OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Casper City Council Regular Meeting – March 3, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, March 4, 2026
BodyCasper, Wyoming
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, March 4, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 43:51

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Good evening.

0:01

I would like to remind everyone to please silence your cell phones and council meetings or live stream on the city's YouTube channel.

0:08

I now call the March 3rd, 2026 regular council meeting to order.

0:12

Please note that excuse me, Chair entertain a motion by consent uh minute action to excuse the absence of Jenna um Jansen.

0:24

Move by Councillor Bond, seconded by Councillor Pollock.

0:28

Please cast your vote.

0:35

Please record the vote.

0:37

With all counselors voting aye, the motion passes.

0:39

Thank you.

0:40

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:51

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:11

Please read the consent minute approval titles.

1:14

Approving the minutes of the February 17th, 2026 regular council meeting and the February 17th, 2026 executive session.

1:21

Thank you.

1:22

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

1:28

Move by Councillor Bonds and Macintosh.

1:30

Any abstentions.

1:32

Please cast your vote.

1:37

Please record the vote.

1:38

With all counselors voting aye, the motion passes.

1:55

Move by Councillor Hack and Haskins, seconded by Councillor McIntosh.

2:00

Any abstentions?

2:01

Please cast your vote.

2:07

Please record the vote.

2:08

With all counselors voting aye, the motion passes.

2:13

Now is the time that we invite anyone up in anyone in the audience who wishes to come and speak to the council.

2:20

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

2:34

Council will not respond to any personnel matters.

2:36

Those will be referred to our city manager.

2:50

Presentations are limited to five minutes and no time extensions will be permitted.

2:54

And please note that public hearings and ordinances each have their own separate comment periods.

3:00

Good evening.

3:01

Good evening, Mayor, Council.

3:09

About two years ago, I raised concerns about the minimum revenue guarantee for the Sky West Delta Connection.

3:19

Part of that is just a philosophy that government shouldn't be funding private businesses.

3:28

And I think it might even be a situation.

3:31

Watching the legislative session, sometimes it comes up that uh they're not there's a constitutional requirement that they don't fund one company with taxpayer money.

3:45

Um at the time, um, I believe council approved 400,000 going to maintain that that connection to Salt Lake City.

3:57

Um, but then the program ended, and I believe the 400,000 uh did not go to the program.

4:04

Uh recently I I saw a press release, which is very uplifting from uh the airport staff, and it says that uh this past year, 2025, uh they exceeded um tenure 10 years back 103, 763 total emplayments.

4:31

I never heard that term, but that's the number of passengers.

4:35

So that's really good.

4:36

I have flown out.

4:37

Uh the staff there is just wonderful, and congratulations to them.

4:42

Um and I I there was concern at the time that uh without that extra connection, we would be uh losing some economic value.

4:52

I don't know if that's true or not, but obviously uh they're really happy.

5:02

So that's a good thing.

5:04

The other thing is a suggestion, and I have uh with we're coming up on where the funding from the citizens uh for the four projects that they approved to use uh increase in their sales tax uh is coming up.

5:22

And I would suggest maybe a work session to update uh council the staff of uh where we stand on the four projects as far as the funding, um the contracts that are let the schedules that are coming up.

5:38

So I I hope that uh that we can get some more information on where we stand on all those projects.

5:43

And I have some good news.

5:46

Um I just well, it's not good news for me.

5:48

I just spent in the last two weeks $1,500 on car repairs.

5:53

So there's 90 bucks coming to the state and the local government.

5:56

So thank you very much.

5:58

Any questions?

5:59

Any questions for Mr.

6:00

Shriffman?

6:02

Yes.

