ROCKY  OLORADY  CITY OF ROCKY FORD - CITY COUNCIL MEETING  January 23, 2024 WORK SESSION: 6:00 - p.m.  City Attorney Nathan Shultz, Police Captain Carol Coates, Code Enforcement Officer Natasha Ortiz, Police Chief Sean McDonagh, Mayor Duane Gurulé, Councilmembers Nicole Roberts, Nicholas Martinez, Larry Herrera and Sherry Cordova met fora awork session to discuss the following: Possible changes tot the city fee schedule, discussion regarding BNSF, the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City of Rocky Ford and thel Rocky Ford Chamber of Commerce Others present: J.R. Thompson, Gary Reed, Robert Barron, Patrice McGowen and Public' Works Foreman Cuco Ruiz  and aj proposal from Rodney Fouracre seeking appointment as the Rocky Ford Municipal Judge.  REGULAR MEETING: 7:00 p.m. Those present atr roll call were: Mayor: Duane Gurulé  Rocky Ford City Council meti in Council Chambers on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. Mayor Gurulé called the meeting to order.  Councilmembers: Larry Herrera, Nicholas Martinez, Sherry Cordova and Nicole Roberts  Staff: City Attorney Nathan Shultz, City Clerk Rebeccal Korinek, Police Chief Sean McDonagh, Police Captain Carol Coates, Code EntorcementReserve Police Officer Natasha Ortiz and Public Works Foreman Cuco Ruiz Others present: J.R. Thompson, Gary Reed, Patrice McGowen, Robert Barron, Cris Menz, Jennifer Olguin and Thomas  Mullins  Mayor Gurulé led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Councilmember Cordova read aloud the City of Rocky Ford's Mission Statement  PUBLIC COMMENT  Robert Barron, 1104 Virginia, gave thanks to the Public Works Department for their hard work on the water main break and  emergency responses during thet freezing period.  ANY CHANGES TO THE AGENDA OR CONSENT AGENDA  Mayor Gurulé requested that Council add, under new business, 12.4 Appointment of Rodney Fouracre as Interim Municipal  Court Judge for thel Municipal Court docket scheduled for Monday, January 29, 2024.    APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA  Mayor Gurulé explained the agenda and consent agenda to all. Councilmember Herrera moved to approve the agenda and consent agenda with the requested addition, under new business, 12.4 Appointment of Rodney Fouracre as Interim Municipal  Court. Judge. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Roberts. Voting results were:  YES NO ABSENT Motion carried 5-0 Consent Item(s) approved:  Herrera, Cordova, Roberts, Martinez, Gurulé  None None  1. Approval of previous meeting minutes for. January 9, 2024  PRESENTATIONS. AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS  None  STAFFREPORTS  City Manager Shannon Wallace had previously submitted her report by email. City Manager Wallace has been sick and was Parks and Recreation Director Stacey Milenski submitted a written report giving information regarding the Cemetery.  unable to attend tonight's meeting.  Library Director Leanna Chavez did not submit a report fort tonight's meeting.  OLD BUSINESS  International City Manager Association (ICMA) Class - City Manager Shannon Wallace  City Manager Wallace had given Council some information, ati the last regular meeting, regarding the ICMAI high performance leadership academy. This is a virtual, self-paced, twelve-week course that started on January 8th, at the cost of $1,995.00. Councimember Martinez moved to authorize City Manager Shannon Wallace to enroll in the ICMAcourse. The motion was  seconded by Councilmember Cordova. Voting results were:  YES NO ABSENT Motion carried 5-0 Update on E.D. Building  Cordova, Roberts, Martinez, Herrera, Gurulé  None None  City Attorney Nathan Shultz informed Council that he had sent some samples of Requests for Proposal (RFP's) to City Manager Wallace just about the time that she was getting sick. This matter will be placed oni the next regular meeting agenda  for follow-up.    