Montrose, CO — City Councilors met for a work session Monday morning, October 3, to hear proposals about stormwater utility fees and the historic power plant, discuss the 2023 City Council meeting schedule, and receive updates on current activities.
Councilors Barbara Bynum, Dave Frank, Doug Glaspell, David Reed, and Ed Ulibarri met in City Council Chambers along with city staff.
The following is a summary of the primary topics discussed during the meeting.
Watch the meeting here.
STORMWATER UTILITY FEE STUDY CONTRACT AWARD RECOMMENDATION
City Councilors were presented with a contract proposal totaling $54,404 for the completion of a Stormwater Utility Fee Study.
Public Works Manager Jim Scheid said that, due to aging stormwater infrastructure within the City of Montrose and increasing state requirements for the treatment of stormwater, city staff has requested proposals for conducting a comprehensive Stormwater Utility Fee Study. The goal of the study is to evaluate and propose rate fee structures for the Montrose City Council to consider, based on benchmarks in the industry and fee structures used by other Colorado agencies. The approach under consideration would use a monthly stormwater fee based on a property's impact on the stormwater system. The stormwater utility fee system would create a mechanism for property owners to pay a proportionate share of the stormwater system's expenses and provide a predictable and sustainable funding source to properly maintain and update the stormwater system.
In addition to the “study” phase of the contract, in which the consultant would provide recommendations and of rate structure formats, the consultant would provide options for the City Council to consider for a later “implementation” phase of the project.
Of three bids the city received for the work, Carollo Engineers, Inc. of Broomfield Colorado was the low bidder and was deemed qualified to perform the work, according to Scheid.
Scheid said the consultant would work closely with the city’s Finance Department to ensure that the proposed fee structure options would align with the existing billing system.
CONTRACT AWARD RECOMMENDATION FOR SAFEGUARDING OF THE HISTORIC BULLOCK POWER PLANT
City Councilors were briefed about efforts to preserve the historic Bullock Power Plant, located at 30 W South 4th Street, which would include rehabilitation work to the structure itself.
Public Works Manager Jim Scheid said the city purchased the former Bullock Power Plant in 2021 and has since been protecting the site and structure for future development possibilities and preparing for the pursuit of grant funding to remediate environmental hazards at the site.
A contract to further secure and protect the building and site is being proposed. The interior of the building is currently open to the weather, wildlife, and the potential trespasser and is also known to have environmentally hazardous materials such as asbestos. While awaiting possible grant funding to perform remediation of the structure, there is an urgent need to secure the site and prevent the further spread of hazardous materials.
A licensed abatement contractor will be required to perform the work associated with the building security. The work will consist of the securing of boards covering windows and doors, the installation of new plywood and framing over any openings large enough for wildlife to enter the structure, filling of mechanical and electrical system ducts and pipes protruding from within the structure, the barricading of existing doors, and posting signage with the proper warnings of environmental hazards. This work may require the removal of some of the trees that have grown next to the building.
Contract Administration and Project Financials
City staff is recommending approval of a contract with Orion Environmental Inc. in the amount of $64,575 to perform the work, along with a 15% contingency amount due to the uncertain nature of the work, for a total of $74,261. This unbudgeted project and would be funded out of undesignated fund balance.
2023 CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE
City Clerk Lisa DelPiccolo presented items for discussion that include dates for the 2023 City Council calendar. Any changes to the regular meeting schedule require formal City Council action. Work sessions can be scheduled as the City Council desires.
Work Session Conflicts:
For Monday holidays that conflict with City Council work sessions, the protocol has been to schedule the work session at 10 a.m. on the Tuesday of the regular meeting. The holiday conflicts for 2023 work sessions are listed below:
• January 2 - New Year’s Day
• January 16 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• February 20 – Presidents Day
• September 4- Labor Day
If City Council chooses to continue with the current protocol, these work sessions will be rescheduled for January 3, January 17, February 21, and September 5 respectively.
Regular Meeting Conflict:
The Independence Day holiday falls on the first Tuesday in July, with a work session scheduled on Monday, July 3. Councilors proposed moving the Tuesday, July 4, meeting to Monday evening, July 3, or canceling the meeting altogether.
Colorado Municipal League Annual Conference:
The CML Annual Conference is scheduled for June 25-28 and will not conflict with the 2023 meeting schedule.
Any changes to the public meeting schedule will be announced following approval by the City Council.
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Councilor Ed Ulibarri thanked Mayor Dave Frank for his efforts to plan an upcoming public meeting about operations at the Black Canyon Golf Course.
Councilor Dave Reed and Doug Glaspell thanked city staff and the Montrose Police Department for a great grand opening of the new Montrose Public Safety Complex.
STAFF COMMENTS
Chief Judge Patrick has extended an invitation to City Attorney Ben Morris to join the Community Advisory Board for Pre-trial Services. Morris told the council Tuesday that he has tentatively accepted the invitation, pending the council’s consent.
City Attorney Ben Morris informed the City Council that a large donation to the Montrose Animal Shelter totaling $100,000 was made by the estate of Debra Hawk.
Morris said the city is considering creating a memorial to celebrate the donation.
Public Works Manager Jim Scheid said design work on the future home of Montrose City Hall, located in the former Wells Fargo building on Main Street, is nearing completion. Scheid said securing materials for the project is an issue, but City Hall operations are expected to move from South First Street into the new Main Street location by spring 2023.
City Engineer Scott Murphy said the city is hosting public open houses this week to gather input for the West Main Revitalization Project. The city will host two open houses at the Centennial Room (behind City Hall at 433 S 1st Street) and a third at MADA (17 North 6th Street). The meetings will include a short presentation and an opportunity to provide feedback:
- Wednesday, October 5, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (Centennial Room)
- Thursday, October 6, 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. (Centennial Room)
- Thursday, October 6, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (MADA)
Police Chief Blaine Hall said the Montrose Public Safety Complex is nearing completion and officers are ready to move police operations into the new facility. With the move-in operations, the street in front of the building will open sometime around October 10.
•••
All City Council meetings are recorded and made available online via the city’s website and cable channels 191 for Charter subscribers and 970 for Elevate subscribers. Replays of council meetings are also broadcast at 6 p.m. on the same channels on days that the council is not in session.
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 and on-demand through the city’s Public Meetings Portal.