Town of Meeker, Colorado

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Loshbaugh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

All Board members were present with the exception of Trustee Thomson.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Mayor Loshbaugh asked for changes to the agenda.  A motion was made by Trustee Etheridge to accept the agenda as presented.  Second by Trustee Halandras.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES

A motion was made by Trustee White to approve the minutes of August 7, 2007 as corrected.  Second by Trustee Mills.  Aye:  Etheridge, Halandras, Mills and White.  Abstain:  Ham. Motion carried.  

APPROVAL OF MID-MONTH VOUCHERS

A.  Final payment to A & S Construction Co. for the “Town of Meeker Paving Project – Park Street and 1^st Street 2007”.  Manager Day stated that the engineer and Superintendent Overton had signed off on the worked performed in the invoice and that notice of final payment had been advertised.  Mayor Loshbaugh asked Superintendent Overton if he was concerned about the seams down the middle of road, Overton replied that they all tested at 80% or better and are functional.  A motion was made by Trustee Etheridge to approve the mid-month vouchers.  Second by Trustee Ham.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

None.

DEPARTMENT HEAD UPDATES

Superintendent Overton informed the Board that there had been two large water leaks the previous month contributing to 43,852,000 gallons of water being pumped, adding that a record of 47,000,000 gallons had been pumped in the month of June.  The Public Works Department has been working on the Foothills Park playground equipment, working with the Sepic and Valentine developments, finishing the street project, chipping limbs, etc.  Mayor Loshbaugh commented that Shannon Faulhauber had contacted him offering the VFW’s assistance with setting up the playground equipment at the park, stating that VFW would like to help the Town with something else if not the park.

Chief Hervey reported a total of 279 calls for the month of July, the July 4^th celebration went very well, there were a few minor incidents but overall went very well, his department is still interviewing for the two open officer positions with not much success, another interview has been scheduled for this coming Thursday.

NEW BUSINESS

A.  Consideration of Planning Commission recommendation concerning a special review request from Joe and Kelly Conrado, 320 Main Street, Block 3, Lot 2, to construct a single family dwelling.  The lot is located in the Central Business District.  Manager Day presented the staff report as follows: the lot is located in the central business zone and the application of a single family dwelling within that zone requires a special review; the application was submitted to the Town and all fees have been paid; the request has been advertised as mandated by the Meeker Zoning ordinance and adjacent property owners have been notified; the central business zone district does not require a minimum building lot area or minimum setbacks in the front and side yards; and the applicant’s proposed use of the property is consistent within the neighborhood.

Staff’s recommendation to the Planning Commission was to approve the request contingent upon the proposed home being placed on the property in alignment with the adjacent home on the corner.  By moving the home back an additional two feet from the proposed 17 feet, the home will be consistent with the setback of either adjacent home.  A single family home constructed at this location will be far less impacting than constructing a commercial structure.

At the August 13, 2007 meeting the Planning Commission’s recommendation was to approve the request without any contingencies.  The house will be set back 17 feet from the property line as requested by the applicant.  Joe Conrado addressed the Board stating that they had considered drainage of the property and will be raising the house up high enough to allow drainage toward Main Street, and they will be constructing a retaining wall on the west side of the property as well as a privacy fence to not impose on the neighbors.  Conrado stated that they want to stick with the 17 feet setback for several reasons, mainly for drainage, but that the house could be turned into a business eventually and the back area would be needed for parking.

Trustee Mills made the motion to approve the special review request based on the Planning Commission’s recommendation.  Second by Trustee Ham.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

B.  Appointment of Budget Officer for 2008 budget.

Manager Day informed the Board that by State Statute the appointment of a budget officer was required yearly, and recommended that Clerk Cook be appointed.  Trustee Ham made the motion to appoint Cook as the Budget Officer for 2008.  Second by Trustee Etheridge. All ayes.  Motion carried.

C.  Discussion concerning 2008 Town capital projects.  Manager Day addressed the Board regarding the 2008 capital projects stating that after tallying the Board’s prioritizations the majority fell under park and public work’s requests; trails at Ute Park; replacing the heating system and windows at Town Hall.

After discussion regarding the impact of the Sulphur Creek developments, it was the Board’s consensus that a study of the extension of 2^nd Street from Garfield to Main Street should be a priority.

Manager Day addressed the upper 12^th Street improvement item stating that Engineer Chris Hale had recommended graveling the street and that chip seal was not a good alternative.  Day stated that she would present the Board with his findings at the next meeting.  Superintendent Overton suggested the Board look at the modulars that were placed in the Foothills area not more than a few years ago and the problems they are now having.

The Board concurred that the Market Street beautification item should continue with the plan to meet with businesses, and other interested parties to develop an action plan.

