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The Regular Meeting of the Meeker Town Board was held Tuesday, September 18, 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 with the exception of Trustee Mills.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Mayor Loshbaugh asked for changes to the agenda. Manager Day stated that Item B, consideration of liquor license request from Great Wall LLC, has been postponed and requested two executive sessions the first for a conference with Counsel regarding litigation and the second for negotiations concerning Town real estate. A motion was made by Trustee Halandras to accept the agenda as revised. Second by Trustee Thomson. All ayes. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES A motion was made by Trustee Etheridge to approve the minutes of September 4, 2007 as corrected. Second by Trustee White. All ayes. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF THE VOUCHERS Trustee Thomson asked if the voucher for Leavenworth & Karp was a final bill. Manager Day replied that it was only the first bill. A motion was made by Trustee Thomson to approve the revised vouchers dated September 18, 2007. Second by Trustee Etheridge. All ayes. Motion carried.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None.
DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES Chief Hervey informed the Board that during the month of August the Police Department had a total of 221 calls including six citizen contacts; four traffic and 3 criminal summonses issued; and nine animal control calls. Hervey stated at the last meeting the Board had requested he look into speed signs for each end of Market Street, the cost will run approximately $13,000.00 to $14,000.00 for both and they will be solar signs like the one on the trailer the Town currently owns. Hervey updated the Board on the interview process, the latest of which the position will not be offered to the applicant. Mayor Loshbaugh asked about the potential for a student as previously discussed. Chief Hervey replied that he knows of one person who is somewhat interested and that the position will be advertised in an effort to attract more applicants.
NEW BUSINESS Request from Donna Gutierrez for the Town to stripe diagonal parking spaces on the north side of Main Street east of 4th Street and request that the Town repair a curb on Main & 4th Streets. Ms. Gutierrez addressed the Board stating that the stripping on 4th Street seems to be working to increase parking and would like the diagonal parking in front of her spa on Main Street. Gutierrez commented that on Sundays she has a problem accessing her business due to the volume of parking from the church next door and the church agrees it would provide more parking for them as well.
Gutierrez also informed the Board the sidewalk on the Main and 4th Street side needs repaired stating that recently a chunk of the curb had crumbled when a woman had stepped on it nearly causing her to fall. Manager Day informed Gutierrez it was the property owner’s responsibility to repair the sidewalks. Gutierrez questioned why the Town recently replaced the sidewalks on the other side of the street by the school and stated that she too pays taxes as a business and would like to see the Town repair it.
Mayor Loshbaugh asked for comments from staff with Manager Day replying that she will have Superintendent Overton see how many diagonal spaces could be placed in front of the business. Trustee Thomson voiced his concern of placing diagonal parking in front of the elementary school and if it would be a problem leaving it as parallel and then going back to diagonal in front of Gutierrez’s business. Mayor Loshbaugh commented that the Town paid for the new sidewalk next to the school and went to diagonal parking in an effort to provide more parking for everyone’s benefit, but that the sidewalks are the owner’s responsibility. Gutierrez stated that she had spoken with County Assessor, Renae Nelson, and was informed that she does not own the sidewalk and questioned why she would be responsible to repair it if she did not own it. Mayor Loshbaugh suggested having Superintendent Overton look at it and make a recommendation to the Board.
Trustee Thomson stated that some time back Gus Halandras had a similar request and the Town did not repair his sidewalk, he had to. Gutierrez stated that she does not have the money to repair it and will hire someone to demo it instead if she is responsible as it is a matter of public safety.
Consideration of approval of application for new beer and wine liquor license request from Great Wall LLC, 975 Market Street and schedule public hearing to consider new license. Postponed.
Request to approve a change in Manager Registration to Paul R. Nold for the Meeker Hotel and Café LLC. Liquor Clerk Sizemore addressed the Board stating that the Meeker Hotel is required to have a registered manager on their Hotel Restaurant license. The applicant, Paul Nold, is present and staff recommends approval of the request contingent upon clearance from CBI. Mayor Loshbaugh asked if the business was covered in the mean time. Sizemore replied that the State has been notified and the applicant has 30 days to submit the application. Mr. Nold addressed the Board stating that they intend to provide a nice family atmosphere where one can have a glass of wine or drink with their meal.
Trustee White made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation of the Change in Manager Registration to Paul R. Nold by the Meeker Hotel contingent upon clearance of CBI. Second by Trustee Ham. All ayes. Motion carried.
