City Council Meetings

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2020 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m., through ZOOM. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilmembers present were Mayor Mike Lavey, Robert Dobry, Amy Huckins, Orly Lucero, Mayor Pro-tem Rachel Medina, David Rainey, and Arlina Yazzie. Staff members present were Chief of Police Vernon Knuckles, Director of Public Works Phil Johnson, Grants and Special Projects Chris Burkett, Library Director Alicia Gomori-Lusker, Network Administrator Bill Kuhn, City Clerk Linda Smith, City Manager John Dougherty, and City Attorney Mike Green. There were 10 people signed up as participants on ZOOM. 2. The Consent Agenda items acted upon by Council were as follows: a. Approval of the Worksession and Regular Meeting Minutes of November 10, 2020. b. Approval of the payment of the Expenditure Vouchers of November 24, 2020. Councilmember Lucero moved that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. Councilmember Dobry seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Dobry Huckins Lavey Lucero Medina Rainey Yazzie Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. PRESENTATIONS – None. 4. PUBLIC HEARING – None. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Resolution No. 17, Series 2020. Tabled at the November 10, 2020, Council meeting, Library Director Gomori-Lusker stated that Resolution No. 17, Series 2020, approves the fees collected at the Cortez Public Library. She reviewed the individual items included in the resolution and noted that that the fees for the ear buds and flash drives just covers the cost of them. Discussion was held on the copy fees. Councilmember Huckins moved that Resolution No. 17, Series 2020, setting fees and charges for the Cortez Public Library, be approved. Councilmember Rainey seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Dobry Huckins Lavey Lucero Medina Rainey Yazzie Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Resolution No. 27, Series 2020. Grants and Special Projects Burkett stated that Resolution No. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 24, 2020 PAGE 2 27, Series 2020, supports a grant application for $19,000 to History Colorado to complete a historic property survey of properties located between Second and Third Streets within the Original Townsite of the City of Cortez. He stated that the City has received eight Certified Local Government (CLG) grants since 2011 totaling $132,113 to complete inventory of properties located in the Original Townsite. He stated that the grant application is due the middle of January and is for 2021/22. He stated that there are no matching costs required for the grant though there are some expenses for administering the grant by staff. He stated that a resolution is required showing that the City Council supports the grant application. In answer to a question from Mayor Pro-tem Medina, City Attorney Green stated that since Ms. Medina’s home will be part of the survey, she may want to recuse herself from the vote. Mayor Pro-tem Medina asked to be recused from the discussion and vote. Grants and Special Projects Burkett noted that the survey of the Original Townsite of Cortez is close to being completed. In answer to a question from Councilmember Lucero, Grants and Special Projects Burkett stated that the City can apply for grants through History Colorado; however, grants cannot be applied for from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) until the audits are completed. Councilmember Lucero moved that Council approve Resolution No. 27, Series 2020, supporting a grant application for $19,000 to History Colorado for a historic property survey of properties located between Second and Third Streets within the Original Townsite of the City of Cortez. Councilmember Yazzie seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Dobry Huckins Lavey Lucero Medina Rainey Yazzie Yes Yes Yes Yes * Yes Yes *Mayor Pro-tem Medina recused herself from the discussion and vote due to a possible conflict-of- interest. b. Fixed Base Operator Lease and Operations Agreement. City Attorney Green stated that the Fixed Base Operator Lease and Operations Agreement outlines the agreement with Cortez Flying Service to serve the City as the Cortez Municipal Airport Fixed Base Operator (FBO) for a period of five (5) years with an additional twenty (20) year lease option. He noted the agreement has several exhibits attached that outline compliance requirements that are part of the lease. Councilmember Dobry asked if he could vote on the item since he was not on Council at the time that the Fixed Base Operator was chosen, and City Attorney Green stated that Councilmember Dobry could vote on the lease and operations agreement. Councilmember Yazzie commented on the Cortez Flying Service website noting that more work needs to be done (search engine operation, etc.). Gregg Tripp, representative for Cortez Flying Service, stated that staff continues to work on the site to optimize hits on the Cortez Flying Service page so that it goes to the top on the search engine. Discussion was held about checking on the FBO more often and Aaron Yarbrough, representative for Cortez Flying Service, stated that he has met with Mesa Verde Country on services that can be provided and more discussion will be held on how to move forward with promoting the FBO. Mr. Tripp spoke about new ideas that are being received on future face-lifting of the building and he noted future hangar improvement plans as well. Councilmember Rainey complimented Cortez Flying Service on the new ideas for improving their service at the Airport. Mr. Tripp stated that Cortez Flying Service appreciates the vote of confidence and will make the City proud. