New Castle Town Council Regular Meeting Tuesday April 2, 2024, 7:00 PM  Call to Order  Mayor Pro Tem Grady Hazelton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Present  Councilor Carey Councilor Mariscal Mayor Pro Tem Hazelton Councilor Copeland Councilor Leland Councilor G Riddile Mayor A. Riddile  Absent  Also present at the meeting were Town Administrator Dave Reynolds, Town Clerk Mindy Andis, Town Treasurer Viktoriya Ehlers, Assistant Town Attorney Haley Carmer, and MOTION: Pro Tem Hazelton made a motion to excuse Mayor A. Riddile's absence. Councilor Mariscal seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Clerk Andis verified that her office gave notice of the meeting in accordance with  members of the public.  Meeting Notice resolution TC 2024-1. Conflicts of Interest the sale of the 6th Street lot. Agenda Changes There were no agenda changes. There were no Citizen Comments. Consultant Reports  Councilor G. Riddile he would be recusing himself from item E, the discussion regarding  Citizen Comments on Items not on the Agenda  Consultant Attorney -present for agenda items only.  Consultant Engineer - not present Items for Consideration  Town Council Meeting Tuesday, April 2, 2024  1    Thank You = Municipal Judge Amanda Maurer Miller for Seventeen Years of Town Clerk Mindy Andis said Judge Amanda Maurer Miller will not be asking for reappointment as municipal judge. Municipal Judge Amanda Maurer Miller has been judge for the Town of New Castle for seventeen years. Clerk Andis said Judge Maurer was originally appointed as Assistant Municipal Judge to Judge Hugh Warder in 2007. In 2009 Judge Maurer became the New Castle's Traffic Judge. Following Judge Warder's retirement in2 2012, Judge Maurer was named as New Castle's full time Municipal Judge. The Town of New Castle is grateful for Judge Maurer's years of service to the town. Amanda Maurer Town Council thanked Judge Maurer for her seventeen years of service to the Town. Clerk Judge Maurer thanked town council and town staff for the opportunity to serve as the municipal judge for those years. She has enjoyed being the judge for New Castle and she  Service to the Residents of the Town of New Castle  made a huge difference in our community and will be missed by all. Andis present Judge Maurer with a plaque and crystal gavel.  will miss it.  Presentation from Garfield County Libraries and completed in early 2024. (Exhibit A)  Town Administrator Dave Reynolds said Jamie LaRue Garfield County Library's Executive Director, will present a county wide project that the library staff worked on in late 2023 Mr. LaRue said staff members from each branch of Garfield County Library took time to personally interview 85 community, business, and volunteer leaders from various parts of the county to ask them what drives them, what are they passionate about, what matters most over the next two years, and what are their aspirations for the community. Councilor Carey said she was grateful for all the work that has been done and she will Mayor Pro Tem Hazelton asked about the effects of social media on children. Mr. LaRue said studies have shown that a screen should not be put in front of a child before the age of four unless it is educational, and the parent is interactive with the child. Councilor Leland said the library has rejoined Garfield Cleen Energy. They were charter members and member for a long time until the library budget went down. Introduction: Professional Assistant Michelle Huster and Assistant Treasurer Clerk Andis introduced Michelle Huster to the council. Ms. Huster joined the Clerk's Department as the Professional Assistant to the Town Clerk on March 4, 2024 and has been doing a terrific job of learning the many responsibilities and roles that come with her front office position. Staff is excited to have Ms. Huster as part of the New Castle team. Town Treasurer Viktoryia Ehlers introduced Jolene (Josie) Wood to the council. Treasurer Ehlers said Ms. Wood joined the Finance Department as Assistant Town Treasurer on February 26, 2024. Ms. Wood will be concentrating on payroll, she has done a great job of learning our systems and is working toward becoming our payroll administrator. Ms. Wood  continue to support the county libraries.  Jolene (Josie) Wood  Town Council Meeting Tuesday, April 2, 2024  2    has been a huge help to the department and assistant to Treasurer Ehlers. Parks Manager Ryan Barkman introduced Cody Hunstad, Parks Foreman. Manager Barkman said Mr. Hunstad has been with the town for a couple of years working and  taking care of the town's parks.  