Council Goals Envision a safe, flourishing downtown that provides a strong commercial tax base Strive to be active stewards of existing aging infrastructure Recognize importance of experience, well trained, and community minded staff Ensure its electorate is well informed of on-going successes and future plans Envision a safe, secure community for its families and youth Promote redevelopment ofe existing businesses and neighborhoods and' increase quality of life for all its residents  AGENDA La Junta, Colorado June 5, 2023 6:00 PM Council Chambers Municipal Building 601 Colorado Avenue  REGULAR MEETING LA. JUNTA CITY COUNCIL  CALL TO ORDER (Mayor Pro-Tem Velasquez) INVOCATION (Council Member Mcintyre) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (Mayor Pro-Tem Velasquez)  ROLL CALL (City Clerk) Council Members Ramirez Velasquez Mcintyre Ayala Ochoa Vela Pantoya  Supervisors  Others  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS (Mayor Pro-Tem) (Action)  Regular Meeting May 15, 2023  CITIZEN PARTICIPATION FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS ONLY (5-minute time limit per  person)  PRESENTATION: Red Cross NEWBUSINESS  A. Application for a Special Events Permit by American Legion Auxiliary, Angela Davis, Event Manager. The event is their 3rd Annual Trillion Tree Corp. to be held July 4, 2023 from 4:00 B. Authorization to Commence Condemnation - 1008 Raton. Avenue (City Attorney) (Action) Recommendation to Replace or Augment the Current City' Water. Attorney in Regards to Ark  p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at 118 Steen. Avenue (City Attorney) (Action)  Valley Conduit. Affairs (Mayor Pro-Tem) (Action)  D. Committee/Board Reports E. City Manager's Comments F. Governing Body Comments G.A ADJOURN    Page 1of7  CITY COUNCIL MEETING - May 15, 2023 STATE OF COLORADO COUNTY OF OTERO CITY OF LAJUNTA  Subject to approval at the June 5, 2023 Council City  ) )ss  Meeting  CALL TO ORDER: A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of La Junta, Colorado, was called to order by Mayor Ayala on Monday, May 15, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal  Building.  INVOCATION: Mayor Ayala gave the invocation.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Ayala led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiançe.  ROLL CALL: The following Council Members were present:  Damon Ramirez, Ward 1 Elaine McIntyre, Ward2 Joe. Ayala, Mayor Chandra Ochoa, Ward 2 Edward Vela, Ward3 3 Lisa Pantoya, Ward 3 Paul Velasquez, Ward 1 Bill Jackson, Asst. City Manager Melanie Scofield, City Clerk Paula Mahoney, Admin. Asst. Aliza Libby, Director of Finance Gary Cranson, Utility Board Mike Bourget, UB Commissioner Nancy Bennett, La. Junta Bethany Bender, La Junta Chad Penner, La. Junta Andrew Froese, Hancock Froese & Co. Patrick Hancock, Hancock Froese & Co. Cathy Hurd, La. Junta Kathy DelRio, La. Junta Randy LaRue, La Junta Bette McFarren, RF Gazette  Absent:  Also present: Rick Klein, City Manager  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Mayor Ayala asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of May 1, 2023. Council Member Vela had asked for the citation for how much the city can put in as far as the expenditures to promote an election. The City Attorney said $75.00. The citation says $50.00. He also asked if somebody was tracking it. Mr. Klein said yes. Hearing no further corrections or additions, the mayor asked for a motion to approve the  minutes as amended. SECOND: Mclntyre  MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MAY 1, 2023 MINUTES AS AMENDED: Ochoa  DISCUSSION: There was no further discussion VOTE: The motion carried 6-0 (Velasquez absent)    Page2of7  CITY COUNCIL MEETING - May 15, 2023  CITIZEN PARTICIPATION FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS (5-minute time limit per person): 1. Randy LaRue, 320 Cimarron Avenue: Shared his concern. of a dangerous, belligerent dog. He believes the owner is lives on 4th and Lincoln but don't know for sure. The dog attacked his friend viciously on her bike. He was attacked the same day and was bit on the ankle. 