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 24, 2020 PAGE 3 Mayor Pro-tem Medina moved that Council approve the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Lease and Operations Agreement with Cortez Flying Service and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement. Councilmember Lucero seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Dobry Huckins Lavey Lucero Medina Rainey Yazzie Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes c. Cancel December 22, 2020, Council Meeting. City Clerk Smith stated that traditionally the City cancels the second Council meeting in December due to the holidays. Council spoke about what items that are still outstanding for Council to review before the end of the year; however, it was decided that any outstanding items can be dealt with at the December 8, 2020, meeting or at the first meeting in January 2021. Mayor Pro-tem Medina and Councilmember Yazzie asked that a retreat be scheduled as a priority in the first part of 2021. Councilmember Lucero moved that Council cancel the December 22, 2020, Council meeting due to the holidays. Councilmember Huckins seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Dobry Huckins Lavey Lucero Medina Rainey Yazzie Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes d. CARES Funding Relief Program. City Manager Dougherty stated that three options for spending the remaining CARES funding (spend the money on local businesses and eliminate the cap on the maximum amount given to the local businesses; spend some of the funding on shields for the Police Department; or give remaining money to the School District) were reviewed during the Council worksession prior to the meeting. He stated that Council had agreed that they would like as much of the remaining money as possible to go to the local businesses. He stated that he would update Council at the December 8, 2020, on what funding is left after the first round of requests submitted by local businesses. Councilmember Dobry commented that businesses could apply for funding in both rounds and he noted that if a business showed losses of more than $5,000, that additional loss could be considered in the second round of funding should Council lift the cap amount. In answer to a question from Councilmember Lucero, City Manager Dougherty stated that the shields/riot gear will be reviewed for funding in the 2021 budget after the first of the year. Councilmember Dobry moved that Council approve the distribution of the remaining CARES Funding to local businesses and that the cap be removed on businesses in the second round if there is extra funding. Councilmember Rainey seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows: Dobry Huckins Lavey Lucero Medina Rainey Yazzie Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. DRAFT RESOLUTION/ORDINANCES – None. 8. OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS – None. 9. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION – None. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 24, 2020 PAGE 4 10. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – None. 11. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT a. 2016 Audit. City Manager Dougherty stated that the final documentation is being completed on the 2016 audit and it is planned to be completed by the end of the 2020. 12. CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Mayor’s Report on Workshop. Mayor Lavey stated that during the worksession City Manager Dougherty spoke about paying employees should the City shut down again. Discussion was also held on setting up a committee to review the homeless situation and Director of Public Works Johnson gave an update on truck traffic on Main Street. Mayor Lavey noted that City Manager Dougherty gave an update on spending the remaining CARES funding before December 31, 2020, and City Council reviewed the Community Non-Profit Grant requests. Mayor Lavey read the COVID report he would be giving on behalf of the City in conjunction with Montezuma County on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at 3:00 p.m.. It was noted that the report would be included on the County’s website with other community’s updates in regarding to dealing with the COVID pandemic. b. Mesa Verde Country Board Meeting. Councilmember Huckins stated that the Mesa Verde Country Board Meeting was held by hybrid/ZOOM and discussion was held on Kelly Kirkpatrick giving an update to Council each quarter on the current happenings at Mesa Verde Country. She noted that a promotion is currently being held through the end of the year with local motels/hotels for people staying at least two days, they can receive a $50 Cortez Cash card that can be spent locally. She encouraged everyone to visit the Mesa Verde Country website as it has some great information/videos on it. c. COVID Testing. Councilmember Yazzie stated that free COVID testing continues at Southwest Memorial Hospital should anyone be interested. Councilmember Yazzie wished everyone a nice Thanksgiving and the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. ________________________________ Michael J. Lavey, Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________ Linda L. Smith, City Clerk