Water Infrastructure Prioritization Plan  Public Works Director Rickl Long! had given Council information ont this matter at the last regular Council meeting on January 9, 2024 and Long had requested that Council consider and possibly approve on tonight's agenda. Public Works Foreman Cuco Ruiz reminded Council that, with their approval, ity would allow the Water Department to havel help in locating and prioritizing areas of need and to help with finding thet funding for whatever needs to be done. This will bet the planning phase to preparing ar master plan. Councilmember Roberts moved to approve and authorize the water infrastructure prioritization plan from Advanced Engineering 2S (AE2S), not to exceed $50,000. The motion was seconded by Councimember Martinez. Voting  results were: YES NO ABSENT Motion carried 5-0  Roberts, Martinez, Herrera, Cordova, Gurulé  None None  NEW BUSINESS  City Council Ward IIIV Vacancies - Discussion/Questions with Applicants  Mayor Gurulé informed the interested applicants thate each would be called tot the podium toi introduce themselves and to give Council some information about themselves. Each applicant will be asked, the same, three (3) questions. Council will then have discussion, if needed, and will proceed to the making of any motions and perform voting. Thei three (3) questions that 1. Do you think you have any personal or professional relationships that could become a confict ofi interest while serving 2. What skills and experience do you! have that you believe would be beneficial to you as a Councilmember? 3. Based on what youl know about City government, what do you see as top priorities for the City and why? Councimember Cordova moved to appoint Robert Barron to one of the vacant seats in Ward III. The motion was seconded by  were asked ofe each applicant were:  as a Councimember?  Councilmember Roberts. Voting results were:  YES NO ABSENT Motion carried 5-0  Roberts, Martinez, Herrera, Cordova, Gurulé  None None  Councilmember Martinez moved to appoint Thomas Mullins to one oft the vacant seatsi in Ward II. The motion was seconded  by Councimember Roberts. Voting results were:  YES NO ABSENT Motion carried 3-2  Martinez, Herrera, Roberts Cordova and Gurulé None  Oath of Office - Two (2) selected  City Clerk Rebecca Korinek gave the oath of office to Thomas Mullins and Robert Barron. Both took their seats on the dais.    City Attorney Nathan Shultz informed Council that he will be requesting Council to scheduleaone-hour (power point) training, with new Councimembers. Shultzi informed Council that hei is usually available on Friday afternoons. Colorado Municipal League (CML) also sends packets for officials as they begin their role as a municipal councilmember. City Clerk Rebecca  Korinek will give some packets to Mayor Gurulé for his one-on-one meetings.  Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem  Councimember Barron moved to appoint Councilmember Nicole Roberts as Mayor Pro Tem. The motion was seconded by  Councilmember Mullins. Voting results were:  YES NO ABSENT ABSTAIN  Herrera, Cordova, Martinez, Barron, Mullins, Gurulé  None None Roberts  Motion carried 6-0, with one abstention  Councilmember Roberts thanked fellow Councimembers and told all that' "shei is good withi it.  Appointment of Councilmembers to City Committees  Council reviewed the current City Committee list to determine boards/commitees that have vacancies. The City of Rocky Ford Mayori is, usually, routinely appointed to thel Rocky Ford Planning Commission and to the Rural Fire Protection District Volunteer Firefighters Pension Board. Mayor Gurulé volunteered tor remain on the OCLVOPIboard as an alternate, but asked that Council appoint replacements for the Arts Commission and the Swim Pool Commission. Thel Museum Board will also need a replacement. Councilmember Roberts asked Councimember Herrera ifl he would switch with her and take the Pension Board and, inreturn, Roberts would like to go tot the Planning Commission. Herrera agreed to switch tot the Pension Board. Herrera also volunteered for the Swim Pool Commission. Councilmember Barron volunteered to be on the Arts Commission and Councilmember Mullins volunteered tol be on thel Museum Board. Councilmember Roberts made a motion that Council appoint thei following: Councilmember Herrera be appointed to the Swim Pool Commission, Pension Board and Country Club Golf Course Board, Councilmember Barron tol be appointed tot the Arts Commission, Councilmember Martinez tot be appointed tot the Tree Board, Councilmember Cordova tol be appointed tot thel Library Board, Mayor Pro Tem Roberts to be appointed to the Planning Commission and Chamber of Commerce Board, Councilmember Mullins tol be appointed to the Museum Board and Mayor Gurulé to be appointed tot the Planning Commission, Pension Board and as an alternate for the OCLI/OPI Board.  