Town of Meeker, Colorado

 

 

 

The Regular Meeting of the Meeker Town Board was held Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at Town Hall.

Members Present                     Mayor                          Loshbaugh                   

                                                Trustees                       Etheridge

Ham

                                                                                                            Mills

Thomson

White

Absent                          Halandras

Town Staff Present                   Administrator                Day

                                                Attorney                       Viscardi

                                                Police Chief                  Hervey

                                                Public Works Super.      Overton

                                                Planner                         Sheridan

                                                Clerk                            Cook

                                                 Liquor Clerk                 Sizemore

                                                  Public Works               Willey

                                                                                     Colflesh

                        Citizens Present                         Chamber Rep.               Pelloni, Suzan                           

                                                                        Applicants                     Unrein, Anne

Kilduff, Tom

                                                                                                            McKinney, Janice

                                                                                                            Valentine, Don

                                                                        Herald Times                Turner

 

ALL 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 Halandras. Trustee Mills arrived at 7:05 p.m.

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Mayor Loshbaugh asked for an executive session for the purpose of a personnel review.  Manager Day requested a second session to discuss potential litigation.  A motion was made by Trustee White to accept the agenda as revised.  Second by Trustee Ham.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES

A motion was made by Trustee Thomson to approve the minutes of August 21, 2007 as corrected.  Second by Trustee Etheridge.  All ayes.  Motion carried.  

 

APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS

A motion was made by Trustee Etheridge to approve the vouchers dated August 31, 2007 as presented.  Second by Trustee Ham.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE UPDATE

Chamber Director, Suzan Pelloni, informed the Board that in the past three weeks they had answered 298 phone calls regarding the Sheepdog Trials, places to camp and where people could live in addition to mailing 36 informational packages.  Pelloni updated the Board on the directional signage project stating that she and representatives from Nolte Associates had met with CDOT (Colorado Dept. of Transportation) regarding phase 1 of the project which will primarily focus on Market Street with phase 2 and 3 moving the focus to Main Street.  Pelloni said that the Chamber is looking for local companies to produce the signs and will be seeking bids from contractors for installation hoping to have them in place by hunting season.  Pelloni stated that new board members had been seated; Chuck Mills, Margie Joy and Roni Bibb as well as incumbents Cindy Welle and Lisa Cook. The Chamber will have an information booth at the Sheepdog Trials and will be participating in the upcoming Fall Festival on September 29th with all proceeds from that earmarked for phase 2 of the directional signage project.  Pelloni stated that the new office manager, Dee Cox, was working out well, but two other staff members had resigned and the Chamber will be advertising to fill those positions and is looking for volunteers to work weekends. 

 

Mayor Loshbaugh asked that a good map for handouts of the Scenic Byway be considered during the grant process as a lot of people have been asking for them.

 

Public Participation

None.

 

Unfinished Business

A.  Request from Don Valentine to reduce security to 10% and further discussion concerning Storm Septor project.  Planner Sheridan addressed the Board stating that the project was complete with the exception of installation of stop signs, repair of a fire hydrant that may be leaking and the storm septor.   Sheridan informed the Board that Duane Stewart, project manager for the Sepic Development, and Mr. Valentine are working on an agreement for installation of the storm septor which, if agreed by the Board, will state that all responsibility falls on the developers for the installation.  The Town will continue to hold Mr. Valentine’s portion for the septor as well as 10% of his entire project until completion.  Sheridan stated that this would allow Mr. Valentine to sell his lots prior to completion of the subdivision.

 

Attorney Viscardi informed the Board that the agreement, in principal, was a modification of the two existing SIAs.  The concept is that Mr. Valentine will still be responsible for the letter of credit on his development while Sepic installs the septor.  Viscardi pointed out that there is enough security in the Sepic’s bond to cover construction of the septor but that revising Valentine’s agreement will allow sale of his lots contingent upon the storm septor being installed.  Viscardi stated that before he proceeds with the agreement he would like written notification from both developers that they have agreed upon the costs and installation of the storm septor.

 

Mr. Valentine addressed the Board stating that it was his engineering company who had designed the storm septor.  He also stated that in the event the property the septor is to be installed on is not Town property, he has worked out an agreement for an easement with ERBM Parks & Recreation for installation on their property, and that he has reached an agreement with the Sepic’s regarding costs.

