[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6103891,"mediaKeyId","2792837-2d9af96ddf9347607810f97f5f3e7327","parentId",2792837,"title","Metro shelter to begin TNR pilot with $10,000 Best Friends grant; shelter reports higher surrenders and strays","audioSeconds",573,"startMs",8116000,"endMs",8689000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2792837-2d9af96ddf9347607810f97f5f3e7327&start=8116&end=8689","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2792837-2d9af96ddf9347607810f97f5f3e7327/thumbnail_8116000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6103891/Casper/Natrona/Wyoming/Metro-shelter-to-begin-TNR-pilot-with-10000-Best-Friends-grant-shelter-reports-higher-surrenders-and-strays","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103891-3d4c64750f5107de771f7a851ec32108/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141554&Signature=LHLcFpsCfq3OzbWVUECuinyCyswAQxMDEn9es71f83SVqDeCYsiFAlJ05iK7ftsBrmW4ewEQEWiUw4ve6cc6pxlcATQj403fi6SYdZUcg9VGhdk87e6CYvIzePN7xlAmYyMrRFBSovTM4e~u9dMszbmvYSQkBciAT1lGvt7qBgI0-cLUL8-N4GzfLYo1dlt49lf6aOrsr6qW3hO9peBMARIE6J8HekhsDlPafyMAKqQryr0xr7Mj0KQkKOEw1Up32mG3pSN~r0-g9MmEueaa8tEiAcI3yqP8EGcDpixdqIVfBgW916RLh5UbBctLtKNFdDZI0u4T0qWiCL20WzPK-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-27T13:19:32.853Z","article","A councilor representing Metro Shelter updates said the shelter secured a $10,000 grant from Best Friends to start trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) work on identified feral cat colonies and will coordinate with local volunteer group Casper Community Cats.

The councilor said the shelter plans to build feeding habits for target colonies and then conduct trapping events in mid‑April and early May, with veterinary services — in some cases in Douglas because of cost — to perform spay/neuter surgeries. The goal is to capture and sterilize a critical mass of each colony so it does not continue to repopulate.

Shelter staff also reported a recent increase in both surrenders and stray animals, leaving shelter capacity tight for dogs. The shelter is completing a licensing management system upgrade, reported staffing gaps (one full‑time and one part‑time kennel tech vacancy) and continues work toward a new shelter design and construction contract with a goal of beginning full construction early next year.

The councilor thanked local volunteers and Rotary Clubs for recent projects (e.g., dugouts) and encouraged adoptions and volunteer support while the shelter ramps up TNR activity.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 25th, 2025 | City of Casper Council Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Councilor reported Metro Shelter received a $10,000 Best Friends grant to start trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) work on feral cat colonies and said the shelter is also experiencing more dog surrenders and strays; shelter will coordinate with Casper Community Cats and use volunteer support and offsite veterinary services.","taxTitle","Casper, Natrona, Wyoming","taxId",3791,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6103896,"Casper officials outline recent dangerous‑building work, cite funding and staffing limits",1637,4834000,6471000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2792837-2d9af96ddf9347607810f97f5f3e7327&start=4834&end=6471","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2792837-2d9af96ddf9347607810f97f5f3e7327/thumbnail_4834000.jpg","/articles/6103896/Casper/Natrona/Wyoming/Casper-officials-outline-recent-dangerousbuilding-work-cite-funding-and-staffing-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103896-8b3a77e5c9bc86a61ba1b5ae166e3fcb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141554&Signature=ObR73gOkneCKnpZ7T5MQKVCcI4OE~QiCTAj9jfmcPBzhV8ip6u~1bv7byP8yRWu1uZhkrd2DV-W-pCm8kdRpu1vU9n3tP4Y7hb0KksNcvMk86fXtS9UL-8788MRnLboFcxKVKgO1JjDMpq2-xowO1W3ABn1kFla0XfI2bVJ7r1-ZYY9P~Bj7qWJT5A5dA6k4IfXvjJipf-wGp1~FOkB2drjRVksUEslwuJqjoeYxoGwoN-VxF5i8F8XEWd6kyOrtYV2~KwxjahvJWGtOE5IHB~T87AFhfYY~o7GRJaGEupAQ3iv8ICLXYu78zdfySv4FKbrs4MgIlmVE-AMnjqPufQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City building and code enforcement officials summarized recent work targeting vacant, dilapidated and occupied problematic properties and described the resource intensity of posting, securing and abating dangerous buildings.

