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Town of Meeker, Colorado |
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The Regular Meeting of the Meeker Town Board was held Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at Town Hall.
CALL TO ORDER Mayor Loshbaugh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL All Board members were present.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Mayor Loshbaugh asked for changes to the agenda. Manager Day added the Chamber Update and a request by Police Chief Hervey after approval of the vouchers. A motion was made by Trustee Halandras to accept the agenda as revised. Second by Trustee Etheridge. All ayes. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES A motion was made by Trustee Thomson to approve the minutes of October 16, 2007 as corrected. Second by Trustee Mills. Aye: Etheridge, Halandras; Mills and Thomson. Abstain: Ham and White. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS Trustee Thomson questioned the description of item 68 in the General Fund, should read Park “Street” report not Park Report. Trustee Thomson questioned the outcome of item 23 in the Water Fund to Evergreen Analytical Lab for a drinking water radium report. Superintendent Overton replied that the test was okay. A motion was made by Trustee Mills to approve the vouchers dated October 31, 2007. Second by Trustee White. All ayes. Motion carried.
CHAMBER UPDATE Chamber Director Pelloni informed the Board that for the month of October the Chamber had a total of 838 visitors, most of whom were hunters, some just heading through Meeker and several inquiring about the Scenic Byway. Totals for the month were 238 phone calls; 76 mailers for relocation; and 5910 website hits. Pelloni added that the flower pot project had been wrapped up for the year; the fundraiser for the bronze lion project to be placed on the corner of 5th & Market Streets, has been kicked off with the committee hoping to see completion in June or July depending on the amount of money raised, three of the smaller cats and one large one has been sold to date. The Chamber will also be working with Meeker High School Principal, Duane Newman, by coordinating efforts with businesses regarding students/employees on an attendance record to be implemented by January of 2008. Pelloni reported that the Halloween Bash was not as well attended as hoped due to the competition of the World Series game on the same night, and that the Holiday Lighting contest will again be in December with the Chamber trying to gather businesses and homeowners to compete while encouraging “shop at home” for the holiday season.
REQUEST FROM POLICE CHIEF HERVEY Chief Hervey stated in the budget for 2008 he had requested $1800.00 for six tactical and one ballistic entry shield, but found that these items were not exactly what the officers are looking for and requested permission to expend the money remaining in the 2007 budget to purchase the tactical vests the officers want and the $1800.00 requested for 2008 used to purchase ballistic shields. Consensus of the Board was to allow the Department to make the purchases as requested.
Chief Hervey also introduced the Department’s new Lieutenant, Glenn Wilson from Grand Junction via Iraq. Hervey informed the Board that Lt. Wilson was highly recommended by Mesa County Sheriff’s Office where he had worked for six years before spending one year in Iraq helping that country set up their law enforcement.
Public Participation Janae Shelton presented the Board with a check in the amount of $700.00 from the Meeker Mustangs Youth Football League for the use of the 6th Street field. Shelton stated that the league was impressed with their organization and plans to schedule a number of games in Meeker next year and she requested to use the 6th Street field again next year on the same schedule as this year. Mayor Loshbaugh thanked the league for their donation and requested that they coordinate with ERBM Recreation and Park District for scheduling of the field.
New Business Schedule for December and January Board meetings. Manager Day stated that normally only one meeting is scheduled for the month of December, and should be no later than the 11th due to adoption of the budget. Day also informed the Board that the first Tuesday in January is on the first and recommended changing January meeting dates to the 8th and 22nd. The Board concurred on these dates.
Discussion concerning 2008 Pow Wow at Ute Park. Ute Pow Wow Committee and White River National Forest representative, Lynn Lockwood, addressed the Board stating that both organizations want to reach out to the Ute people and get them back here (to Meeker) and would like to continue the efforts with hosting the pow wow. Lockwood informed the Board that the committee was requesting a flat area for the dance arena 100 feet in diameter with a 10 feet perimeter for traffic flow, and that any area suitable for the arena would need to be leveled and seeded with grass. Lockwood stated that the committee had met with lessee David Smith who was amenable to irrigating the planted area and that she had talked with the Soil Conservation District who suggested planting rhizome grasses that are non clump forming. The committee is also recommending the site be brought down from 6% to a 2-3% slope which would still allow for drainage, also with the understanding that the Sheepdog Trials drive onto this surface and want it to support not only dancers but trucks.
