Casper City Council Regular Meeting – September 17, 2025

The Casper City Council met on the evening of September 17, 2025, for a regular meeting that included public comments on the six-cent optional sales tax and the Steckenhoff Shooters Complex, a public hearing and approval of a zone change at 777 Antler Street, a public hearing and approval of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for the Wyoming Housing Network, and approval of a professional services contract for the wastewater treatment plant master plan and headworks improvements. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss land matters.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The council approved the minutes of the August 19, 2025, and August 26, 2025, executive sessions and the August 26 regular meeting. (Motion carried unanimously).
• Public Hearing Dates: The council established October 7, 2025, as the public hearing date for FY2026 budget amendment 7A1A and a microbrewery license for Oil City Beer Company (7A1B). Councilor Pollock abstained on the license item; all others voted aye. (Motion passed).
• Consent Resolutions (9A1–9A16): Approved unanimously, including transportation service contracts with Mills, Evansville, Bar Nunn, and Natrona County; new bus fares; the long-range transportation plan (Navigating 2055); depository designations; a federal mineral royalty grant application for water main replacement; contracts for outside city sewer and water services; participation in the National Opioids Secondary Manufacturer Settlement; a Motorola router project contract; Pope Construction for door repair; NORCON for gym curtain dividers; change order for East 21st Street improvements; and amendment with Stantec Consulting.
• Consent Minute Actions (10A1–10A8): Approved unanimously, including acknowledging a change of ownership for a bar/grill license, accepting a high bid for a Mesa del Sol lot, and authorizing purchases of vehicles and equipment for various city departments (parks, sanitation, weed/pest, Ford Wyoming Center).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Steenslin (citizen): Asked for an update on the six-cent optional sales tax collections, including how much has been collected monthly, how the funds are allocated among approved projects, and which project gets priority.
• Robert Taylor (Mills resident): Expressed concerns about the Steckenhoff Shooters Complex, stating that leaseholders (Casper Shooters Club and Ghost Town Shooters) generated $116,000 in revenue over three years from private shooting competitions on public land. He argued this constitutes private benefit from a public asset, with limited public access (pistol range closed to the public, public only allowed four days per week), lack of financial transparency, and no revenue sharing. He urged the council to conduct a lease audit, require revenue/expenditure reporting, establish a public advisory board, and re-evaluate lease terms.
• Ross Shriftman (citizen): Praised the North Platte River Restoration Project presentation from the prior work session and expressed commitment to stewardship. He also commented on bullying prevention, cautioning that the definition of “staring” in related materials could be misinterpreted.
• Kevin Eberly (member of Casper Shooters Club and Ghost Town Shooters): Defended the range operations, explaining that the pistol range area was developed by Ghost Town Shooters and Cowboy Action Shooters with private funds, that anyone can become a member of Ghost Town Shooters for $75/year, and that the Governor’s Cup tournament brings national shooters and revenue to the community. He noted that the $116,000 figure likely represents gross revenue, with net profit estimated at $10,000–$15,000, which is split between the two clubs and reinvested. He also stated that starting next year, the pistol range will be accessible to any Casper Shooters Club member via an electronic key card, and public open days are being planned.

Discussion Items

• Zone Change for 777 Antler Street: The applicant requested a change from C-4 (Commercial) to M-2 (General Industrial) after a conditional use permit for residential use was denied. The property already has an office/warehouse building; a residential addition is planned. The planning and zoning commission recommended approval. Council held a public hearing; one speaker (Kevin Eberly) spoke in favor. No opposition. The ordinance was approved on first reading (unanimous).
• CDBG Grant Application for Wyoming Housing Network: Liz Becker (Community Development Director) introduced the application for a Community Development Block Grant to fund repairs to the Juniper Ridge apartment complex (three buildings) suffering from EIFS (stucco) system-wide failure. Melissa Noah (Executive Director, Wyoming Housing Network) presented: the request is for $1.0–$1.2 million to repair the siding (replacement with higher-quality material and better winterization), plus remediation; the property is affordable housing for low-income families. The city must act as the subrecipient sponsor. The council approved the application by minute action (unanimous).
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Master Plan and Headworks Contract: The council approved a resolution authorizing a professional services agreement with HDR Engineering for two components: (1) a facilities master plan/analysis for the plant ($398,605) and (2) design, bidding, and construction administration services for a complete rehabilitation of the headworks facility ($481,025), totaling $879,630. The headworks project (estimated $15 million) includes replacing three screw pumps, HVAC, electrical, slide gates, and SCADA improvements. The contract was approved (unanimous).
• Council and Staff Reports:
  • Mayor and city staff responded to public comments: The city manager noted that of the $18.3 million projected six-cent revenues, approximately $5 million has been collected; projects advance as phases require funds, with no single priority. On the Steckenhoff range, the city manager clarified that the Governor’s Cup net proceeds (approx. $18,000 last year) are split 50% to range improvements and 50% to a match fund. The pistol range access issue is being resolved: members can now purchase additional access, and public open days are planned for next season.
  • Councilors provided updates on various boards, committees, and community events: Airport development (new customs agent, firefighting role), ice expansion project, North Casper Athletic Complex, pump track opening, Platte River Commons master plan, Washington Park pickleball courts, senior center outreach, fair and rodeo attendance (+4%), Hogadon ski area events, downtown development (trick-or-treat, chocolate walk, Small Business Saturday), Metro Animal Shelter RFP, youth mental health collective, and OID form-based code amendments.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes and Consent Items approved (one abstention on microbrewery license).
• Zone Change (777 Antler Street) approved on first reading (unanimous).
• CDBG Grant Application approved to be submitted to Wyoming Community Development Authority for Wyoming Housing Network (unanimous).
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Professional Services Contract approved ($879,630) for master plan and headworks design (unanimous).
• All Consent Resolutions and Minute Actions approved (unanimous).
• Motion to Enter Executive Session approved by more than two-thirds majority (unanimous), to discuss land matters, with the intent to reconvene the regular meeting solely for adjournment.
• Next Meetings: Work session and special meeting – September 23, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.; next regular meeting – October 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.