Consideration of Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an agreement concerning Golden Parachute LLC and Berry Sepic regarding storm septor system to be installed in Town’s storm water system. Attorney Viscardi addressed the Board stating that the Resolution would authorize the Mayor and Town Clerk to sign the modification agreement as agreed to at the last meeting. Viscardi explained that the resolution provides authorization through the 27th of September and that as of tonight, he was in receipt of the modification agreement signed by both developers; the paperwork seems to be in order and was required before the agreement would be drafted by him. Viscardi stated that if everything was in order, he will get the agreement to Manager Day for everyone’s signatures, stating that the developers would need time to review it before signing, and that once the Modification Agreement was recorded Mr. Valentine could then sell his lots.
Hearing no questions from the Board, Mayor Loshbaugh called for a motion. Moved by Trustee Halandras to approve Resolution 5, Series 2007 authorizing the Mayor and Town Clerk to enter into a Modification Agreement of the Golden Parachute, LLC Subdivision and Security Improvement Agreement and Sepic Development and Security Agreement. Second by Trustee Etheridge. All ayes. Motion carried.
Discussion concerning Year 2008 budget. Manager Day stated the budget was still a work in progress, and that some items will need to be changed as she still has questions regarding the election and has not received a total cost estimate for the telephone lines. Day informed the Board that in Municipal Court estimated costs had been picked up for legal fees and the Judge’s salary instead of actual costs but that the Board was basically looking at the document as it would be presented to the public at the next meeting.
Manager Day explained that in past years the philosophy regarding Mineral Severance and Mineral Lease revenues was to not include them in operational and maintenance monies, but this year was different due to the area being in the middle of an energy boom and felt that budgeting revenues from Mineral Severance and Lease toward personnel was justifiable.
Manager Day stated that capital projects include Circle Park where $100,000.00 was budgeted for design of a fishing pond, paths, and making the river more habitat friendly; suggested that windows for the Town Hall building be replaced this year and heating and cooling next year. Day stated that she had spoken with Jack Kirkland regarding an energy audit for the building and he said that it would be difficult to find someone to do one as there is no one at the State level and not a lot of companies were available, but did recommend having an audit before beginning any work as it would be needed for a baseline. Day said that Kirkland would be glad to help in any way he could.
Manager Day explained the line item for codification was needed as staff spends a lot of time researching codes, etc. and that she recommends hiring a company that will copy all of the codes and ordinances since the last codification in 1979 and bring them up to date, also included in that line item is money to make revisions to our Code such as corrections or typos; $60,000.00 has been budgeted for Ute Park, of which $10,000.00 was designated for potential trails match and if the Board felt that it was not enough to please advise her; two solar speed signs are included in the budget at $15,000.00.
Manager Day informed the Board that Rocky Mountain HMO is projecting health insurance premiums may increase as much as 30 percent with the increase being driven by the legislature requiring all losses within the State be included in a small group rating instead of just rating the group to be insured. Day stated that she had talked to the company who insures the county, hospital and school district and asked for permission from the Board to obtain a proposal from this company who operates from a trust and serves mostly governmental entities. The Board concurred to obtain a proposal from this company. Day explained the budget reflects salaries exactly as proposed at the last meeting and includes the projected increase by the Town’s current health care provider.
Trustee Halandras asked how we could budget for the Town Hall building without the energy audit. Manager Day replied that money had been budgeted for an audit and more money could be budgeted if necessary, or a supplemental budget could be passed when needed.
Manager Day stated that the budget had been balanced with reserves which is down $300,000.00 from what was budgeted last year.
Manager Day addressed the Board concerning bulk water rates, stating that Rifle charges $8.79 per thousand gallons to residents and energy companies are metered through a fire hydrant and charged $11.75 per thousand; Rangely charges $5.70 per thousand; New Castle $8.79 per thousand; Meeker’s rate is $4.40 per thousand. Day stated that the Town’s system would handle charging two rates, one for commercial and another for residential.