Lockwood stated that the committee doesn’t want to create a big circle in the middle of the park but wants to work within the landscape and they would like to do it once and do it well, ideally the committee would like to proceed with planting grass this fall and place an electric fence around the area to keep the animals out and that these efforts would go a long way and be a good gesture to the Ute committee. Mayor Loshbaugh asked if it would work well with the Sheepdog Trials, the reply was yes.
Manager Day stated that the proposed improvements wouldn’t be changing the use of the park but that the Ute Park Committee must approve them before moving forward. Lockwood stated that it was her understanding there is still money available in the committee’s 2007 budget. Mayor Loshbaugh asked for Board comments. Trustee Ham suggested that the Town and Ute Park Committee look at the park’s Master Plan and consider the needs of the user as the plan may need to be rewritten to be more dynamic since it seems the public has other ideas for the park that haven’t been addressed in the plan. Consensus of the Board was to move forward with the dance arena.
Adoption of Ordinance 7, Series 2007 concerning Ute Park Master Plan Revisions. Manager Day stated that the ordinance will provide for installation and construction of a 16’ gate for emergency and maintenance access; and another gate approximately 4’to 6’ in length in the existing fence along the north boundary of Ute Park to provide pedestrian and equestrian access to Anderson Gulch and also permitting equestrian usage in Ute Park along the westerly portion of Ute Park along the west side of the existing road; permitting horse trailers to enter the Park on the Town’s snow storage access road and to enlarge the parking area at the end of that road; also, it provides for the construction of a four-rail pole fence, with gates for access on the westerly, northerly, and easterly sides, around the Wilber Barn to protect and preserve the Barn and surrounding landscaping from damage by livestock.
Attorney Viscardi added that the ordinance also provided a provision authorizing Manager Day and Superintendent Overton to work with the Steering Committee determining where the gates would be located between the BLM property and Ute park and also determine when the snow storage access road should be closed annually for snow storage. Trustee Ham made a motion to adopt Ordinance 7, Series 2007 concerning Ute Park Master Plan Revisions. Second by Trustee Etheridge. All ayes. Motion carried.
Continued discussion with Chad Luce concerning request for water service outside the Town Limits. Manager Day explained that this was a continued item from the previous meeting concerning Mr. Luce’s request to purchase a water tap for a new residence he is planning to construct at the location of a shed on his property which he will be removing. She said she had provided Mr. Luce with a copy of the agreement, which was executed in 1968, to provide water to his current residence, in response to his question at the last meeting and explained the agreement requires annexation to the Town, when the Town requests it. She explained that she had discussed the requirement to annex, if his property qualifies, or if not annexable, provided him with a sample agreement for water service outside the Town limits, which requires annexation when the property becomes annexable. She said that she recommended that the Board require annexation if the property qualifies, but had not been able to determine if it is eligible prior to this meeting. She said that she did think it might be possible to enter into an agreement with the Luces in which they agreed to begin the annexation process, and in return the Town would agree that he could begin his construction under the County regulations until the annexation was complete. Mr. Luce said that he was keeping his options open and was not interested in annexing at the time, that he is in the process of obtaining the proper permits for building and is asking the Town for a letter of service at this time and basically wants to take down the existing shop and replace it with a residence and would like to obtain water service on the same deed of trust which is lot #3 and is separate from the lots in the back of his property.
Attorney Viscardi commented that the property owner’s goals may or may not be the same goals as the Town’s. He said that the Town’s Code prohibits two principle residences on the same lot and that Mr. Luce’s proposal would likely require a lot line adjustment (or a minor subdivision process). He reaffirmed that the 1968 recorded agreement between the Town and the property which the Luces own, states that the property must be annexed when Town requires it or the Town may decide to not continue water service to the property.
Mr. Luce replied that the agreement refers to successors, heirs, or assignees, and that he had not been aware of the agreement at the time of closing. Viscardi said it should have been noted in the Title work under Schedule B, when the home was purchased. Viscardi pointed out that the Town, first, must determine whether there is contiguity, if no contiguity the Town could issue a second tap through an extra-territorial agreement executed between the Town and the property owners, which will require annexation when eligible.
