City Council Meetings

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2017 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m., and was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilmembers present were Mayor Karen Sheek, Mayor Pro-tem Ty Keel, Bob Archibeque, Jill Carlson, Orly Lucero, and Shawna McLaughlin. Councilmember Tim Miller was absent. Staff members present were Director of Finance Kathi Moss, Director of Planning and Building Sam Proffer, Associate Planner Neva Connolly, Library Director Eric Ikenouye, Director of Public Works Phil Johnson, Police Chief Roy Lane, City Clerk Linda Smith, City Manager Shane Hale, and City Attorney Mike Green. There were eight people 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 September 26, 2017. b. Approval of the payment of the Expenditure Vouchers of October 10, 2017. c. Approval of a Special Events Permit for the Montezuma Land Conservancy to host the Very Scary Time Trail Bike Race at Geer Natural Area Trail Head on October 29, 2017, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. d. Approval of a Special Event Permit for the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce to host a Business After Hours Event on October 12, 2017, from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., at Kokopelli Bike and Board, located at 130 West Main Street, Cortez. Mayor Pro-tem Keel moved that Council approve the Consent Agenda, with the additional expenditure list totaling $30,690.58. Councilmember Carlson seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Archibeque Carlson Keel Lucero McLaughlin Miller Sheek Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes absent Yes 3. PRESENTATION – None. 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION a. 200th Anniversary of the Birth of the Bab and Baha’u’llah. Carol Hitti, 314 South Valley Road, stated that Dolores, Mancos and Cortez will be celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of the Bab and Baha’u’llah on Sunday, October 22, 2017, at City Hall at 3:00 p.m. She stated that celebrations for the event will be held all around the world. She stated that gifts will be given to the community including items to the Bridge Shelter, Soup Kitchen and several schools in honor of the event. She stated that the betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and godly deeds and noted that the everyone is one human family. She shared information on the event and invited Council to attend. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 10, 2017 PAGE 2 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Ordinance No. 1231, Series 2017. Director of Finance Moss stated that Ordinance No. 1231, Series 2017, repeals and replaces Chapter 9, Article II, Section 9-7, of the City of Cortez Code of Ordinances. She stated that Colorado Municipal League (CML) has created uniform definitions for sales and use tax to be used by home rule municipalities so vendors located outside the community could have the same definitions for tax information. She stated that many of the out-of-town vendors are internet companies and noted that the new definitions would not change the revenue that the City receives from the vendors. City Manager Hale stated that there are approximately 101 home rule municipalities with many of them having different tax structures as well as definitions and it helps the vendors to deal with one set of definitions for everyone. Mayor Sheek opened the public hearing; however, no one spoke and the hearing was closed. Mayor Pro-tem Keel moved that Council approve Ordinance No. 1231, Series 2017, repealing and replacing Chapter 9, Article II, Section 9-7, of the City of Cortez regarding Sales and Use Tax. Councilmember Lucero seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Archibeque Carlson Keel Lucero McLaughlin Miller Sheek Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes absent Yes 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Street Light Installation on Andrew Lane and 13th Street. Councilmember Lucero recused himself from the discussion and vote due to a possible conflict-of-interest. Director of Public Works Johnson stated that the City received a petition signed by over half of the residents along both Andrew Lane and 13th Street asking that the City install streetlights in their neighborhood. He stated that the areas are poorly lit and the residents feel that street lights would help with safety, as well as pedestrian traffic in the evenings. He stated that staff met with Empire Electric on site and a few revisions were made to the location of the new streetlights due to site conditions and available power. He stated that Empire Electric has offered to install the four 100-watt high-pressure sodium streetlights in the neighborhoods at no up front cost to the City due to the location of the power and the poles. Councilmember Archibeque moved that Council instruct Empire Electric Association to install four 100-watt high-pressure sodium streetlights on Andrew Lane and 13th Street, as requested by the residents in the neighborhood. Mayor Pro-tem Keel seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Archibeque Carlson Keel Lucero McLaughlin Miller Sheek Yes Yes Yes * Yes absent Yes *Councilmember Lucero recused himself from the discussion and vote due to a possible conflict-of- interest. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 10, 2017 PAGE 3 b. Appointment to the Cortez Historic Preservation Board. Associate Planner Connolly stated that Dale Davidson has resigned from the Cortez Historic Preservation Board as the Cortez Cultural Center’s representative. She stated that the Cultural Center Board of Directors have recommended Holly Tatnall be appointed as their representative to the Cortez Historic Preservation Board. It was noted that Ms. Tatnall is currently serving on the Library Board as well as the Cortez Cultural Center Board and Mayor Sheek complemented Ms. Tatnall noting that she will do a wonderful job as a boardmember. Councilmember McLaughlin moved that Council appoint Holly Tatnall to the Cortez Historic Preservation Board. Councilmember Lucero seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Archibeque Carlson Keel Lucero McLaughlin Miller Sheek Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes absent Yes c. Resolution No. 23, Series 2017. City Manager Hale stated that Resolution No. 23, Series 2017, approves the purchase of the old high school property. He stated that when the City updated its Parks and Recreation Master Plan, the concept of developing a park on the south side of the City received a very high priority from the respondents. He stated that additionally, finding a permanent home for the YAFL (youth football) program was also identified as a priority. He stated that during the early discussion regarding the purchase of the old high school site, the concept of partnering with the Housing Authority to develop a portion of the property for affordable housing was also