The motion was seconded by Councimember Herrera. Voting results were:  YES NO ABSENT Motion carried7-0  Cordova, Roberts, Martinez, Herrera, Mullins, Barron, Gurulé  None None  Appointment of Rodney Fouracre - Interim Municipal Court Judge  Upon the recommendation of City Attorney Nathan Shultz, and having previously reviewed the proposal of Rodney Fouracre for Rocky Ford Municipal Judge, Councilmember Roberts moved to accept the proposal and appoint Rodney Fouracre as Interim Municipal Court. Judge and to add Fouracre's contract tot the agenda for Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Ther motion was  seconded by Councilmember Cordova. Voting results were:  YES NO ABSENT Motion carried 7-0  Roberts, Martinez, Herrera, Cordova, Barron, Mullins, Gurulé  None None    EXECUTIVE SESSION  None  PUBLIC COMMENT  J.R. Thompson, speaking on behalf oft the Arts Commission, personally invited everyone to a free band performance, by Academy Winds (a sub-division of the Air Force Academy Band), at the Grand Theater on Thursday, March 28, 2024a at7:00 Public Works Foreman Cuco Ruiz gave Council a written and oral report of the current activities of the Public Works  p.m. Department.  MAYORAND CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Councimember Herrera reported the following:  Herrera had nothing to report for tonight's meeting for the Country Club or thel Planning Commission.  Herrera willl ber reporting on the new committees that he will serve on.  Herrera willl be on vacationi for a week or two.  Councimember Barron:  Gave thanks to everyone andi is looking forward to working towards making the community better.  Councimember Martinez reported thei following:  Nothing tor report for tonight's meeting. The Tree Board willl have a meeting sometime before Mother's Day.  Martinez gave thanks to all City workers during the freezing weather.  Councimember Cordova reported thet following: Councimember Roberts reported the following:  Cordova had nothing to reporti fori tonight's meeting. Cordova will attend the next! Library Board meeting. Roberts attended the Chamber of Commerce Board meeting. Roberts reported that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Rocky! Ford has been submitted to Council for their review. The Chamberi is looking for new board members and invited citizens to reach out ifi interested. Mullins gave thanks to everyone for their confidence in him and commented that he is very excited and will dol his  Councimember Mullins: absolute best.  Mayor Gurulé reported the following:  Gurulé attended the ribbon cutting ceremony fir 10-41 Apparel. Agood representation of people attended andi itwas Gurulé attended the Colorado Municipal League (CML) virtual legislative preview. New Bills, Home Rule Cities/Towns, The City of Rocky Ford willl bel hosting al business round-table on Friday, February gthf from 9a.m. to 11 a.m. at the The City of Rocky Ford will be hosting, on February 12th from 9 a.m. to 11a.m., a non-profit round-table. Gurulé thanked City staff for hosting an animal shelter, a warming shelter and rides during thei freeze.  great to welcome al new business to Rocky Ford. new laws and land use were discussed. Public Safety Building.    UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS  Tuesday, February 13, 2024 ate 6:00 p.m. for Work session and 7:00 p.m. for Regular Council meeting Tuesday, February 27,2024 ate 6:00 p.m. for Work session and 7:00 p.m. for Regular Council meeting  ADJOURN  There being no further business, Mayor Gurulé adjourned the regular meeting at 8:13 p.m.  Habokk  Mayor Duane  ROCKIS City Clerk Rebeccal Korinek    SEAV