OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

City Council Meeting Summary - November 4, 2025 (Casper, WY)

City Council — Wednesday, November 5, 2025
BodyCasper, Wyoming
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, November 5, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:23:43

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Before we begin, I'd like to remind everyone to please silence your cell phones.

0:03

Um, and just a reminder that council meetings are live streamed on the city's YouTube channel.

0:08

I now call the November 4th, 2025 regular council meeting to order.

0:12

The chair to entertain a motion to by uh consent minute action, excuse the absence of counselor bond.

0:19

Move by the vice mayor, seconded by counselor Pollock.

0:23

Please cast your vote.

0:30

Please record the vote.

0:33

Without counselors voting aye, the motion passes.

0:36

Thank you.

0:37

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:43

I pleads to the United States of America.

0:52

Under God, inevisable with liberty and justice.

1:04

Please read the consent minute approval titles.

1:12

Approving the minutes of October 7th, 2025 council meeting in the October 7th, 2025 executive session.

1:19

Thank you.

1:19

The Chair do entertain a motion to approve the consent minute action agenda items just read.

1:23

So moved.

1:26

Move by Councillor Pollock, seconded by Councillor Haskins.

1:29

Any abstentions?

1:30

Please cast your vote.

1:35

Please record the vote.

1:37

With all counselors voting aye, the motion passes.

1:40

Chair Gentine, a motion to approve by minute action, the November 4th, 2025 general bills and claims is audited by interim city manager Lopez.

1:52

Moved by the Vice Mayor, seconded by Councillor Pollock.

1:54

Any abstentions?

1:56

Please cast your vote.

2:03

Please record the vote.

2:05

Without motion passes.

2:21

Move by the Vice Mayor, seconded by Councillor Sweeney.

2:24

Any abstentions?

2:27

Any other assumptions?

2:28

Okay, please cast your vote.

2:33

Please record the vote.

2:35

What's Catherine Councillor Gamaroth, the Sanian, and all other counselors voting aye, the motion passes.

2:40

Thank you.

2:42

At this time, come up Ray Wolf, Kelly Ivanhoff, Caleb Lynn, Eric Distat, and Dean Welch to please come to the ambo.

3:04

These gentlemen are from Veterans, our Veterans Park Advisory Board, and we want to welcome them as I read a proclamation in a minute and invite them to be one to be recognized.

3:14

But I don't know if you have any comments you guys would like to make.

3:18

No.

3:18

You're good?

3:19

Okay.

3:19

I'm gonna have you guys come up top here.

3:21

Oh side, yeah, either side.

3:42

So this proclamation is for Veterans Day, and we are honored from the city of Casper to be able to share this proclamation.

3:49

Whereas in 1919, November 11th was proclaimed as Armatists Day in honor to honor our country's World War One veterans on the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Armatists, which brought an end to the war to that war.

4:03

And whereas President Dwight D.

4:05

Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954, which proclaimed every November 11th as a day of honor of all to honor all veterans forces, and whereas we in Casper and across Wyoming take special pride in our veterans, our neighbors, family members, co-workers, and friends who have worn the uniform with courage and conviction, protecting the freedoms and values we hold dear.

4:32

And whereas the spirit of service and sacrifice runs deep in our community, our veterans embody the Wyoming way, resilient, humble, and steadfast in their commitment to duty and country.

4:43

And whereas we recognize that our gratitude must extend beyond words, it must be shown through our own ongoing support for veterans and their families, helping them find opportunity, purpose, and community law and community long after their service has ended.

5:00

And whereas the men and women of our armed forces continue to inspire us through their courage, leadership, and devotion to something greater than our themselves, and a reminder that freedom is never free.

5:11

Now, therefore, I Ray Pacheco, the mayor of the city of Casper, Wyoming, do hereby proclaim the day, this day, November 11th, 2025, in observance of Veterans Day, and I call upon all citizens of Casper to honor and thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice and to reflect on the enduring strength that brings they bring to our city, our state, and our nation, and witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and cause the official seal, the city of Casper, Wyoming, to be affixed this 11th day, November 2025.

6:28

Thank you.

6:29

Now is the time that we invite anyone into the and from the audience who wishes to just speak to the council to come forward.