6:04

Thank you, Mayor Mayor, and thank you, Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Public Engagement████████████████16%
Arts And Culture███████████████15%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████13%
Economic Development██████████10%
Homelessness███████7%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Public Safety█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Casper City Council Regular Meeting – March 3, 2026

The Casper City Council held its regular meeting on March 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting included public comments, the establishment of a public hearing date for a vaping and THC product ordinance, a public hearing on domesticated fowl, approval of several resolutions, and council member reports on community and legislative matters.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes Approved: The council approved the minutes of the February 17, 2026 regular council meeting and the February 17, 2026 executive session (motion by Councillor Bond, seconded by Councillor Pollock; unanimous).
  • Absence Excused: The council excused the absence of Jenna Jansen (motion by Councillor Bond, seconded by Councillor Pollock; unanimous).
  • Consent Resolutions: The council adopted seven consent resolutions (items 9B1–9B7) covering amendments to the I‑25 Marginal Project cooperative agreement, water rate schedules, an access easement with the Murator trust, a memorandum of understanding with the National Recreation and Parks Association, an amendment to the Shining the Light on Safety grant, a contract for Washington Park Phase 3, and strategic priority goals for July 2026–June 2027 (infrastructure, fiscal stability, communications/public education). Unanimous vote.
  • Consent Minute Actions: The council authorized the purchase of one new mid-sized vehicle and one new half‑ton 4×4 pickup for the Casper Police Department (motion by Councillor Haskins, seconded by Councillor McIntosh; unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mark Shrifman: Raised philosophical concerns about the city funding private businesses via the SkyWest Delta Connection minimum revenue guarantee. Noted the 2025 airport passenger count was 103,763 (a 10‑year high). Suggested a work session to update the council on the four sales‑tax‑funded projects (funding, contracts, schedules). Also noted that the six‑cent sales‑tax revenue collection ends June 30, 2026, with an estimated $18 million raised.
  • Brett Hobza (Board member, Art 321; DCBA representative; organizer of Crazy Days Car Show): Expressed concern that the city does not assist with the Crazy Days event (to be held July 18, 2026) while benefiting from its sales‑tax revenue. Cited four examples: (1) DCBA places street‑closure signs; (2) DCBA must rent bike barriers and members (including an unlicensed driver) place them; (3) DCBA hires security instead of having assigned police; (4) DCBA must hire DK Hauling for trash because the city will not provide trash cans. Requested the city block off streets the night before, provide barriers, assign police, and allow use of city trash cans. Asked the council to consider more support during budget discussions.
  • Dave Driggers (3,005 Palmer Drive): Spoke for the third time about storm‑water management in his neighborhood. Noted that the southern portion of detention pond PEE 27 (identified in the 2013 Stormwater Management Master Plan) has been partially filled, reducing its assumed 24‑acre‑foot storage capacity. Recommended additional detention upstream, possibly using a 48‑inch drain pipe at the south end of Nicholas Drive, which could be developed at minimal cost. Emphasized safety and flood‑prevention concerns.
  • Dennis Steevens: Asked whether storm‑water mitigation for the neighborhood is the city’s responsibility and should be funded by taxpayers, noting that the developer withdrew the zoning change application on February 3, 2026, and that some neighbors had agreed to fund part of the project.

Discussion Items

  • Public Hearing Date for Vaping/THC Ordinance: The council set March 17, 2026 as the public hearing date for an ordinance amending Chapters 8.16 (smoking in public places) and 9.40 (offenses by/against minors) to prohibit vaping in indoor public places and restrict sale/distribution of hemp‑derived and THC products to persons under 21. Unanimous.
  • Domesticated Fowl Ordinance (First and Second Reading): The council held a public hearing on an ordinance amending Section 6.04 to allow keeping domesticated fowl within city limits. No public testimony for or against. The council approved the ordinance on both first and second reading unanimously.
  • Resolution – I‑25 Marginal Phase 2 Utilities: The council approved a resolution authorizing amendment 1 to the cooperative agreement with WYDOT for the I‑25 Casper Marginal Project Phase 2 utilities. Unanimous.
  • Resolution – Wastewater Treatment Screw Pump Procurement: The council approved a resolution authorizing a procurement agreement with Xylem Ivoqua Water Technologies LLC for the Sammy Hobbes Wastewater Treatment Plant screw pump replacement. Unanimous.

Key Outcomes

  • Vaping/THC Ordinance: Public hearing scheduled for March 17, 2026.
  • Domesticated Fowl Ordinance: Approved on first and second reading; effective upon publication.
  • I‑25 Marginal Project: Amendment to cooperative agreement with WYDOT approved.
  • Wastewater Screw Pump: Procurement contract with Xylem Ivoqua approved.
  • Work Session: Councilor Pollock noted a new city website page tracking sales‑tax project progress and supported a work session to update the council on the four projects.