Mayor Loshbaugh suggested using remaining money from this year to purchase any capital items from next year’s list; he also suggested looking into performance contracting for the heating/cooling systems at Town Hall.

Trustee Mills suggested the Board consider a small sales tax increase for the purpose of curb and gutter/sidewalk improvements like the Towns of Craig and Rangely have done.  Consensus was to discuss this at the Market Street beautification meetings and possibly include it as a capital line item for the 2009 budget.

Discussion regarding Curtis Creek water line and the possibility of attracting development to the annexed area west of Highway 13, north of Meeker resulted in a consensus of the Board to include it as an action item for the 2009 budget.  Day stated that currently the Town has $286,838.39 available for an approximate $600,000.00 project.

Mayor Loshbaugh stated that he wants to see what other communities are doing before deciding on the level of funding from the Town to the Chamber of Commerce.

MANAGER’S REPORTS

Manager Day stated that on such short notice she was not able to get figures together for park trails to submit with the Legacy Grant and requested the Board submit a letter of support for the project. Mayor Loshbaugh stated that due to our rural heritage he was always in favor of conservation easements in our area.  Board’s consensus was to write a letter of support.

Trustee Ham added that he felt the Town would have better opportunities this fall with GOCO and that it would better fit within our plans.  Mayor Loshbaugh stated that he has thought about CD Terry’s land and the possibility of a Legacy Grant and suggested asking Mr. Terry’s realtors if he would consider it. 

Manager Day stated that at the last meeting the Board had approved the street striping bid and then received a call from the company pointing out that the Town had only asked for proof of insurance, not to be an additional insured, in the bid notice and the cost of the additional insured would be approximately $150.00 and it was not considered when they bid the job.  Day asked the Board if they would consider paying for the insurance.  Board consensus was that if it wasn’t requested in the specs the Town should pay for the additional cost.

Manager Day informed the Board Mr. and Mrs. Prosence, who own Finley Trailer Park, brought a photo of the storage yard and bulk station to Town Hall reminding her that the Town had agreed to construct a privacy fence between the trailer park and the water load out/storage yard a few years ago.  Day stated that it has been difficult for Public Works to find the time for this project and suggested sending it out to bid for completion this fall.

Manager Day informed the Board that Bob Langstrum had purchased two police cars at auction earlier this summer and is now asking to purchase the cages that were in them, stating in the past the Town has advertised items for bid in the paper to allow everyone an opportunity to purchase the items.  Board consensus was to advertise the cages for bid

TOWN ATTORNEY’S REPORT

None.

OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS

Trustee White informed the Board that he has been talking to an organization in Grand Jct. who will spay stray cats free of charge if we can get them down there and that he had volunteers from the community who would do that.  White asked if the Board would be willing to purchase the cages needed to haul the cats and that he would check on the price of the cages. Chief Hervey recommended checking with Attorney Viscardi before proceeding as we may need an ordinance in place to allow the Town to do this.  Manager Day clarified that the Town would only be purchasing the cages; private citizens would actually be capturing and hauling them to Grand Jct.  Board consensus was to wait and talk to Viscardi before proceeding.

Trustee Mills asked about the junk cars, horse trailers and other debris located on the lot next to Foothills Park.  Manager Day stated that Code Enforcement Officer Padilla had contacted the property owner to clean up the lot.

Trustee Mills asked when the Town would start ticketing people who park for more than two hours in the block across from the post office.  Chief Hervey stated not until we have more specific signage, currently there are only two signs on the entire block, one each at the north and south ends.  Mills asked what the Town could do with hunters who park their vehicles and trailers taking up four or five parking spaces.  Chief Hervey replied that a summons can be issued if they are not parked legally, but typically nothing is done about those who park that way for overnight use.

Trustee Halandras stated that Padilla should look at a house on Wall Street regarding the items stored outside.  Manager Day asked if the Board was okay proceeding with code enforcement before settling the Market Street issue.  Consensus of the Board was to proceed with code enforcement where necessary.

Trustee Ham stated that recently he has noticed a fair amount of ATV traffic up Sulphur Creek Road and suggested an article to the newspaper to educate people regarding the use of ATVs in Town.

The Board discussed traffic/speeding/parking on Market Street and suggested permanent speed signs be considered as the mobile speed sign seems to be working quite well.   Chief Hervey said that the permanent signs are about half the price of the mobile signs. Trustee Ham asked if the speed limit on Sulphur Creek would be kept at 40 mph once the developments are complete, Hervey replied that the Town should consider reducing it to 30 mph.

ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Loshbaugh adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.

                                                                                                             §Steve Loshbaugh, Mayor

Attest:

§Lisa Cook, Town Clerk