Casper City Council Regular Meeting - February 17, 2026
Casper City Council Regular Meeting - February 17, 2026\n\nThe Casper City Council held its regular meeting on February 17, 2026. The meeting included approval of consent items, public comments on funding for Fire Station #1 and a proposed security camera registry, a presentation from a congressional candidate, and council reports on water projects, tourism, and state legislative matters.\n\n### Consent Calendar\n- Approved minutes of the February 3, 2026 regular council meeting (unanimous).\n- Approved minutes of the February 3, 2026 executive session (Councillor Haskins voted no, otherwise unanimous).\n- Approved February 17, 2026 bills and claims as audited (unanimous).\n\n### Public Comments & Testimony\n- Mr. Shriffman questioned the city's plan to fund the remaining $16.6 million for the $21 million Fire Station #1 project, noting that only $4.4 million (4.4%) was allocated from the November 2024 sales tax increase. He requested a public answer.\n- Reverend Wesley D. Daniel proposed a voluntary security camera registration program for private cameras, allowing police to contact owners for footage. He stated it would require no additional city spending and could reduce crime. He mentioned speaking with Officer Romero.\n- Reed Raisner, a businessman and congressional candidate, outlined his platform including partnering with the city for federal funding, renaming the Dick Cheney Federal Building to the Donald J. Trump Federal Building, and exploring renaming Natrona County International Airport to Donald J. Trump International Airport. He left immediately after speaking.\n\n### Discussion Items\n- Fire Station #1 Funding: Vice Mayor responded to Mr. Shriffman, stating that capital budget discussions are upcoming in several weeks and that the design and land allocation were on the ballot. He noted potential options include using reserve one-cent funding.\n- Security Camera Program: Vice Mayor expressed interest and suggested tasking the police chief with exploring the concept at a future work session.\n- Valley Hills Subdivision (Ordinance): Public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers. Council approved the ordinance on first reading unanimously.\n- Liquor License Renewals: Public hearing opened and closed. Councillor Bond noted that many applicants failed to appear personally. The motion passed with Councillors Pollock and McIntosh abstaining; all others voted aye.\n- Council Reports: \n - Councillors reported on tourism board updates (ribbon cutting for Hell's Half Acre, partner portal, events), EDJPB meeting, regional water board (UV disinfection project, water rights exchange), WHAM conference (state budget direct distribution, legislation), youth mental health survey (47% feel not enough to do, 91% have trusted adult, 76% safe place to go), Parks and Rec committee updates (grants, lease agreements, spuds baseball).\n - Vice Mayor and Mayor criticized Reed Raisner's use of public comment as partisan self-promotion, stating it undermines the purpose of the forum.\n\n### Key Outcomes\n- Approved: Consent calendar (minutes, bills), Valley Hills ordinance first reading, liquor license renewals (with two abstentions), consent resolutions (11 items), consent minute actions (3 items).\n- Referred: Vice Mayor's suggestion to task police chief with exploring the security camera registration program for a future work session.\n- Next Steps: Fire Station #1 funding to be discussed during upcoming capital budget sessions. Council encouraged staying tuned.\n- Motion to Adjourn into Executive Session: Passed unanimously to discuss personnel matters.
Meeting Transcript
And I'd like to remind everyone to please silence your cell phones. Council meetings are live streamed on the city's YouTube channel. I now will call the February 17th, 2026 regular council meeting to uh order. All council uh counselors are present. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. One nation under uh justice for all duly noted. Please read the consent meeting uh meeting approval. Excuse me. Jeez, please read the consent minute approval titles. Approving the minutes of February 3rd, 2026 regular council meeting. Thank you. The chair didn't attend a motion to approve the consent minute action agenda items just read. Second. Move by councillor bond, seconded by counselor Pollock. Any abstentions? Please cast your vote. Maybe Councillor Jensen. Oh, there we go. Please record the vote. With all counselors voting aye, the motion passes. Please read the consent minute approval title. Approving the minutes of February 3rd, 2026 executive session meeting minutes. Thank you. The chair would entertain a motion to approve the consent minute action agenda items just read. Moved by Councillor Macintosh, seconded by Counselor Bond. Any abstentions? Please cast your vote. It's moving slow today. All those in favor say aye. Please record the vote. Oh, there we go. Councillor Hackins Haskins, you voted no. Okay. With all counselors voting aye, the motion passes. Thank you. The chairman a motion to approve by minute action the February 17th, 2026 bills and claims as audited by City Manager Jordan. So moved. Move by Councillor Pollock, seconded by Councillor McIntosh. Any abstentions? Please cast your vote. I think I'll just do it verbal for right now. All vote in aye, say aye. With all counselors voting aye, the motion passes. Is everybody okay if we do it verbal? We're waiting for that to drag. Okay. Sounds good. Now is the time that we invite anyone in the audience who wishes to speak with the council to come forward. This portion of the meeting is dedicated to allow time to discuss matters of public interest and voice their concerns.
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