discussed. He stated that staff has contacted the School District on the City’s intent to make an offer and staff has been working on a GOCO grant application which would make the property affordable for the City. He stated that the intent would be to sell the Housing Authority approximately three acres at the same cost per acre that the City is offering the District; however, the offer is contingent upon the City receiving a GOCO grant and the high school building being demolished and removed. City Manager Hale stated that the closing date could be as late as next Fall due to the GOCO grant requirements. In answer to a question from Councilmember Carlson, City Manager Hale spoke of the time frame for demolition of the old high school and noted that the City would apply for funding for a Brownsfield Assessment on the property to be sure that all environmental issues have been dealt with prior to closing on the property. In answer to a question from Councilmember Carlson, City Manager Hale stated that the purchase price would be $354,000 for 14 acres with the plan of selling three of the acres to the Housing Authority. Councilmember Lucero moved that Council authorize the Mayor to sign Resolution No. 23, Series 2017, authorizing the purchase of the former high school property from the RE-1 School District for the purpose of developing a park and for affordable housing. Councilmember Archibeque seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Archibeque Carlson Keel Lucero McLaughlin Miller Sheek Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes absent Yes d. Resolution No. 24, Series 2017. City Manager Hale stated that Resolution No. 24, Series 2017, approves an offer to purchase property from Bill Teetzel for a new gateway sign. He stated that the City has been working for some time to secure property for gateway signage following the Heart and Soul process of 2014. He stated that the City and Mr. Teetzel have come to an agreement on a CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 10, 2017 PAGE 4 purchase price of $1.50 s.f., or $10,204.50 for 6,802 s.f., with the conditions that the City complete landscaping around the sign and construct a sidewalk. He stated that the sidewalk will not be constructed until next year due to the end of season for concrete and the landscaping will be completed by the Parks and Recreation Department either this Fall or next Spring. Councilmember Lucero moved that Council approve Resolution No. 24, Series 2017, approving an offer to purchase Lot A from Bill and JoAnne Teetzel for the construction of a gateway monument sign. Councilmember Carlson seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Archibeque Carlson Keel Lucero McLaughlin Miller Sheek Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes absent Yes e. Ordinance No. 1232, Series 2017. Library Director Ikenouye stated that Ordinance No. 1232, Series 2017, creates a Public Art Advisory Committee for the City of Cortez. He stated that he has completed research on what other municipalities have done in regard to an Art Committee and Ordinance No. 1232, Series 2017, was tailored to what would fit Cortez. He stated that the formation of the committee would have the ability to be receptive to artists, businesses, business owners, and citizens and is a strong starting point for moving the committee forward. In answer to a question from Councilmember Lucero, City Manager Hale stated that the board will be an advisory board similar to all the other City boards, and Council will have the final approval on any recommendations they would make. Mayor Sheek stated that she likes the idea that a youth will be included as a voting member and Library Director Ikenouye stated that he has notified the High School art teachers on the possible new position. Mayor Pro-tem Keel moved that Council approve on first reading Ordinance No. 1232, Series 2017, creating a Public Art Advisory Committee for the City of Cortez, Colorado, and set for a public hearing on October 24, 2017. Councilmember Archibeque seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Archibeque Carlson Keel Lucero McLaughlin Miller Sheek Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes absent Yes 8. DRAFT ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS – None. 9. OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS – None. 10. ADDITIONAL CITIZEN PARTICIPATION – None. 11. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – None. 12. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT a. ICMA Conference. City Manager Hale stated that he would be attending the ICMA Conference in San Antonio, Texas, the week of the next Council meeting. He stated that Council will be reviewing the non-profit donation requests at their next worksession. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 10, 2017 PAGE 5 b. Best and Brightest Internship. City Manager Hale stated that as of this date, two resumes have been received from the Best and Brightest Internship for interest in Cortez. He stated that the deadline for submitting letters of interest is Friday, October 13, 2017. c. Sunflower Theater Showing. City Manager Hale stated that the next Library sponsored film at the Sunflower Theater is scheduled for October 19, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. He stated that the film is titled ‘City of Ghosts’ and the topic is on citizen journalists that are actively fighting ISIS. 13. CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Mayor’s Report on Workshop. Mayor Sheek stated that during the workshop discussion began on the 2018 Budget with review of the Public Works and Planning and Building Departments budgets. b. Golf Advisory Board. Mayor Pro-tem Keel stated that the Golf Advisory Board meeting on September 27, 2017, included information on the end of season golf tournaments and it was noted that Cristoffer Rudosky took 4th and Blake Keetch took 19th in the High School State Golf Tournament. He stated that the meeting was held on Greenskeeper Russ Grover’s last day with the City and Mr. Grover reviewed some of the projects that were completed for the course over the last year. Mayor Pro-tem Keel stated that Golf Course Foreman Wayne Becker spoke about his roll with the golf course as he prepares to retire. It was also noted that approximately $500 was raised from the City’s Employee Golf Tournament which will be split between the girls and boys high school teams to be used to help with travel expenses (meals) for the players. c. Goodbye Dr. Heyl. Mayor Sheek read a card from Dr. Heyl thanking the City for honoring him at the last 3rd Thursday (September 21, 2017) event held in the park. She noted the many contributions that Dr. Heyl has made to the community and that his last day of practice will be October 31, 2017. The regular meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. ________________________________ Karen W. Sheek, Mayor ATTEST: ________________________________ Linda L. Smith, City Clerk