Council Member Reports & Upcoming Meetings

  • Councilor Haskins: No items.
  • Councilor Bond: Attended the Governor’s Arts Awards and Capital Art Exhibition; noted strong Casper representation.
  • Councilor Schemey: Attended the Service and Sacrifice fundraiser in Mills (estimated 400 attendees); monitored legislative session; attended the Natrona County Senior Citizen Service District meeting.
  • Councilor Pollock: No updates.
  • Vice Mayor Gamroth: Homelessness Coalition meeting: parking garage manager reported homeless individuals using elevator/stairwell; Community Action Partnership’s point‑in‑time count found 233 homeless individuals (41 unsheltered, 23 in vehicles, 6 unaccompanied youth); 67% men, 33% women; disproportionate representation of Native Americans. Economic Development Joint Powers Board elected new officers: Mark Pepper (Chair), Gamroth (Secretary), Mike McIntosh (Treasurer). Upcoming events: Advanced Casper quarterly cocktails (March 12, 5–7 p.m.) and quarterly breakfast (April 23, 7 a.m.).
  • Mayor Pacheco: Attended Public Safety Communications Center Oversight Committee meeting (center fully staffed, strong performance). Spoke at Concrete Association of Wyoming annual conference. Will speak at Rising Together rally at Nicolaysen Art Museum on March 7, 2026 (supporting abuse survivors).
  • Next Meetings: Work session – March 10, 2026, 4:30 p.m.; Regular council meeting – March 17, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
  • Executive Session: The council voted unanimously to enter executive session to discuss personnel, land, and attorney‑client privileged matters; the regular meeting would then adjourn.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I would like to remind everyone to please silence your cell phones and council meetings or live stream on the city's YouTube channel. I now call the March 3rd, 2026 regular council meeting to order. Please note that excuse me, Chair entertain a motion by consent uh minute action to excuse the absence of Jenna um Jansen. Move by Councillor Bond, seconded by Councillor Pollock. Please cast your vote. Please record the vote. With all counselors voting aye, the motion passes. Thank you. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands. Please read the consent minute approval titles. Approving the minutes of the February 17th, 2026 regular council meeting and the February 17th, 2026 executive session. Thank you. The chair to entertain a motion to approve the consent minute action agenda items just read. Move by Councillor Bonds and Macintosh. Any abstentions. Please cast your vote. Please record the vote. With all counselors voting aye, the motion passes. Move by Councillor Hack and Haskins, seconded by Councillor McIntosh. Any abstentions? Please cast your vote. Please record the vote. With all counselors voting aye, the motion passes. Now is the time that we invite anyone up in anyone in the audience who wishes to come and speak to the council. This portion of the meeting is dedicated to the public to allow them time to discuss matters of public interest and to voice any concerns. Council will not respond to any personnel matters. Those will be referred to our city manager. Presentations are limited to five minutes and no time extensions will be permitted. And please note that public hearings and ordinances each have their own separate comment periods. Good evening. Good evening, Mayor, Council. About two years ago, I raised concerns about the minimum revenue guarantee for the Sky West Delta Connection. Part of that is just a philosophy that government shouldn't be funding private businesses. And I think it might even be a situation. Watching the legislative session, sometimes it comes up that uh they're not there's a constitutional requirement that they don't fund one company with taxpayer money. Um at the time, um, I believe council approved 400,000 going to maintain that that connection to Salt Lake City. Um, but then the program ended, and I believe the 400,000 uh did not go to the program. Uh recently I I saw a press release, which is very uplifting from uh the airport staff, and it says that uh this past year, 2025, uh they exceeded um tenure 10 years back 103, 763 total emplayments. I never heard that term, but that's the number of passengers. So that's really good. I have flown out. Uh the staff there is just wonderful, and congratulations to them. Um and I I there was concern at the time that uh without that extra connection, we would be uh losing some economic value. I don't know if that's true or not, but obviously uh they're really happy. So that's a good thing. The other thing is a suggestion, and I have uh with we're coming up on where the funding from the citizens uh for the four projects that they approved to use uh increase in their sales tax uh is coming up. And I would suggest maybe a work session to update uh council the staff of uh where we stand on the four projects as far as the funding, um the contracts that are let the schedules that are coming up. So I I hope that uh that we can get some more information on where we stand on all those projects.

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