2. Kathy DelRio, 320 Cimarron Avenue: Shared her encounter with a vicious dog that looks like a pit bull. The dog has attacked her and she is scared to go outside. She is trying to inform the 3. Bethany Bender. La Junta: Was using the Brick & Tile trail with her dog, on a leash and wanted to say thank you to whichever city worker cleaned up all the weeds. She also noticed that the grass is 4. Nancy Bennett, 622 Santa Fe Avenue: Shared the Steven A. Hart Award. It was People's Choice Award that the Certified Local Government received for their historic downtown survey. The amount ofi information in that survey is amazing. Trevor Herasingh, Daniel Horton and Nancy Bennett went 5. Chad Penner, 1105 Belleview Avenue: Had a question regarding only having $50 or $75 for an election. Mr. Klein explained that the State of Colorado put al limit on how much tax dollars could be used to promote an election. This is for promoting only. Noti for the actual cost of an election. 6. Rick Klein, City Manager: We received an. award for achieving the next step in the Colorado Main Street program. For every level you go up, more comes in to help us with our downtown.  community.  coming up where ity was burnt. It looks beautiful over there.  toD Denver to pick up the award.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS  A. Second Reading/AN ORDINANCE MAKING SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS TO THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2023. The ordinance was introduced by title only,  there being copies available to those in attendance.  MOTION TO PASS THE ORDINANCE ON SECOND READING: Mcintyre  SECOND: Ochoa  DISCUSSION: Thei following discussion took place.  Council Member Vela: The City Attorney and I, he called me at the end of the meeting last time we met and he had a proposal for resolution to try to avoid the cost of this expenditure. He told me to think about it and a week later, we talked about it and I suggested to him that in order to eliminate this cost, which Rick says it'll be pretty devastating to our budget, that we come up with alternative dispute resolution and I told him because of the suspect of the investigations data sO far. So, and then he left on vacation. So, Idon't know what his thought was. He never got back to me. So,! have to assume that it was zero. But ify you guys want to talk about it and another way we can doi that  without going to that $10,000 expense, Iwould make that motion. Mayor Ayala: Idon't understand your statement Ed. Clarify more for me. Council Member Vela: Does anybody else? Ifyou don't, I'lle explain it again.  Council Member Pantoya: Idon't understand. Council Member Vela: You don't? Council Member Pantoya: Nuh uh.  Council Member Vela: After the meeting, last meeting, Dean suggested that we do some alternative resolution to this whole issue and Isaid, Iwould think about it and next thing I know, he was gone but the fact of the matter is that I'mi thinking about it because of my feelings that are suspect toward the content of the statements by the two affiants which would be Salazar and Johannes. Does that  make ita al little bit clear? Anybody not understand? I'lI say it again. Council Member Pantoya: Doy you understand Elaine? Council Member Pantoya: Ithink Igeti it now, yes.  Council Member Vela: Doy you?    Page 3 of7  CITY COUNCIL MEETING - May 15, 2023  Mayor Ayala: So, you're thinking about working out a deal with Dean?  Council Member Vela: No, with the council and Dean. All he does is propose to you guys and you Council Member Pantoya: But if you didn't go with whatever he proposed to you, then I would say Council Member Pantoya: Cuz, then, you did it. You're saying you counter offered with something  guys decided.  that we're probably going to need to doit. Council Member' Vela: Yeah. else and that was.  Council Member Vela: No, haven't counter offered anything. Council Member Ochoa: He never go back to you?  Council Member' Vela: He never got back. Hel left town. He said he had to go to Florida. Council Member Pantoya: Yeah, I know but you told him that you would think about it and you, you didn't do it. When you said something different of what you would go with and you said no. And he City Manager Klein: Yeah, whether you pass this or not, you know, I' hold back until after Dean gets back and then we'll get clarification. See which way they go. So, you know, you can go ahead  didn't get back to you. So, then It think we need to doi it.  Council Member Vela: Yeah. and pass the ordinance.  Council Member Ochoa: So that money could be moved back? City Manager Klein: Oh yes. You just don'tspend it. Council Member Ochoa: Thank you for clarifying that. Council Member Vela: Say that again Rick. City Manager Klein: Whether you pass or it fails. Council Member Vela: Oh.  City Manager Klein: I'l talk to Dean when he gets back. We just won't spend the money. Council Member Vela: Okay. Ijust threw that out for discussion. Council Member Ochoa: That's a great discussion to have that we should that we had at last council? Mr. Vela. Mr. Vela. You.  