City Council Meetings

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2019 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 Orly Lucero, Sue Betts, Ty Keel, Mike Lavey, and Gary Noyes. Councilmember Jill Carlson was absent. Staff members present were Management Intern Peyton Heitzman, City Engineer Chad Hill, Finance Director Ben Burkett, Director of Public Works Phil Johnson, Chief of Police Roy Lane, City Clerk Linda Smith, City Attorney Mike Green, and City Manager John Dougherty. There were nine 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 July 23, 2019. b. Approval of the payment of the Expenditure Vouchers of August 13, 2019. c. Approval of a renewal Fermented Malt Beverage Off Premises Liquor License from City Market, Inc., DBA City Market Store No. 8, located at 408 East Main Street, Cortez. d. Approval of a renewal Hotel and Restaurant Liquor License from Once Upon LLC, DBA Once Upon a Sandwich, located at 7 West Main Street, Cortez. e. Approval of a renewal Hotel and Restaurant Liquor License from Ocean Pearl Cortez LLC, DBA Ocean Pearl Chinese Restaurant, located at 300 East Main Street, Cortez. f. Approval of a renewal Arts Liquor License for the Cortez Center Inc., DBA Cortez Cultural Center, located at 25 North Market Street, Cortez. g. Approval of a Special Event Permit from Mesa Verde Country Tourism Office to host an open house from 4:30 p.m., to 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, August 29, 2019, at the Welcome Center, located at 928 East Main Street, Cortez. Councilmember Keel moved that Council approve the Consent Agenda with the additional expenditures of $95,712.26. Mayor Pro-tem Lucero seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Betts Carlson Keel Lavey Lucero Noyes Sheek Yes absent Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. PRESENTATIONS/UPDATES a. Finance Department Update. Finance Director Burkett gave an update on the fraud investigation, financial statement audit status, and the budget development. He stated that a former CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 13, 2019 PAGE 2 employee has embezzled from the City and CBI is working on the investigation. He stated that he would like to give assurance to the public that there are processes that have been implemented since the embezzlement has come to light to improve the financial management of the City’s assets. He stated that the City’s insurance company, CIRSA, has been asked to provide a forensic auditor to help move the process forward. He spoke about the audits that have not been completed noting that the embezzlement investigation may slow the process down as the books will all have to be reviewed further. He stated that planning has begun on the 2020 budget and the City will be working towards a Best Practices GFOA (Government Finance Offices Association) award on how the budgeting process will be handled in the future. In answer to a question from Mayor Sheek, City Manager Dougherty stated that CBI knows the importance of the situation and Chief of Police Lane stated that they should be here as soon as they finish up another case. 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION a. Concern for Ditch Bank. Brandon Johnson, General Manager for MVIC (Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company), shared two letters received from concerned citizens that live by the ditch bank that runs between Tucker Lane and Empire Street about kids riding motorbikes on the trail. He stated that the County map says that the property is no mans land though MVIC has an easement through the area. He stated that something needs to be resolved on who owns the property. City Manager Dougherty stated that he and the Mayor met with one of the ladies that had submitted a letter and it seems that her concern is about motorcycles that are riding on the ditch bank. He stated that he has asked the Chief of Police Lane to have the area patrolled more often. Discussion was held on the ownership of the property and it was noted that the City has taken care of the weeds and cut down dead trees on the property for many years. It was noted that there would be a cost to maintain the trail if the City took ownership of the entire ditch bank. Discussion was held on what portion the City currently owns. Council asked that the City patrol the area more often for the next month and see if the issues with the activity on the ditch bank can be remedied. b. Band Shell. Bob Waggoner, who lives on South Madison Street which is a few blocks from the new proposed park, presented to Council the idea of building a band stand in the new south park. He presented pictures of band shells in other parts of the country and noted that the band shell would be a great addition to the new City park which could be used for summer concerts. He spoke about playing in different band shells throughout the local area and noted that he is a member of the Four Corners Band which has 25 members. