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The Regular Meeting of the Meeker Town Board was held Tuesday, October 16, 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 Trustees Ham and White.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA A motion was made by Trustee Mills to accept the agenda as presented. 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 2, 2007 as corrected. Second by Trustee Halandras. Aye: Halandras, Mills and Thomson. Abstain: Etheridge. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MID-MONTH VOUCHERS Mayor Loshbaugh asked what the amount of the contract with Hill & Co. was; Manager Day replied $24,000.00 and that they are within budget, she also informed the Board that they would be presenting their concept plan to the Scenic Byways committee next week. A motion was made by Trustee Mills to approve the mid-month vouchers dated Oct. 16, 2007. Second by Trustee Halandras. All ayes. Motion carried.
Department updates Planner Sheridan informed the Board that the Community Development Department had been working on an annexation; a re-subdivision; had attended the socio-economic group meeting in Rifle where they discussed the issues facing Meeker and surrounding communities regarding the energy boom; had been looking at parking plans, fences, and etc.
Police Chief Hervey reported that his department had a total of 176 calls for the month of September including eight citizen contacts; one traffic and six criminal summonses; 11 dogs were impounded; seven returned; one adoption and three transferred. Hervey stated that he was still attempting to hire a police officer and that he had received notice from Lt. Charles that he would be leaving the end of this month. Chief Hervey informed the Board that a few more interviews were conducted and one candidate is moving forward with the psychological and polygraph exams; one other person, who is half way through the academy right now, is interested in an officer’s position and Hervey asked the Board for consideration in reimbursing this candidate for some of his schooling providing he passes all of the testing and is willing to sign a reimbursement contract with the Department. The Board’s consensus was to reimburse this candidate as recommended by Chief Hervey.
Public Participation None.
New Business Accept application from Great Wall LLC’s request for a new beer and wine license and schedule public hearing, property located at 975 Market Street. Liquor Clerk Sizemore stated that the application was complete; two of the applicants were present at the meeting and it was staff’s recommendation to accept the application and set a public hearing for November 20th. Mayor Loshbaugh asked for any questions or comments. Hearing none, he called for a motion. Trustee Thomson made a motion to accept the beer and wine license application from Great Wall LLC and set the public hearing for November 20, 2007. Second by Trustee Etheridge. All ayes. Motion carried.
Request from Sullivan Family LLC/DBA OL’ Crows Beer & Beverage for a temporary liquor license to operate the retail liquor store located at 1030 Market Street during the transfer of liquor license process (prior business name “Night Owl Liquors”). Liquor Clerk Sizemore addressed the Board stating the applicants, Joe and Kassandra Sullivan, were present and staff’s recommendation was to grant the temporary license contingent upon the Town receiving proof of possession of the property once they closed on it and to grant the license transfer upon approval by the State and upon receipt of CBI clearance. Mayor Loshbaugh asked if there were any questions from the Board, hearing none he called for a motion.
Trustee Mills made a motion based on staff’s recommendation to grant the temporary license contingent upon receipt of proof of possession of the property and to approve the transfer of the license contingent upon receipt of CBI clearance and approval by the State. Second by Trustee Etheridge. All ayes. Motion carried.
Request from Chad and Shawn Luce, 240 School St. for new ¾” Water Tap outside Town Limits. Mr. Luce explained to the Board that he planned to construct a two bedroom, two bath house on the south end of the same lot of his existing home, and requested an additional water tap for the new home. Manager Day replied that normally an extraterritorial water tap agreement, which says the owner will annex when Town requests it, is executed. Mr. Luce replied that he is not interested at this time in annexing due to resale stipulations. Trustee Halandras asked Mr. Luce if his house was annexed in the Town. Mr. Luce replied that it was not, and neither of his neighbors, the two lots behind him or the Goodrich residence to the north were annexed either. Trustee Halandras stated that he thought the Town had agreed to issue no other taps unless the owners agreed to annex to the Town. Attorney Viscardi replied that the Town’s water agreement states the property owner will annex and that Luce’s property fronts a Town owned street that should meet any contiguity issues and voiced his concern over issuing an extraterritorial water agreement with the prospect of no annexation.
Mayor Loshbaugh asked if the Luce’s currently had Town water with Mr. Luce replying that they do and that he was aware of the agreement to annex, but asked the Board for consideration of his request given they already have town water and the new structure will be on the same lot. Trustee Halandras asked if Luce’s would be able to annex the new house if the lot is not subdivided. Planner Sheridan replied that the annexation would include the entire lot with both structures, but the lot behind their home would not be included. Manager Day stated that the Town’s comprehensive plan requires annexation if the Town furnishes water. Mayor Loshbaugh commented that the Town already has furnished water to some properties that have not annexed, with Manager Day replying that it had, but in the early 1980s. Trustee Thomson asked if the Board could see something that shows what properties in this area are annexed and those that are not. Mayor Loshbaugh suggested Mr. Luce talk to staff and come back to the next meeting November 6th.