The council welcomed new town employees and new team members. Mayor Pro Tem Hazelton read the proclamation into the record.  Arbor Day Proclamation  Parks Manager Barkman said the Town of New Castle is celebrating 20 years of being part of Tree City USA. There is a lot of work that goes into being part of the program such as how many trees are planted and taking care of the trees. The Arbor Day celebration will be April 26, 2024, at 10:30am at Bear Dance Park. The Boys Scouts have been invited to join in on the celebration. Manager Barkman also extended an invitation to the town council and to staff to participate. Foreman Hunstad said a Sienna Glenn Maple tree has been picked out to be planted this year. The tree will grow to be about 50 feet tall and it's af fast-growing tree. Currently the tree is about 12 feet tall and easy to plant. Mayor Pro Tem said three of the trees from the plaza area were able to be transplanted. Manager Barkman said those trees were planted at Public Works by the bulk water station. The other trees could not be saved because of the underground utilities. Administrator Reynolds thanked the parks department for doing such a great job in keeping the parks looking great. He said the parks department is currently looking for parks seasonals and they were also at the CMC job fair recruiting for the parks  department.  Proclamation Recognizing Parkinson's Awareness Month Mayor Pro Tem Hazelton read the proclamation into the record.  Mayor Pro Tem Hazelton presented the proclamation to Mr. Larry Metzger, a New Castle resident. Mr. Metzger's wife Mary Metzger, former town councilor, passed away from Parkinsons. Mr. Metzger said the summer of 2023 was a 5k and a 10k run/walk in Basalt. The run/walk was to raise awareness and a fundraiser. The event raised over $52,000.00. Administrator Reynolds said during the regular council meeting held on March 19, 2024, the council appointed our current Municipal Prosecutor Tim Graves to become our new Town Judge beginning in April. The town's current Assistant Municipal Prosecutor John Collins has voiced an interest in moving up and filling the open Municipal Prosecutor position on a full-time basis. Mr. Collins has been the Assistant Prosecutor for little over two years and has done a great job of filling in for Mr. Graves when needed. Staff would like to review Mr. Collins qualifications with the town council and determine the best path  Discussion Regarding Appointing a Municipal Prosecutor  forward for selecting a new Town Prosecutor.  Councilor Leland asked if Mr. Collins prosecuted cases in this court.  Town Council Meeting Tuesday, April 2, 2024  3    Clerk Andis said yes. Mr. Collins has had a handful of cases and is familiar with this court. She said she is comfortable working with him and is easy to work with. Mr. Collins is the Municipal Prosecutor in Glenwood Springs and the Municipal Judge in Carbondale and The council discussed having Mr. Collins come to the next council meeting for an interview Executive Session for a conference with the Town Attorney for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions under CRS Section 24-6- 402(4)(b) regarding pending litigation against Castle Valley Ranch Investors Motion: Councilor Leland made a Motion at 8:05p.m. to go into Executive Session for a conference with the Town Attorney for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions under CRS Section 24-6-402(4)(b) regarding pending litigation against Castle Valley Ranch Investors. Councilor Copeland seconded Executive Session for a conference with the Town Attorney for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions under C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b) for the purpose of determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to Motion: Councilor Leland made a Motion at 8:05p.m. to go into Executive Session for a conference with the Town Attorney for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions under C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b) for the purpose of determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations concerning the 6th Street Lot. Councilor Copeland seconded the motion and it  Basalt. and to meet him.  the motion and it passed unanimously.  negotiations concerning the 6th Street Lot.  passed unanimously. Councilor G. Riddile left at 9:00 pm. Councilor G. Riddile returned at 9:07p.m Executive session concluded.  