City Council

COUNCIL WORK SESSION Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. City Hall- Council Meeting Room 1. Meeting Follow-up 2. Electronic Balefill Pass PT 1 3. Recreation Remix Program Outcome Review 4. Municipal Court Judge’s update 5. Agenda Review 6. Council Around the Table Mayor Pacheco called the work session to order at 4:32pm with the following Councilors present: Gamroth, Jensen, Bond, Sweeney, Bond, Haskins, and Mayor Pacheco. Vice Mayor McIntosh and Councilor Pollock were absent. 1. Meeting Follow-Up Mayor Pacheco welcomed Interim City Manager Zulima Lopez. There were no follow-up items to discuss. 2. Electronic Balefill Pass – Part 1 City Manager Lopez introduced the concept of phasing out the paper Balefill pass requirement and transitioning to an electronic system. She introduced Chief Operations Officer Tom Brauer, who explained that the goal is to reduce paper use and address challenges associated with the current billing process. Using existing software with an added module, Balefill users would access their twelve annual landfill passes using their driver’s license. Each user would begin the year with twelve passes. Special consideration was discussed for handymen who need to use their customers’ passes. Staff has developed a simple authorization form that will be available on the City’s website. This change would significantly reduce the need to mail paper bills and alleviate staff workload. Training is planned to begin in September, with a rollout scheduled for the first Monday in October. Staff will work closely with Jolene and her team to educate the public about the new process. Councilor Gamroth expressed enthusiasm for the proposal and asked whether issues could arise if a customer’s address does not match their driver’s license. COO Brauer responded that staff will remain flexible and customer-friendly. Councilor Jensen asked how the system would work for seasonal residents, and staff confirmed there would be no issue, as those users are already established in the Munis system. Council members asked how handymen would complete the authorization form electronically. Staff explained that the form would need to be printed and signed by the property owner. Councilor Jensen asked whether a handwritten and signed note could be accepted if a printer is unavailable, and COO Brauer confirmed that flexibility would be allowed. Councilor Gamroth emphasized the importance of accommodating residents without access to printers. August 12, 2025 City Council Work Session Minutes Page 1 of 3 Councilor Sweeney asked whether the long-term goal is to go fully paperless. Staff responded that the goal is to move toward a paperless system, but the final decision will be presented to Council in December. An option will remain for residents who wish to print their bills. Councilor Bond asked about the rollout timeline, and COO Brauer confirmed that training will begin in September and the paperless Balefill pass system will officially launch on the first Monday in October. 3. Recreation Remix Program Outcome Review City Manager Lopez provided an update on the Recreation Remix program and structural changes previously discussed in March. The revised program allows customers to customize membership packages and select which family members are included. A new monthly payment option was also introduced. Interim Parks and Recreation Director Nick Whipps and his team presented campaign results and acknowledged Administrative Assistant Christina Batt and Recreation Supervisor Edwin Luers for their significant contributions. Staff compared data from June 1 to August 1 of 2024 and 2025. During that period in 2024, 515 new memberships were sold, compared to 801 new memberships in 2025. Revenue increased from $24,644 in 2024 to $30,796 in 2025. Staff partnered with the Community Recreation Foundation to expand scholarship opportunities beyond youth and seniors. The program has attracted many new families, and staff anticipates higher retention rates than in past years. Councilor Gamroth asked whether last year’s numbers should still be considered part of the COVID recovery period. Mr. Whipps responded that participation is approaching pre-COVID 2019 levels and reflects a steady upward trend, though not yet exceeding prior benchmarks. He offered to provide additional context at a later time. Councilor Bond congratulated the team on the program’s success and noted that the Recreation Center received a planning grant from the Community Health Trust to explore “third spaces” for youth. Mr. Whipps stated that staff will present ideas related to this grant in the near future. Councilor Gamroth commented on visible progress at Marian Kreiner Pool and the skate park. Mr. Luers reported that the skate park is nearly complete, the pump track is finished, and bids are being prepared for the track and pool. He noted that the facility is designed to be traffic-friendly and to serve as a community gathering space. City Manager Lopez reminded Council that the project was made possible through a Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Grant and surplus ARPA funds designated for recreation. North Casper qualified for the grant due to census requirements. She added that while the skate parks are already in use, a few remaining items must be completed before the project is considered finished, after which a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held. 4. Municipal Court Judges’ Update City Manager Lopez invited Municipal Court Judges Hand and Galaspie to provide an update. Judge Galaspie reviewed the diversion program and shared a handout detailing outcomes from February through June. The data showed that thirteen defendants participated in Central Wyoming Counseling Center treatment, with five completing treatment and receiving fine credit. Those who August 12, 2025 City Council Work Session Minutes Page 2 of 3 completed the program did not reoffend, while individuals who declined treatment remained incarcerated. Judge Galaspie reported that the program saved 2,057 jail days and approximately $302,379 in costs. Eighty-five percent of participants did not reoffend, and May represented the highest month of participation. Eligibility for the program is determined by the judges with agreement from the City Attorney’s Office. Judge Hand explained that the City Attorney’s Office also offers a separate diversion option that does not require court involvement. He noted that participants are motivated by the opportunity to receive credit toward fines and that the program benefits both the community and the individual. Councilor Bond asked whether a long-term study of program participants is planned. Judge Hand stated that such data would likely develop naturally over time. Eric Nelson thanked the judges for their leadership and emphasized the importance of connecting participants with housing and employment resources. Councilor Gamroth asked why some individuals declined treatment. Judges stated that no specific reasons were provided, though CWCC representatives who attend hearings may have additional insight. Judge Hand also noted an upward trend in theft cases, with some individuals facing numerous charges. 4. Agenda Review City Manager Lopez asked Council to review the future agenda items listed on the last page of the packet and to contact staff with any questions. Council members shared updates from their respective boards, committees, and community activities. Councilor Sweeney requested a future work session to discuss the Field of Dreams issue. Councilor Gamroth asked whether the request was related to grant updates, and Councilor Sweeney clarified that the concern involved land transactions and equity between the City and Little League organizations. City Manager Lopez stated she would like to meet with Councilor Sweeney to better understand the request and determine whether an informational packet would be appropriate. Mayor Pacheco suggested they meet to ensure alignment. Councilor Sweeney also commented on the number of City Manager applications received and expressed concern about the review process. Mayor Pacheco stated he would follow up after the meeting. Councilor Gamroth raised questions about a proposed boutique hotel downtown, particularly regarding parking. City Attorney staff reported that parking issues are under review. Councilor Gamroth requested that parking be discussed during a future work session. City Manager Lopez stated she would consult with Community Development staff before determining whether a work session is warranted. The work session was adjourned at 5:32 p.m. August 12, 2025 City Council Work Session Minutes Page 3 of 3