City Council Meetings

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2014 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m., and was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilmembers present were Mayor Karen Sheek, Bob Archibeque, Tom Butler, Mayor Pro-tem Ty Keel, Orly Lucero, Shawna McLaughlin and Jim Price. Staff members present were Chief of Police Roy Lane, Director of Planning and Building Kirsten Sackett, Director of Parks and Recreation Dean Palmquist, Grants Administrator Chris Burkett, City Manager Shane Hale, City Clerk Linda Smith, and City Attorney Mike Green. There were sixteen people present in the audience. 2. The Consent Agenda items acted upon by Council were as follows: a. Approval of the Worksession and Regular Meeting Minutes of June 24, 2014. b. Approval of the payment of the Expenditure Vouchers of July 8, 2014. c. Approval of a renewal Hotel and Restaurant Liquor License for Pepperhead LLC, DBA Pepperhead, 44 West Main Street, Cortez. d. Approval of a renewal Tavern Liquor License for A&S LLC, DBA Angels End Zone, 309 North Broadway, Cortez. e. Approval of a renewal Liquor Store License for Seven Eighteen Cortez, Inc., DBA Liquid Assets, 718 East Main Street, Cortez. Mayor Pro-tem Keel moved that Council approve the Consent Agenda as presented with the additional expenditure vouchers totaling $251,667.07. Councilmember Price seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Archibeque Butler Keel Lucero McLaughlin Price Sheek Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. PRESENTATIONS – None. 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION - None. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None. 7. NEW BUSINESS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JULY 8, 2014 PAGE 2 a. Local Foods/Local Places Grant. Grants Administrator Burkett stated that NPI, Inc. and the Unlimited Learning Center intend to apply for a Local Foods/Local Places Grant and are asking the City of Cortez to support the application. He stated that Local Foods/Local Places is a program supported by EPA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Delta Regional Authority to help create more livable places by promoting local foods. He stated that the deadline for the grant application is July 15, 2014. David Nuttle stated that he has a farming background and a BS in Agriculture and is President of Needful Provision, Inc. (NPI, Inc.). He spoke about the Local Foods, Local Places Program and a Letter of Interest (LOI) which he would like to submit to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of the community. He stated that the Letter of Interest includes a proposal to increase food security/healthy diets, real economic opportunities, job creation, entrepreneurship and urban/rural revitalization for Montezuma County. He stated that the program does not require a grant application and/or matching funds. He spoke about many projects which he has been involved in throughout his career and spoke about the many partners that would be involved in the Local Foods, Local Places Program if Montezuma County is chosen as a recipient of the funding. In answer to a question from City Manager Hale, Mr. Nuttle stated that a letter of support would not be required for submittal of the Letter of Interest, but may be required if the community is chose for funding. In answer to a question from Mayor Pro-tem Keel, Mr. Nuttle stated that the City would not be required to commit to the program at this time; however, if the City is chosen for funding of the program, more discussion would be held by the partners that would be involved in implementing the program prior to moving forward. In answer to a question from Mayor Pro-tem Keel, City Attorney Green stated that he does not have enough information on the program to know if there are any legalities until a contract is provided on what would be asked of the City. Mr. Nettle spoke about the poverty level of Montezuma County and the opportunity to revitalize the area. Councilmember Lucero moved that Council offer their support of the Local Foods, Local Places Program Letter of Interest to be submitted by NPI, Inc., and the Unlimited Learning Center. Mayor Pro-tem Keel seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Archibeque Butler Keel Lucero McLaughlin Price Sheek Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes b. Naming of Open Space Facility. Director of Parks and Recreation Palmquist stated that a recommendation has been received to name the Carpenter Natural Area addition after SPC. George Raymond Geer, our only local fallen soldier from the Iraq Conflict, who died on January 17, 2005. He stated that SPC. Geer was awarded the Operation Iraq Freedom Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star in recognition for his outstanding service to our country. He stated that SPC. Geer graduated from Dolores High School and lived in the Cortez area most of his life. The City of