Montrose, CO — City Councilors met for a work session Tuesday morning, January 31, to meet a handful of new employees, review a pair of grant applications for community service organizations, review proposed updates to the city’s Municipal Code, and a contract award to replace park irrigation.
Councilors Barbara Bynum, Doug Glaspell, Dave Frank, David Reed, and Anthony Russo met in City Council Chambers along with city staff. Members of the public were also able to attend in person or via Zoom.
The following is a summary of the primary topics discussed during the meeting.
Watch the meeting here.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW CITY EMPLOYEES
City Councilors were introduced to a number of new city employees Monday. Eric Haynes joined the city as an accountant and customer service supervisor. Jessica Flores joined the Montrose Police Department as a records technician and incident report processor. Karina Lanuza was welcomed as the new court administrator. Kathryn Schroer joined the city as a community event coordinator, and Matt Toms joined the city’s Public Works Department as a stormwater inspector.
HAVEN HOUSE CDBG GRANT RESOLUTION
City Councilors were presented with a proposed resolution to approve the filing of a grant on behalf of Haven House, a Colorado nonprofit corporation that provides assistance to individuals and families adjusting from homelessness to a self-sustaining lifestyle. The organization meets the 51% low-to-moderate income eligibility requirements to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
Community Program Manager Kendall Cramer said approximately 85% of clients served by Haven House are from Montrose and Delta counties and its services provide regional benefits throughout the Uncompahgre Valley.
Haven House is seeking to expand its current facility at 4806 N. River Road in Olathe by adding additional low-income and transitional housing units and establishing a Colorado-licensed early childhood education program. These changes will enhance the assistance that the organization provides to Montrose and surrounding region.
Cramer said city staff is requesting City Council approval to apply for a Community Development Block Grant, administered by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), in an amount up to $600,000 for the project.
If the City Council approves the resolution, the city and Haven House will enter into an agreement to submit a grant application to DOLA for CBDG grant funding to assist with construction of the project.
VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT (VOCA) GRANT APPLICATION
City Councilors reviewed a proposed resolution to approve the filing of a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant for the Montrose Police Department through the Colorado Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Justice.
Montrose Police Chief Blaine Hall said the resolution is for a two-year grant totaling $65,000 for the lease of a victim services vehicle at $11,000 ($5,500 per year) and $54,000 ($27,000 per year) for 49% of the base salary of the full-time victim advocate position for 2023/2024. The grant requires a $16,250cash match ($8,125 per year).
The resolution authorizes the city’s police chief and finance director to sign the application to apply for the funds.
UPDATE TO MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 4-15-2: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
City Councilors were presented with a proposed change to the city’s Municipal Code as it pertains to the city’s Historic Preservation Commission.
City Planner William Reis said city staff have undertaken a review of the Municipal Code Title 4, Chapter 15, Section 2 (4-15-2) in order to codify the appointment of an alternate Historic Preservation Commission member.
This modification cleans up the code and clarifies the role of the alternate member.
The proposed change is as follows:
Section 2-2-1: Creation of Planning Commission:
(B) Composition. The commission shall be composed of seven voting members, all of who have demonstrated interest in, competence with or knowledge of preservation. The Council may appoint alternate Historic Preservation Commission members in the same manner as regular appointments. The alternate Historic Preservation Commission members may be called to sit on the commission and vote as a member thereof on account of the absence of any regular member.
Approval of the proposed change would require the council to hold a public hearing.
UPDATE TO MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 6-1-27: UNDERAGE POSSESSION OF TOBACCO/CANNABIS AND PARAPHERNALIA
City Councilors were presented with a proposal to repeal section 6-1-27 of the Municipal Code and recodify it into two separate sections: Underage Possession of Tobacco and Tobacco Paraphernalia in 6-1-26 and Underage Possession of Cannabis and Cannabis Paraphernalia in 6-1-27.
Assistant City Attorney Matthew Magliaro said the existing section is regularly cited incorrectly or incompletely into the Municipal Court. Breaking the ordinance apart into separate topics enhances readability.
The change is intended to reduce the need to clarify charges orally at advisement, thereby benefiting the Montrose Municipal Court clerical staff tasked with the preparation of forms for advisement, as well as the judge conducting the proceeding. It is expected to save time for the City Attorney’s Office, as there should be less need to clarify or amend charges of this type at or before advisement. It also benefits defendants by affording a greater chance of adequate notice of the correct charge in advance of court proceedings.
LIONS/BUCKLEY PARK IRRIGATION SYSTEM REPLACEMENT AWARD RECOMMENDATION
City Councilors heard a recommendation for the award of an irrigation replacement contract to Stryker and Company, Inc., of Montrose, CO. in the amount of $802,074.
Public Works Manager Jim Scheid said the irrigation systems at Lions and Buckley Parks were installed in the early 1980s. These systems have aged beyond their useful life and have become quite problematic in keeping the parks irrigated.
The city’s Parks Division completed design for a new irrigation system in 2021 and, through estimates from suppliers and vendors, included the replacement project in the 2022 budget.
In November 2021 the city issued an RFP for the complete replacement of the irrigation system, which includes the pump house, control system, main lines, and irrigation system at Buckley and Lions Park. The city invited several contractors in the area to bid on the project.
Scheid said the city received a single bid for this project from Stryker and Company.
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In addition, each regular meeting is archived on the City of Montrose’s YouTube channel.
Residents can watch all regular City Council meetings and work sessions live through the city’s Public Meetings Portal.
For more city news visit CityOfMontrose.org.