Justin Scott, Chief Building Official, said the city uses two separate tools: the city’s 2020 unsafe‑structures ordinance (used primarily for rental/landlord–tenant disputes and containing seven listed conditions) and a dangerous‑buildings process based on the 1988 edition of the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings (which lists 18 conditions permitting enforcement actions). Scott said the unsafe‑structures complaints average about 20 per year and are often landlord–tenant disputes; dangerous‑building cases are pursued for properties that generate repeated police or fire calls or create significant public‑safety hazards.

Amber Tividen, Code Enforcement Supervisor, described the operational steps and costs involved in dangerous‑building abatement: title searches, administrative warrants, posting and securing (boarding, removing utilities, police walk‑throughs), asbestos testing and abatement, contractor coordination for demolition, and placing liens. Scott said the city set aside $50,000 from a redevelopment/revolving land fund for demolitions; as of the presentation, about $46,000 of that had been used and the city had recouped roughly $28,000 through liens paid back to the city.

Officials presented examples of properties posted or abated since 2023 — hotels and motels used by squatters, manufactured homes with repeated fires, hoarder houses that became fire hazards and properties on the river where occupants were reportedly dumping human waste. Officials said many of the problem properties were subsequently purchased and renovated by private investors after the city posted or performed a forced cleanup.

Council members asked about capacity and options to increase effectiveness. City staff and the city attorney discussed possible state statutory changes to improve the city’s ability to recoup abatement costs (including suggestions to change lien priority) and said staffing and funding remain the principal bottlenecks. Councilors urged staff to produce cost estimates for adding enforcement FTEs or increasing abatement funding, and to post clearer before‑and‑after summaries on city channels to help the public understand results and support for the program.

Officials said demolition is a last resort, used only when other approaches fail, and that the city prefers investor purchases and rehabilitation when feasible.","Building and code officials described two enforcement tracks — an unsafe‑structures process adopted by the city in 2020 for certain rental properties and a dangerous‑buildings abatement process tied to the 1988 Uniform Code — and summarized demolitions, liens recovered and staffing and funding constraints.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6103901,"Casper Recreation proposes new monthly membership structure, family passes and expanded scholarships",923,3920000,4843000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2792837-2d9af96ddf9347607810f97f5f3e7327&start=3920&end=4843","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2792837-2d9af96ddf9347607810f97f5f3e7327/thumbnail_3920000.jpg","/articles/6103901/Casper/Natrona/Wyoming/Casper-Recreation-proposes-new-monthly-membership-structure-family-passes-and-expanded-scholarships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103901-fab026016c33e531f75fbd940176d083/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141554&Signature=nlncLj22O565NtEVV-XWDcE~~n-CeaOu5jTnxX6Zn0E2~KvS1Ie3teMVoYVikJo-9K30Q5DFrYmyynGKB35-drvJGGWj4bsJACzZZISacrIn0PkamFKfNS~OrVFFRWHwESlWDNnjFMrJ7ErGT-6Nbu3UipqrnTNlPWucup2e2nspnsv2BUfXI9zYdGRsP3QxFBAsOI-jtLEXphtK-w8TLeA17tk9j3Wur6gH6GRbTUtgVJOIX-oGamwxqdE5pgym-3AbVKA9VXwOYQkmhjF2rvedCmXSMur5mqIrsFPaQPkJk6v573E~QU6QQLFQth2oEFQvJqQooif~3TXKbSnuOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Recreation staff presented a proposed overhaul of Casper’s recreation membership structure: a move to month‑to‑month memberships with an option for annual prepayment, reintroduction of tiered family passes, joint passes that cover multiple facilities, and expansion of scholarship eligibility to all ages through the Community Recreation Foundation.

Nick Whipps, Recreation Manager, explained the three main changes: conversion to monthly memberships with a discounted annual option, reintroduced family passes with tiered prices based on household composition and number of dependents, and a joint pass option to allow users to combine access to multiple recreation facilities. Whipps said the annual cost to access both aquatics and recreation in one example would be $420 for a family pass under the proposed structure. \"Our annual membership cost will not increase through this proposed restructured new memberships,\" Whipps said.