6:35

This portion of the meeting is dedicated to the public to allow them time to discuss matters of public interest and to voice their concerns.

6:43

We do ask that you please state your name, direct all questions and comments to the mayor.

6:47

No personal obscenities or threats will be tolerated.

6:50

And council will not respond to any personnel matters.

6:52

Those will all be referred to our city manager.

6:55

Counselors may ask clarifying questions, but if they choose to respond to matters, they will do so during the scheduled council response time, following communications from persons present.

7:05

Presentations are limited to five minutes and no duplication of speakers.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement█████████████████████21%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Youth Programs███████████11%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Community Engagement███████7%
Racial Equity██████6%
Public Health██████6%
Miscellaneous█████5%
Veterans Recognition████4%
Summary of Proceedings

City Council Meeting Summary - November 4, 2025

This regular meeting of the Casper City Council addressed the approval of routine consent items, a Veterans Day proclamation, significant public commentary regarding City Council election procedures, legislative lobbying restrictions, and concerns over the future of Casper Youth Baseball (CYB) and park renovations, followed by a public exchange on community dignity and a motion to enter an executive session regarding potential litigation.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of the October 7, 2025 council meeting and executive session.
  • Approved the November 4, 2025 general bills and claims.
  • Adopted resolutions 7A1 through 7A16, authorizing various contracts including a temporary use agreement for the Casper Speedway, the sale of a service weapon to police officers, construction agreements for the North Casper Boat Ramp and Athletic Complex improvements, professional services for river restoration and LED improvements, and multiple amendments to record and towing service agreements.
  • All consent items passed with unanimous votes.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mr. Shriefman: Expressed strong support for city employee benefits and holidays but raised concerns regarding the transparency of the mayor/vice-mayor straw ballot process, questioning why votes are not cast in public. Expressed opposition to the use of taxpayer funds for lobbying the municipal association and county commissioners, suggesting such bills should be tabled. Inquired who is paying for the annual legislators' dinner and suggested a table might be purchased with taxpayer money.
  • Bethany Moore (CYB President): Expressed concern regarding the CYB lease expiring in August 2026, questioning why major facility upgrades are being discussed only now. Stated that parents are concerned about the fairness of the process and the potential for construction to disrupt the upcoming season. Requested transparency regarding ownership of fields and equipment, and a direct meeting with city leadership.
  • Brian Voss (CYB Equipment/Safety Manager): Expressed strong support for the CYB program's impact on children's lives. Urged the council to make decisions "with your heart, not with the money," emphasizing the difficulty of running the organization and the need to prioritize the kids over financial considerations.
  • Joey Moore (CYB Board Member/Business Owner): Expressed suspicion that the city intends to convert the facility to a "pay-to-play" system for travel clubs. Stated that the original 20-year lease was a "backroom deal" and raised concerns about hiding information and a lack of transparency. Expressed concern that the current construction timeline would interfere with the league's final year of the lease and argued that travel clubs should not utilize rec league fields.
  • Ryan Perry: Expressed strong disagreement with the narrative that Casper Pride affiliates are victims of bullying. Stated that the group has bullied others, cited personal experiences of name-calling and the doxxing of his home, and alleged that individuals affiliated with Casper Pride assaulted his sibling. Stated that the group's behavior contradicts their preaching of tolerance.
  • Tom Morton: Expressed appreciation for the council's work and offered a brief personal greeting.

Discussion Items

  • City Council Election Process: Councilor Sweeney questioned the illegality of the city's city-manager form of government regarding private straw ballots. The City Attorney clarified that the current procedure complies with Wyoming state statutes, noting that the straw poll is non-binding, used for internal preparation, and the final election of the mayor/vice mayor occurs publicly in January. Councilor Sweeney and Mayor Pacheco defended the annual legislators' dinner as a productive, low-cost, and necessary forum for community-government relations, refuting claims of impropriety.
  • Casper Youth Baseball (CYB) Lease and Renovation: The City Manager explained that the 20-year lease was established 20 years ago in exchange for significant CYB investment in the facility's construction. The manager clarified that current funding for the renovation is being utilized via a specific Wyoming Outdoor Rec Grant (ARPA dollars) for North Casper, not a pre-existing cash fund. Stated that a new lease structure (likely shorter-term) would be determined after the current one expires and that the city would work with the Parks and Rec Advisory Board to establish a new point of contact.
  • Community Dignity and Conflict: Mayor Pacheco engaged with Mr. Perry and Councilor Gamrath, emphasizing that the city's non-discrimination ordinance and anti-hate crime laws provide a framework for investigating such incidents regardless of the parties involved. The Mayor expressed a commitment to dignity and respect for all individuals despite political differences and highlighted the need to address hate speech and violence across the community spectrum.
  • Legislative Update: Councilor Larson and others confirmed that the bill restricting taxpayer funds for lobbying was tabled during the committee session, noting strong representation against the bill from various organizations.