Cortez Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Advisory Board members reviewed the request for naming the Carpenter Natural Area addition after SPC. George Raymond Geer at their Friday, June 20, 2014, advisory board meeting and unanimously recommended approval. He stated that it was also suggested that an additional line be added to the naming of the facility which states, “Honor One, Honor All.” Tim Kline thanked Council and staff for considering the request to name the natural area addition after a fallen hero. He stated that SPC. George Raymond Geer paid the ultimate price and has insured that we all have our freedom. He stated that the naming of the natural area is one CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JULY 8, 2014 PAGE 3 small way to honor SPC. Geer and his family and will insure for generations to come that the natural area will be used by many citizens and tourists and keep SPC. Geer’s memory alive. Marvin Hermanns, Commander of Ute Mountain Post 75, stated that on behalf of the American Legion he would like to give support for naming the natural area after SPC. Geer and noted that it would be a fine tribute to him. Harold Geer, father to SPC. Geer, thanked Council for considering the request and stated that, whether the trail is named after him or not, it is appreciated that it is being considered. He stated that George loved the community and naming the trail area would not just be about George, but would be for all of the soldiers for generations. P.G. West commented that Council should be very proud of themselves for considering the motion of naming the natural area after George. He stated that George was a special person and a wonderful man. He stated that “Honor One, Honor All” is a great tag line that honors all the service people. Robert Valencia, a veteran and member of the American Legion, commented that George is the legacy for all the members of the community. Councilmember Butler moved that Council name the Carpenter Natural Area addition after SPC. George Raymond Geer. Councilmember Archibeque, and all the other Councilmembers, seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Archibeque Butler Keel Lucero McLaughlin Price Sheek Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Mayor Sheek, on behalf of City Council, thanked Mr. Geer for his family’s sacrifice. 8. DRAFT ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS – None. 9. OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS – None. 10. ADDITIONAL CITIZEN PARTICIPATION – None. 11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT a. Future Ordinances. City Attorney Green stated that he has been working on several ordinances which will be considered by Council in the future regarding mobile vendors and recreational marijuana. City Manager Hale stated that the July 22, 2014, City Council workshop would be dedicated to discussion of recreational marijuana. 12. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT a. Long Range Planning Advance. City Manager Hale asked Council to review the suggested dates for a 2014 Council Planning Retreat and to let him know what dates would work best so a final date could be chosen. 13. CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JULY 8, 2014 PAGE 4 a. Mayor’s Report on Workshop. Mayor Sheek stated that new employees Court Clerk II Tonya Higgins and Parks and Recreation Building Maintenance Greg Custer were introduced and discussion was held on an automatic meter reading system. b. Golf Advisory Board. Councilmember Archibeque stated that discussion at the Golf Advisory Board meeting included discussion on the condition of the greens and the many golf tournaments which have been and will be held over the summer. c. Historic Preservation Board. Mayor Pro-tem Keel stated that discussion at the Historic Preservation Board meeting included information on boundaries for the historic districts. He stated that Boardmember Ric Plese has submitted his letter of resignation from both the Historic Preservation Board and the Planning and Zoning Commission due to work and family commitments. d. Montezuma County Economic Development Association (MCEDA). Councilmember McLaughlin stated that discussion at the MCEDA meeting included the use of local residents for new jobs in the area and training that could be received at the local Community College. She stated that discussion was held on improvement of the web site and the possibility of offering a brochure to businesses noting what each of the area communities could offer. She stated that discussion was also held about marketing the City’s fiber. e. Thank You for Fireworks. Councilmember Lucero thanked the City employees for all their work to prepare for the 4th of July fireworks and the clean-up of the parks on July 5th. The regular meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. ________________________________ Karen W. Sheek, Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________________ Linda L. Smith, City Clerk