Public Hearing 7:15 – Request from Ute Park Steering Committee for revisions to the Ute Park Master Plan to allow equestrian use in Ute Park, enlarge a parking lot to accommodate horse trailers, build a fence around the Wilbur Barn, and installation of gates between BLM Property and the Town of Meeker. Ute Park Committee Chairman Stephanie Holsinger addressed the board with the committee’s recommendation to provide better gates between the BLM (Anderson Gulch) land and Ute Park which would include a gate, 16 feet wide with locks, to allow emergency access; a pedestrian gate, like the one on Hill Street with the addition of stumps below the gate to discourage motorized entrance, but that would allow pedestrian and horse access as the BLM allows horses in Anderson Gulch but no motorized vehicles; and in order to allow horse access, the committee asked permission to enlarge the parking lot to allow horse trailers room to turn around although they were not sure at this point how big the lot would need to be.
Committee member, Diane Mobley, informed the Board that Chris Ham had previously mentioned the property line was not exactly on the fence line, and suggested that a survey be conducted before paying for gates; she also stated that someone has volunteered to donate posts needed for the new gate. Holsinger added that by allowing horse usage in the Park, the committee is striving to make it a multi use park and has come up with a compromise to allow horses west of the existing road at the west end of the park, which will leave the trails in better shape for handicap and pedestrian use. Holsinger stated that they would like to see the center of the park designated open space to allow equestrian and other events in the future; and eventually provide a parking lot at the south west end of the park, just north of Main Street for horse and event parking; a map of the Wilber Barn area was presented to show recommendations for fencing around the barn and Ms. Holsinger read a memo from Ellen Nieslanik, who requested it be entered into the record, regarding placement of the fence.
Mayor Loshbaugh wanted to clarify that at this time the committee was not asking for parking on the south west end of the Park. Holsinger replied that was correct as the committee needed to study it further before designating it a parking area. Mayor Loshbaugh stated his concern about parking in the snow removal lot when it was being used for snow. Holsinger replied that signage would be placed stating the lot will be closed when used for snow storage but open in the summer. Trustee Thomson asked if anyone had an idea of the current usage in the park Holsinger replied that they don’t but do know of several hikers and dog walkers using the park. Trustee Mills asked about the trash clean up; Holsinger replied that the prison crew had not been there in a while but will be back soon and that Axis Steel will still be coming for the larger items. Mayor Loshbaugh commented that the park is looking much better.
Trustee Halandras asked if the Town was concerned about a survey. Trustee Mills suggested that the Town should find out where the property line is. Chairman Holsinger stated that the BLM is going to donate the gates. Board consensus was they didn’t see the property line being an issue since it belonged to two public entities.
Attorney Viscardi stated that in order for him to write an ordinance the Board needs to be specific on what they approve and if it is based upon the committee’s recommendations and what was proposed in the memo from Nieslanik; the ordinance must state specific findings. Mayor Loshbaugh commented that Superintendent Overton definitely needs to see what is proposed for the parking lot before the Board approves it. Attorney Viscardi recommended continuing the public hearing until Overton had the opportunity to look at it. Manager Day stated that a prior ordinance regarding the parking lot gave latitude on the placement of the lot as it was defined by fence lines and the road.
Mayor Loshbaugh stated that he didn’t see how the Board could address horse access to BLM or motorized vehicle traffic. Attorney Viscardi stated the need for a mechanism to allow the Police Department to enforce any violations, which would require a revision to the model traffic code. Manager Day stated that the Town has an ordinance in place prohibiting motorized vehicles in any Town park. Mayor Loshbaugh suggested moving ahead with the agenda while the previously adopted ordinance regarding the snow storage lot was found and brought before the board, and the traffic code, if needed, could be addressed at a later date.
Trustee Thomson made a motion to recess the Public Hearing at 8:00 p.m. Second by Trustee Etheridge. All ayes. Motion carried.
At 8:13 pm. Trustee Halandras made a motion to reconvene the Public Hearing. Second by Trustee Etheridge. All ayes. Motion carried. Attorney Viscardi cited the current ordinance regarding the parking lot: one site in Ute Park be established for the construction and maintenance of the parking lot area is described as the northeasterly corner of the park bordered by the northerly and the easterly Ute Park boundary lines lying east and north of the snow storage access road and east of the snow storage area. More discussion followed regarding the language of the new ordinance.
Trustee Mills made a motion to close the Public Hearing at 8:18 p.m. Second by Trustee Etheridge. All ayes. Motion carried.