Mayor Ayala: So, you, it's your statement that you didn't talk to Dean at all after that last meeting  Council Member Vela: What? Council Member Vela: No. Mayor Ayala: That's your statement. Okay.  Mayor Ayala: You haven't talked to Ed, Ir mean to Dean, since then?  Council Member Vela: He never got back to me. So, as far as I'm concerned, it's still open.  Council Member Pantoya: So, what is he getting back to you for? Council Member Vela: Uh, to see the merits of what we proposed. Council Member Pantoya: So, you proposed something back to him.  Council Member Vela: Yeah.  Council Member Pantoya: Okay, Ithink we could probably do this and then talk later.  Council Member Vela: Yeah, we cand doit.  Mayor Ayala: Okay.    Page 4 of7  CITY COUNCIL MEETING = May 15, 2023  Council Member Vela: That's all the discussion I had. Mayor Ayala: Any other discussion? I'la ask for your vote.  VOTE: Those voting YES: Ramirez, Mcintyre, Ayala, Ochoa and Pantoya  Those voting NO: Vela  The motion carried 5-1 (Velasquez absent)  NEW BUSINESS  A. Presentation of the 2022 Audit Report. Patrick Hancock and Andrew Froese with Hancock, Froese & Company went over the independent auditor's report and the government-wide financial statements. The ratio analysis worksheet shows the key financial rations for the General Fund, Electric Fund, Water Fund, Sewer Fund and Sanitation Fund. (Analysis worksheet is attached).  B. Committee/Board Reports C. City Manager's Comments  There were no committee or board reports.  The Brick and Tile playground is completed except for the last shelter. Weather has slowed Finishing the Brick and Tile Park bathroom. The electrical and plumbers are working on CDOT to issue notice to proceed this month, then we start the bidding process for the trail. The Library is having an open house on May 24th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon showcasing  down the progress. interior.  We have our Invitation For bid ready when we receive the notice. We are still working with the Utility Board on the Rate Study.  their services. Wildland fire season is here, be careful. June 1stt the pool opens. Soccer started. May 1st level 1 water restrictions.  Electric crews installed security lights at Brick and Tile park.  Supply chains are increasingly complex and lead times continue to be unpredictable at best, and typically longer than expected. We are continuing to see logistic costs on the rise but thankfully most items are available for procurement, it's just going to cost more to ship said Itis unlawful to park on sidewalks or block driveways. We are getting complaints. As soon as we get asphalt, we're going to stop everything and go to asphalt mode.  items.  ADDITIONAL TOPICS DISCUSSED:  Need to replace the brick manhole located at 10th and Carson. It has been ordered. Signs are ordered and more monitoring is being done in regards to the ducks at the The Colorado Rockies organization will be here Friday giving a clinic for the Mayor Ayala, along with Council Member Pantoya, had the opportunity to present awards at the Valley's kids at the Center for American Values in Pueblo.  Thei tent over by Boss Hoggs has finally been removed. We are still doing private pool rentals just no open swim nights.  City Park. children.  D. Governing Body Comments 1. Council Member Vela: 2. Mayor Ayala:  Thanked Urban Renewal for giving that $250,000 for Sutherland Lumber to come into  town. That's a good investment. Thank you.    Page 5of7  CITY COUNCIL MEETING - May 15, 2023  I'm going to make a statement. I'm going to talk about you Mr. Vela. So, I'm going to Mayor Ayala: Full disclosure, Mr. Vela is a relative to my wife through marriage. I've known Mr. Vela a very long time. He's lived across the street from my aunt. Irespect Mr. Vela. think he is a great member of this community. He's a city councilman, a veteran. I believe he truly does care about this city. We don't always agree on things. Itbaffles me that he says that he did not talk to Dean because someone is not telling me accurate information. Ireceived a call last Tuesday from Dean saying he needed to talk to me about a proposal from Mr. Vela and that proposal was, Mrs. Salazar was to recant her story or there would be damning information released about the mayor from Ed. And, I don't understand that. I'm not involved in this situation at all. Other than this report was made to me. Ido not have anything to do with what Mr. Vela did. I'm trying tol keep myself out ofit. That