At the end of the executive session, Mayor Pro Tem Hazelton made the following "The time is now 9:07p.m. and the executive session has been concluded. The participants in the executive sessions were: Councilor Mariscal, Councilor Carey, Councilors Copeland, Councilor G Riddile, Councilor Leland, Town Administrator Reynolds, Town Clerk Andis, Assistant Town Attorney Haley and Town Treasurer Ehlers. For the record, if any person who participated in the executive session believes that any substantial discussion of any matters not included in the motion to go into the executive session occurred during the executive session, or that any improper action occurred during the executive session in violation of the Open Meetings Law, I would ask that you  statement:  state your concerns for the record."  Town Council Meeting Tuesday, April 2, 2024  4    No concerns were stated. Consent Agenda March 19, 2024 March Bills $639,411.17  Resolution TC 2024-11 - Approving an MOU with Garfield County for Mosquito Control MOTION: Councilor G. Riddile made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Councilor Carey seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Staff Reports  Town Administrator - Administrator Reynolds said at the last council retreat there was not a decision made on when to have the next retreat. The next council retreat was decided to be on September 28, 2024. He said council had discussed having a work session to discuss building a rec center and preparing a survey. Administrator Reynolds met with the manager of Town of Debeque since they have a new rec center. He also took at tour of the rec center at Battlement Mesa. The rec centers are two different operations and he saw what that looks like. Administrator Reynolds said town staff will be hosting the New Castle Chamber BINGO on June 13, 2024. He said the town is applying for an AGNC Technical Grant which is due next week. There are a couple of different grants written: 1) traffic control devices specifically for Midland Ave. 2) help downtown businesses. The town can only submit one. AGNC will give a technical grant and the town is asking for $5,000.00, then the town would match from the downtown group budget. Then, the town would open outgoing grants to downtown businesses which are forward faces to Main Street. The money could be used for new paint, new signs and etc. The council agreed to apply for the grant to help the businesses. Administrator Reynolds said the City of Glenwood Springs completed a regional traffic study. From the study the City of Glenwood Springs wants to create a traffic coalition and wants the Town of New Castle to be part of the coalition. Administrator Reynolds said the Carrier Neutral Location (CNL) had meetings with Garfield County and the other towns. The discussion was since there is a building for CNL what happens next. There was an RFP to internet providers to see who is interested and what it would look like. There have been interviews with 6 different internet providers. Out of the 6 there are two providers for second interviews. The ownership of the building and the equipment is becoming complicated. Garfield County Commissioners have said they are not in the internet business and the CNL's go to the towns. The town was very deliberate up front by stating the town would lease the property, but the town doesn't want the maintenance of the facility until we know more about the pros and cons Mayor Pro Tem Hazelton asked about the insurance. Administrator Reynolds said the insurance is all part of the maintenance and ownership of the building. He said the purpose of this was the federal and state was putting out money to provide services to the underserved communities. The privilege was for smaller towns to have competing providers. When the state started to map what they considered underserved didn't include the town proper because the town already has high speed internet. Administrator Reynolds said there was a gas line that was hit at the round-about construction site. He said he has been going through council retreat notes, there was discussion about open houses for residents to come talk to council and to staff. Staff had an idea to make the  to the town.  