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.