Key Outcomes

  • Straw Ballot: Clarified by the City Attorney that the private straw ballot is legal, non-binding, and compliant with state law.
  • Legislators' Dinner: Defended by the Mayor and Council as a standard, transparent, and productive practice.
  • CYB Lease: The City will connect with CYB leadership to establish a new point of contact; the Parks and Rec Advisory Board will oversee the review of the future facility utilization after the 2026 lease expiration.
  • Executive Session: The council voted unanimously to adjourn to an executive session to discuss potential litigation. The meeting subsequently reconvened solely to adjourn.
  • Departing Staff: Councilor Gamrath announced the retirement of Support Services Director Tracy Belzer after 23 years.
  • Next Meetings: Work session scheduled for November 12 at 4:30 PM; Regular Council meeting scheduled for November 18 at 6:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Before we begin, I'd like to remind everyone to please silence your cell phones. Um, and just a reminder that council meetings are live streamed on the city's YouTube channel. I now call the November 4th, 2025 regular council meeting to order. The chair to entertain a motion to by uh consent minute action, excuse the absence of counselor bond. Move by the vice mayor, seconded by counselor Pollock. Please cast your vote. Please record the vote. Without counselors voting aye, the motion passes. Thank you. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pleads to the United States of America. Under God, inevisable with liberty and justice. Please read the consent minute approval titles. Approving the minutes of October 7th, 2025 council meeting in the October 7th, 2025 executive session. Thank you. The Chair do entertain a motion to approve the consent minute action agenda items just read. So moved. Move by Councillor Pollock, seconded by Councillor Haskins. Any abstentions? Please cast your vote. Please record the vote. With all counselors voting aye, the motion passes. Chair Gentine, a motion to approve by minute action, the November 4th, 2025 general bills and claims is audited by interim city manager Lopez. Moved by the Vice Mayor, seconded by Councillor Pollock. Any abstentions? Please cast your vote. Please record the vote. Without motion passes. Move by the Vice Mayor, seconded by Councillor Sweeney. Any abstentions? Any other assumptions? Okay, please cast your vote. Please record the vote. What's Catherine Councillor Gamaroth, the Sanian, and all other counselors voting aye, the motion passes. Thank you. At this time, come up Ray Wolf, Kelly Ivanhoff, Caleb Lynn, Eric Distat, and Dean Welch to please come to the ambo. These gentlemen are from Veterans, our Veterans Park Advisory Board, and we want to welcome them as I read a proclamation in a minute and invite them to be one to be recognized. But I don't know if you have any comments you guys would like to make. No. You're good? Okay. I'm gonna have you guys come up top here. Oh side, yeah, either side. So this proclamation is for Veterans Day, and we are honored from the city of Casper to be able to share this proclamation. Whereas in 1919, November 11th was proclaimed as Armatists Day in honor to honor our country's World War One veterans on the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Armatists, which brought an end to the war to that war. And whereas President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954, which proclaimed every November 11th as a day of honor of all to honor all veterans forces, and whereas we in Casper and across Wyoming take special pride in our veterans, our neighbors, family members, co-workers, and friends who have worn the uniform with courage and conviction, protecting the freedoms and values we hold dear. And whereas the spirit of service and sacrifice runs deep in our community, our veterans embody the Wyoming way, resilient, humble, and steadfast in their commitment to duty and country. And whereas we recognize that our gratitude must extend beyond words, it must be shown through our own ongoing support for veterans and their families, helping them find opportunity, purpose, and community law and community long after their service has ended. And whereas the men and women of our armed forces continue to inspire us through their courage, leadership, and devotion to something greater than our themselves, and a reminder that freedom is never free.

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