Town Council Meeting Tuesday, April 2, 2024  5    open house more appealing. Staff suggested having an ice cream social at Burning Mountain Park in June, serve ice cream and talk with residents. Administrator Reynolds said Town Attorneys David McConaughy and Haley Carmer will be doing an orientation to council and commissioners on "do's and don'ts.) Administrator Reynolds said he and staff had a meeting with a realtor to talk about the old schoolhouse. Administrator Reynolds said he will be going on vacation in May and will not be available from May 8-21, 2024. Town Clerk -Clerk Andis handed out the council appointment list for council to review. She said the clerk's office has started working 4-day 10 hour work week. Staff will come in at 6am and work until 5pm with an hour lunch. The Town Hall hours of operation will not change. Assistant Huster will have Tuesdays off, Clerk Andis will have Wednesdays off and Deputy Clerk Bordelon will have Thursdays off. The reasoning for the days off is because of the meeting nights. However, the nights of the meeting staff will come in at 8am and work until 5pm and be back for the meeting. This is a month's trial to see how staff likes the new hours. Since town hall hours are not being affected there is no harm no foul if it doesn't work or if the new hours don't work for a staff member they can work the Town Treasurer - Treasurer Ehlers said the parks department has received the 2024 Chevy Silverado. She said the audit is scheduled for the 3rd week in April and the auditor will be on site for a few days. Treasurer Ehlers said she will be moving temporarily due to demolition in her office to put in a window. Treasurer Ehlers said the sales tax revenue for 2023 is up 4 V% over budget. She said the bag fee collected for 2023 was $15,395.72. She said the tobacco tax revenue 2023 increased with a surplus $37,000 over the budget.  normal 8am-5pm week.  The trend sO far for January and February 2024 is -4%.  Town Planner = not present Public Works Director - not present Commission Reports  Planning & Zoning Commission = has not met Historic Preservation Commission - has not met  Climate and Environment Commission - Commissioner Leland said the commission did elect a chair. The chair is Tom Elder. They discussed Earth Day plans. The Earth Day theme this year is Reducing Plastic. The commission ordered water bottles with the town logo on them to give away during the event. Glenwood Springs traffic group is working with CLEER grant and need a support letter from the town. A letter was sent from the Senior Program - Clerk Andis handed out a presentation by John Dougherty Human Services Innovations. The meeting was a joint meeting with Garfield Council on Ageing. Mr. Dougherty did a presentation on what the Senior Advisory Board and Garfield Council on Ageing can do better and looking for recommendations for budgeting more wisely, how to get the seniors more involved, how to better outreach to the seniors and let them know of the different programs available to them. Mr. Dougherty invited town council and town trustees to who are part of the program to come to the next meeting. The next meeting is April 26, 2024 at 9am here at town hall. Councilor Copeland said she would come for the  commission.  council. RFTA - no report  AGNC - Councilor Hazelton said they discussed wolves.  Town Council Meeting Tuesday, April 2, 2024  6    GCE - Councilor Leland nothing to report  EAB - has not met @3:30pm on site. Council Comments  Detox - Administrator Reynolds said the grand opening will be Thursday, April 11, 2024  Councilor Mariscal said CMC reached out to her to talk about the book "Common Ground" She will be the Town of New Castle representative. Councilor Carey will be talking to Kathryn Senor Elementary School Gifted and Talented students about what it means to be an elected official. Councilor G. Riddile said Mayor A. Riddile is recovering and thanked everyone Councilor Leland said the town does have a Spellabration team.  for what they have done.  Items for Future Council Agenda  Councilor Carey said the CPW could like to come and give a presentation about MOTION: Mayor Pro Tem Hazelton made a motion to adjourn. Councilor  bears.  Carey seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 9:47p.m. Respectfully submitted,  OF HERC CRO CMir * ORADO  m  Mayor Pro Tem' 'Grady Hazelton   Aundilindis Town Clerk/Mindy Andis, CMC  Town Council Meeting Tuesday, April 2, 2024  7    Exhibit A to  4.2:2024 Council Minutes  GARFIELD COUNTY LIBRARIES  Community Interviews:  What you told us  Garfield County Libraries New Castle Branch Library February 5, 2024  e    Our Process  Brainstormed list of "movers and shakers" across Garfield County Each branch scheduled and held interviews with their community members  over 2 months Interview questions: What's your story?  What's your driver or personal passion? What are your aspirations for the community?  