way, I can be given the situation and make my decision off of that. I've told Mr. Vela this. He says, you know, you're not talking to me. told him I'd talk to him about anything except for that situation. I'm not going to be threatened with things that I may or may not have done. I'm an honest man. l'm ai family man andI care about this community and Ir run al business. Ican't have these kinds of things being put out there like that. Ido this because I want to help La Junta grow. At one point, I actually supported Mr. Vela to be mayor many years ago. But I'm not going to be threatened with information being held over me or things like that. That's not how I operate. We're all adults here. Ifyou're saying that you didn't talk to Mr. Malouff about that, someone's miscommunicating the information. That's not how we do business here. We're adults. We have a ton of problems that we have to do right now. A ton of problems that we have to work on and instead, we always have to deal with things like this and nine times out of ten, they're coming from Mr. Vela. And it frustrates me because when I get on Facebook, or when I see the news coming to town, it's for nonsense. It's not for us doing something good. It's not for us doing the work that we were elected to do and that bothers me. So, PI let you respond but that's my statement Council Member Vela: Well, your comment that we had discussed the woman who made that accusation against me to recant. No. She just has to understand human behavior. Period. And I'm not going to give a whole bunch of information because all of this is still pending. Also, the mayor, your good, you're well intended. Aslsaid, when I asked you to support me for mayor and you said, I'm going to run. Iquickly pulled out a hundred bucks and said, here, I'm going to back you up because - wanted youth on this committee, this council and we got it. So, that's what I really like about it and the things I bring up, you know, it's not always just the city, it's the citizens too. Iwas elected by the citizens to do favor for the citizens without taking it deeply out of their pockets. And I'I have more to say on that later. But as far as the mayor not speaking to me, he won't event look at me and it's all right here. Period. Isays, why? What? Who? When? Why? Nothing. Sees me walking. Always with a, as they say in the Spanish community or the Mexican community, with a jeta. And that's no good. We gotta get along. Matter of fact, it has even spilled out into the administration. Rick's a good guy. No matter what anybody does to him, he'll talk toy you. But these other people that work  ask that youy wait until I'mi finished before you respond.  Council Member Vela: Oh yeah.  onit.  ina administration, ignore me. But PII talk about that maybe later. Council Member Pantoya: But that doesn't matter. Council Member Vela: l'm speaking, do you mind? Council Member Pantoya: Yes, I do mind. Council Member Vela: Oh well, take the floor. accomplished. There's sO much more we have to do.  Council Member Pantoya: Yes, because 1, what he's trying to say is that we want to move past this and not mudsling different things towards each other to get this    Page 6 of7  CITY COUNCIL MEETING - May 15, 2023  Council Member Vela: I've got eight years over your one year.  Council Member Pantoya: Yes, I know you have that. And you keep saying it's for the Council Member Vela: Ididn't say for the youth. Isaid fort the citizens. Council Member Pantoya: Yes, we're the citizens who are young and wanting to make  youth, for the youth, then step down.  al better La Junta.  Council Member Vela: That's right. Council Member Pantoya: So, if..,  Council Member Vela: But you're going to have input from the old guard. You're going to have input from the old guard. Cuz, I'm not saying I'm right all the time.  Council Member Pantoya: I'm not saying. Council Member Vela: I'mj just saying. Council Member Pantoya: Iknow. Council Member Pantoya: Yes.  Council Member Vela: This is how If feel. Iwas elected by the people not by the council. Council Member Vela: And Ifeel strongly about that. Joe, you're still my nephew. Istill love you. Istill got plenty of positive things. Cuz, you know when you were elected, I told you, this is just a stepping stone into your, maybe a next state representative rule, Council Member Pantoya: But he just said that four years ago, he supported you for the  orv whatever, but we'lls see. same thing.  Council Member Vela: Itwasn'tf four, it was six. Council Member Pantoya: Well, he supported you. Council Member Vela: Well, I did too. Council Member Pantoya: Yes.  