Manager Day stated that the Water Fund was not gaining a lot and costing more for infrastructure maintenance and suggested the Board consider increasing fees. Trustee Halandras thought the increase had been discussed before and that the Town was moving ahead with it commenting that it would be hard to determine local people hauling for domestic use. Day replied that it would be challenging but that we can figure it out, and suggested issuing two cards, one for residential and one for commercial and monitoring it. Trustee Thomson suggested raising the residential rates as well since the last increase was four to five years ago. Day said that the budget can be revised to reflect an increase for the next meeting. Trustee Etheridge asked what the public process was with Attorney Viscardi replying that it would require a public hearing.
Trustee Halandras asked about the water tank on 7th Street that lost insulation in the latest big wind storm. Manager Day replied that the remainder of the insulation would need to be removed and staff has talked about repainting the tank which would also require sandblasting. Day stated that the insulation is no longer needed and was originally installed because the tanks would freeze solid in the winter from not enough water usage commenting that the system no longer had that problem and suggested the Board may want to consider painting two tanks instead of just one next year and that it made sense to paint both the inside and outside at once, but that it needed to be done early in the season when not as much water is used.
Mayor Loshbaugh commented that he was impressed the General Fund had only $100,000.00 more than budgeted last year and the Water Fund budget was less too. Manager Day noted that Systems Development included a $50,000.00 transfer to the Water Fund and explained that Reserve is budgeted to balance the budget, stating that she doubts the entire reserve budgeted for 2007 will be used.
Manager Day stated that mineral lease and mineral severance revenue had been budgeted conservatively for 2008 and sales tax too. Mayor Loshbaugh wondered if there was a way to break out sales tax by business location. Day replied that the Town is bound by an agreement with the State to keep the businesses that generate sales tax revenue confidential, but that retail sales vs. building materials could be shown.
Town Clerk Cook commented that in the recent past the Board had mentioned conducting a mail ballot election in place of a polling place election stating that she has spoken with the Towns of Rifle, Glenwood Springs and Basalt all of whom conduct mail ballots and they have seen an increase in voter participation. Cook said that Basalt had commented that they saw less voter participation when there was no ballot question associated with an election of the Board, and that she was also surprised to find that both Rifle and Glenwood Springs hand count their ballots, stating she is still waiting for a response from an election company on the price to lease a ballot scanner. Basalt had said their mail ballot elections run between $4,500.00 and $6,000.00 and asked the Board for their direction on which type of election they wanted to pursue. Manager Day informed the Board that there could be a Tabor ballot question asking to de-Bruce from property tax and term limits stating that we may be the only entity in Meeker that has not done so. Mayor Loshbaugh thought it was a good idea to de-Tabor via a mail ballot election.
TOWN MANAGER’S REPORTS Manager Day referenced an agreement included in the Board’s packets from CIRSA stating that their quote for next year has gone down slightly and recommended a motion to authorize signing the agreement. A motion was made by Trustee Etheridge to sign the agreement with CIRSA. Second by Trustee Thomson. All ayes. Motion carried.
Manager Day presented photos to the Board of properties that Code Enforcement Officer Padilla has been attempting to work with the owners to get them cleaned up. The effort has not been successful and he is asking the Board’s permission to move forward with the enforcement end of it. Trustee Thomson noted that enforcement action ties in to the discussions from last winter with local towing companies. Chief Hervey stated that he has not been able to set a meeting with Pelloni as yet.
Manager Day informed the Board that Foothills Park is almost finished, and she will be closing out the GOCO grant. Trustee Thomson asked if the project was within budget, Manager Day replied that it was.
Manager Day said the Commissioners agreed to meet with the Board on September 25th at 5:30 p.m. and that County Manager, Pat Hooker, had invited her to meet with him to talk about an agenda for this meeting. Hooker thought most of the issues had been resolved regarding the airport but Day reminded the Board of the need to talk about dispatching fees, treasurer’s fees, and building rent. Mayor Loshbaugh suggested that he felt it would be good to meet with them every six months to have discussions.
TOWN ATTORNEY’S REPORT None.
OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS None.
ADJOURNMENT Mayor Loshbaugh called for an executive session at 8:15 p.m. for conference with the Town Attorney regarding pending litigation pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b) and to conference with staff concerning matters regarding negotiation of town real property pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(a) and (e).
A motion was made by Trustee Halandras to adjourn into an executive session. Second by Trustee Ham. All ayes. Motion carried.
The first executive session ended at 8:25 p.m. with the Board entering the second executive session which then ended at 9:00 p.m. and the meeting was adjourned.
§Steve Loshbaugh, Mayor Attest: §Lisa Cook, Town Clerk
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