What issues matter most to your constituents in the next 18-24 months?  Who else should we talk to?  Page 6    Our Process  Compiled and analyzed data to determine county and individual community  themes  Presented findings to library board  Currently, presenting findings to all six communities (Jan-Feb)  Page 7    Who Participated  62 unique staff; 1 library board member 85 people interviewed - county-wide  14 interviews - New Castle; 11 staff participants  Page 8    Completed Interviews  Parachute 12.9%  Carbondale 21.2%  Rifle 20.0%  Glenwood 14.1%  Silt 15.3%  New Castle 16.5% Page 9    Movers and Shakers Interviews by Industry  20 15 10 5  -  -   Industry Type  Page 10    Achievement; gap. (Covid) Civility/respect Education HispanicESL  "Housing Cost/affordability Inventory  Open space Outdoor ed Natural resources Water Climate change Trallichransportation' Artifacts and. docs History Not time after commute Parenting Disaster prep/wildfire mitigation  Access top providers Anxiety Seniors Loneliness Social media Celebrating culture Civility  "Mental health Depression  Quality ofl life  New Castle Community Interviews  Publica art Safety Fentany! Chamber/city support Business support Rents Development/ growth management:  Access tol legal Language justice Coverage ofr meetings Intergovernmental Information cooperation Trusttransparency, ofg govt Local engagement ine events Maintaining small town charm Volunteerism  Hispanic outreach Awareness ofr resources  Building community  Food insecurity Economy Inflation Poverty  Young adults can't stay Workforce recruitment  and retention  Page 11    Costlaffordability Inventory  Housing  Access to providers  Anxiety  2 N Mental health Depression  Seniors Social media  Loneliness  Page 12    New Castle Community Interviews  Celebrating culture Civility  Access to legal Language justice Coverage of meetings Intergovernmental cooperation  Hispanic outreach Awareness of resources  Building community  Information  Trust/transparency of govt  Local engagement in events Maintaining small town charm Volunteerism  Page-13    Chamber/city support  Business support  Rents  Development / growth management  Food insecurity  'Economy  Inflation Poverty  Workforce recruitment and retention  Young adults can't stay  Page 14    Achievement gap (Covid)  Civility/respect "Education Hispanic/ESL  Open space  Outdoor ed Natural resources  Climate change  Water  Trafic/ransportation  Artifacts and docs History  Quality of life  No time after commute Parenting  Public art  Disaster prep/wildfire mitigation  Safety  Fentanyl  Page 15    Community Comments  "Concerned about parents working long hours and commuting a great distance. Kids are left for long periods of time on their own."  "We need more forums where people civilly and respectfully discuss issues."  "Housing and the economy make it difficult for people to engage with their communty.commuting impacts community "lt's hard to have al business downtown..it's expensive to rent commercial space and there aren't enough places to buy in New "The primary concern is development, wildfire preparedness and mitigation, and protecting what makes New Castle sO unique."  participation." Castle."  "There are: Spanish speakers that are: afraid to ask..they are in great need ofs services and knowledge."  "Our people deserve being able to access information in their primary language."  Page 16    Review  What did we get right? Is anythingmissing?  What occurs to you now that didn't before (newissues)?  Page 17    Next Steps  Use community interview data to inform long range planning  Establish key strategic initiatives that address community concerns  Examples:  Housing summit, Feb 22nd, 2pm, Ute Theater in Rifle Work with County on mental health awareness and resources Cultural Celebrations (active & passive) at all branches Partnership with Glenwood Springs Historical Society  Convene civic discussions  Page 18    Thanks! Contactus:  Find Your  Jamie LaRue, Executive Director Garfield County Libraries larue@gcpld.org  GARFIELD COUNTY LIBRARIES  STORY  Page 19    a  CD S    Exhibit  Couricil Minutes  C    E :  8   e A G S. B  9 a 3 2 8  e 3 Z & e  $  €  C S  S  I  &        D  e 5  e : 8  9  3 3  9  5 of is a  e 0 3 9 0 D - o 3 - 5 a D  / 5  9 3  I    - 0 a o E - a 3 - n - f S f % D %  O m 9  0  S 0 S  of 3  S  8 E E B a D  a 5 a a .  e  B a E    of  %  of E 3 9 8 -  of 3  A 09. 0  e B yq L  of  A 0 - < Z a V D de  2  1 o 0 D L g d 9.  - E a  A . 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