Trustee Etheridge made a motion directing staff to draft an ordinance based on the Ute Park Committee’s recommendations for fencing, gates, and horse usage of the park and fencing around the Wilbur Barn as outlined in the memo by Ellen Nieslanik. Second by Trustee Mills. All ayes. Motion carried.
Community planning update. Manager Day informed the Board that Bob Omer of Pioneers Medical Center, Pat Hooker of Rio Blanco County and she had met to work on a newspaper article informing readers on the community’s needs, and a draft of that article was included in the Board’s packet. Each entities board will approve the article before it is published. The Board’s consensus was to publish the article.
Discussion concerning increasing water rates and 2008 Proposed Budget Public Hearing Date of November 20, 2007. Manager Day informed the Board that she had looked at a lot of different things such as the CML 2004 Water Rate Study; Utility Fees, Rates and Collections from DOLA, what the Town has sold within the last five years and at growth in order to make a recommendation. Day proposed a $2.00 increase per month for property owners in town, with the out of town rates remaining at double; bulk water domestic rates to $5.50 per thousand; increase industrial rates to $11.50 per thousand which would require the Town to monitor a few of the suppliers that haul both domestic and industrial water, two different cards for each type of water will be needed by these suppliers.
Day recommended raising tap fees and using the fees to set up a capital fund designating that money for capital expenditures in the water system. Mayor Loshbaugh questioned if the rate increases were enough. Manager Day stated that citizens have been hit hard with other increases such as utilities and fuel and felt it more prudent to increase in a few steps instead of one huge step. Day stated that future bulk water usage is an unknown, but there will be new users on the Town’s system due to the new apartments and subdivisions being built. Day suggested looking at higher tap fees in the future, again in steps and commented that the industrial increase was very justifiable as the increased usage has placed a burden on the Town’s infrastructure and suggested the Board look at the condition of the pavement at the end of Third Street from the truck traffic.
Day recommended the Board schedule the public hearing regarding the increase for November 20th with the new rates going in effect on January 1st. Board consensus was to schedule the public hearing on November 20th.
Town Manager’s Reports Day informed the Board that Foothills Park was pretty much done except for placing a sign recognizing GOCO and recommended recognizing the Lion’s Club and Rio Blanco County for their contributions in the signage as well. The Board concurred. Day stated that the Board would need to authorize Mayor Loshbaugh to sign the CCITF grant as the Town was awarded $50,000.00 and to sign the first blush of the census agreement, more information will be coming in January and the Town will have until March to complete it. Day stated Dondi Glasscock had attended training last week and is willing to take the project and run with it. The Board concurred.
Manager Day stated she had been contacted by Mike Whalin who is asking for the island in the river in front of Hale’s house to be removed. Day asked if the Board was willing to allow the Army Corp. of Engineers to come look at it. The Board concurred to contact the Corps. to look at the situation and possibly give a recommendation on other improvements in the Circle Park area.
Day informed the Board that she attended a Safe Routes meeting in Rifle last week where she learned the Town could receive a grant in the full amount of the project, if funded, no match is required, and the Town would follow Federal regulations. Day stated her thought was crosswalks and a safe route for kids along the highway and that she had talked to School Superintendent, Dan Evig, who is also interested in the idea. Day also commented that the Town has received notification of enhancement grants that are available as well, both grants could be used for curb and gutter along Market Street, but neither funding source will be available until approximately 2009 which will allow time to get the plan together. The Board concurred to proceed.
Day informed the Board that WREA is requesting to install two RV hookups on their property between Ute Park and the mobile home park. The property is actually in the county and they would like the hookups available for their contractors when needed and are requesting a letter from the Town allowing them to use water through the existing tap. Day stated that if the Board was okay with it, staff will work out the issues and move forward with the plan. Trustee Thomson commented, in light of the previous request, the Town needs to be consistent with our policies. Mayor Loshbaugh asked if the hookups would only be used when nothing else is available. Attorney Viscardi stated that the hookups could be designated for the limited use of contractors or subcontractors in the event no other space available.
Day informed the Board that CIRSA has asked her to serve on their Board as they are looking for someone from a Town of our size, they will pay all expenses and hold approximately 10 meetings per year. Day stated that with the Board’s permission she would like to apply. The Board gave their consensus.
Town Attorney’s Reports None.
Other Council Business Mayor Loshbaugh stated that at the quarterly meeting the group was informed that Rio Blanco County is applying for a Smart Growth Grant which will encompass points of discussion regarding the Town’s needs and they have asked the Town to partner as a co-signer with this grant. Consensus of the Board was to co-sign the grant.
Adjournment Hearing no other business, Mayor Loshbaugh adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
§ Mayor Steve Loshbaugh
ATTEST: § Lisa Cook, Town Clerk
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