 

Trustee Thomson asked if the system is at risk if there were a storm now.  Superintendent Overton replied there was currently no risk as the runoff goes against the fence at the Parks and Rec. 

 

Attorney Viscardi stated that he will draft the agreement once he is in receipt of letters from both the Sepic’s and Mr. Valentine adding that if their property is needed, input from the Parks and Rec. District will be critical.  Manager Day informed the Board that staff needed their approval to release $147,609.09 of Mr. Valentine’s security for Phase 1 and $14,565.37 for Phase 2 filings while holding $123,000.00 or 10% for warranty work for one year.  Moved by Trustee Etheridge.  Second by Trustee Ham.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

New Business

A.  Request from Hask Inc.dba Ma Famiglia, 410 Market Street for hotel and restaurant liquor license renewal approval.  Liquor Clerk Sizemore informed the Board that the applicants were not able to attend the meeting; there had been seven calls for service to that location in the past year, none were related to alcohol; the application was complete; all fees have been paid and staff recommended renewal.  Trustee Thomson made a motion to renew the Hotel Restaurant Liquor License for Hask Inc. dba Ma Famiglia.  Second by Trustee Ham.  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

B.  Request from GJMCK LLC dba White River Liquor, 606 Market Street, for retail liquor store license renewal approval.  Liquor Clerk Sizemore stated that the applicant, Janice McKinney, was present; there had been five calls for service to that location in the past year, none were related to alcohol; the application was complete; all fees have been paid and staff recommended renewal.  Trustee Mills made a motion to renew the Retail Liquor Store License for GJMCK LLC dba White River Liquor.  Second by Trustee White. All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

C.  Request from Pizza Hut, 390 Market St., for 3.2 percent beer retail liquor license renewal approval. Liquor Clerk Sizemore informed the Board that the applicant was not present; there had been 13 calls for service to that location within the past year, none were related to alcohol; the application was complete; all fees have been paid and staff recommended renewal.  Trustee Thomson made a motion to renew the 3.2 percent Beer Retail License for Pizza Hut.  Second by Trustee Ham.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

D.  Request from AC’S Bar LLC, 285 6th Street for a temporary permit to operate, pending transfer of existing tavern liquor license, acceptance of permit application and scheduling public hearing concerning tavern liquor license transfer.  Liquor Clerk Sizemore addressed the Board stating that the applicant, Anne Unrein, was present and requesting a Temporary permit be issued in her Transfer of Ownership application to lease the establishment from the VFW, Commander Tom Kilduff was present.  Sizemore stated that the application was complete; all fees have been paid and that staff was recommending approval of the Temporary Permit and which allows Ms. Unrein to operate the establishment for 120 days while approval of the Transfer of Ownership was processed.

 

Trustee Ham asked if the terms and stipulations that are in place with the VFW would transfer with the new license.  Attorney Viscardi replied that the Board would have to take action to attach the conditions to the new license.  Mayor Loshbaugh stated that he felt it was appropriate to transfer the stipulations with the license.  Ms. Unrein sated that several of the trouble makers had been 86’d from the bar and that she had no problem with the stipulations.  Sizemore stated that the applicant was aware of the stipulations and had agreed to them at the time of the application.

 

Trustee White made a motion to grant a temporary permit to AC’s Bar LLC.  Second by Trustee Mills.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

Manager Day explained that the agenda item was misleading as scheduling a public hearing was not needed and the Board could also approve of the Transfer of Ownership application to send to the State.  Trustee Thomson made a motion to approve the Transfer of Ownership application from the VFW Post 5483 to AC’s Bar LLC with the imposed stipulations and contingent upon receipt of fingerprint clearance from CBI. Second by Trustee Etheridge.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

E. Consideration of authorization for Mayor to sign CDOT access permit at 10th and Market Streets for Ridge Estates Development (located south of golf course).  Planner Sheridan explained that, if the Board chooses to accept the access permit, CDOT’s recommendation for 10th and Market Streets was to leave the turn lanes as they are and no striping will be required. Trustee Mills made a motion for the Mayor to sign the CDOT access permit at 10th and Market Streets for the Ridge Estates Development.  Second by Trustee Ham.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

