City Council Meetings

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 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, Jill Carlson, Ty Keel, Mike Lavey, and Gary Noyes. Staff members present were Management Intern Peyton Heitzman, Chief of Police Roy Lane, City Clerk Linda Smith, City Attorney Mike Green, and City Manager John Dougherty. There were two 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 August 13, 2019. b. Approval of the payment of the Expenditure Vouchers of August 27, 2019. c. Approval of a renewal Brew Pub Liquor License for Wildedge Brewing Collective LLC, DBA Wildedge Brewing collective, located at 111 North Market Street, Cortez. d. Approval of a renewal Liquor Store License for Tubros LTD, DBA Cork N’ Bottle, located at 443 East Main Street, Cortez. e. Approval of a Special Event Permit from Amani Youth Partnership to sponsor a ‘First Friday’ event on Friday, September 6, 2019, at Buffalo Bob’s Trading Company, located at 90 North Mildred, Cortez. In answer to a question from Mayor Sheek, Councilmember Noyes stated that the Amani Youth Partnership offers youth therapy with horses. Councilmember Carlson asked that the additional expenditure list be removed from the Consent Agenda. Mayor Pro-tem Lucero moved that Council approve the Consent Agenda less the additional expenditure list. Councilmember Noyes seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Betts Carlson Keel Lavey Lucero Noyes Sheek Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Councilmember Carlson asked about the new format for the additional expenditure list and City Manager Dougherty stated that the utility bills will be the only items listed on the additional expenditure list. He stated that any other expenditures that are not submitted for the regular agenda expenditure list will have to wait for the next Council meeting approval list. Councilmember Carlson noted that she liked the format for the additional expenditure list and moved that the additional expenditure list be approved. Councilmember Betts seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Betts Carlson Keel Lavey Lucero Noyes Sheek Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 27, 2019 PAGE 2 3. PRESENTATIONS – None. 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION – None. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS – None. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – None. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Addendum No. 1 to the Employment Contract with City Manager. Mayor Sheek stated that Council had discussed John Dougherty’s contract at the last Council worksession (August 13, 2019) in Executive Session. She stated that Council would like to amend City Manager Dougherty’s Employment Contract as outlinedd in Addendum No. 1: a 3% raise which will bring his salary to $109,180.00 effective on his anniversary date of July 9, 2019; an additional 40 hours of vacation time (160 hours total); and if Mr. Dougherty resigns he would give six weeks written notice (rather than two months) unless Council agreed otherwise. Councilmember Carlson moved that Council approve Addendum No. 1 to the Employment Contract with City Manager John Dougherty. Councilmember Lavey seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Betts Carlson Keel Lavey Lucero Noyes Sheek Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes b. QUASI-JUDICIAL – Change Of Ownership of a Retail Marijuana Store for Green Kiwi 4, LLC, DBA LivWell, located at 1819 East Main Street, Cortez. Mayor Sheek asked if anyone on Council had spoke about this topic with anyone; however, no one spoke. City Attorney Green stated that LivWell has dispersed 4.75% total shares to seven of their employees. He stated that all seven employees have been reviewed for their background checks and there are no issues. He stated that staff recommends approval. Councilmember Lavey moved that Council approve the Change of Ownership of a Retail Marijuana Store for Green Kiwi 4, LLC, DBA LivWell, located at 1819 East Main Street, Cortez. Councilmember Betts seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Betts Carlson Keel Lavey Lucero Noyes Sheek Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes c. Renewal of Realtor Agreement. City Manager Dougherty stated that discussion was held in the worksession on the renewal of the Realtor Agreement with Ken Williamson. He noted that the original term of Mr. Williamson’s contract, which was signed in 2015, was for two years with a renewal for one year. He noted that the contract has expired and the City has a prospective buyer of City property and staff would like to renew the contract with Mr. Williamson. Councilmember Betts moved that the Realtor Agreement with Ken Williamson be renewed. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 27, 2019 PAGE 3 Councilmember Keel seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Betts Carlson Keel Lavey Lucero Noyes Sheek Yes Yes 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 a. Update on SWCCOG (Southwest Colorado Council of Governments) Meeting. City Manager Dougherty stated that he and the Mayor attended the SWCCOG meeting in Durango on Monday, August 26, 2019, which included discussion on the long range goals for the group. He stated that there was not a quorum of boardmembers, but a lot of input was received and discussion is being held on how to include other communities in the COG to increase the participation with communities from the four corners area. Mayor Sheek noted that discussion was held on what the SWCCOG should work on in the future including affordable housing and the TABOR/Gallagher Amendment. 13. CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Mayor’s Report on Workshop. Mayor Sheek stated that during Council worksession discussion was held on the renewal of the realtor contract that was approved in the regular meeting. She stated that discussion was also held on dividing lots in the Industrial Park and the extension of 7th Street. She stated that more information will be reviewed on the 7th Street Extension for Council’s review at the next Council meeting. She stated that an update was given on the EV Charging Station Grant and the grant will be reviewed by Council at the next Council meeting. Mayor Sheek complimented Mark Boblitt and the City’s Park Shop crew on the great job that they have done on the new plantings that were placed across the street from Slavens on Linden Street. She invited everyone to go by and see the area. She also mentioned that the Will Lindsay Memorial will be held at the Parque de Vida Amphitheater on Saturday, August 31, 2019. b. Cortez Cultural Center. Councilmember Lavey stated that discussion at the Cortez Cultural Center meeting held on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, included recent and upcoming events. He noted that the last Native dances were held August 17, 2019, and the numbers were slightly down possibly due to less dances that were held this summer and less European visitors to the area. He spoke about an upcoming event on suicide prevention to be held on September 18, 2019, by David Hart. c. Congresswoman Diana DeGette Community Forum. Councilmember Lavey stated that Congresswoman DeGette spoke at City Hall on Monday, August 26, 2019, addressing issues regarding the Colorado Wilderness Act of 2019. He noted that over 100 people were in attendance CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 27, 2019 PAGE 4 discussing the pros and cons of the bill. He noted that two areas are located near Cortez (Weber/Menifee Mountain Wilderness Area and the Cross Canyon Wilderness Area). He stated that Congresswoman DeGette came to Cortez to speak to citizens as County Commissioner Keenan Ertel had spoke with Congresswoman DeGette in Washington DC, noting he opposed the Bill, and told her that she did not know about the Montezuma County area. Councilmember Lavey stated that she was going to view the wilderness areas the next day by walking and horseback. d. Community Action Meeting. Councilmember Carlson stated that a Community Action Meeting was held on Monday, August 26, 2019, at First National Bank to discuss the Social Service situation in the community. She spoke about the issues that have recently been investigated with child protective services in the area and that this meeting is the first of many to come. She noted that many child protection stakeholders were in attendance and are interested in helping solve the problems. The regular meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. ________________________________ Karen W. Sheek, Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________ Linda L. Smith, City Clerk