Staff said they coordinated with the Community Recreation Foundation (CRF), a nonprofit partner that has provided scholarships for about 25 years. CRF approved expanding scholarships beyond youth and seniors so eligible adults may also receive financial assistance. Staff said this alignment made it feasible to reintroduce family passes and to offer scholarships for larger household units.

Councilors asked about discounts for military and city employees. Recreation staff said city employees may use rec facilities and are reimbursed through human resources; staff also said a military discount was not currently in the proposed structure but could be added and would be straightforward to include before rollout. Councilors inquired about backend complexity and whether online tools and Active Net (the registration vendor) would support the tiered options; staff said Active Net has been configured and that front‑line staff would receive training.

Staff proposed a June 1 rollout for the new structure and asked for council direction. Councilors signaled support, asked that staff add a military discount, and asked staff to ensure the system is simple for customers and staff. The Community Recreation Foundation’s scholarship expansion and the tiered family pass were presented as key features to increase access and affordability without raising base annual costs.","Recreation staff proposed switching to monthly and annual payment options, reintroducing family passes with tiered child pricing, adding joint passes and expanding scholarship eligibility through the Community Recreation Foundation to all ages.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6103905,"Casper staff propose higher park rental rates, citing $1.5M band shell upgrade and $19,000 projected revenue gain",543,2371000,2914000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2792837-2d9af96ddf9347607810f97f5f3e7327&start=2371&end=2914","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2792837-2d9af96ddf9347607810f97f5f3e7327/thumbnail_2371000.jpg","/articles/6103905/Casper/Natrona/Wyoming/Casper-staff-propose-higher-park-rental-rates-citing-15M-band-shell-upgrade-and-19000-projected-revenue-gain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103905-2ef9e5d02157ec3d26f60ea05ff95fe4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141554&Signature=hAHguJpUTN8TZoJfGt7ymZMSIwzXfME-R7cZa7gugQkdebUlenEjfU2d6PhuLPsFo7xMVCYSn33yqPA~Od2cfBTgIkJj~m3oSu22q410wcJFRCYYvztRIbdwYVR7yoQUXs8-xJKqQ8Y89Rd2o6UX9k29655d0UkAmMhNPlcUCzDs~0TLz2YEFi7RZap4Q64ZWkPzm55diGsypyQLZeCPDeiOBGtIFD4aQQZFMiCoy3r4wnXmpiogHTzAHslklHD6jW~v~RyTnTSArP6GwnzjZkiXyhlu8~Sjro-P9cAj0yp1QXrxcYbOAeQMerOUYoFmJ8AZZF8Co6itO1ucTBCrUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City parks staff told the City Council they plan to recommend a resolution raising rental rates for several City of Casper park facilities, citing infrastructure investments, inflation and rising maintenance costs.

A parks staff presenter said city park facilities remain available for free on a first‑come, first‑served basis, but reservations guarantee exclusive use and are the focus of the proposed rate changes. The memo attached to the work session noted the last rate change was adopted by resolution in 2019.

Staff said the city has invested or plans to invest in new amenities that will affect demand: Washington Park will receive new pickleball and tennis courts and a planned $1,500,000 investment in the Washington Park bandshell funded in part by a special sales and use tax. Parks staff estimated about 650 reservations across park facilities per year and projected the proposed rate changes would increase annual reservation revenue by roughly $19,000.

Council members discussed the proposal’s effects on frequent users and community groups. Parks manager Randy Norbell (present at the meeting) and staff said most shelter reservations are one‑time events rather than regular weekly uses; recurring users such as the municipal band would be exempted or continue to receive free or subsidized access as appropriate. Councilors asked staff to do more outreach to historically frequent users of the bandshell, including Politics in the Park organizers, to ensure rate changes would not discourage longstanding events.

Councilors also discussed security deposits and the mechanics for recurring reservations. Staff said current deposits have sometimes been insufficient to cover damages and proposed increasing the deposit amount; staff said refundable deposits would still be returned when users cared for the property. A councilor asked staff to return with additional user‑group outreach before finalizing rates for the bandshell; staff said the bandshell rate change would not take effect until after facility reconstruction is complete.