F.  Consideration of Planning Commission recommendation of special review use request from the Town of Meeker to construct addition to Dog control facility consisting of covered individual outdoor pens and privacy fence extending the width of existing facility and 15 feet west of existing facility.  Planner Sheridan stated that the Planning Commission heard the Special Review request at their August 27th meeting to add six kennels and extend the facility 150 feet to the west.  Sheridan explained the property is located in the open zone and requires a special review, the request was advertised and letters were sent to property owners in the area with Mr. and Mrs. Prosence and John Wix responding that they had no problems with the request.  Sheridan stated that the current facility has a capacity for seven dogs but averages four and the request came forward after an inspection by the Colorado Department of Agriculture in April of 2007 when the Town received notification that adequate shade was not being provided.  Sheridan explained adding the six kennels would allow outdoor access during the day and enclosure at night, and the kennels would be enclosed with a privacy fence.

 

Manager Day informed the Board that Building Inspector Padilla had volunteered to put up the frame and roof but the Town will need to hire a contractor for the sewer work.  Trustee Etheridge made a motion to approve the special review request by the Town of Meeker to construct the addition to the dog control facility.  Second by Trustee Mills.  All ayes. Motion carried.

 

G.  Bid award for police cages Town is selling.  Manager Day stated that only one bid was received from B&G Enterprises for $56.50 each.  Trustee White made a motion to accept the only bid from B&G Enterprises.  Second by Trustee Etheridge.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

H. 2008 Budget Discussion.  Manager Day stated that the Ute Park Committee feels it is important to get water to the park and that money should be budgeted next year to conduct a study for that, they have also recommended signage be budgeted as well.

 

Clerk Cook addressed the Board regarding a wage comparison study by position that she had completed of other Towns comparable to Meeker in population, budget and services offered.  Mayor Loshbaugh suggested that the succession employee’s wages should be increased by 50%.  Trustee Mills commented with that wage the new hire should have a professional background and not someone recently out of college.  Trustee Etheridge concurred.  Mayor Loshbaugh stated that it was a good start and staff should prepare the budget with the figures and see where it comes out.

 

Town Manager's Report

Manager Day asked the Board if they were willing to meet with the County Commissioners to continue their discussion from earlier this summer and if discussions on the airport should be included.  Day suggested a few dates in September with the Board agreeing on September 25th if it works for the Commissioners

 

Manager Day stated the importance of a discussion between the Board, Planning Commission and staff to talk about some of the issues arising from growth and suggested the meeting could be set for sometime in October or November.  Mayor Loshbaugh commented that he felt there would be more time after the budget discussions were over as long as there would be no need to budget money in this regard and suggested November

 

Manager Day asked if the Market Street beautification meeting should be scheduled in November as well, after hunting season.  The Board concurred.

 

Manager Day asked for permission for Clerk Cook to continue working four 10 hour days.  Board consensus was to let Cook continue as long as it works well. 

 

Manager Day stated that the contractor, CJ Mud, would be pouring concrete at the bulk water plant the following day and he had requested payment upon completion.  Day recommended paying all but 10% that is normally withheld.  Consensus of the Board was to pay CJ Mud all but 10% of the bill for his services on the day of completion.

 

Trustee Thomson asked how the latest patrolman interviews had gone, with Manager Day replying that the person had not shown for the interview and informed the Board that the City of Montrose has had success in hiring officers by offering to pay for their schooling with the requirement of an employment contract for certain number of years to work for them.  Chief Hervey stated that the school is16 weeks, the cost is approximately $7500.00 and that he may have someone interested.  Mayor Loshbaugh stated that if the Town sees an example of something that is working for another community then we should do it.  Manager Day said that Montrose had started the program several years ago and their officers are still with them.  Mayor Loshbaugh asked if there was a buy out clause, Day replied that she would look into it.

 

Town Attorney's Report

Attorney Viscardi stated that his report would be in Executive Session.

 

Other Council Business

Manager Day reported that the recent graffiti on 10th Street Bridge and Wall Street was being removed by Otto Schmidt at a cost of $65 per hour, commenting that there had been a lot of public input wanting it removed.

 

 

Adjournment

Trustee Thomson made a motion at 8:00 p.m. to adjourn in to Executive Session to obtain legal advise from Counsel regarding pending litigation under C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b) and to discuss an employee review under C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(f)(1).  Second by Trustee Mills.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

The meeting reconvened at 8:45 p.m. and was adjourned.

 

                                                                                    § Steve Loshbaugh, Mayor

Attest:

§Lisa Cook, Town Clerk

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