Casper City Council Regular Meeting – June 16, 2026

The Casper City Council met on June 16, 2026, to address a consent calendar, public comments, a public hearing on the FY2027 budget, second readings of ordinances on a temporary moratorium on simulcasting establishments and mobile vendor parking, a third reading on domesticated fowl, a resolution for HVAC replacement, and consent resolutions. Council also heard reports and adjourned to executive session.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the May 26, 2026 special council meeting, executive session, and June 2, 2026 regular meeting (unanimous).
• Approved June 16, 2026 general bills and claims as audited by City Manager Jordan (unanimous).
• Approved June 16, 2026 conflict claims as audited by City Manager Jordan (Vice Mayor Gamroth abstained, all others aye).
• Established July 7, 2026 as the public hearing date for an ordinance on a vacation final plat and zone change for Shepherd of the Hills subdivision (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Craig (member of the public) spoke about water contamination from coal extraction, the need to check freight containers with Geiger counters and scintillation counters to prevent hazardous materials from entering inland waterways, and his efforts to alert authorities. He expressed concern about declining river levels and the Ogallala Aquifer.

Public Hearing: FY2027 Municipal Budget

• No one spoke in favor or opposition. The public hearing was closed. The resolution adopting the budget was passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

• Temporary Moratorium on Simulcasting Establishments (Second Reading)

  • City Manager Jordan reported on the working group’s progress: legal authority exists for regulation; the American Planning Association treats gaming as a local character issue; no clear trends from mapping of gaming sites and calls for service; 65% of surveyed Downtown Development Authority (DDA) property owners support a moratorium; the Old Yellowstone District (OID) advisory committee strongly opposes gaming in the district; gaming revenue has leveled off.
  • Afifi (representing Bally’s, law firm Brownstein Hyatt) opposed the moratorium, arguing that the state’s new law (Senate File 45) provides adequate local control tools, that market saturation arguments are not a proper government tool, and that the existing zoning already contemplates gaming. She recommended that if a moratorium is adopted, it be limited to the Old Yellowstone District. She also noted that the number of new terminals has been nominal (11 machines increase in 14 months).
  • Melissa Hugot (Executive Director, Casper DDA) supported the moratorium, citing concerns about parking strain, the need to protect downtown investments, and the importance of intentional planning. She stated that the DDA survey showed 25% response rate and that the DDA’s boundaries do not include the Old Yellowstone District but they consider the broader community.
  • Council discussion: Vice Mayor Gamroth supported the moratorium as a tool to develop a framework, noting that the industry growth has left communities flat-footed and that similar regulation is needed for liquor licenses. Councilor Sweeney expressed concerns about grandfathering existing businesses, the impact on free market, and potential precedent for other moratoriums. Mayor affirmed support for the moratorium as a temporary measure for thoughtful planning, not a vote against businesses.

• Mobile Vendor Parking (Second Reading) – Ordinance amending Section 10.36.031. No public comment. Passed unanimously.

• Domesticated Fowl (Third Reading) – Ordinance amending several sections to allow keeping domesticated fowl within city limits. City Manager noted that further changes are needed beyond the scope of this ordinance. No public comment. Passed unanimously.

• HVAC Replacement at Recreation Center – Resolution authorizing agreement with Casper Tinshop LLC. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• FY2027 Budget Adopted – Resolution making appropriations for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 passed unanimously.
• Temporary Moratorium on Simulcasting Establishments – Approved on second reading (5 ayes, 1 nay – Councilor Sweeney voted nay). The moratorium is temporary and existing businesses are unaffected. The working group will continue to develop recommendations.
• Consent Resolutions (10 items) – All adopted unanimously, including CDBG grant for Juniper Ridge, mill levy, grant for pedestrian improvements at Ford Wyoming Center, design services for Metro Animal Facility, cooling tower gearbox replacement, sewer repairs, non-exclusive lease with YMCA for soccer fields, MOU with Natrona County School District, and campground upgrades.
• Consent Minute Actions (4 items) – All approved unanimously, including liquor license transfers, discharge of uncollectible accounts, and purchase of a roller for streets division.
• Council Reports – Noted upcoming events: Politics in the Park (June 17), CNFR rodeo, Lemonade Day (June 20), downtown cleanup (530 lbs of trash collected), DDA tree lighting project (75,000 lights on 17 trees, saving $8,000/year), and Casper Housing Authority audit status.
• Adjournment – Council adjourned to executive session to discuss attorney-client privileged matters.