines; contract with Dewbury Engineers for GIS quality control; acceptance of waterline easements from Luther Classical College; change order for Marion Cryner Skate Park; agreements for Westridge Improvements Phase 2 and Wastewater Treatment Plant HVAC; and revised historic preservation program rules.
• Consent Minute Actions: Approval of the release of the opioid settlement committee RFP and purchase of a wide area mower.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robert Taylor (Mills, WY) expressed concerns about the Stuckenhoff Shooters Complex. He stated the action pistol range has been locked to the public since 2023 despite the warranty deed requiring public use, and that Casper Shooters Club (lease operator) limits access by keeping the range locked except for a private group (Ghost Town Shooters). He argued the club's operations discriminate against the public and requested city oversight to ensure compliance.
• Mr. Sherman (Casper citizen) criticized Hogadon Ski Area, citing nearly $400,000 in annual operating losses. He questioned the proposed $4 million ski lift expenditure, suggested alternatives like snowmobile shuttles, and urged the council to consider selling or closing the facility if it cannot become profitable. He emphasized the city's fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers.
• Steve Cathy (former mayor) thanked outgoing City Manager Carter Napier for his service, noting his positive impact during Cathy's time on council.

Discussion Items

• City Manager's Response to Shooting Range Comments: City Manager Napier stated the pistol and long-distance ranges are available to the public through pre-arrangement and payment of a special fee (not the standard $15 day fee). He noted that the operating entity (Casper Shooters Club) has agreements with user groups like Ghost Town Shooters and Casper College, and that locking the ranges prevents unauthorized use. Councilmembers Sweeney and Jensen reviewed the club’s website, which lists a $50 per bay rental fee plus $15 per non-member, requiring 30 days’ advance notice. The city manager acknowledged discussions with both the speaker and the club, asserting the arrangement complies with the operating agreement.
• Ordinance Second Reading: A zone change for lot 1 and strip adjacent block 40 of Capitol Hill Edition was approved on second reading (unanimous).
• Ordinance Third Reading: A vacation final plat, subdivision agreement, and zone change for Valley West Park Edition was approved and adopted (unanimous). Councillor Sweeney expressed interest in future opportunities to learn more about the project at planning and zoning meetings.
• Ordinance Third Reading: An ordinance amending Section 9.44.020 (weapons) of the Casper Municipal Code was approved and adopted (6-1, Councillor Sweeney voting nay).

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All consent items, zone changes, and the weapons code amendment passed with majority support; Councillor Sweeney dissented on the weapons amendment; Councillor Jensen abstained from the BLM land sale resolution.
• Executive Session: The council voted unanimously (greater than two-thirds majority) to adjourn to executive session to discuss matters related to land, personnel, and attorney-client privilege, with plans to reconvene solely for adjournment.

Council Comments & Tributes

• Councillor Sweeney reported on the Minerals and Economic Development meeting (July 30), including educational information on nuclear storage. He noted that the new senior district received an updated collection estimate of $1.424 million, up from $1.085 million, with first collections expected in December. He defended city subsidies for quality-of-life amenities like Hogadon, the Rec Center, ice arena, and pools, stating he would not support closure. He then delivered a lengthy tribute to City Manager Carter Napier, thanking him for his service across Wyoming and his guidance to council.
• Councillor Gaumerall noted that Google still lists the Casper Business Center as City Hall and requested an SEO update. He also gave a tribute to Carter Napier, praising his leadership, financial stewardship, and professionalism, and wishing him well in his new role as city manager of Spring Hill, Tennessee.
• Councillor Jensen echoed tributes, expressing personal sadness at Napier’s departure.
• Councillor Bond thanked Mr. Sherman for his comments but disagreed with the premise of eliminating subsidies. He provided additional context on the sculpture garden dedication at the Nicolaysen Art Museum and thanked Carter for his mentorship.
• Councillor Larson thanked Carter for guidance during his tenure as a green elected official.
• Mayor Pachico gave the closing tribute, highlighting Carter’s eight years as city manager, 30-year career in Wyoming, and deep impact on the city and on himself personally. He quoted a line about the sun shining again and announced next meetings (work session August 12, regular meeting August 19).