No formal vote occurred; staff said they would prepare a resolution for a future regular business meeting if council supports the concept. Council expressed general comfort with the proposed direction, with some members asking for additional outreach and the ability to adjust specific fees before a formal vote.","Parks staff presented proposed increases to city park facility rental rates to reflect recent and planned investments — including $1.5 million toward the Washington Park bandshell — and estimated an extra $19,000 in annual revenue from about 650 reservations per year.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6103909,"Casper LGBTQ advisory committee pushes city to adopt youth bullying prevention policy after Municipal Equality Index rise",1470,900000,2370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2792837-2d9af96ddf9347607810f97f5f3e7327&start=900&end=2370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2792837-2d9af96ddf9347607810f97f5f3e7327/thumbnail_900000.jpg","/articles/6103909/Casper/Natrona/Wyoming/Casper-LGBTQ-advisory-committee-pushes-city-to-adopt-youth-bullying-prevention-policy-after-Municipal-Equality-Index-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103909-6ccf8f48438d7169134af57065a616de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141554&Signature=WnWI-xaAkcK0FVYnp1DDYb-OjiUbVwhiVXjI8oGZj4V3ZCwu9TWYFtfpwtPej24jjmAgypJvD8IJdrD810h~nspRHH7kvD6EQ9QN70-GFiEczqKen8QZIZQ9vivwzsV3ftp6TS7gmmiJ~0K4bw1HyjDb4vFSTj7gmaS-eyfSHBrp8~Ey-U2xTXjvml8bPeX59CPG7mE0wP4XhemAMCw2x~bED0cumhLJyph6Hg9cKmGb1kg6ZzePPaomuDBX~h6GoIyCpih5dTzxSQTNfQaOzwCipePsHTz-I3RPdZXYyonnhDS2YWZye0Po9EbkVaS5nD8Q5Jrh~G~s8SZeRyuTXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Casper LGBTQ Advisory Committee told the City Council that Casper’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI) score rose to 74 in the 2024 index and asked the council to pursue a youth bullying prevention policy for city services.

The advisory committee’s chair, Elliot Hinkle, introduced the presentation and returned to update the council on the committee’s work since October 2024. \"My name is Elliot Hinkle. These they, them pronouns, I'm the chair of the Casper LGBTQ Advisory Committee right now,\" Hinkle said, and then summarized the committee roster and outreach that led to the MEI improvement. Committee vice chair Daryl Wagner described how the MEI score is used by businesses and individuals considering relocation and explained that Casper’s 74 places it second in Wyoming behind Laramie.

The committee highlighted youth bullying prevention in city-run services as its highest priority among a set of recommendations for earning MEI flex points. Daryl Wagner said the policy would address bullying in city services such as recreation and parks and urged that young people be directly involved in drafting protections and reporting procedures. Wagner also noted the committee’s intention to partner with local youth-focused groups and to draw on recently completed youth focus groups facilitated by the Natrona Collective Health Trust.

Council members asked the committee for more data tied specifically to Casper. Hinkle and other presenters said some of the available raw survey data was not yet disaggregated to city-level responses; they described ongoing coordination with Waller Hall to get clearer, Casper-specific results. Several council members urged the committee and staff to pursue better local data — including the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, which was administered by the state in prior years — and to consider lobbying the legislature to restore broader youth behavioral surveys.

Councilors and staff discussed next steps. The mayor pro tem and other council members asked staff to take a first pass at drafting a youth bullying prevention policy tailored to city services and facilities, with a potential partnership with the Youth Empowerment Council to involve young people in drafting. The committee said it will continue outreach and return with examples and models for enforcement mechanisms and contract language to support nondiscrimination and anti‑bullying protections.

The committee also announced an outreach product called \"Casper Cares,\" a suite of one‑page materials the committee will use to explain the council’s role and the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance to residents. Hinkle said, to the committee’s knowledge, the city ordinance had already been used successfully at least once to help an individual in the community.

Councilors expressed support for the committee’s direction while asking that staff and the committee provide clearer, local data when they return with proposed policy language.","The Casper LGBTQ Advisory Committee reported a rise to 74 on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index and asked the City Council to pursue a youth bullying prevention policy for city services to improve safety for young people and gain flex points on future MEI assessments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Metro shelter to begin TNR pilot with $10,000 Best Friends grant; shelter reports higher surrenders and strays

Casper officials outline recent dangerous‑building work, cite funding and staffing limits

Casper Recreation proposes new monthly membership structure, family passes and expanded scholarships

Casper staff propose higher park rental rates, citing $1.5M band shell upgrade and $19,000 projected revenue gain

Casper LGBTQ advisory committee pushes city to adopt youth bullying prevention policy after Municipal Equality Index rise