Trustee Mills explained that if the land is eligible for annexation, meets contiguity requirements, the tap will be provided if the land is annexed and, if not, an agreement requiring annexation would be required. The Board concurred that annexation of the property be required before another tap is available, as requested, if the property is at least 1/6 contiguous to the Town limits. Manager Day stated staff will try to determine if the property meets contiguity. She explained that normally the cost of taxes, after property is annexed, more than offsets the cost of water at the outside the Town limits double rate. The Board further concurred that an extra-territorial agreement shall be required before providing a tap if the land is not annexable, and that the agreement include the annexation requirement when the property is eligible for annexation. Trustee Etheridge made a motion that in the event an extra-territorial water agreement is required the Mayor is authorized to sign it. Second by Trustee Mills. All ayes. Motion carried.
Bid Award for fencing around the Wilber Barn in Ute Park. Manager Day stated only one bid from Westco Fencing in the amount of $1,900.80 had been received and that it was staff’s recommendation to accept the bid. A motion was made by Trustee Mills to accept the bid. Second by Trustee Etheridge. All ayes. Motion carried.
Discussion concerning stop sign locations in newly developing area of Sanderson Hills. Superintendent Overton stated that there is a need to place 11 signs in the newly developed areas of Sanderson Hills (known as the Golden Parachute project and the Sepic Projects in northeast Sanderson Hills); with Manager Day adding that a Public Hearing and adoption of an ordinance are required and recommended scheduling the public hearing at the next meeting. The Board concurred.
Discussion concerning proposed revisions to Chapters 17 (Subdivision) and 18 Zoning and Annexation of the Meeker Municipal Code and schedule public hearing. Planner Sheridan stated that staff is proposing changes which will consist of corrections, processes which will work better, revisions proposed in response to some of the public’s concerns (copies of the proposed revisions are attached to this set of minutes). She explained that this was informational only at this point, the process includes reviewing the revisions with the Planning Commission, who will schedule a public hearing and then make recommendations to the Board of Trustees who will hold a public hearing prior to adopting the revisions. She explained that there may be other revisions prior to the Board seeing it for the public hearing, which may include staff and Planning Commission additions or revisions. The Board concurred.
Consideration of Resolution 6, Series 2007. A resolution authorizing the continuation of an account at the Credit Union of Colorado for the Town of Meeker. Manager Day stated that this was a housekeeping item that is required annually and after each election in order to keep the Town’s credit cards. Trustee White made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 6, Series 2007. Second by Trustee Ham. All ayes. Motion carried.
Unfinished Business None.
Town Manager’s Reports Manager Day referred to the handouts regarding the Christmas party with Gary’s Steakhouse price at $27.50 per plate, the Bistro at $28.00, and the Golf Course at $14.95 for chicken and $18.95 for beef prime rib. Day asked if the Board wanted a party this year and if so where and when. Mayor Loshbaugh suggested moving ahead with the party at $28.00 per plate whenever we can get in. The Board concurred.
Manager Day updated the Board on the meeting with the Corps. of Engineers concerning the gravel bar in the White River approximately at the end of 7th Street. She said the Corp. would require a full blown hydrological study, paid by someone, before any work on the river could commence and even if the gravel bar were removed it may return and removing it may cause problems elsewhere along the river. Mayor Loshbaugh stated his concerns over rip-rapping the north bank of the White River, with Day replying that the Corp. requires a permit and whatever is proposed would need to be approved by them.
Manager Day asked if the Board was willing to meet with the Ute Park Steering Committee and David Smith on December 11th before making any decision regarding Mr. Smith’s lease for the next year. Mayor Loshbaugh suggested a time limit for this discussion of approximately 30 minutes. Trustee Ham asked what the desired outcome of the meeting was, or if it was informational. Day replied the discussion would be in anticipation of what the Board wants to do with the lease for the next year; and needs to be negotiated in December as it expires on the 31st and we should have a new one ready in January.
Day reminded the Board that they still needed to meet with the Market Street people and suggested meeting in January after the holidays for better attendance. The Board concurred.
Town Attorney’s Reports None.
Other Council Business None.
Adjournment Mayor Loshbaugh adjourned the meeting at 8:43 p.m.
§Steve Loshbaugh, Mayor Attest: §Lisa Cook, Town Clerk
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