Montrose, CO — City Councilors met for a work session Tuesday morning, January 3, to hear a presentation about local Comor services and consider a pair of projects at the Black Canyon Golf Course as well as equipment purchases for 2023.
Councilors Barbara Bynum, Dave Frank, Doug Glaspell, David Reed, and Ed Ulibarri met in the Community Room at the Montrose Public Safety Complex along with city staff.
The following is a summary of the primary topics discussed during the meeting.
Watch the meeting here.
COMCOR PRESENTATION TO CITY COUNCIL
City Councilors heard a presentation regarding Advantage Treatment Centers (ATC) and their efforts to serve community corrections clients as they transition from incarceration back into society.
Montrose Police Commander Matt Smith, ATC Program Director Tyson Berry, and Director of Clinical Services and Contracting Sarah Stangebye spoke about efforts locally and statewide to address service gaps for those being released from incarceration who may require additional substance abuse treatments or other mental health services.
Since its founding in 2005, ATC has grown into a seven-site operation offering a wide array of services to justice involved populations including over 108 Intensive Residential Treatment (IRT) beds – the highest concentration in the State of Colorado.
With the addition of programs in Alamosa, Lamar, La Junta, Craig, Montrose, and Fort Morgan, ATC has proved its commitment to adapting and serving the offender supervision and treatment needs of rural Colorado. With over 140 employees spanning across the state, ATC has created a multitude of jobs and opportunities for the workforce including paid internship venues for a variety of disciplines. Proudly partnering with the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, student loan forgiveness programs are offered to eligible employed health professionals working within the treatment programs. Without the contribution of ATC, offense-specific care would not exist in many of these areas. Evidence continually indicates that offenders without adequate and appropriate supervision and treatment pose a substantially higher risk to the community.
The opioid epidemic is rampant and its effects can be felt across the nation and every corner of our state. Counter to the belief that now is the time to increase Coloradans’ access to addiction professionals, HB20-1206 removed and disqualified many addiction professionals from becoming independent providers and placed extraordinary hurdles on licensed treatment programs statewide -- especially in rural and already underserved areas. In a climate that renders all treatment providers ‘ hands-on deck’, the state has cut access to qualified professionals, leaving the programs to address staff shortages and clinical burnout with no relief in sight.
BLACK CANYON GOLF COURSE BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENT
City Councilors were presented with a proposal to consider selling a small, unused portion of land located at the Black Canyon Golf Course to a private homeowner.
City Planning Manager Jace Hochwalt said James Renfrow owns the property at 2400 Columbine Lane and has approached the city about purchasing a small area of unmaintained and undeveloped area of the Black Canyon Golf Course. The total area proposed to be acquired is 0.62 acres and is adjacent to the south of Mr. Renfrow’s property While this area of land is owned by the city as part of the Black Canyon Golf Course, it serves no functional use to the course itself and is not maintained. Mr. Renfrow is proposing to acquire this land area in order to functionally maintain and revegetate the area so it is not an eyesore directly adjacent to his home.
Mr. Renfrow has submitted a Boundary Line Adjustment plat reflecting the area of the property that he wishes to acquire. No new lots are being created, and the proposal simply shifts Mr. Renfrow’s existing property line to the south. While the process for approving a Boundary Line Adjustment is administered through the Planning Department, City Council must approve the sale of city property prior to any plat recording or property transfer. As reflected in the Real Estate Contract, Mr. Renfrow is proposing to purchase the 0.62-acre property for $25,000.
BLACK CANYON GOLF COURSE TREE PLAN
City Councilors were presented with an updated plan to replace trees at the Black Canyon Golf Course.
Deputy City Manager Ann Morgenthaler said Black Canyon Golf Course (BCGC) staff worked with Parks Superintendent Daniel Payne to create the BCGC Tree Replacement Program (Tree Plan). The Tree Plan outlines the general location and species of trees that were planted in 2022 and will be planted in 2023 and 2024. These plantings replace trees that were removed in 2021 and 2022 due to damage from weather and deteriorating tree health, as well as Russian olive trees that were removed because they are classified as a noxious weed species in Colorado. The plan also facilitates implementation, budgeting, and communication about the city’s efforts at the BCGC. The Tree Plan was presented to keep council informed about the implementation schedule and associated budget. Action is not required by City Council.
In 2022 the plan called for the planting of 26 new trees planted in various locations on the course’s front nine. In 2023 the city will add 27 new trees and 39 in 2024.
2023 EQUIPMENT PURCHASE RECOMMENDATION
City Councilors were presented with a recommendation for the purchase of new equipment at a total cost of $1,772,924.
Public Works Manager Jim Scheid said the city is seeking to replace six dump trucks, an asphalt recycler, an armored vehicle for the city’s Police Department, and a used tractor and lowboy trailer.
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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 and on-demand through the city’s Public Meetings Portal.