Council Member Vela: And that's what got him through. Council Member Vela: Well, I didn't starti it.  Council Member Pantoya: But this is al bunch of mudslinging and itr needs to stop. Mayor Ayala: Are you denying that yout talked to Mr. Malouff about that? Council Member Vela: No. I'm not denying that I talked to him because I was leaving and he called me over there. He initiated it. He says, hey, we gotta do something different on this. And he, I'm not going to say what he said, but Ididn't like it. And then when he and talked, oh, he was in a hurry. He's gotta go to Florida. Andl says, why the rush? He goes, oh, you know the wife. They always want to go right now and that's Council Member Vela: Well yeah, I'm not complaining about that. But don't say that Mayor Ayala: Idon't know about that. Alll Iknow is the phone call got on Tuesday and Iwas upset. Italked to Rick about it and I thought about filing a complaint against you Mr. Vela. That's borderline blackmail and extortion and I did not want to do that. I wanted to bring that up to you here and let you have an answer for that. Id don't appreciate it. Ihave a lot ini this community and won't be threatened like that.  the last Ih heard of him.  Council Member Ochoa: He's entitled to his vacation. you're going to do something and then go out of state.  Council Member Vela: Igot just as much as you or more.    Page 7of7  CITY COUNCIL MEETING - May 15, 2023  City Manager Klein: Let me get this straight. So,you talked to Dean here but you didn't Council Member Veal: Yes, he called me. AfterItold him what Iwanted. And he never  talk to him any other time afterwards.  got back to me.  City Manager Klein: And that was to understand human behavior?  Council Member Vela: What?  City Manager Klein: What wasi it? You wanted them to understand the human behavior. Council Member Vela: Her perception of what my activity was during the time I was back there is improper. It's not correct. Cuz, you know yourself. Anytime you're here in ac conversation with somebody and somebody walks by you, you're distracted like that, but just momentarily. Well, she took it out of context apparently. Ooops, I'm giving a trump card. Forget it. But hey, you know Joe, let's shake hands, let's talk and don't leave me out of the loop. Cuz everybody went to that, I mean, nobody went to that Ark Valley Conduit meeting. Except me. You know why Iwent? Cuz, nobody told me not to City Manager Klein: Ed, you knew that the Utility Board had voted no on that.  go. Everybody else knowi to go. That's what you told me.  Council Member Vela: On the Conduit. City Manager Klein: Why would you go?  Council Member' Vela: Maybe they had something different. : City Manager Klein: You puti in for ai travel rebate on it for fifty-eight bucks. City Manager Klein: Do you think that's right when these guys, they don'tgo then. as Council Member Vela: Did I bring back what I was given over there? Did I give you  Council Member' Vela: So.  something to hand down? Tot tell you about the projects. City Manager Klein: So, you know. Council Member Vela: DidIdoit? Yes. City Manager Klein: So, it's up to council. Council Member Vela: Well, you sure took it. Council Member Vela: No, it aint. It's up toy you.  City Manager Klein: So, it's up to council to reimburse him the fifty-eight..  City Manager Klein: No, it actually says authorized by, but I've never done one except Council Member Vela: I'm the cheapest guy there is when it comes to expenses and Mayor Ayala: Alright, with that, III adjourn this meeting. Thank you all for coming out.  forl like CML, Action 22 you know that. City Manager Klein: Okay.  There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.  ATTEST:  CITY OF LA. JUNTA Joe Ayala, Mayor  Melanie R. Scofield, City Clerk    City Manager Comments  The Brick and Tile playground is completed except for the last shelter. Weather has CDOT to issue notice to proceed this month, then we start the bidding process for the trail. We have our Invitation For Bid ready when we receive the notice. We are still working with the Utility Board on the Rate Study.  slowed down its progress.  Wildland fire season is here, be careful! On June 1st, the pool opened to 375 kids. Level 1 water restrictions Electric crews installed security lights at B&T park. We have some clarifying on how the City operates.  Iti is unlawful to park on sidewalks or block driveways. We are getting complaints. We have storm sewer breaks at 10th & Carson, 16th & Carson, and 4th & Cimarron.