City Council Workshops

CORTEZ CITY COUNCIL REGULAR WORKSHOP TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2018 1. The workshop began at 6:20 p.m., with light snacks served. Councilmembers present were Mayor Karen Sheek, Mayor Pro-tem Ty Keel, Bob Archibeque, Jill Carlson, Orly Lucero, and Shawna McLaughlin. Staff members present were Director of General Services Rick Smith, Director of Planning and Building Sam Proffer, Chief of Police Roy Lane, City Intern Peyton Heitzman, City Manager Shane Hale, City Attorney Mike Green, and City Clerk Linda Smith. There were six people in the audience. 2. City Manager Hale stated that he had three students from the Mancos School District speak to him about the City donating towards the Mancos FFA for their K-12 cafeteria beef project. He spoke about the specifics of the project and commented that Council has donated funding out of the normal budget request cycle for unforeseen requests such as the baseball team request last summer when they won the local tournament and would be traveling for another tournament. He stated that $2,965 is in the miscellaneous contribution line and Council has contributed $500 to the DAV in honor of Tim Miller. Discussion was held by Council on the contribution request and it was decided not to donate any funds at this time. 3. City Manager Hale spoke about two items that were left out of the 2018 Budget that Council had reviewed during the budget process. He stated that funding for the gateway signs at the entryways was discussed noting that $55,000 was spent in 2017 and $95,000 is left from the 2017 originally budgeted amount. He stated that $95,000 was to be forwarded to the 2018 Budget for the project. He also noted that $110,000 was estimated in 2017 for a salt shed with about $10,000 spent for the material. However, the salt shed was not built in 2017 and is planned to be built in 2018. He stated that $100,000 should have been carried over to 2018 for the completion of the salt shed. Council agreed that the two projects should be included in the 2018 Budget and the amounts spent would be added into the revised budget at the end of the year. Discussion was held on when the two entryway signs would be completed. 4. Molly Greenlee, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity, stated that they are in the final planning stages for building a new home from the ground up. She stated that the home would be a modest three-bedroom home located in the Sedona Estates, just off 12th Street. She asked if the City could help with financial assistance towards the building permit fees and/or water connection fees for the home. She spoke about the background of Habitat for Humanity noting that they have just finished their fourth renovation project and many smaller home repair projects over the past ten years since the formation of the group in Cortez. She noted that Habitat for Humanity relies heavily on donations and volunteer support to complete projects in the area. Discussion was held on how much could be contributed towards the project and it was noted that Habitat for Humanity did not apply for a grant from the City during the Fall contribution process. Council agreed to contribute $750 toward their project and encouraged Habitat for Humanity to apply for funding with the Fall non-profit request cycle for 2019. 5. Director of General Services Smith spoke about a pilot program for the fiber project and noted that the City needs to get real world experience of what it would be like to handle a network program to the home. Council discussed who would be chosen to be on the pilot program and Director of General Services Smith stated that the places that would be served is limited by where the fiber is currently located. He stated that the City would like to have a mixture of commercial and residential and a list has already been developed of people that are interested in being a part of the pilot program. Bandwidth and the cost per month would be determining factors and it was noted that the City should become an ISP provider to keep the cost affordable as the City doesn’t need to make a profit. Discussion was held on creating an agreement to designate what would be provided through the pilot program. 6. City Manager Hale stated that a request has been made by JoDee Powers, Economic Development Specialist with MCEDA, to serve liquor at a VIP reception that would be held at City Hall on April 25, 2018. Discussion was held on how the alcohol would be contained and it was suggested that a couple of the spaces may work; however, it would be further reviewed with Ms. Powers to see if those spaces would fit their needs. It was noted that the reception would be held on a Council night; however, the event would be concluded by 5:30 p.m. It was noted that if the space works for Ms. Powers, the Special Event Permit process would be followed with final approval required by Council. The workshop was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.