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Renewal Professional Services Contract for GIS Services. Director of Public Works Johnson stated that Doug Roth has been contracted with the City for Geographic Information System (GIS) services since 2014 and currently works at the Service Center on Monday and Thursday afternoons. He stated that Mr. Roth also works for Montezuma County GIS Department and they have allowed for his time with the City. He stated that Mr. Roth is very efficient with his time and is able to CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 13, 2019 PAGE 3 reduce duplicity by performing GIS services for both the City and the County. He stated that staff recommends renewal of his contract. Mayor Sheek noted that Mr. Roth is co-chairing with her on the 2020 census. Councilmember Keel moved that Council approve the renewal Professional Services Contract for GIS Services with Doug Roth, DBA Cortez GIS Services, to be effective September 1, 2019 through August 30, 2020. Councilmember Lavey seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Betts Carlson Keel Lavey Lucero Noyes Sheek Yes absent Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes b. 7th Street Extension. City Engineer Hill stated that the concept of extending 7th Street from South Sligo to County Road 27 has been discussed in previous years. He stated that approximately 1,250 feet of the western portion of the street would be within the City right-of-way and approximately 1,315 feet of the remaining eastern portion would be located in the County. He stated that the primary driver for the extension would be to help the bus traffic which currently has access onto west-bound Main Street from County Road 27. He noted that CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) has indicated their intent to install a traffic signal light at the intersection of Hawkins Street in 2020 which would help with getting buses across Main Street more easily. He stated that a joint work-session was held with the County and the City in July and discussion was held on the design standards, construction costs, project cost share options, future maintenance, and potential phasing of the work. He stated that the County offered to share in a portion of the City’s cost by self-performing some of the work. He stated that the County’s design does not meet the City’s design criteria; however, they have agreed to build the road to City standards and also to have a geotechnical report completed prior to moving forward. He stated that the City would request that the road be completed with an asphalt surface. He stated that a cost estimate was included in the packet; however, he would like to meet with County staff to review the project and return with more information. Councilmember Noyes moved that the project for the 7th Street Extension be tabled to allow for more review of the project between the County and City staff members. Councilmember Lavey seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Betts Carlson Keel Lavey Lucero Noyes Sheek Yes absent Yes Yes Yes Yes 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 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 13, 2019 PAGE 4 a. EV Charging Station Grant/Boutique Air. City Manager Dougherty stated that the City has been awarded a grant for an EV Charging Station Grant and will be partnering with Empire Electric and Osprey on the project. He commented that the boarding’s at the airport are up 3%; however, there continues to be issues with canceled flights and schedule changes with Boutique Air. Council asked that discussion be held with Boutique Air on how their service is not meeting their contract as they had promised. 13. CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Mayor’s Report on Workshop. Mayor Sheek stated that during Council worksession discussion was held on the Community Grant Application process for 2020 and Library Director Eric Ikenouye spoke about the Art Committee projects that are happening including art in windows on Main Street. She stated that Ami McAlpin, Coordinator for Montezuma Inspire Coalition, spoke about the progress of the program and City Engineer Hill spoke about the extension of 7th Street, which was also discussed in the regular Council meeting as well. She stated that a brief discussion was held on the City participating in a feasibility study for a future convention center in the community and Council adjourned to Executive Session for the purpose of determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations, regarding the City Manager’s evaluation, under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(e). b. Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Advisory Board. Councilmember Lavey stated that the Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Advisory Board met at the new neighborhood park on Monday, August 12, 2019, and a barbeque was held to inform the community on the construction design process. He noted that over 50 people were in attendance. Mayor Sheek stated that it was a lot of work to get everything set up and torn down and she thanked everyone involved. c. Back to School Bash. Councilmember Lavey stated that the Montelores Early Childhood Council, Salvation Army, and the City hosted ‘Fill a Backpack Program’ on Thursday, August 8, 2019. He stated that 500 backpacks were given away along with socks, balloons, and free haircuts. He commented that the program was well attended and it is good to help the families of our community. d. SWCCOG (Southwest Colorado Council of Governments). Mayor Sheek stated that she and City Manager Dougherty attended the SWCCOG meeting and discussion included the budget and broadband. She stated that San Juan County and Farmington continue to state their interest in joining. e. Library Event/Third Thursday. Mayor Sheek stated that Bethany Turner, a local author, will be presenting information from her new book at the Library on Friday, August 16, 2019, and the Third Thursday Event will be held on August 15, 2019, at Montezuma Park. f. George Geer Memorial Car Show. Councilmember Lavey stated that he attended the George Geer Memorial Car Show, which is sponsored by the Blue Star Moms, on Saturday, August 10, 2019. He stated that over 90 cars and old farm equipment was displayed. The regular meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 13, 2019 PAGE 5 ________________________________ Karen W. Sheek, Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________ Linda L. Smith, City Clerk